MY PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

On July 21 I had my left knee partially replaced. The medial side was bone on bone, painful 24 hours a day, and I hobbled around at work and every where else like a 90 year old. AND I'm only 57. I tried medicine, and steroid injections without much success. The surgery decision was almost a no brainer.

I went in on August 21, Tuesday, for surgery and stay until Friday. Post-op was a nightmare. Much, much pain. My ice machine for my knee did not work the first 36 hours. 2 of my recovery room friends came up to see me, and figured out what was wrong. I was in the Special care unit of the hospital because the other wing was full. The special care nurses in this hospital did not have alot of experience with knee replacement surgery. The ice was an instant relief. Then I had diarrhea from the antibiotics, nausea from the same meds, Oh, and did I mention I was gorked out on pain meds, morphine and percocet. My back was very painful from being in bed so long. In fact the pain in my back went right through to my chest. Hence, I bought a chest xray and an EKG for that problem. Most of it I do not remember. That's probably a good thing. The bed was the most awful thing I have ever slept on, including the floor. UGH!!

On Friday, I went to an in-patient rehab place. Another very uncomfortable bed. Seems every rehab place was full in this city, so this place was the only one available. Its an old place, very old. They worked my knee 2 to 3 hours a day. The best thing they did for me, was to clue me in on my gait when walking. I'm still concentrating on having a nice non wobbling gait.

I left the rehab place in about 4 days. Four VERY LONG DAYS. Then, came home to our cabin in the woods to recover. PT comes to my house 3 days a week, but that will end next week. He's a torture-man, but very good. His biggest challenge is to answer all my questions as to when will I be better. My knee extension measures in at 5%, and my flextion is at 106%. I don't think that's too bad. It could always be better though.

My impatience with the slowness of my recovery knows no bounds. I just assumed that if I worked hard at rebuilding muscle and stretching the muscles surrounding my left knee, that I would be better in no time. That's not quite true. Apparently knees have a mind of their own. While doing all my rehab exercises is very important, the knee still needs time to actually heal. Apparently, the swelling, which makes my knee very stiff and sore, will last a while no matter what I do.

There are improvements over the last 2 1/2 weeks. And some setbacks after I have done to much the day before like yesterday. But, I am getting better ever so slowly.

I'm going to drive today, which will improve my general outlook on life. I just need to go out and see the world.

I have not been very productive the last weeks, but I think that will change soon. I have read alot of books though. The Defining Moment by Johnathan Alter was the best. Its a recount of FDR's first 100 days in office. I also read a romantic vampire book some one at work said I would love. That's a very dumb book. Don't read it.

Anyway, my advice to all those who need a partial knee replacement is that it IS painful, alot of rehab work, and time consuming. Its probably going to be a very good thing once I finish recovering. The whole process takes about a year to actually say good by to all the stiffness and swelling. As a nurse, I should not be surprised by this fact, and I now have a sullen acceptance of the fact. I'm still not happy with the fact, but what can you do?

For now, I'm going to do my knee exercises, then go take a shower.

Life does go on!