my knee, version 2.0

[sundial]

In the month January I had finally come to a place where I knew it was time to do something with my arthritic knee. I could no longer enjoy a simple bike ride without significant swelling and difficulty in completing one pedal stroke. Knowing that the joint would never get better on it's own, I made an appointment with my ortho and I told him that I was ready for joint replacement and together we discussed the game plan.

In mid February I checked into the hospital and signed on the dotted line for my new knee. I had mourned the loss of my old knee and thanked it for being as dependable as it could be, given the arthritic changes that had occurred over a period of 30+ years. My leg was bowing somewhat and I had many bone spurs that kept me from fully flexing or extending my knee, not to mention several foreign bodies floating around and lodging against the nerve which caused intense pain and swelling. I came to realize that if I didn't have it replaced soon, it would soon take it's toll on my joints from overcompensating. I looked at the TKA as an insurance policy in that respect.

I was wheeled into OR and 1 hour 45 minutes later I emerged with a new prosthesis that would afford a better quality of life. As the anesthetic wore off, a smile slowly crept across my face and I laid there in bliss. My new life had begun and I had a new set of challenges ahead of me. I didn't care that there may be a series of hurdles to overcome because for once in my life the pain would lessen with each passing day, rather than increase. Gone were the days of popping ibuprofen before and after a simple bike ride. Or cringing in pain while seated in the backseat of a friend's car. Or limping from the table after enjoying a wonderful gourmet meal. No longer did I have to plan a life around limitations and the amount of pain I was willing to endure as a price. I am now free to explore life with a knee that helps me to walk a little taller and a little straighter.

The morning after the surgery my physical therapist took me for my first walk. As I gingerly took that first step, I remember thinking, "Wow! This knee just glides and works so smoothly!" I walked 500 feet my first day. No joint pain, just muscle stiffness and swelling. That afternoon as the PT worked my knee in passive range of motion, I remember how good it felt to bend it just a little more with each rep. My pain was managed quite well and even during therapy I felt it was a .5 on a scale of 0-10. I was quite fortunate to have had a femoral block as well as a transdermal pain delivery system that all but blocked the pain entirely. The only time I experienced discomfort was when I was hooked up to the constant passive motion machine where it would slowly bend and straighten my knee as I snoozed. For whatever reason, I just could not get comfortable in it and at the end of the session my knee and foot would swell tremendously.

I am now 11 days post op. The days that followed continued to amaze me in my recovery. By the time I left the hospital I could walk the east wing 3 times. My range of motion was -10 extension and and 110 flexion by day 7. I was able to pedal forwards on the stationary bike by day 8. The day that I did 5 minutes of pedaling I just grinned from ear to ear. I can pretty much manage the pain with just ibuprofen but as a precaution I am using the pain meds sparingly just to make sure I don't get behind with managing the pain well. I will get my staples out this coming week and I look forward to pedaling 10 minutes on the bike. Then 15. Then 30 minutes.

I know that part of the reason I have done so well with my post op recovery is due in part to my attitude, my goals, and the prayers spoken on behalf of friends and family. I am so thankful for having the opportunity to change what is broken and to make it better. I feel very fortunate to live in an era of advanced medicine. But most of all, I am thankful for my faith that brought me through this life changing event. I look forward to seeing the little victories of the day that will occur with each day that passes. I am blessed and I pray that if you are facing a similar circumstance that you will consider the risks and benefits by researching joint replacement thoroughly, talking with your doctor, and beginning your new journey of a life without debilitation.

[indysteel]

Congrats on your new knee, Sundial! I'm so glad the recovery is going well!

[sundial]

Thank you Indy! I appreciate you kind words of encouragement.

[abejita]

Here's wishing you many pain free and active years to come with your new knee!

[Catrin]

Sundial, it is great to hear that your recovery seems to be going so well! Congratulations, and good luck!

[jessmarimba]

Sounds like everything is going great! Congratulations! You'll be back to way better than normal in no time with that progress!

[malkin]

Happy new knee!
(say it fast and it will make you smile.)

[Karma007]

Happy to hear it's going so well! As a potential candidate myself someday, I love success stories!

[OakLeaf]

Wow! I'm so impressed it's going so smoothly for you! I have only my mom to compare, and she is extremely motivated and compliant, was in great shape before the surgery, but she had quite a bit of pain nevertheless. Hope your recovery continues to be just as great.

[sundial]

Thank you everyone. Your words are soothing and encouraging as I travel down this new path. When I was preparing mentally for the surgery I compared it to training for Mt. Everest. According to experiences of other knee patients, I knew there would be hurdles to overcome and s l o w progress. When I entered recovery, the only goal I had was to walk 8 feet in my first walk with assistance. What a pleasant surprise to learn that I could go further than my hospital room and hallway. I don't necessarily set goals per se. Rather, I just go with what feels natural and I listen to my gut feeling. Today after my PT I came home and decided to vacuum the house. Then after that I wanted to climb on my bike that is sitting on the trainer and I did so. I pedaled a half stroke forward and a half stroke backward slowly and did it for a few reps and then got off. Next, I climbed 16 stairs normally, albeit slowly. While trying to pedal the bike and walking the stairs, the only sensation I had was the feeling of tightness above my knee. I feel so very fortunate that is my only chief complaint. My mother had a TKA 7 years ago and she still experiences swelling, pain and limited range of motion in her knee. She is very motivated to go through a revision since I did so well with my knee.

Oakleaf, I came across a discussion board on hips and knees and a patient presented the same symptoms that my mother has and it turns out that her body was sensitive to the metal used in the prosthesis. Once the patient had it revised, her symptoms went away. Perhaps our mothers are experiencing the same problem? There is a prosthesis now available that is made with hypoallergenic metal. I will ask my OS about it when mother makes her appointment to see him.

Tofu, when researching area hospitals or surgical clinics that do TKA's, look for one that offers a knee camp. With the knee camp I learned that the staff is trained specifically to work with hip and knee patients and will offer a service that makes pain management a priority as well as the physical/occupational therapy. My knee camp also encouraged us to dress in street clothes and the floor catered only to hip/knee patients as they were very proactive about minimizing infection. (In surgery, they wore the space suits which can cut the infection rate to 0%.)We all attended PT together twice a day along with our designated "coach" who sat across from us to keep us encouraged. The staff worked 2 12 hour shifts so that you saw the same techs, nurses and PT's. The average length of stay is 4 days pending lab results. My doc made rounds every morning and I was able to communicate to him any problems or discomfort I was feeling. This system is in sharp contrast to other med/surge floors in which you may or may not get adequate pain control, meds, PT, etc. I remember having only one bad night in the hospital and it was when I had to wait 15 minutes before getting assistance to go to the bathroom.

[sundial]

My knee, 12 days post op

[sundial]

My knee pre-op, twas bone on bone for 17 years.

[redrhodie]

Your post makes me want one, and there's nothing wrong with my knees! Your attitude is awesome! It really sounds like you've been given a new lease on life. Best recovery to you!

[azfiddle]

So happy to hear how things are going for you. You have a great attitude- hope the recovery continues to progress well.

[malkin]

Your post makes me want one, and there's nothing wrong with my knees! Your attitude is awesome! It really sounds like you've been given a new lease on life. Best recovery to you!

lol!

I'm not exactly coveting any joint replacements, but I'd do anything to catch your attitude!