my knee, version 2.0

[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!

[sundial]

Redrhodie, your comment means alot coming from someone who is pretty upbeat about most everything. Thank you everyone for your kind words and well wishes. They really help!

I now have my staples out and have a few steri-strips covering a small section on my incision. This weekend I will be able to shower normally and will no longer have to rely on my hairdresser, aka DH, who has been washing my hair in the kitchen sink. My swelling is improving with each day and I am able to putter around without joint pain. What a neat thing to experience for the first time in years! I try to walk up and down the stairs once a day to improve strength and flexibility but the area above my knee still feels very tight when I try to bend my knee past 90 degrees. I know the 120 degrees flexion will eventually come so I try not to push it too hard. Still it's hard not to.

I haven't experienced the blues that comes with using narcotics for pain management as some knee patients have experienced. I got weepy once in the hospital and that was because of lack of sleep the night before and I was feeling more pain and frustration as a result. I was weepy again last night and it was due to feeling so vulnerable and achy, probably the result of a big thunderstorm that was moving in our area. Even though I was feeling down, I would not hesitate to have my knee replaced but it does come with a price--a long rehab process, and that is what made me somewhat sad. I can't be available to others who might need help. I can't drive or take my parents to the doctor or even the emergency room if they need to go. I have to rely on others for that and it's difficult to do so as I consider myself to be a fiercely independent person. I am thankful that I am progressing rapidly but I also think about what if I had been one of the patients who experienced a rough recovery with limited range of motion and lots of pain post op? There are some patients who have had a TKA that still experience pain and swelling years after the surgery.

Another thing I've experienced is the lack of empathy or understanding from those who have not had a TKA. People think that if one has a TKA that he or she will be up and at 'em and back to normal within a short time--and it seems especially true if you are young for a TKA. I had a family member that was surprised to learn that I had to use a walker to get around. They are surprised that I still sound tired on the phone just 2 weeks post op. (Anemia!)

There is not only the physical healing but the psychological healing as well. There is on occasion the fear or frustration of not being able to have the strength or endurance to accomplish a task, such as cooking a simple meal, driving a short distance, or walking in a large, crowded store. There are days when I seem to take one step backward and I feel emotionally spent. My mind can't seem to focus and process alot of information and I get overwhelmed, frustrated, become weepy and I know then that I have to rest more. There are days when I see a lot of progress too and it's those days that gives me a boost and gives me something that I can think back on when I have a down day.

Having a good support system makes all the difference in the recovery process. I could get by with just me if I had to but it's nice that I do have DH available to make sure that I'm safe, that I'm without a lot of pain, and without a lot of undue pressures that comes with life. Having that has helped me tremendously and I can rest easier because of his efforts.

[emily_in_nc]

Sundial,

Your post-op emotionality and frustrations really took me back. When I fractured my pelvis in 2005 in a cycling accident and had surgery, I experienced the same sorts of reactions as you. It takes awhile to feel even close to your old self, and I really do think you need to go easy on yourself and not fret about what you can't do or what "could" happen while you're recovering. Chances are, no one is going to need you to drive them to the ER in the next few weeks. And if by chance it happens, then things will work out. I couldn't drive for 9 weeks, so I just had to relax and realize that the world would somehow manage to revolve on its axis without me taking care of things. And it did!

[jessmarimba]

You seem to be pretty aware of what's going on and what you need to do to get through it, but I just wanted to chime in that the psychological part was the worst for me too. Physically once I was able to start rehab the progress was really apparent, but being tired and achy and having activity restrictions was just too much to take some days. And the narcotics gave me some crazy dreams (usually me doing things I couldn't do, like skiing in a bikini or something nutty) so sleeping wasn't always the break I'd hope for!

We're all here for you when you need support

[sundial]

Emily, you certainly had unique challenges to face during your healing process and your words of wisdom bring comfort to me. You were very fortunate to have had a good support system as well. A fractured pelvis is pretty serious and even more debilitating than a joint replacement. I'm thankful that you had a full recovery and that you are able to return to the things that you enjoy--including bike rides. You suggested that I let go and let it heal, that I probably won't be contacted to drive someone to the ER.

I have to share with you something that did transpire.

My dad called me in a panic to tell me that he had lost vision in both eyes and without remembering that I just had knee surgery, asked me if I could drive him to his doctor. He knew that he had a stroke. I reminded him that I couldn't drive and he was surprised. I knew then it was serious. My mother, who is crippled with arthritis and has vision problems, had driven little in the past several years so she had to take him to the doctor. I just held my breath hoping that they wouldn't get into an accident. He was seen by the doctor and they made arrangements for an ambulance to transport him to a nearby hospital. Meanwhile I'm lying in bed, unable to do anything much less think clearly. Hubby couldn't get off work to help and mother had to wait until DH got off work in the evening to take her to the hospital. I had to call some of their friends to ask if they could bring dad home from the hospital when it was time for his discharge. He still has 50% vision loss in both eyes and I can't help but worry about them while I am facing my own set of challenges. I had to make arrangements for home health to start working with them and try to find medical transportation for them since their doctors are out of town.

It is such a trying time and I would not wish it on anyone.

Jess, thank you for your comforting words my Fargo friend. Narcotics are funny thing. I've not had vivid wild dreams like skiing in a bikini but I have had cold food cravings for things like yogurt, fruit smoothies, cold turkey sandwiches, and chilled granny smith apples. While I was in the hospital hubby came across some Girl Scout cookies so he stocked up on the peanut butter cookies for me. I guess I timed my surgery and recovery just right so that I can indulge in a few special cookies here and there. It's odd that the only time I lose alot of weight is when my body is trying to recover from a big injury. Not exactly a weight loss plan that I would want to endorse.