Wow, it has been 9 months since my knee replacement, and I quit writing posts after my last therapy sessions. I have to say that for many of the previous months, my knee worked well, but still did not seem a part of me. I cautiously began playing golf in late August and tennis in September. My advice from my doctor was "don't run and don't fall down." So, it was with trepidation that I began doubles tennis again. I really did try not to run, but my natural instincts soon overcame my fears, and I can say that I do run with abandonment toward those wayward yellow spheres. Loving playing tennis again and at a competitive level - on a USTA 3.0 team (senior). Golf is progressing, and I do love the game, most of the time - but what I really enjoy is being outside with friends, and celebrating the good shots and trying to forget the way-too-many bad ones.
Physically, the numbness continues on the outside of the leg, but that isn't bothersome, but still feels funny when I shave my legs. I have occasional clicks when I walk. I really don't think about my knee when I climb stairs. My scar is minimal. I have no pain, which is the absolute best result of the surgery. I do lots of walking now and enjoy that immensely. I would do it all over again (but hope I don't have to with my left knee - fingers crossed). I'll post once again after my one year check-up, but to those of you considering replacement - get it done - it won't get better - IF, and a big IF - your MRI or X-rays show you've lost all cushioning between the bones. Good luck!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Keep on keeping on
I'm closing in on 6 weeks post surgery - a point where the surgeon and therapist says I should be 80% recovered. I have been feeling more and more "normal" and have gotten back into the routines of my life, but some things still elude me.
I have been going to the fitness indoor pool about every other day (when I don't have physical therapy) and walking back and forth, starting with 10 minutes my first few times and working my way up to 20 minutes today. I have also done toe and heel raises and squats (I've progressed from mini-squats to deeper squats) like the ones I do at therapy. Today, I did some step-ups that I also do in therapy now, only not as many. I thought that I would be through with therapy after six weeks (which ended Friday), but my therapist said two more weeks at least. I talked to a woman today at the pool who said she went for 16 weeks, but surely it won't take that long. Each time I go to therapy we seem to add exercises or machines to use, so I must be getting some strength back. Just trying to be patient and enjoy the little steps I'm making toward recovery, like giving up the walker at night. I remind myself to be thankful that I don't have any pain when I walk - something that surely wasn't true six weeks ago.
I had a real treat for the 4th of July. I was able to get on a friend's sailboat with a little help and maneuvering which was parked directly across the water from the barge that shot off the fireworks for the 4th. It was a great front row seat and the fireworks were spectacular. Getting off the boat was lots easier than getting on, although the floating dock was a bit difficult to maneuver, still a little shaky, but I'm doing exercises at therapy that works on that.
Visited a friend today, who had surgery about 12 days ago. She's had home health care, but although she is doing really, really well, I am able to look at my progress and be glad I have 4 weeks ahead of her. I still have problems with my sleep patterns, and feel tired a good bit of the day. I don't know if that is due to lingering effects of surgery or whether there may be some other reason for the fatigue. I have an appointment with my regular internist this coming week, so maybe she can answer those questions. However, overall, I continue to improve and continue to be extremely happy I've had the surgery.
I have been going to the fitness indoor pool about every other day (when I don't have physical therapy) and walking back and forth, starting with 10 minutes my first few times and working my way up to 20 minutes today. I have also done toe and heel raises and squats (I've progressed from mini-squats to deeper squats) like the ones I do at therapy. Today, I did some step-ups that I also do in therapy now, only not as many. I thought that I would be through with therapy after six weeks (which ended Friday), but my therapist said two more weeks at least. I talked to a woman today at the pool who said she went for 16 weeks, but surely it won't take that long. Each time I go to therapy we seem to add exercises or machines to use, so I must be getting some strength back. Just trying to be patient and enjoy the little steps I'm making toward recovery, like giving up the walker at night. I remind myself to be thankful that I don't have any pain when I walk - something that surely wasn't true six weeks ago.
I had a real treat for the 4th of July. I was able to get on a friend's sailboat with a little help and maneuvering which was parked directly across the water from the barge that shot off the fireworks for the 4th. It was a great front row seat and the fireworks were spectacular. Getting off the boat was lots easier than getting on, although the floating dock was a bit difficult to maneuver, still a little shaky, but I'm doing exercises at therapy that works on that.
Visited a friend today, who had surgery about 12 days ago. She's had home health care, but although she is doing really, really well, I am able to look at my progress and be glad I have 4 weeks ahead of her. I still have problems with my sleep patterns, and feel tired a good bit of the day. I don't know if that is due to lingering effects of surgery or whether there may be some other reason for the fatigue. I have an appointment with my regular internist this coming week, so maybe she can answer those questions. However, overall, I continue to improve and continue to be extremely happy I've had the surgery.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
After one month
Today marks one month since I had my knee replacement. Hard to believe it - seems like a few days ago I was coming home from the hospital. Then, again, considering all the changes that have taken place, it seems like a long time.
At this point I am becoming pretty self-sufficient. I no longer need the walker and never used a cane. I have started walking in the pool on the days I don't have physical therapy. I keep it to a minimum of 10-15 minutes right now, and that is enough to make me fairly tired. I still do the same minimal exercises as home, but the physical therapy has stepped it up a notch. At the last session, I used the recumbent bike for 5 minutes and then switched to a regular upright bike for the next 5 minutes warm up. It makes me think I'm not too far off from riding my own bike at home. The number of exercises I do has increased. In addition to my standard ones, I now do toe raises and mini-squats, balancing on a rocking board for 2 minutes, both back and forth and then side to side without holding on, using the leg press machine, another exercise using a machine with weights that is too hard for me to describe, and stepping up and down 18 inches leading with my knee-replaced leg (this goes against "up with the good, down with the bad" and took some adjustment) both forward and to the side. I continue to make progress with my range of motion which is now at 130 degrees and my straightening my leg is also improving though still not perfect. I have 3 more weeks of therapy to go. The good news is that I am now driving myself to therapy and also to the pool. This is great for my husband, because he was usually either early to pick me up and had to wait 10 or 15 minutes, or I finished up early, and I was waiting on him.
I still ice my knee 2-3 times a day, but I'm beginning to cut down on my pain medication and hope to be completely off that in the next week or two. I understand that I should make 80% of progress toward recovery in the first 6 weeks, with a year to reach 100%. I'll continue with this blog through the 6 weeks at least to record my progress.
At this point I am becoming pretty self-sufficient. I no longer need the walker and never used a cane. I have started walking in the pool on the days I don't have physical therapy. I keep it to a minimum of 10-15 minutes right now, and that is enough to make me fairly tired. I still do the same minimal exercises as home, but the physical therapy has stepped it up a notch. At the last session, I used the recumbent bike for 5 minutes and then switched to a regular upright bike for the next 5 minutes warm up. It makes me think I'm not too far off from riding my own bike at home. The number of exercises I do has increased. In addition to my standard ones, I now do toe raises and mini-squats, balancing on a rocking board for 2 minutes, both back and forth and then side to side without holding on, using the leg press machine, another exercise using a machine with weights that is too hard for me to describe, and stepping up and down 18 inches leading with my knee-replaced leg (this goes against "up with the good, down with the bad" and took some adjustment) both forward and to the side. I continue to make progress with my range of motion which is now at 130 degrees and my straightening my leg is also improving though still not perfect. I have 3 more weeks of therapy to go. The good news is that I am now driving myself to therapy and also to the pool. This is great for my husband, because he was usually either early to pick me up and had to wait 10 or 15 minutes, or I finished up early, and I was waiting on him.
I still ice my knee 2-3 times a day, but I'm beginning to cut down on my pain medication and hope to be completely off that in the next week or two. I understand that I should make 80% of progress toward recovery in the first 6 weeks, with a year to reach 100%. I'll continue with this blog through the 6 weeks at least to record my progress.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Sleep (or lack thereof)
I have had a significant problem with my sleep patterns since this surgery. It seems fairly easy to get days and nights mixed up with the hospital routine of waking up (or being woken up) at all hours and then, at home, waking up to take pain medication in the middle of the night. I also found in the early weeks, even up to the present, if I have a particularly tiring day at PT or just from overdoing around the house, that sitting in bed icing my knee makes me so incredibly sleepy that I just have to nap. I've had naps that lasted two hours, and for me this is the kiss of death for a normal bedtime. Even though I feel very tired (I never seem to recover fully from a nap), I can lie awake for hours before sleep finally comes, and then it can be a fitful sleep with many wake-up times. This must be a problem for many knee replacement patients because the PA asked me if I had difficulty sleeping.
It really isn't the pain that keeps me a wake, but the inability to find a comfortable sleeping position. For weeks after surgery, I was only able to sleep on my back, and I always slept in the same position with my left leg straight and my right one slightly bent. Now I am able to lie on my side if (and this is a big "if") I can find that one comfortable spot. Usually I can't, so I toss and turn (gingerly), and usually end up back on my back again. The PA gave me a prescription for something that isn't a sleeping pill or a muscle relaxer, but something that supposedly calms the nerve endings. That helps some, but I still continue to have problems falling asleep. This just might be me - I've always had difficulty with this, but now it is more pronounced.
Another problem is that when I have a very restless night, have a hard time falling asleep and wake up multiple times (usually every hour on the hour), when I finally get into that deep restful sleep, I sleep late into the morning. A few days I slept until 11:00 a.m., and had a hard time rising even at that hour. Of course, this exacerbates the problem - hard to go back to bed less than 12 hours since I woke up. My physical therapist suggested icing my knee for 30 minutes or so before I'm ready for sleep to see if that helps. I'll try that and let you know. But for now, this remains a problem.
If any of you reading this blog have some suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
It really isn't the pain that keeps me a wake, but the inability to find a comfortable sleeping position. For weeks after surgery, I was only able to sleep on my back, and I always slept in the same position with my left leg straight and my right one slightly bent. Now I am able to lie on my side if (and this is a big "if") I can find that one comfortable spot. Usually I can't, so I toss and turn (gingerly), and usually end up back on my back again. The PA gave me a prescription for something that isn't a sleeping pill or a muscle relaxer, but something that supposedly calms the nerve endings. That helps some, but I still continue to have problems falling asleep. This just might be me - I've always had difficulty with this, but now it is more pronounced.
Another problem is that when I have a very restless night, have a hard time falling asleep and wake up multiple times (usually every hour on the hour), when I finally get into that deep restful sleep, I sleep late into the morning. A few days I slept until 11:00 a.m., and had a hard time rising even at that hour. Of course, this exacerbates the problem - hard to go back to bed less than 12 hours since I woke up. My physical therapist suggested icing my knee for 30 minutes or so before I'm ready for sleep to see if that helps. I'll try that and let you know. But for now, this remains a problem.
If any of you reading this blog have some suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
A word about pain
I have looked at lots of sites on the internet about knee replacement, and found one where a woman who had knee replacement scheduled seemed overwhelmed worrying about the pain. Many people had responded to her to reassure her about pain management, but she still seemed so focused and fearful about the pain of surgery. That has prompted this post.
First of all, how many people do you know who undergo knee replacement surgery because they thought it would offer significant improvement in their minor knee pain? I'm sure your answer was "no one." The reason people schedule a knee replacement is because the pain and restriction of movement of the affected knee has greatly impacted their daily living to the point where they seek relief from this. I have talked with many friends and relatives who have delayed knee replacement and lived with constant pain because of this fear. One hundred per cent have said after knee replacement that they wished they had done it sooner. The longer you delay knee replacement because of fear of pain, the greater the chances are that you will have greater damage to your knee.
Does knee replacement surgery involve pain? Yes, it does. Does physical therapy involve pain? Yes, it does. Will this pain gradually decrease as you heal? Yes, it will. If you do not have knee replacement on a damaged knee, will it involve pain? Yes, it will. Will this pain gradually decrease? No, it won't. So, if you are one of many who are postponing surgery because of the fear of pain, you are probably just postponing the inevitable. At some point, you will undergo the surgery because you are unwilling to live with the pain. Why keep putting it off? If knee pain gets to a point where it impacts your lifestyle and you have one or more doctors' opinions that you would benefit from knee surgery, bite the bullet and go for it. I know I'm glad I did.
First of all, how many people do you know who undergo knee replacement surgery because they thought it would offer significant improvement in their minor knee pain? I'm sure your answer was "no one." The reason people schedule a knee replacement is because the pain and restriction of movement of the affected knee has greatly impacted their daily living to the point where they seek relief from this. I have talked with many friends and relatives who have delayed knee replacement and lived with constant pain because of this fear. One hundred per cent have said after knee replacement that they wished they had done it sooner. The longer you delay knee replacement because of fear of pain, the greater the chances are that you will have greater damage to your knee.
Does knee replacement surgery involve pain? Yes, it does. Does physical therapy involve pain? Yes, it does. Will this pain gradually decrease as you heal? Yes, it will. If you do not have knee replacement on a damaged knee, will it involve pain? Yes, it will. Will this pain gradually decrease? No, it won't. So, if you are one of many who are postponing surgery because of the fear of pain, you are probably just postponing the inevitable. At some point, you will undergo the surgery because you are unwilling to live with the pain. Why keep putting it off? If knee pain gets to a point where it impacts your lifestyle and you have one or more doctors' opinions that you would benefit from knee surgery, bite the bullet and go for it. I know I'm glad I did.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
First doctor visit
Had a great visit at my doctor's office today. Can't believe it has been 3 weeks since my surgery, as the time has seemed to crawl by, but more and more I realize that it has been well worth it. My physical therapist had given me a note about my progress to give to him, and both the PA and doctor seemed pleased with it.
I had X-rays taken again, and everything looked good and in place. The first thing the PA told me was that I could ditch the compression hose - what a relief. I was beginning to fear I would have permanent indentations on both legs. I forgot to ask the doctor why I had to have the hose on the good knee as well as the replaced one (not the bad knee anymore!) Maybe I'll remember on my next visit. I do have to continue to wear the sleeve on my leg, but don't even have to wear that at night.
What a sad sight my leg is what with the glue residue, the extreme dryness, the long, ugly, discolored incision, and the exceedingly long hair that has avoided the razor for a month. The PA removed the adhesive strips that had held the incision closed and noted the new ones that the doctor had added when he re-glued me. There was only mild discomfort, hardly enough to mention. She did caution me not to pick at the glue residue (it is tempting, but I'll try to refrain.) She showed me how to massage the incision to help with the scarring. I am to use Vitamin E oil.
More good news, I can drive as long as I haven't had pain medication in 6 hours, I can go to the pool and walk in the water, maybe I can even putt a little bit, and I can jettison the walker if I want to. I think I will keep it for nighttime use, as I still need that security, but I'm walking around the house without it now.
I feel like today is a major milestone in my recovery and I will try to work even harder with physical therapy to get even better.
I had X-rays taken again, and everything looked good and in place. The first thing the PA told me was that I could ditch the compression hose - what a relief. I was beginning to fear I would have permanent indentations on both legs. I forgot to ask the doctor why I had to have the hose on the good knee as well as the replaced one (not the bad knee anymore!) Maybe I'll remember on my next visit. I do have to continue to wear the sleeve on my leg, but don't even have to wear that at night.
What a sad sight my leg is what with the glue residue, the extreme dryness, the long, ugly, discolored incision, and the exceedingly long hair that has avoided the razor for a month. The PA removed the adhesive strips that had held the incision closed and noted the new ones that the doctor had added when he re-glued me. There was only mild discomfort, hardly enough to mention. She did caution me not to pick at the glue residue (it is tempting, but I'll try to refrain.) She showed me how to massage the incision to help with the scarring. I am to use Vitamin E oil.
More good news, I can drive as long as I haven't had pain medication in 6 hours, I can go to the pool and walk in the water, maybe I can even putt a little bit, and I can jettison the walker if I want to. I think I will keep it for nighttime use, as I still need that security, but I'm walking around the house without it now.
I feel like today is a major milestone in my recovery and I will try to work even harder with physical therapy to get even better.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Pets?
It occurred to me that some of you reading this may have a pet just as I do. You may also have children in your home, but you can usually explain to children the necessity of being careful around someone who has just had a knee replacement. This is more difficult with pets.
I have a cat, a Rag Doll cat, whose redeeming grace is that she is beautiful. However, her intelligence is in inverse proportion to her beauty. I could devote a whole blog to Cassie, but since this is about knee replacement, I'll only address dealing with her in regard to my surgery. I am Cassie's primary care giver. Up until this time, I have been the one to feed her, give her her medication, and clean out her litter box. The only interaction she has with my husband has been to snuggle up beside him on the sofa while he watches golf tournaments. Therefore, she has had a difficult time adjusting to having Bill as a primary care giver. When Bill gives her a morning treat of a spoonful of wet cat food as a reward for taking her medication, she will not follow him to the laundry room where her food bowl is, but stares at me and meows mournfully, before finally giving up and taking a nap. Eventually, when she goes to get a bit of dry cat food, she will discover the wet cat food has miraculously appeared and chows down.
Since my surgery, I have spent a fair amount of time in bed, a place that is forbidden to Cassie. I know many people allow pets, both canine and feline, into their bed, but my husband and I don't like sleeping with animals. So, Cassie knows that any attempt she has made to get on our bed is generally met with loud screams, and Cassie does not like that at all. So, Cassie sits beside my bed and meows, and meows, and meows - not a soft little mew, but a loud and indignent request to get up and pay her some attention. I have to admit that on a few occasions I have let her jump up on the bed, but she doesn't stay long. She is very nervous that the loud screams are imminent, so she quickly vacates the area.
Cassie likes to lie in the middle of any traffic pattern in our house and assumes that the humans will walk around her. It is not possible to navigate my walker around her, so I just plow ahead. The poor cat does not have enough sense to get out of the way, though since I've rolled over her tail a few times, she does appear to be getting the message.
Now while dealing with Cassie after my surgery has been somewhat annoying, I really can't imagine what it would be like with a dog, especially a rather large dog, especially a rather large dog who is used to sleeping in your bed. I have a friend who is having knee surgery next week. She has an English bulldog who sleeps in their bed. I seriously don't know what she's going to do. But, maybe she will read this blog and be somewhat prepared. I'm glad it isn't a problem I'll have to deal with.
Just remember that forewarned is forearmed, so if you have a pet, try to make some arrangements to deal with any situation that might arise.
I have a cat, a Rag Doll cat, whose redeeming grace is that she is beautiful. However, her intelligence is in inverse proportion to her beauty. I could devote a whole blog to Cassie, but since this is about knee replacement, I'll only address dealing with her in regard to my surgery. I am Cassie's primary care giver. Up until this time, I have been the one to feed her, give her her medication, and clean out her litter box. The only interaction she has with my husband has been to snuggle up beside him on the sofa while he watches golf tournaments. Therefore, she has had a difficult time adjusting to having Bill as a primary care giver. When Bill gives her a morning treat of a spoonful of wet cat food as a reward for taking her medication, she will not follow him to the laundry room where her food bowl is, but stares at me and meows mournfully, before finally giving up and taking a nap. Eventually, when she goes to get a bit of dry cat food, she will discover the wet cat food has miraculously appeared and chows down.
Since my surgery, I have spent a fair amount of time in bed, a place that is forbidden to Cassie. I know many people allow pets, both canine and feline, into their bed, but my husband and I don't like sleeping with animals. So, Cassie knows that any attempt she has made to get on our bed is generally met with loud screams, and Cassie does not like that at all. So, Cassie sits beside my bed and meows, and meows, and meows - not a soft little mew, but a loud and indignent request to get up and pay her some attention. I have to admit that on a few occasions I have let her jump up on the bed, but she doesn't stay long. She is very nervous that the loud screams are imminent, so she quickly vacates the area.
Cassie likes to lie in the middle of any traffic pattern in our house and assumes that the humans will walk around her. It is not possible to navigate my walker around her, so I just plow ahead. The poor cat does not have enough sense to get out of the way, though since I've rolled over her tail a few times, she does appear to be getting the message.
Now while dealing with Cassie after my surgery has been somewhat annoying, I really can't imagine what it would be like with a dog, especially a rather large dog, especially a rather large dog who is used to sleeping in your bed. I have a friend who is having knee surgery next week. She has an English bulldog who sleeps in their bed. I seriously don't know what she's going to do. But, maybe she will read this blog and be somewhat prepared. I'm glad it isn't a problem I'll have to deal with.
Just remember that forewarned is forearmed, so if you have a pet, try to make some arrangements to deal with any situation that might arise.
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