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Baby steps.

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Day 6 post partial knee replacement surgery.

The nerve block is still holding fast and while I have numbness, there’s no horrific pain.

But there is a little bruising.

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The surgeon applies a tourniquet before the operation to keep the area clear of blood so it’s got to pool somewhere.

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It looks nasty and it’s tender, but doesn’t really hurt.

To be perfectly honest, I’m amazed at the lack of pain. I was expecting a tear filled horror show and don’t get me wrong… I’m swollen, stiff and most certainly uncomfortable… but I haven’t taken a single narcotic and am getting by on alternating Tylenol and ibuprofen.

I’ve had four visits from four different home health care workers and they are all gobsmacked by my progress. The physical therapist said they strive for a 90 degree bend at 4 weeks and I had a 97 at 4 days. I can walk, albeit slowly, without the walker or cane. I shower. Dress. Make myself something to eat and do all the exercises they suggest.

Yesterday, I put on a shoe.

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It’s amazing how thrilling the normal little things you take for granted can become when you’ve been unable to do them.

It’s not a walk in the park, don’t get me wrong. I tire very easily and I ache. Constantly. I move slowly and very carefully and haven’t attempted stairs yet. My knee feels solid enough but there’s residual fear of buckling left over from that first day that keeps me super cautious.

The PTs said I must have a very high pain tolerance because most of their patients are using heavy drugs to get through the first week. They ask me to rate my pain when they come and I usually say 3-4. They chuckle and say most people say 8-9 at this point.

Overall? I’m pleased.

Still scared the block will wear off completely and mad pain will come rushing in, but that awful bone on bone crunching I’ve had for years? The sharp stabbing pain I had when I stood after sitting more than ten minutes?

Gone.

That in itself makes all this worthwhile.

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32 thoughts on “Baby steps.”

  1. Lawrd, I forgot about the bruises!! I had some on weird places – including where the nerve block was injected.

    I’m thrilled that you’re doing so well and hope that, like me, the only difference when the block wears off is that feeling returns to the rest of your leg. It was about 6mos before my knee stopped feeling “weird”, which I realized was just tightness from swelling. 15 months after a full replacement, I’m currently sitting “criss cross applesauce”. Bending my knee like this was HUGE progress and took the longest. I still can’t crawl or sit on my knees – that’s way too much pressure (but I prob weigh 2x what you do). If that was a common gardening pose for you, you might want to look into a gardening seat or something.

    YAAAYYYY for amazing progress!! And your scar looks good!

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      1. They did. We have a three step entry to the house, which is thankfully a one story expanded ranch. Full stairs down to the cellar but I haven’t tried those yet. I’m careful, go slowly but can navigate the porch and that’s all I need right now.

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    2. I’m really hoping I’ll be able to kneel again. Hard to garden when you can’t and my flower beds have suffered for it the last few years. I’m icing like crazy trying to get the swelling down. Good thing I like cold temps.
      😊

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      1. I could kneel a lot earlier than I expected, which was cool because, with 2 bad knees, it had been ages since I kneeled! I spent decades bending at the waist (I could stand on a step and touch the one below) and had to consciously remind myself to start using my knees.

        It seems that, like me, you’re constantly pushing/testing your limits, but also respecting them.

        I know you’ll do GREAT and have desired mobility sooner than later!!

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  2. I am happy you are healing so well and quickly! I did have a lot of bruising with total hip replacement but it disappeared eventually. I still have to be very careful with posterior and my movements until the 12th week but we are approaching the 9th week! We don’t have steps as our home is one level, so I use the platforms Mike build outside to do my gluteus medius strengthening on step and others. Whew.

    I guess I can return to the health club and use all their steps and platforms, but we shall see. Maybe soon. I kind of like doing my exercises with the little black pug nearby. Still have tightness but am sleeping much better and getting the walk almost back to a normal gait.

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  6. Oh, friend! I’m so glad to hear this! I was out of town all last week and took a little blogging break, too. I’m so happy to hear it went well! I think I’m reading these posts out of order. 🤣😘

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  9. I AM SO happy that you are doing so well—I think you’ve been in pain for so long that anything is an improvement, right? Way to go with all the PT. But make sure you rest as your body is still healing from the trauma.

    I had an amazing recovery after my full hysterectomy, when I was expecting the worst. Maybe that’s the key? Expect the worst!

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