Tag Archives: knee replacement

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My toe has platted.

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In other words, my knee recovery has plateaued.

After a few weeks of what felt like rapid healing and progress… I seem to have stalled and can’t find the choke.

I’ve been assured this is normal but it’s annoying all the same.

At almost four weeks post partial knee replacement I’m mobile, independent and thankfully back behind the wheel.

Three weeks of sending my husband to the grocery store with a list, individual product descriptions and a detailed schematic of the store’s layout still resulted in the purchase of incorrect items… so I’m very glad to be able to resume my normal chores.

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I did however make the mistake of telling my physical therapist I didn’t think I was getting much out of the visits at my appointment yesterday, so she doubled down and worked me extra hard. This morning I’m swollen, in pain, back on the ice and limping… which I haven’t done in weeks.

Sometimes it’s preferable to keep your mouth shut.

Lesson learned.

My scar is still prominent, though a little less Frankenstein-ish.

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The erythema discoloration… which I learned was the dilation of blood capillaries – knee replacement is so educational!…. has mostly disappeared so that’s good.

I’ve been told to wait another week on scar tissue massage but I have a large crease and dent at the top that I’m anxious to break up so my vitamin E oil is ready and waiting.

Overall things are good.

Still having trouble going down stairs like a normal human being, but I’ll get there.

Someday.

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Fall leaves and a follow up.

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Had my first post surgical check up with the orthopedist PA the other day. I haven’t really been getting out much so it was nice to take a drive and peep some of the fading foliage.

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It really is a glorious time of year in Maine.

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The doctor’s office was crowded when we arrived and we had to take a seat in the north forty of the waiting room. So when the PA called my name, I had to walk a good distance. He grinned when I reached him and said, “I guess I don’t have to ask how well you’re doing.”

After a quick exam he gave me the orthopedic stamp of approval and told me to continue doing whatever was I was doing because I was well ahead of schedule.

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I really like this practice. They have a great team. Efficient, professional and personable.

They also have a sense of humor which helps.

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Next appointment is with the surgeon in three weeks.

My scar is below, in case you were wondering how awful it still looks.

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Far from pretty. Still swollen.

But not quite as frightening as it was.

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On our way back home?

A few more pretty trees.

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They’re so fleeting.

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Here one day gone the next.

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Two physical therapists later…

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I know some people get good results with physical therapy, but I can’t say I’ve ever been one of them.

My first experience with PT was after blowing out my shoulder ten years ago. I could hardly raise my arm and instead of giving me a cortisone shot my doctor sent me to 8 weeks of therapy. When it was finished? I still couldn’t raise my arm and it hurt twice as much. On my next office visit the doctor shot me full of cortisone, which brought instant relief and no issues to this day.

My second experience with physical therapy was three years ago when my knee hurt so badly I could hardly walk. Doctor gave me a cortisone shot, which didn’t help at all, and sent me to therapy for 6 weeks. Lots of pain with no improvement sent me running (okay, hobbling) to the acupuncturist which was the only thing I ever found that helped.

So now I’m almost three weeks post partial knee replacement and have had two out patient physical therapy sessions. The first visit was an assessment where I had to perform tricks like a trained seal. There were no sardine treats at the end, but that’s what it felt like.

At the second visit we did some exercises, mostly the same ones I’ve been doing at home, and though I’ve already been scheduled for two visits a week for the next four weeks she said I was doing so well we could probably drop it to once a week.

Which makes me feel like this…

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If all we’re doing there are the same things I’m doing at home… why am I even going?

Other than to bill insurance for something I don’t seem to need.

🥴

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The reveal.

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The home physical therapist came this morning to remove my bandage.

He’s sweet and calls me a rock star.

And Super Girl.

And the ideal patient because I’m doing so well so quickly. Honestly, he’s amazed I’m walking easily, doing exercises and caring for myself without assistance ten days post surgery.

My pain tolerance leaves him speechless. Especially since the nerve block wore off and I didn’t reach for the narcotics.

Sadly most people are still suffering at this point but he was so impressed with my progress, he decided to discharge me early… even though my insurance would cover three more visits.

Yay me.

And now, the reveal.

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Ta da!

The purple permanent marker is what the surgeon uses to line up your skin after he cuts. They take forever to fade and it’s not like you can use anything to scrub them off on a fresh scar.

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The PT guy carefully used a few alcohol wipes to remove some of the outer lines.

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But damn, I still look like Frankenstein.

🥴

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Goodbye nerve block, hello pain.

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I knew it would be too good to last and on Day 9 post partial knee replacement? My nerve block wore off and the pain came sailing in.

Bam!

I’m handling it, because it’s not like I have a choice. But my happy go lucky recovery just turned a corner and now feels like work.

Deep bone aches. Harsh muscle pain when I raise my thigh. Tenderness. Sharp twinges. All the awful things the block was blocking. I’m still walking well without any devices but my quad is screaming during the exercises now.

Boy howdy.

😩

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I’m still swollen, but not as bad as some I’ve seen. From everything they tell me that will be the hardest thing to get rid of. Some people have it for a full year. Bandage comes off tomorrow so that will be an interesting reveal.

Or not.

🥴

This surgery and recovery is a journey. Good days and bad. I know I’ve just started and still have a long way to go … but I’ll get there.

One slow (and now painful) step at a time.

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Good neighbors, good husbands and bad bruising.

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On day 8 post partial knee replacement…. our neighbor delivered a home cooked meal.

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This was a lovely gesture and much appreciated.

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It was also delicious.

The husband has been wonderful this past week helping me navigate recovery, though admittedly he was getting a little bored.

Luckily he has a wife with ideas.

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Yesterday was as good a time as any to change those blinds that have been languishing in boxes for the past few weeks.

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Lord Dudley Mountcatten helped, as cats are apt to do.

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We tried to come close to the color of the previous set…. ⬆️

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But weren’t even close.

These are much lighter but as long as they block the sun, we’ll deal.

In other news my swollen leg’s bruising has ratcheted up a notch.

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And I’m sporting some deep dark purple, dare I say aubergine, sections now.

🥴

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Husband nursing, aka – porn for women.

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Day 3 of partial knee replacement.

Horribly swollen, stiff, uncomfortable and starting to show some bruising.

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Last day with the sexy compression stocking and I’m doing the best I can to remain positive. I ice, I elevate, I hobble around with the walker I said I wouldn’t use.

Ha!

Shows what I know. That thing is my best friend right now.

Home physical therapist came for the first time today and damn. Just that little bit of exercise knocked me for a loop. Tired doesn’t begin to describe it.

The nerve block hasn’t worn off yet, which is a bit unusual but not unheard of. They say 4-48 hours and I’m past 80, but if it keeps the pain at bay I won’t complain about the constant numbness.

My husband? He’s really stepped up.

When I had my hysterectomy 11 years ago he was a lousy nurse so I had my doubts this time around, but the man has been wonderful. He brings me everything I need, feeds me, makes sure I don’t fall, keeps tracks of my meds and yes…

He’s doing housework.

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Be still my heart.

I’ve waited 42 years for this!

He vacuumed, swept, dusted, does the dishes and ran a load of laundry. He scrubbed the shower and feeds the cat. He even took everything out of the fridge and washed it clean.

This is (almost) better than sex.

My recovery won’t be pleasant…. but it’s wonderful to have a caring partner help me through the tough parts.

❤️

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Another hurdle jumped, so to speak.

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Though honestly, if I could jump hurdles? I wouldn’t be in this predicament in the first place.

After waiting since February… yes, it took me 6 months to get an appointment… I finally saw the orthopedic surgeon. This is the man, the doctor every single person I spoke to and every local online forum recommended. They say good things come to those who wait and Lord knows I’ve been waiting … so let’s get this party started.

He was very nice, professional and personable. Tufts medical school with a few fellowships and I think I’m in good hands.

The examination was pretty quick as his PA had already assessed me in a previous appointment, so we discussed partial knee replacement. He said he doesn’t do many of them as most of his patients are older and need total. I had to laugh when he kept saying I was young and in good shape. Nothing like being surrounded by geriatric patients to make 62 look young, but I’ll take it.

I had to sign my life away requesting the surgery. Acknowledging all the horrible things that could go wrong and giving him permission to do a total knee replacement if he gets in there and finds more damage. He assured me that wasn’t that the case but they have to cover their six.

We agreed I’d like to move forward as soon as possible and he said he hoped for September, but the scheduler would be in touch.

When I got home his exam notes were already logged into the patient portal.

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I have no idea what all that means, only that it crunches when I move and hurts like hell.

My fingers are crossed for surgery sooner than later but the way things have been moving like molasses so far? I have my doubts.

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