For the second time this year, I’ve had joint replacement surgery. In January my right knee was replaced, and at the end of September I had my left knee replaced.
My right knee had been deteriorating for some time. After a year plus on daily prescription pain killers, I was having to take Tylenol in addition to the Mobic, in order to keep the pain to a minimum.
The first surgery was a success, but was not without its challenges. Originally scheduled for Monday, January 6, it had to be delayed until Wednesday, January 8, as a major snow storm dumped some 15 inches of snow on Sunday, effectively paralyzing the city.
In the run up to joint replacement you are given a lot of information. Never having experienced this before you don’t always get the full meaning or import of some things you are told. Staying ahead of the pain with your prescription medications, for example. We did not do a good job initially of keeping up with my pain. As a result I had sleepless nights, and I think my recovery took longer.
The second time around we quickly settled on a 6 am - 12 pm - 6 pm - 12 am schedule for the primary prescription, Hydrocodone. And a 9 am - 3 pm - 9 pm - 3 am schedule for the secondary prescription, Tramadol. I also wasn’t shy about taking two Hydrocondone, especially at bed time. The result has been an almost pain-free recovery. Yes, there is some muscle pain, and stiffness, but I’ve had none of the awake in the night in pain experiences this time around.
Recovery from any major surgery is not a linear progressing. Some days you make progress and feel pretty good, other days you feel like crap and wonder if this will ever end. It helps to have a good support system. I am fortunate to have my wife, Sibylle, here to help me. Not only has she helped with physical things like bathing, or bringing cold packs for my knee, she has been the clear headed, as opposed to drugged, half of this adventure. I’m grateful beyond words for everything she’s done for me throughout both of these surgeries and recovery periods.
I am also lucky to have an outstanding physical therapist. We won the PT lottery when the first therapist my wife had for her first hip replacement was a complete disaster. Through see luck of the draw we found someone who worked with us, and made recovery possible and, if not enjoyable, at least bearable. She is able to hold you to an expectation without being the prototypical physical therapist everyone loves to hate.
My progress that past two weeks has been good. This past weekend was the first setback, and that was only a minor one. I managed to upset the calf in my surgery leg, and it was painfully tight for two days. Today’s PT session was harder as a result, but ultimately good. I managed to gain a degree of straightness by the end of the session.
My first knee is perhaps 95% recovered. I still feel a little pull in my quads going down stairs. And, after two weeks of relying on my right left to lift me up from a seated position, it is a bit sore. When they tell you it can take up to a year for a knee replacement to fully heal, they aren’t kidding.
On paper I have another four weeks of physical therapy. The goal is getting my leg 100% straight, i.e., 0 degree bend, and at least 120 degrees of flex. Currently I’m at about 2 degrees and 104 degrees respectively.
I am pleased with my progress so far. I hope that there aren’t any major setbacks or unexpected challenges in the coming weeks. It will be nice to be back to normal activity in time for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, if not for Thanksgiving.