So here I am, approaching the nine week mark at the end of the week. Has it really been that long already?
Life seems to be zooming by ever since I’ve been able to drive and get myself out of the house. The cane fell to the wayside a couple of weeks ago, although I do keep it in the car for outings. I was officially released from PT a week ago. They were happy with my ROM being 120/0, and I am happy too. Strength still needs to be worked on, but it will come with time. I still take things slowly, especially when it comes to stairs or steps. Going up is still painful across the top of the knee...going down is pretty much impossible as our stairs in the house are high, so I just “little girl” it one step at a time. I mean really, where am I rushing to?
Pain is being managed with extra strength Tylenol. If I am having a rough night (always after I have overdone it), I take 1mg of hydromorphone to help the sandman stay a little longer. But generally, I am sleeping so much better! No need for pillows or anything, but I make sure I sleep with very lightweight blankets. Any heavy pressure on my legs seems to aggravate the knees as I attempt to move around and lift the blankets.
My OS keeps bumping my appointment with him. I have only seen him once post-op at the two week mark. My next (bumped) appt is Sept 9 which puts me at almost 12 weeks. I wish I could see him sooner. The very top of my incision is still red, with what I assume to be the knot of the stitch creating a bump. Today it oozed the tiniest amount of clear pink liquid, so I cleaned it and placed a bandaid over it to keep it from rubbing on my pants. I hope it is nothing. I am 4 hours away from my OS, and do not have a family doctor here in town...we only moved here a week before Christmas and the wait list for a doctor is about 3-4 years right now. I know, crazy, but that’s the healthcare system here in Canada. Pffft.
Does anyone still have that zipper feeling along the incision (but deep inside) when bending the knee after standing for a long while? It’s really uncomfortable the first few bends, but then it gors away as I continue to bend. Knee is also very painful when I stand from a sitting position. Will that eventually resolve itself over time? Walking is not presenting any issues at all...shopping is pretty much a breeze now, as is cooking and cleaning.