16 days out; staples out, driving!!

[backbay38]

Major milestone yesterday and I was apparently nervous about it because for the first time since my operation I had a nightmare. As it turned out I didn't even officiallys see my surgeon - although I DID see him in passing and thanked him. His nurse took out the staples (a little ouch time for overgrown ones) and substituted the surgi-strips that will fall off. I can take my first shower today.And I'm free again to move about. I can drive since I haven't been on the narcotic pain killers for more than 10 days and have good control of my knee, leg and foot. AND I was allowed to go back to my gym - for upper body work, walking on the treadmill and doing the bike with zero resistance just to increase ROM. And a bit on the leg press for my left leg so it will stay strong. I do most of the leg lifts I have to do for the right, operated leg on the left leg as well - again to keep it as strong as possible.
My PT sent in a report with strength, ROM, etc. to the doc's office and I have no idea if anyone even read it. ROM is 122 or so PT says. No comment from the nurse; I just got the boilerplate print out prescription for more therapy and my own instructions to keep wearing the compression stockings and using the immobilizer at night for another 4 weeks. They took new xrays with the implant and also untra sound on both legs from thigh to calf to be sure there are no lurking blood clots (I'm find but it was strange - I never had ultra sound - to hear the blood gurgling or whatever).
Because my collateral (side) ligaments were a mess, the surgeon said, he put in an implant with long spikes extending into the bone quiite a bit above and below the "knee" itself. Which is why, I'm sure, it feels so stable even without my muscles being very strong yet.
With that spike shoved in my bones -- I still can't understand why they doin't hurt!!! Broken bones hurt. It's weird. But I am not complaining I am just so very lucky that everything has come together for me. And I have learned a great deal from reading so many posts on this forum. Invaluable!!!
Since I am a reporter by trade, I may write an article or at least a blog post on pain management and the lack thereof with some surgeons still. It's just critical for a fast rehab. Would need a lot of interviews. Just a kernal of an idea right now since work is not tops on my mind
Stephani

 

[calling_all_angels]

Steph,
All I can say is WOW!! No pain meds and you are ready to rumble!! You ROCK!!!!!
^i^

 

[Judles]

Great News Steph! Just don't do too much too soon,,,(don't we all???) Keep up the good work!

 

[JudyS]

As my back surgery pain was never below a 10 for the whole 10 days I was in the hospital I for one think the article on pain management would be awesome.

You sound like you arae doing awesome, but please remember you had major surgery and take lots of time for resting still no matter how good you feel. It is also still very early for you.

Judy

 

[Josephine]

If you do a blog or something, please let's have a link in here. Will be a valuable resource for us. I'm tickled pink for you!

 

[Nursepair]

WOW Stephen are you Super Man or what? Hope you continue to be pain free. Good luck.

 

[Jamie]

Way to go, Stephani!!!! You are our new poster child for knee replacements! It is interesting how everyone goes through their surgery and recovery in their own way. I love hearing the success stories like yours, though! Go, Girl!!!

 

[backbay38]

Hey! Thank you all for the sunny thoughts and the gold star on my forehead And you are so right about over doing it; I am trying not to and when I get really tired I just sit with ice on my knee and zone out for awhile.
I am definitely going to finish the blog article and post it on my own blog and I'll write the link. ANd I will start making inquiries about expanding it beyond opinion -- to fact. Reporters often use their own experiences as jumping off points for stories. I do think pain is still such an undertreated issue. But at my hospital in New JErsey they have a pain management institute as part of the hospital center. But I think that's more about chronic pain, not post surigical pain. Anyhow -- a whole new project to get going on when my exercise times contract enough to let me actually work !!! Right now it's all I seem to do. Exercises and walking. Followed by lots of icing of course.

 

[Josephine]

Yep - Pain clinics are all well and good but, as you say, are more about chronic or non-specific pain than stuff like this.

 

[backbay38]

Jo-- I will be most interested in your TKR experience since if your own pain is adequately controlled you as a nurse in this area should be able to give us in the US a good look at government managed healthcare systems. At least in the UK. Not sure Canada's is similar since it is often held up as a possible template for us with our lack of coverage for so many people I hope your toe heals fast (other thread) so you can get the surgery done and enjoy Spring!!