Marty
new member
Hi, this is Marty...this is my first post, but I have been reading several weeks before my surgery, which was on March 10, 2009. I want to thank all of you for giving me some insight before my surgery, and I want to share my progress so far, with hopes of helping those who are waiting or contemplating surgery. My husband was there the day of surgery, but left in early evening. I felt no need for him to spend the night, he came the next day after work, as did my son and grandaughter. None stayed very long. They kept me busy in the hospital between using the CPM machine, the Physical therapist and the Occupational Therapist coming in, then meals, and naps. The thing I was very thankful for was the use of a "Pain Ball" I haven't seen this mentioned on here, and I am sure there is another technical name for it, but it is wonderful. they inserted a fine tube through my groin, worked it down (I assume through an artery)to the knee joint, and there is a ball that laid next to me in the bed with the medication. The medication goes directly to the joint. I also had a morphine drip, but when they disconnected it (I think it was on the 2ns or 3rd day) I had only used it twice. The good thing with the pain ball is you aren't drowsy, and you have no pain. I only had that for 2 days, but when they removed it, they switched me to Percocet. I went to the doctor Fri (3/27) and thur was the last visit from my home visits with the Physical therapist. the doctor gave me the option to go to outpatient physical therapy if I want to...I will decide on that this week. I have my CPM machine at home, and I am up to 115 on that. I will have the machine one more week. I have to say that I feel discomfort more than pain...and I consider myself very fortunate. I have Percocet and I use it, but am cutting back to 1 tablet from 2, and alternate it with Advil for the swelling. If I am up too long, my knee swells a bit, so the Advil helps with that. I ice it after using the machine, or doing my exercises or any time it swells a bit. I go back to the doctor in four weeks.
Previously I had gotten Cortisone shots for over 2 1/2 years. I have some trouble with my left knee, but nothing like the right one. finally, the shots didn't work anymore. I did have minimally invasive surgery, and my new little Titanium Knee and I are getting along fine. I will say, I lost about 15 pounds since the beginning of the year, and that has definately helped. My left knee isn't bothering me at all now...if I had lost weight sooner, I may have been able to put this off for a few years, but I didn't, and I am glad I had the surgery. The old knee pain is gone. I have given up the walker for a cain, and often if I am just going to the bathroom or moving around a room, I don't even use that. when I have pushed my limit, I can feel it and it is time for a nap with the ice.
For when I came home, I stayed in a bedroom on ur first floor, so I had the kitchen and bath right by me. also, I was just off of the living room for when the therapist came. After a few days, I got brave and went upstairs to get some things from my bedroom, now sometimes I sleep upstairs, sometimes I stay on the first floor. But at this point, I never go up and down, more than twice a day...just no need to right now.
I want to thank all of you for having the site...it has been helpful to me and I sure many others. I wish you all a good week.
Your new friend, Marty
I do not regret this at all....I am happy with the surgery, the results , and my recovery. I know there is lots of work ahead, I had a really bad knee for a long time, now I have a fresh start, and I want to get the best end results possible.
Previously I had gotten Cortisone shots for over 2 1/2 years. I have some trouble with my left knee, but nothing like the right one. finally, the shots didn't work anymore. I did have minimally invasive surgery, and my new little Titanium Knee and I are getting along fine. I will say, I lost about 15 pounds since the beginning of the year, and that has definately helped. My left knee isn't bothering me at all now...if I had lost weight sooner, I may have been able to put this off for a few years, but I didn't, and I am glad I had the surgery. The old knee pain is gone. I have given up the walker for a cain, and often if I am just going to the bathroom or moving around a room, I don't even use that. when I have pushed my limit, I can feel it and it is time for a nap with the ice.
For when I came home, I stayed in a bedroom on ur first floor, so I had the kitchen and bath right by me. also, I was just off of the living room for when the therapist came. After a few days, I got brave and went upstairs to get some things from my bedroom, now sometimes I sleep upstairs, sometimes I stay on the first floor. But at this point, I never go up and down, more than twice a day...just no need to right now.
I want to thank all of you for having the site...it has been helpful to me and I sure many others. I wish you all a good week.
Your new friend, Marty
I do not regret this at all....I am happy with the surgery, the results , and my recovery. I know there is lots of work ahead, I had a really bad knee for a long time, now I have a fresh start, and I want to get the best end results possible.
United States
