4 week post-op visit with OS

[ship4]

Today I visited with the OS. I am 4 weeks post op and had my incisions start to split after the staples were removed. The PT had put on steri-strips and I kept them on and have limited my ROM over the last week to stairs, and walking on uneven ground, along with doing balancing exercises.
My OS surgeon was thrilled with my walking, especially without assistance of a cane or crutch. I had both frontal and side view X-rays taken of both knees. He was very pleased with how everything looks and that I can straighten my knee.
He removed the steri-strips and I still have a 1 inch section of my left knee that is not totally healed. I also have a 1 inch section on my right knee as well that has not healed totally. He put on another steri-strip on each and told me it will most likely take another week to heal totally. If I have any leakage or weeping, I am to contact his office.
I can go back to ROM and do what I feel comfortable with....
I am only taking the medication in the AM and PM, and have been given my driving back! Yeah!
Hopefully I will be off all of the pain meds within another month.
I was given a picture of all the x-rays that were taken. I think I might frame it! He told me within another month I will feel like a new person. I have been progressing daily, and I am not totally exhausted after doing things which is a great feeling.
I will continue to have help with the 9 children in my care daily. The summer has been going well for the last 3 weeks I have been home and open for business.
The one question I neglected to ask was when I could immerse the knee in water. I imagine it will be after it finally heals and there are no more scabs or open areas.
So, things are going well with me and I am on the road to recovery.
I was a 112 and 113 for ROM when my incisions split. I imagine it will not take much to get back to that range once I have them totally healed.
Thanks for reading this far!
I hope you all are done well.
Best,
Crystal

 

[Gretchendz]

Congrats on your progress Crystal.

Many of see a lot of progress and fell much better in the next four weeks or so

 

[Josephine]

Delighted for you, Crystal! Truly delighted.

 

[hess]

That is so great Crystal! At my 4 week visit, I still had an open sore, and the OS said that I could get into the pool! My sister-in-law is a PT, and she did not like the idea of my getting the open wound wet. I am now 5 1/2 weeks out, and the site is still open and weeping! Maybe I wasn't ready for water! Good luck to you on that, and keep up the good stuff!!
Hess

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Vrystal

Sounds like you are an A+ for recovery and returning to work. I remember when you first posted how worried I was about you doing daycare so shortly after surgery. Sounds like it will all turn out excellent. Keep working hard!
Marianne

 

[ship4]

I saw my PT this AM and she measured my ROM at 110 for each knee without forcing anything. I still have 2 open spots in the incisions, one in each knee which are again steri-striped. I am not going to have PT next week at all, so I can allow the incisions to heal. I can do ball rolling with my feet to work on my quads as well as, stairs and general walking on my own. I have been walking without assistance of any kind even outside in the yard.
We discussed what I feel in my knee.... I feel the platform of the post just below the bottom of each incision in each leg. My PT mentioned that I have not complained of any type of stiffness in the joints. I am glad about that!
So, hopefully after the next 4 weeks I will really begin to feel like myself!
Thanks Jo!

Hess,
I am very surprised you have been allowed continued ROM and to immerse the incision....... My OS and PT want it to heal first as I have not lost much in range from not "pushing" it. If my incision weeps too much I am supposed to call the OS and let him know. I hope your incision heals soon!

Marianne,
Thanks for worrying about me. It has worked out well and I have been able to rest and nap daily as needed. Hopefully once these incisions heal I will be on the stationary bike and the total gym working on my ROM.

Gretch,
I find that I am building up stamina daily. It is a good feeling to be up and around and not be exhausted after doing a small "thing" like showering! Hopefully I will be close to 100% regarding handling the children on my own by August 18th!
Best,
Crystal