I'm hoooome! It was a good trip and I was actually able to sit in the front seat with my husband all the way to KC and back without hurting. I'm a bit swollen but am elevating and icing now.
My appointment went well. They did three x-rays and they all showed the implant perfectly placed and doing what it needs to be. I asked about the IT band pain and he pulled up my old pre-surgery x-rays and showed me where it was and how it had been pulled over at an odd angle due to my lack of cartilage in the knee. Then he showed me how on the new x-ray, it was right where it was supposed to be. But, he said it had actually been stretched in the abnormal position it was in pre-surgery and would take awhile to settle back down in a normal position. He said it generally does on its own but, if it didn't, he'd send me to PT for it down the road. But we're just going to give it a bit more time because it has seemed somewhat better recently. I also asked him about the sore area that would generally be located where my meniscus would have been. I was surprised when he told me that the cut on the inside is actually right where I was pointing -- off to the side of where the actual incision is at. Who knew? Not me, anyway! So, the fact that the area in question is still a bit discolored and sore is no surprise at all -- it has a lot of healing to do on the inside according to my surgeon. He was very pleased with my flexion and extension and said I had no more need for PT at this time. He does do a 6-month check-up on all of his patients so I will see him again in early November then probably once a year according to what he told me earlier.
I was also saddened -- and reminded of how serious this surgery is -- today. A teacher I taught with who retired a bit before me had a knee replacement done yesterday and was sent home from the hospital today. He was having trouble breathing and, before they could get him help, died. While I was not present, it certainly sounds like a blood clot in his lungs. He has a little girl and I feel very bad for the family. Those of you yet to have surgery, just be very aware of the symptoms of a blood clot and seek help immediately if it does happen. I know it's rare, but it doesn't feel so rare when it happens to someone you know.
Thanks for cheering me on when I went to my appointment today!
Roxie
United States
