Surfsister
senior
I can't believe I'm on the other side. My LTKR was bright and early on Monday morning. Not having had surgery in decades, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was given a spinal anesthetic and light sedation. It wasn't bad at all. One minute I was talking to the folks in the operating room about something or other. The next thing I knew I was being awakened and rolled into my room in the hospital.
My first night was just fine. The spinal had yet to wear off. I was feeling very little pain. The doctor told me this is one of the reasons why he preferred using spinal anesthesia.
My second day was the worst one. The spinal wore off and then the staff and I were playing catch up with the pain meds. I was nauseous and in a lot of pain. Finally, the pain meds kicked in and all was right with the world. I got up and took a short spin on the walker with the physical therapist.
After getting the pain meds straightened out, I was fine. I really was. I got a decent night's sleep that second night. I felt well enough to get up on my own the next morning and go for a walk. Then, about two hours later, I went for another walk. I'd also been getting myself in and out of all of the contraptions all night in order to go to the bathroom. I'd gotten tired of calling the nursing staff. Eventually I had them show me how everything worked. That way I could do what I needed to do when I needed to do it.
By the time I saw the physical therapist again, I was ready to go. After walking with me, she decided I only needed a cane at home. I needed neither a walker nor a commode for the the toilet.
I checked into the hospital at 5 a.m. on Monday and was out by 11 a.m. on Wednesday. I'm home with a cold unit and a continuous passive motion machine.
I feel like this knee will never bend again. It's stiff and swollen. However, I've read so much on this forum that I understand I must simply be patient. Thanks for all of your support!
My first night was just fine. The spinal had yet to wear off. I was feeling very little pain. The doctor told me this is one of the reasons why he preferred using spinal anesthesia.
My second day was the worst one. The spinal wore off and then the staff and I were playing catch up with the pain meds. I was nauseous and in a lot of pain. Finally, the pain meds kicked in and all was right with the world. I got up and took a short spin on the walker with the physical therapist.
After getting the pain meds straightened out, I was fine. I really was. I got a decent night's sleep that second night. I felt well enough to get up on my own the next morning and go for a walk. Then, about two hours later, I went for another walk. I'd also been getting myself in and out of all of the contraptions all night in order to go to the bathroom. I'd gotten tired of calling the nursing staff. Eventually I had them show me how everything worked. That way I could do what I needed to do when I needed to do it.
By the time I saw the physical therapist again, I was ready to go. After walking with me, she decided I only needed a cane at home. I needed neither a walker nor a commode for the the toilet.
I checked into the hospital at 5 a.m. on Monday and was out by 11 a.m. on Wednesday. I'm home with a cold unit and a continuous passive motion machine.
I feel like this knee will never bend again. It's stiff and swollen. However, I've read so much on this forum that I understand I must simply be patient. Thanks for all of your support!