Hi kKathy, yes its good to be home doing things in my own time. Getting around a little on the crutches. It is very tiring moving around but has to be done, just short little walks around the house in between resting and icing. I am using a Cryocuff for ice it is such a relief to put it on nice and cold.
My pain meds are working well NEFOPAM 30mg 2 tablets 3 times daily taken with 2 paracetamol each time and oramorph when required to to keep on top of the pain. So all I feel is a bit of aching and stiffness. My swelling is slowly going down. I think it will take a while. I am drinking plenty of water too to help push the water out and it's working. Several trips to the loo! The bowels as well are working at last. OK, I had to take senna and laxido to get every thing moving.
I had 2 hours sleep last night from 10 pm to midnight. Awake the rest of the night. I couldn't get comfy and every thing was stiff. I have heavy bruising on the top of the thigh where they tied a tourniquet around during surgery to help with the bleeding. I didn't have a drain afterwards or a catheter which I was pleased about. Minimal invasion to help stop infection.
I thought the whole process was straight forward and it feels so good to not have the arthritis pain in my knee and to walk with a straight leg, even on crutches. At this very early stage feels so different, I don't have that horrible limp any more. So onwards and upwards from here.
I am sat up in bed as we speak leg elevated with ice with tea and toast and the ipad. I really do think recovery starts when you get home with all the home comforts. Our new knees just need a little TLC now to help them get better. The nurses and doctors at the hospital was lovely. I couldn't thank them enough. It was the physio I didn't like with their aggressive recovery approach - like Josephine says, we don't really need them, we can do exercise at home in our own time until is attend the education school on how to look after the new knee in a few weeks time ..
Well Kathy, your day is almost here. I hope you do well and honestly there is nothing to worry about so good luck for tomorrow and go get that new knee, girl.
Best of luck ...... Marie