stives
graduate
Hi fellow Bonesmarties
Thought it was about time I started my own thread instead of hi-jacking others.
I had my six-week check-up yesterday and saw both the consultant and the registrar. Both lovely people, easy to talk to. I was able to find out that my new knees are both Zimmer NexGens, not that I know anything about the different types. One knee had a 9 mm spacer, the other was 10mm. Apparently they are different due to different amounts being sliced/sawn off the bones.
My OS never found his packed lunch (I came round in the recovery room and saw him hunting for it) so had to send out for something to eat!
I saw my X-rays, before and after, and was told that I had had two very grotty knees. They are now strong and straight - it's a very strange feeling being able to touch knees and feet together at the same time now.
I asked about anaesthetic etc - and was very surprised to learn that I had had an epidural and a general anaesthetic, although the registrar (who was the one talking to me at that point) implied that it was given via IV. Is that likely, or have I misunderstood? I thought I'd had sedation. Oh well.......
They were very impressed with me. (I thought they might be! :hehe: )
My next appointment is in five years time!!! In the meantime I will be sent forms to fill in to report on my progress, and if I do have problems of course I would have to go back.
I was told to do as much walking as I can, to use the exercise bike as much as I can, and to swim. Well, we don't 'do' swimming very much as our local pool is not that easy to use. The local schools book it for most of the reasonable hours, and it's awkward to get to or park.
My hubby had dropped me off at the hospital for the check up. This was at our main hospital, but not the one where I had the operation. It was convenient yesterday as it's only five minutes in the car as a rule. However, the time of my appointment coincided with the busiest time of the day for traffic because all the schools were closing, so in fact it took 20 minutes to get there. Hubby decided to drive back home, as the parking charges at the hospital are ridiculous. The appointment was on time, and when I came out the traffic was still choc-a-bloc. I therefore decided to walk home - it's about a mile and a half.
On the way I decided to pop into Sainsburys for one item. Bad timing. There was only one 'basket only' till open, and all the other tills were incredibly busy. I joined the end of the 'basket only' and there were 15 people in front, several with very full baskets. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Anyway, I survived the standing. It took 15 minutes to get through the till, then I still had to walk the rest of the way home, which I did.
I have had absolutely no ill effects from all that walking and standing. I cooked the tea, then we had to go out to a meeting where I sat for a couple of hours. Today I have done probably nearly 2 miles of walking for various things, including looking round many shoe-shops trying to find sandals for my 11 year old grand-daughter who has size six-and-a-half feet and can no longer fit into children's shoes!! I'll have to report back to my daughter that there is one possible shop. (I was trying to save her time, as her life is quite frantic, with three children!)
So, life is VERY good! As I have posted before, my second TKR has been much easier to get over than my first. I think it's partly because the leg wasn't quite as bent, but also because I knew what to expect second time round, and had more confidence to try to do more each day. I certainly gave up using crutches after three weeks this time - just because I tried it, and I could.
I must admit that my knees don't feel like 'normal' knees yet, I still ache at times, especially at night. I take paracetamol (Tylenol?) from time to time. I'm struggling with stairs. Going up is relatively easy now, but down is still a challenge when the knee is stiff - which it is quite often. But......things can only get better I am sure.
I'll keep using this forum as I feel I know a lot of you now, and I love hearing all about you - plus your pets, gardens, problems, settees, celebrations etc.
Must close as I'm going out to yet another meeting this evening and must start to think about food!
Thought it was about time I started my own thread instead of hi-jacking others.
I had my six-week check-up yesterday and saw both the consultant and the registrar. Both lovely people, easy to talk to. I was able to find out that my new knees are both Zimmer NexGens, not that I know anything about the different types. One knee had a 9 mm spacer, the other was 10mm. Apparently they are different due to different amounts being sliced/sawn off the bones.
My OS never found his packed lunch (I came round in the recovery room and saw him hunting for it) so had to send out for something to eat!
I saw my X-rays, before and after, and was told that I had had two very grotty knees. They are now strong and straight - it's a very strange feeling being able to touch knees and feet together at the same time now.
I asked about anaesthetic etc - and was very surprised to learn that I had had an epidural and a general anaesthetic, although the registrar (who was the one talking to me at that point) implied that it was given via IV. Is that likely, or have I misunderstood? I thought I'd had sedation. Oh well.......
They were very impressed with me. (I thought they might be! :hehe: )
My next appointment is in five years time!!! In the meantime I will be sent forms to fill in to report on my progress, and if I do have problems of course I would have to go back.
I was told to do as much walking as I can, to use the exercise bike as much as I can, and to swim. Well, we don't 'do' swimming very much as our local pool is not that easy to use. The local schools book it for most of the reasonable hours, and it's awkward to get to or park.
My hubby had dropped me off at the hospital for the check up. This was at our main hospital, but not the one where I had the operation. It was convenient yesterday as it's only five minutes in the car as a rule. However, the time of my appointment coincided with the busiest time of the day for traffic because all the schools were closing, so in fact it took 20 minutes to get there. Hubby decided to drive back home, as the parking charges at the hospital are ridiculous. The appointment was on time, and when I came out the traffic was still choc-a-bloc. I therefore decided to walk home - it's about a mile and a half.
On the way I decided to pop into Sainsburys for one item. Bad timing. There was only one 'basket only' till open, and all the other tills were incredibly busy. I joined the end of the 'basket only' and there were 15 people in front, several with very full baskets. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Anyway, I survived the standing. It took 15 minutes to get through the till, then I still had to walk the rest of the way home, which I did.
I have had absolutely no ill effects from all that walking and standing. I cooked the tea, then we had to go out to a meeting where I sat for a couple of hours. Today I have done probably nearly 2 miles of walking for various things, including looking round many shoe-shops trying to find sandals for my 11 year old grand-daughter who has size six-and-a-half feet and can no longer fit into children's shoes!! I'll have to report back to my daughter that there is one possible shop. (I was trying to save her time, as her life is quite frantic, with three children!)
So, life is VERY good! As I have posted before, my second TKR has been much easier to get over than my first. I think it's partly because the leg wasn't quite as bent, but also because I knew what to expect second time round, and had more confidence to try to do more each day. I certainly gave up using crutches after three weeks this time - just because I tried it, and I could.
I must admit that my knees don't feel like 'normal' knees yet, I still ache at times, especially at night. I take paracetamol (Tylenol?) from time to time. I'm struggling with stairs. Going up is relatively easy now, but down is still a challenge when the knee is stiff - which it is quite often. But......things can only get better I am sure.
I'll keep using this forum as I feel I know a lot of you now, and I love hearing all about you - plus your pets, gardens, problems, settees, celebrations etc.
Must close as I'm going out to yet another meeting this evening and must start to think about food!
United Kingdom
out in the front garden in the shade - it's another very hot summery day here. (Makes a change!)
