Timetolive, PegGar16, New England Librarian and PolarBear60 - thanks for your words of encouragement, all true and welcomed. I'm certainly taking the time to gauge the down time and I don't want to risk rushing my return. I've been working on my "To - Do" list and that has helped, some tasks are more fun than others, but still gives me something to do. I do welcome when a drowsy spell comes over me and I take the cue just in case the night sleep is not as good. I alternate rest periods (elevating and icing) with recumbent bike and short walks in the house to stay active, I also do minor shores around the house in sections, like meal preparation and doggy duties. The short periods of activity and the mild tightness around my knees, lets me know I still need more time and helps me to rethink my return to regular activity. I may start the outline on the book I've been meaning to write for years.
Last night I had another better night sleep, waking up and while first standing I did notice that this morning, weight bearing ability on my right leg had improved from yesterday, the difference was minor but noticeable. I have approximately 25 to 30 steps from my bed to my on suite bathroom, until yesterday, it took the full distance for my leg to "warm up", today, I was at my "normal" post op gait at halfway the distance. It brought a smile to my face. While up and walking my gait is guarded but steady. I don't feel my knee joints any differently from before surgery and I hear no clonks or clicks when I walk.
I had asked my OS prior to surgery regarding the prosthesis he uses. I found out that the prosthesis an OS uses is determined by the hospital where the surgery is performed, at least that is the case in my area. The name of my prosthesis is Biomet XP Cruciate Sparing. I also found out that while cruciate sparing is an option, my OS does cut the ACL and does preserve the PCL. My OS also told me that there was minimal to no clonks-clicks associated with Biomet, which was welcomed news. Surprisingly, it is also a very low profile prosthesis.
I do notice occasionally that I experience a mild instability while walking/standing on either one or the other knee, I usually catch it quickly and steady myself. I suppose this is part of what some say is "learning to walk" again.
I'm extremely pleased with my OS, his surgical technique, aftercare and his office staff, they are not perfect, but I attribute a large part of my recovery to his expertise.
I'm pleased with my recovery process, but cant help wishing for faster process, then I think, "wow, it's only been 4 weeks, this is major, major surgery and I'm walking without any pain". I'm very fortunate.
@sistersinhim, hang in there and keep doing your research. I researched my OS and he came up as the number 1 in my area, he has not disappointed, best of all, he agreed to perform a bilateral procedure which was number one on my wish list. I don't know the implications of no knee caps, but I tend to agree with your assessment, less work, my knee caps did have to be refaced and fitted with a "button", so definitely took more time. Surgical time is one of the main criteria taken into consideration when deciding to move forward with a bilateral replacement. One other criteria is age or candidate is ideally under 65 yrs. old. Finally, state of health with minimal co-morbidities that could put the patient's health at risk. The advantage in my opinion is that the bilateral procedure can be performed under a spinal anesthetic instead of General anesthesia, this was a huge win for me. Fell asleep and woke up after surgery without ANY recuperation or complications, I was able to have a regular meal the evening of surgery. I'm so happy that I was able to get both my knees done at once. I hope you get what you want. I did have help, but I know that if I didn't, I would have probably been able to handle it.
Thank you all for your comments.
United States
