Exercising my way to surgery

http://www.arthritistoday.org/fitness/exercise-videos-and-photos/surgery-prep-exercises/index.php


The above link goes to the Arthritis Today web site.  Here are some pre-surgery exercises that can be viewed as videos or photos with written descriptions.  I have been given most of these exercises in physical therapy. (Isn't Physical Therapy the coolest profession?)  Some I have continued to do since I first went to physical therapy, but now I am doing all of them to get ready for the big day--November 29th.

Goals

In the previously mentioned book, Dr. O'Neill suggests making 2 short term goals and 1 long term goal post surgery and commit them to writing.  So here goes, I'm putting it out there.




My 2 month goal-- to be free of aids (cane, walker, crutches) while walking in my house.


My 4 month goal--to be back in the pool and on the bicycle, to be able to get up and down off the floor


My 1 year goal--to be walking in my neighborhood 5+miles/week and riding a bike on the Greenline


It's been 5 years since I've walked for exercise.  I had plantar fasciitis first, then the arthritis, tendinitis, and bursitis developed.  I have been using a cane for the past 2 years.  At one level, these goals don't seem like much, but at another level, they are rather lofty, but I believe, realistic.

Be prepared!

http://www.arthritistoday.org/treatments/surgery/preparing-for-surgery.php




 
"Arthritis Today" also has a very good web site. The articles are practical and easy to understand, and the site is easy to navigate.  Here is one of several articles I will post as a must read pre-surgery. I truly don't think one can be over prepared. I feel like I know so much going into this surgery--my doctor did an excellent job of explaining the surgery, possible complications, answering my questions, and basically telling me things I did not know that I did not know.  In addition to his thorough explanations to me, he gave me a large handout that reinforced everything he had told me.  Most of us are aware that it is hard to listen when we are stressed, and sitting in a doctor's office discussing surgery is certainly a stressor.  The best thing would be to have another person with you to take notes while you listen.  For me the next best thing would be to take notes while I listen, but I know not everyone operates this way.  I was thrilled to get that big handout before I left the office.  Fortunately my doctor told me ahead of time that I would be getting a packet to take home that would cover everything we were going to discuss.  That decreased my stress levels so that I could more actively listen.


In the article above, there is a list of questions to ask your doctor.  My doctor answered all of them except the last two without my asking a single question.  I feel certain that he would have volunteered answers to those 2 questions if I had asked or been interested.  Garner as much knowledge as you can before meeting with your orthopedic surgeon.  It will help you to understand what you are being told, and give you a knowledge base on which to build.

What's the big deal?

If you don't know about the magazine, "Arthritis Today", it is a super magazine.  Easy to understand and very practical.  I don't like articles that give general information--I want specifics.  In fact, this magazine is the thing that began the evolution of my thinking about knee replacements.  I mean, at least right now, I know what my situation is.  Surgery could change things and maybe not for the better. But one day I'm sitting in the doctor's office, and I pick up an issue of "Arthritis Today" and on the cover is a title of an article inside titled something like "4 things you can do to improve your health".  I'm curious, and I check it out. I may not remember the exact recommendations, but it was something like




1. Quit smoking
2. Lose weight/Eat better
3. Exercise
4. Get knee replacement


 Really?  Just like that? That got me to thinking that maybe this surgery is not so big a deal.  Of course it is to the one enduring the pain and suffering, but could this be so routine a surgery that getting it would improve my health?  Another way to look at it though,  if I am honest, all of those things on that list are a big deal!  I'm not a smoker, but # 2 & 3 have been hard for me. So my hope is that once I do #4, then #2 and #3 will come easier, and I certainly will be improving my health!

Do you want to perform surgery?

http://www.edheads.org/activities/knee/knee1/index.htm  Check this out!  I've performed this surgery twice.  Is this an awesome site or what?  I'm hoping I'm not going to get a total knee replacement, but if I do, I might could help! If I get spinal anesthesia, I'll be able to watch the monitors (did my doctor tell me this, or did I read it?)  Supposedly my brain would not "know" that was my knee on the monitor! Totally cool!!!

You must read this book!

I am reading this book for the second time.  It is incredibly practical.  Simple things like getting your kitchen ready or having your bed ready for your return from the hospital.  This is written by an orthopedic surgeon who is also a sports psychologist.  The book is filled with exercises to do before surgery to get your knee strong and get the best range of motion possible before surgery. The pictures and descriptions are clear and easy to understand.  I have been doing one stretch exercise for only 2 days, and I can already see an improvement. He thinks that mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation.  I am getting psyched!

Next Phase of the Journey

Today I got a surgery date--I am scheduled for bilateral partial (unicompartmental) knee replacements on November 29, 2010.  I purposely chose this time frame so that my husband, who is a professor, would be able to help me with my recovery.  The expected recovery is a minimum of 6 weeks, so that will give us exactly 6 weeks before his school starts back again in January.  Not great timing with the holidays, but it looks like we will be having no fuss holidays this year.


I made the decision to have surgery in December of 2009.  Every step I took was very painful, and I knew that I was tired of living this way.  I was calculating how many steps were involved for each and every activity I did, no matter how small the activity.  I was constantly figuring out the most efficient use of steps.  I no longer shopped in stores.  I did not go anywhere much because I did not know how far I might have to park, or how many steps I might have to climb.  In short, I had to admit that my arthritic knees were dramatically affecting my life and the quality of it. 


So why am I just now getting a surgery date if I made this decision 10 months ago?  I have spent the last 10 months getting ready for this surgery.  First, I joined Weight Watchers in January.  I have not met my mini weight loss goal, which was not high, but it was realistic. I figured that any weight loss would help with rehabilitation.  Still, I am pleased that I have lost 15 pounds and that is equivalent to 60 pounds off my knees!!  In addition, I have been very purposeful in my exercising.  Three days a week I do deep water aerobics which has made me stronger and keeps my knees flexible.  Another three days a week, I ride a recumbent bicycle (now up to 29 minutes) and about 30 minutes using weight machines to increase my upper body strength. (core and arms)  I also do a yoga routine and physical therapy exercises all 6 days.  Sunday is my day of rest unless I missed a day of exercise that week.  I have been very diligent in doing my exercises with the expectation that my rehab will be easier and that I will be in the best condition for hauling my body around with 2 surgically painful knees.


I want to blog about my preparation over the next 6 weeks or so, my hospital stay, and my recovery at home, my rehab, and my progress over the next year.  Hopefully this will be helpful to someone else who is wondering about having this surgery.  My radar has been up for the past 10 months, and I have talked with any and everyone who has had knee replacements-- including picking the brains of complete strangers if I heard them mention the work "knee"!  My doctor has been very informative, but he hasn't lived it, and I doubt he knows the REAL nitty gritty questions that inquiring minds want to know.