WOO HOO! Time to Rejoice!

Today I saw my doctor to check the "tread" on my knee replacements. After quite a few X-rays, he said that both knees looked "super fantastic". I think he started to tell me that they should last the rest of my life, but changed midstream to say last a really long time. I told him that I had given up all the activities that he told me would shorten their life (those I really didn't do anyway-- running, jumping, singles tennis). So, I'm good for another 5 years: it is hard to believe that it has been that long. I am thankful every single day that I had the surgery.

If you've just run across this blog in your search for information about knee replacements, let me recommend the articles in the sidebar as a good starting place.  Secondly, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of exercise prior to surgery to get your body in the best condition you can prior to surgery. It will make rehab infinitely easier and more productive.

Did you know they are beginning to do same day surgery for knee replacements? Crazy!! I asked my doctor about it today, and he said in the 80’s when his dad was doing knee replacements, patients were in the hospital for 3 weeks! Looks like going home the same day may become a trend for the super healthy.

Is It Time for a Knee Replacement?

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http://www.thomasso.com/2013/09/18/walk-cycle-animated-in-blender/#sthash.IiV76Toq.dpbs

Even though my surgery is long past, I read this article today that has some very well thought out questions which I am copying to this post for consideration prior to having joint surgery.  If you are new to my blog, there are links to other very excellent articles in the column on the right. The archived posts chronicle my preparations prior to surgery, recovery, and rehab. 

http://www.arthritistoday.org/arthritis-treatment/surgery/joint-surgeries/considering-surgery.php

• Can I bear the pain that I am experiencing now, or does this pain significantly undermine what I’m able to do?
• Have I given up all or most of the activities I enjoy because of pain and other arthritis symptoms?
• How much does pain limit my movements and ability to get around?
• Have my pain and stiffness increased steadily in the past several months to a year?
• Am I prepared to work through the recovery process, including post-surgery exercises and physical therapy if necessary?
• How will surgery help my condition? What level of improvement can I realistically expect following joint surgery?
• Are drugs, exercise and other therapies failing to provide the adequate relief that they have in the past?
• Does my insurance policy fully cover joint surgery and recovery costs, such as at-home nursing care if I need it? Are there out-of-pocket costs that I will have to bear? Can I afford these costs?
• Will I be able to take the necessary time off to recover from surgery? Will my family and/or friends be able to help me if I need them during my recovery? 

We don't want to wear one these if we don't have to!

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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.