June 30, 2009
Knee Surgery
I had my knee surgery last Wednesday. The first few days were a blur, but I'm finally weaning myself off the pain meds, and feeling like I'm gonna live. I had arthroscopic surgery to repair an injury to my articulate cartilage on my medial femoral chondral. Near the end of April I tore a dime sized chunk of cartilage all the way to the bone. Of course, being the Klutz that I am, I had to really do it good this time. After 6 weeks of anti-inflammatories, cortisone shot, and rest the doc ordered an MRI. I was then referred to an Orthopedic surgeon. He scheduled me for surgery to clean up the area and debris, and TruFit synthetic plugs installed.
Here's some pics he took during the surgery:
#1. This is what he saw when he first went in. He trimmed up all the fraying.
#2. After trimming.
#3. Here's the problem area.
#4. After the TruFit synthetic plug(s) were installed and smoothed.
#5. He performed Microfracture on the bone by drilling holes in the bone to stimulate bleeding and marrow release to promote healing and meshing with plugs. You can see the line of holes he drilled in a spot of exposed bone where I had no cartilage left. This was not the spot he put the plugs, but an additional problem area he found once he was inside the knee.
I am on crutches, non weight bearing for several weeks. I'll find out how long for sure when I go back for my followup appt next week. It has been a real challenge using crutches, but I'm getting the hang of them and getting around pretty good. They are literally the PITS. OUCH..the pits hurt.
I had terrible nausea the first 24 hours. Couldn't keep anything down, including the pain meds. After 20 hours of misery I called the doc. Got the nurse on call. She said she would pass on my message to the doc, and he would probably call in a prescription for nausea meds. I waited a couple hours, called again. Same response. I waited a couple more hours and called again. I believe I may have gotten her attention as she received very graphic sound effects over the phone as I was begging for help and sick at the same time. She told me she would get the doc right then. SHEESH! I felt totally abandoned by the medical world by then. I made sure the pre-op nurse and anesthesia doc noted that I have a nausea problem with anesthesia, and I told my surgical nurse, who gave me nausea meds before the procedure. I also told the recovery nurse that I would need nausea help, so she gave me one pill before sending me home. But.... no prescript to take home.
My good friend and rescuing Angel, Claudia picked up my prescription and brought it to me, along with some ginger ale and ginger cookies. Finally.... I was able to get some rest and let the pain meds do their magic.
That was Day #2. I don't remember much of it.....
Day#3... Shower time! YAY! It was a real challenge to get in the shower, as the one downstairs is not a walk-in. I was up to the challenge though, and did it feel good! Day#3 was also the day I was to start my exercises. I was feeling so good, and the ankle rolls, leg lifts, and working on the 90 degree bends seemded so easy. I was to manage a 90 degree bend by my first followup appt. I managed that on day3. I was so proud of myself... hey look everyone, watch this....This is easy stuff! WELL...... let me tell you what it felt like the next day! Serves my proud self right to go showing off how easy it was while on strong pain meds! Big mistake.
Day#4. Paying for the euphoria I had on day#3. I paced myself with my exercises and definitely did not overdo it. I managed to hobble out onto the patio twice for a little sunshine. Sure felt good. Tried weaning off the meds too fast later in the day. Had to make up for it with pain all night. (will I ever learn?)
Day#5..Claudia came by to visit and brought a Cafe Mocha. Just what I needed. Had a very nice visit. Then Mary Ellen came by bringing a casserole, cookies, and a pretty miniature rose. They sure perked me up with their visit.
Starting to wean off the meds a little more, but gradually. I desperately wanted to go down to the pond and my flowerbeds. Scott rigged up a thick cushion of poly batting for my leg to rest on, while I drove my ATV. Couldn't use the brake, as it's my right foot pedal, so I just puttered along real slow. Was so enjoying to watch Mitchell fish and look at the butterflies in my gardens. Scott was a real trooper letting me instruct him on what was a weed to pull, and what was a flower. lol!
Day#6. That's today. So far I haven't needed any pain meds. Leg is very tender, but not terribly painful. Still having muscle spasms in my sore calf, but better. Hmmm...what can I get myself into today?......
