Thursday, November 10, 2016

Knee Replacement Surgery Ain't for the Feint of Heart...



As of today it's been seven weeks since my knee replacement...

Those first three to four weeks I thought I was the stupidest human being ever to 
voluntarily have that done to me!!!

What the hell was I thinking???

Physical Therapy...other wise known as Pain and Torture...
drove me to tears during those first few weeks.
It felt like every cell in my knee was ripping apart every time the Physical Therapist
pushed me into just "that much more bend."

Today...at seven weeks out...my flexion is within a few degrees of my "good" knee...
my extension too!!!

Life is good again...though not back to normal quite yet~


Before!  Notice that my knee bends away from midline...
made going up stairs and stepping off curbs quite the challenge!


Immediately after...yuck!!!  Pretty darned gross!!!


After the 3 week mark...
shedding skin like a lizard!!!


Today!
Swellings down considerably...scar is healing nicely...movement is pretty darned good...
minimal limping, only use a cane when out around the public basically to let them know to 
be a bit more careful around me (and it works!)...
endurance improved...strength improved...
all in all, a pretty darned good outcome so far!

The nerves are still numb...which quite frankly I think is a good thing right now...
they'll come back...

Well...this is why I haven't posted for weeks on end!!!

Now for a moment of peace and beauty!!!


Lake Mary at sunset...
Mammoth Lakes, California in the Eastern Sierras


Have a great day!!!



19 comments:

  1. I've heard that knee replacement is one of the most difficult surgeries to recover from. Glad you survived and your new knee is doing well. Thanks for the update. Hope your healing continues!

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    1. I've heard that too! And in my experience, it has been. It's a complicated surgery. Both of my Physical Therapists told me that they had observed knee replacement surgeries...they both said it was like being in a carpenter's shop. Sawing, pounding, twisting the patient this way and that. When they told me all they saw, I figured it was no wonder it took so long to get to where I am today!!!

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  2. Hope you recover soon! I had a cruciate ligament replaced when I was in my 20s and I remember how painful that was.

    Love the last two shots.

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    1. Ouch! Hearing about other's surgeries and that they made it through and are better off has been a blessing in recovery!!! Thanks LadyFi!!!

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  3. Good to see your are back!! It's amazing how you hate a PT after the first few visits, but come to really appreciate their special talents as you make progress. Keep up the good work!

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  4. I'm glad you're almost fully recovered! My stepfather had both knees done so I have an idea of the ordeal that follows.

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    1. I really can't imagine doing both knees at the same time, the recovery must be horrendous and slow!!! I've relied on my right leg throughout this. There's a possibility I may need to get the other one done some time, and when I think about that possibility I kind of wish I'd done them both at the same time...but I can't imagine the recovery!

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  5. My mother-in-law had both knees replaced and said it was a piece of cake. I wonder what she was on? It's been 6 1/2 weeks since my foot surgery and I'm up and about, but not without pain. I hope I never have to do the knees!

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  6. The knee is one of those body parts we take for granted, until it stops working. I'm so glad your recovery is progressing and you're feeling well enough to post.

    The sunset photo is lovely.

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  7. Ooh, that knee looked painful. Glad it's alright now.
    Beautiful scenery here too.

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  8. Rather you .........

    Hope all continues to improve.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  9. I know it's an ordeal, but knee and hip replacement is so advanced over what it used to be. You'll be galloping around snapping photos in no time. Doesn't PT suck? Walk in and limp out... Hang in there my friend!

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