The Knee

 After six plus weeks of intense physical therapy, there was not even a slight change in my knee.  So after lots of research, talking with surgeons and many many tears, I opted to go ahead with the surgery to fix my knee.

The long recovery process went from really longer, to really really long.

I had surgery on September 9th. 

I went in about noon, really nervous was an understatement.  The pre-op stuff went really fast.  They went over again what they would be doing.  The surgeon told Matt that the surgery would last approx 2-3 hours.  He explained that with knee surgery there is always a bit of a gray area and until they were in and could see the extent of things they can never say for sure.  He explained where the incisions would be, and a little about what he expected.  I donned that sexy hairnet, and kissed my husband and off I went.  Tears flowing.

It was a four hour surgery, so I am told, I was pretty out of it when I woke.  The replacement of my PCL posterior cruciate ligament was the most extensive part.  PCL injuries are not "fixable, the PCL must be replaced.  My PCL was removed and replaced with a "allograft" a ligament from a donor (cadaver part in my knee crazy cool and a little icky.)  The graft was connected to my body by drilling into my femur and tibia to attach the graft with screws.  My tissues grow and connect the graft tissue.  My MCL medial collateral ligament was also a complete rupture, unlike the PCL the MCL can be repaired.  My surgeon had explained that more than likely he would need to remove and use grafts from my hamstring to repair the MCL because of the amount of time that lapsed between injury and surgery, however, when inside, he was able to reconnect the tissues to themselves, saving me from yet another incision and another area to heal.  Bonus!  He also found that my meniscus was intact, another bonus!

After waking up, the pain was unbelievable.  Those that know me know that I have an extremely high tolerance to pain.  But WOW.  The pain was bad.  Due to the fact that my surgery was 4 hours long and that the recovery unit I was in closed at 7, an hour in recovery was not long enough for any one's comfort, so when they suggested staying the night in the hospital, there was no argument from me.  Pain medicine through an iv works a lot faster than waiting for a pill to dissolve in your system.

I went home Friday early Friday afternoon.  The car ride was awful, but we made it.

I am not able to put any weight on the leg at all.  I am not able to bend the leg at all.  If you have ever had to do either of those two things, you know how much it is almost impossible to do anything.  So the last 11 days of my life have been very restricted to the chair, elevated, wrapped in the "game ready" ice machine.  If you have never had to do that...you would be amazed how limiting it really is.

The first several days after surgery, not only was the knee is constant pain, even high as a kite on pain medication, but I was very sick to my stomach, vomiting is bad enough on a normal day, but when you add in having to crutch your way to the bathroom in a hurry and not to be able to bend over the potty, it's worse.  Just ask Matty, who was stuck cleaning up after me.  Yuck, awful.  I was able to get another medication for the nausea and that seems to be helping.  The puke bucket is still at my chair side though, at all times.

Showers are also a huge challenge.  The long and short of that...I've had three in 11 days.  I feel so damn pretty.  Not.  I do have to say my wonderful friend Tina came over and shaved my legs.  She is wonderful for so many reasons.

I have been doing well not bending or putting weight on it.  My body aches.  My entire body.  I hate sitting in a chair all day.  I hate not being able to take care of myself.  I hate not being able to care for my Beauties.  My home.  My normal day to day.  I'm not good at letting others do things.  

I meet with my surgeon in the morning.  I really hope the 34 staples in my knee will be removed, because they suck.  

I'm hanging in there.  There have been a lot of tears shed the last 11 days.  I have had a few pity parties.  A few why me moments, and lots of reminders from myself and from others that I will recover and be better than ever. I will hopefully begin my physical therapy this week.  My surgeon told me before the surgery that it will be a long recovery.  Very intense physical therapy and that I have a lot of hard work ahead.  Which I can handle knowing that I am a tough cookie and I will get through it.  Full recovery and back to normal activity level is between 6-9 months, sometimes even longer depending on each individuals body and limitations.  

So I promise myself to take one day at a time.  One day at a time is all I can do.

  

Photos are 6 days post surgery.  Two incisions, one very large and one small.  Lots of bruising ans swelling.