Well, it will be 3 months since my total right knee replacement tomorrow, and I guess it's time for an update.
The right knee doesnt hurt much at all anymore. But I will admit that because I havent been stretching it as much as I had initially, that I've probably lost some of my range of motion. But I am determined to get it back, so keep watching. I'm going to do it! The scare is still healing pretty well. Its flat and did not keloid, which is a great thing. Its beginning to go back to being skin colored, instead of lighter like it was initially.
Im still working with my PT to strengthen the other leg, and I'll be going back to the doctor on Friday afternoon for a follow-up. I can honestly say that even though Im not in magnificent shape yet, this was the right decision for me. And now that Ive been through it, Im not nearly as nervous about getting the other knee done as I was the first time. Which wasnt much. lol. I am still a little down that I cant do some of my housework (which has been piling up - the joys of single motherhood), but I am completely remodeling my apartment. I planned on buying a home, but due to being off work for 3.5 months, I depleted my savings and am starting from scratch. So in the mean time, Im going to make my apartment feel more like a home than the 'fresh out of college and need my own place fast' apartment that it was when I moved here 8 years ago.
Until next time,
KEEP ON PUSHING!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
9 Weeks Later
Well, here I am. 9 weeks after a right total knee replacement. Because I really needed a bilateral, Im still hitting physical therapy, although I made my 120 deg ROM a few weeks ago on the right knee. The left one is hurting so badly, and its weak and buckles, so I have to try to strengthen it up, so that I can at least make it to my next surgery in some level of comfort.
My quads are weak, which is a major problem. Over the years of limping around, they've pretty much turned to jello (despite what my PT says :) ). So Im working to increase strength. I wont lie, a lot of the time, I dont do the home exercises the way that I should. I went back to work 3 weeks ago, and when I come home, I just want to lie down. I'm an ad exec, so I sit a lot, but I try to get up a few times a day so that stiffness doesnt set it.
Now let me tell you about the incision. Its healing pretty well so far (I'll snap a pic in a little and add it here), but I swear it has some of the weirdest sensations going on inside of there, and they change every few weeks. Sometimes its electricity, sometimes its tingling, other times it feels like when I bend it, something microscopic is tearing in there. I really have no idea what its going to feel like from day to day.
I tried kneeling on pillows on my bed a few days ago...felt sorta painful and uncomfortable. Dont know if Im ready for that just yet, or if I ever will be. But Im hoping. :) Small victories I guess. Id just like to be able to wear my heels again. I am 27...and I bought some seriously fierce ones recently. Having goals for recovery is important and keeps you on your toes.
Im waiting for the day that I wake up and the skin doesnt feel weird, and the leg isnt stiff, and I hardly know I have a replacement. That will be a great day.
My quads are weak, which is a major problem. Over the years of limping around, they've pretty much turned to jello (despite what my PT says :) ). So Im working to increase strength. I wont lie, a lot of the time, I dont do the home exercises the way that I should. I went back to work 3 weeks ago, and when I come home, I just want to lie down. I'm an ad exec, so I sit a lot, but I try to get up a few times a day so that stiffness doesnt set it.
Now let me tell you about the incision. Its healing pretty well so far (I'll snap a pic in a little and add it here), but I swear it has some of the weirdest sensations going on inside of there, and they change every few weeks. Sometimes its electricity, sometimes its tingling, other times it feels like when I bend it, something microscopic is tearing in there. I really have no idea what its going to feel like from day to day.
I tried kneeling on pillows on my bed a few days ago...felt sorta painful and uncomfortable. Dont know if Im ready for that just yet, or if I ever will be. But Im hoping. :) Small victories I guess. Id just like to be able to wear my heels again. I am 27...and I bought some seriously fierce ones recently. Having goals for recovery is important and keeps you on your toes.
Im waiting for the day that I wake up and the skin doesnt feel weird, and the leg isnt stiff, and I hardly know I have a replacement. That will be a great day.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
