To knee or not to knee…that is the question!

This is the story of my total knee replacement in February of this year.

After a reprieve of seven years following my right knee arthroscopy, the orthopaedic surgeon looked me in the eye and said, “We will give you a new knee next week.” He then informed me that, “This is a very painful operation.”

During the week leading to the operation I made the fatal mistake of looking at the complete procedure on YouTube. He’s going to do that to me! Hammer, drill, glue, and cut. YIPES!

Hospital

The day of the surgery finally arrived, I was driven to the hospital and was escorted to the theatre suite by a pretty nurse, score one for Phil, I made it. After changing into the compulsory smock (with my copious bottom sticking out the back) they shaved the leg from mid-calf to mid-thigh. Neat, then painted me with iodine solution and I sat with a number of people awaiting the surgeon’s knife.

The Operation

I was given a spinal block and a few needles above the knee to render me ready for the operation. The anaesthetist promised me he would put me in a sleep, but not knock me fully out.

I woke four times during the operation. Time one he was sawing (ME!). Time two he was hammering the femur connection. Time three, he was drilling something, and then the drapes were removed and I watched him sew me up. Strangely, it didn’t bother me at all.

The day after

“Morning boys,” sang the perky physiotherapist bouncing into our ward. “Time for your exercises.” I dobbed in my room mate to go first, score two for Phil. He looked pale and needed a big dose of his PCA (patient controlled analgesic) I believe the PCA is a high dose of opiate drug (yeah!).

My turn, being a competitive person I had to perform better than my bunkie. He didn’t make a foot on the floor, I determined that I would take at least one step. I did, it hurt like mad. More PCA.

She gave us a set of exercises on the knee to perform at least three times a day, told us to load up the PCA to reduce the pain, it worked.

Ten weeks later

I am now 10 weeks post operation. The scar has healed, but discomfort still remains. I am free of all the heavy drugs that prevented pain in the first few weeks, the cold spring weather gets to me and causes the partaking of mild analgesics at night. I walk and exercise as much as I can, I still use the walking stick in shopping centres as I would prefer not to fall over.

Total Knee Replacement Dos and Donts

Dos

• Listen to, and do everything the physio tells you. I spent a week in hospital and another week in the rehab hospital (the hydrotherapy was heaven) still need a walking stick after 10 weeks just for crowds who will wonder why I walk so slow.
• Make sure you get as much weight off and leave it off.
• Move, often and try to increase the range every time.
• Take the meds for pain, yes, I had a withdrawal from the drugs, but there is no substitute for a pain-free existence.
• Take small steps in the first few days, even a hobble and hop will get that new joint working, make sure they show you how to walk properly again (I had forgotten).
• Make sure they hitch you up to the constant patella machine (CPM), the magic box that moves the knee through the full range of motion (start low angle and work up to 90 degrees) – this one is gold.
• Use vitamin E cream on the scar. It reduces the ugliness.
• Try to keep a sense of humour, works well.
• Lead with the good leg going up steps and the bad one going down.

Don’ts

• Move too fast.
• Give the physio a hard time.
• Miss a hydro session, all exercise is gold.
• Take a negative attitude to hospital, I met a lady who hated the whole lot. She wouldn’t move the knee as it hurt too much. She had another operation which forced the knee to bump off all the lesions on the prosthesis, that had to hurt.
• Put off the operation, the discomfort I’m feeling now is much less than the pain and lack of mobility with the osteoarthritis.

In conclusion

I now have full movement of my knee for the first time for many years. The discomfort will eventually go and be replaced by a normal range of movement and ability. I was very emotional the day the taxi bought me home. The previous two weeks were tough and painful, however the sense of relief and achievement was overwhelming. Very pleased to be home.

Lastly, I want to thank the DVA (Dept for Veterans Affairs) for treating me like a VIP during this time, my gold card is the best.

Have you had a knee replacement or reconstruction before? What advice do you have for anyone considering it or going for it soon? Tell us in the comments below…