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I decided to have my knee replaced when..
How my life changed after knee replacement

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Almost 4 weeks post-op and grateful....

Stumpy
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Ups and downs... big accomplishments and small setbacks...This "getting some of your life back" is like a roller coaster! Had a right TNR May 22nd... general anesthesia with a femoral block. The block seemed to control pain well as I only required additional pain meds infrequently. Initially, my biggest issue was very low blood pressure which greatly decreased my ability to move out of the hospital bed for 5 days.

Despite the discouraging start, things seem to have progressed well. I drove at 3 weeks, and am now cane free unless am tired, or in unfamiliar environments. Tylenol mostly controls my pain. Grateful for that as opioids seemed to lower BP further. I also had to drive to outpatient PT which increased my desire to have a narcotic-free system.

Sleep eludes me unfortunately (as it seems to do so many others), it feels as if I have an Ace bandage wrapped tightly around my knee and, at times, I hear a clicking noise when I walk. Left side of my knee is hypersensitive and right side is numb. Pain seems to be more achy and intermittant, rather than sharp and "on the pain scale". Sometimes, breathing through it, and moving is the best help.

Concentrating on anything but mindless TV has seemed impossible until this point. I am hoping to gather up "mind strength " to play my horn and to begin learning Italian.

Movement, ice, elevation and rest are 4 of my new friends. I was delighted yesterday at PT as my knee made it around on the bike! Four days ago I almost passed out at the accidental, almost around, knee movement. Progress! I was also absolutely thrilled that I could stand and balance PAIN FREE for 5 seconds on my "new knee" foot. Grateful!

"Lurch" is no longer my nickname, as I now am (mostly) walking evenly and upright.. Grateful.... old walking patterns and tiredness may briefly show themselves, but then disappear. Was excited I walked the grocery store yesterday, although I did arrive home and promptly fall asleep in my recliner, with my friend, Tylenol!

I do feel in some ways .. the more difficult part is settling in... have to find the balance...movement/rest, when to move through pain and when to say enough is enough, how much to push for "getting back to normal?", but then remembering that THIS journey is not the recent "normal". Have to give myself permission to chill out or nap.

This is a marathon and not a sprint, and I have to gratefully remember that this journey, with its ups and downs, is going to allow me 30 years of ease of movement and an ability to participate more fully in the gift of life. Four weeks down.....

Comments
Atlas_Aus
Well written. Thanks for sharing.
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