Many of you probably already know that two weeks ago I had knee surgery on my left knee. The knee that gave out during a run last summer and that has never fully recovered even after months of shots, physical therapy and draining. In the last few weeks, I haven't been very active on Facebook or my blog, so this is what happened during my surgery and afterwards.
I was scheduled to have a Fulkerson Osteotomy. In this procedure, they remove loose bones and cartilage, fix damaged cartilage and release the lateral tissue to allow the patella to go back into place. With this procedure, I would have been back at work after a few days, having physical therapy and most likely walking with my brace by now.
However, my surgery didn't go as planned. The surgeon has to fracture my bone and insert screws to stablize the patella. I woke up from my surgery feeling like I had a really bad shin splint. The first few days were exhausting. I went back to work the Tuesday after my Thursday surgery but I have at least six more weeks of physical therapy, using the crutches and wearing the brace.
The pain comes and go but I'm learning to manage it with a CPM machine that helps bend my knee, a TENS unit that stimulates my muscles, lots of ice and pain killers. Getting around is the hardest part - I have trouble sitting without my leg propped even though I can now unlock my brace. I'm learning to sit better at my desk and on the couch with my legs down.
I can bend my knee 97 degrees at physical therapy with help from my therapist. Thirteen more degrees and I can ride the bike. It's really hard sometimes and its even harder getting around on the crutches, getting in and out of the car, taking a shower and worst of all - sleeping. I haven't slept a full night since before the surgery.
My recovery would not be this positive or easy without all of the support and encouragement I have received the last two weeks. Dennis is my lifesaver - he has to help me with everything! My parents, in-laws and sister have brought me dinners, sat with me and given me rides. My friends have sent care packages, cards and visited. And my coworkers are amazing - helping me around the office and giving me rides.
The road to recovery is a long one but I'm determined to get on that bike, get back in the pool and loose the crutches in six weeks.
