I have a new knee! Well a new ligament in my knee, but I wouldn’t go as far as saying it is fully functioning – yet! The surgery itself went very well, although they had to remove 50% of the cartilage as it was too damaged to sew back down. My recovery however was not so smooth. My body took a great dislike to the morphine and I spent a lot of time vomiting as I faded in and out of consciousness.
The morning after a rather restless and uncomfortable sleep, I was having some more lovely drugs while my anaesthetist and surgeon came to see how I was getting on. Next came my first physio' session and I was very reluctant to stand on my new leg. After getting my head around the fact that it wasn’t going to give way on me I started doing what I was told, to then be promptly told I was not allowed to use it like that again! I have been given strict instructions on what exercises to do and how long it should be up and iced for each day. The most important part at the moment is to get the swelling down and the movement increasing.
Yesterday I was allowed my first bath, even if my leg stuck out in the air! I was also able to take the dressings off and look at the numerous wounds over my knee, which I don’t feel are going to leave massive enough war wounds to admire! However the bruising all over my leg is very colourful and the majority of the time it is my calf and lower leg that throbs the worst from the severe holding and manipulation it got while the drill was powering through my leg.
The surgeon gave me a copy of my surgery on DVD, so most people who walk through the door to see how I’m doing get the great view of the inside of my knee. I’m glad most of my visitors are medically trained as it means they don’t mind seeing cartilage being chewed up or steel powering through bone, and stay rather than fleeing from my flat as soon as they arrive!
My next physio' session is on Monday, and I am desperate to get there to know what the next step is in my recovery. I have to keep reminding myself to take it slow at the start and gradually get stronger. Rushing at the beginning increases the risk of the ligament stretching or breaking down. I’m not used to this taking it easy lifestyle and daytime television is driving me crazy!