I had my 4 month visit in Allentown today. As you all know, I haven't been too happy with my progress, especially in my left knee. I really thought the surgeon would tell me what many of you have said: it's going to take time. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
He came into the examination room asking how it was going and I told him I wasn't too happy. He briefly checked out the left knee and said he wasn't happy either. Apparently I heal fast and couldn't keep the scar tissue broken down despite doing all the exercises and driving myself and everyone around me crazy. He said that roughly 1 in 20 have this problem; 5% seems like a pretty high number to me, but what do I know.
It's good he doesn't have to open it all back up because nothing would have convinced me to go that route. Instead he'll knock me out, bend the hell out of both my knees, drug me up and send me home. He told me that I should have 120 degrees flexion following this procedure. I had a moment of panic when the scheduler asked if I had my walker and cane because I might need one of them to come home and did I prefer darvocet or tylenol with codeine. All I could think of was "here we go again."
I'll be off work the day after and will have physical therapy every day for a week. Much as I loved Nate, I think I'd like to find a new physical terrorist. If any of you have experience with a good one, please give me a shout.
The surgeon made two other points that are important for my sanity (and thus the sanity of those around me):
1. While I should be exercising 3-4 times a week, it should become more of a normal exercise regimen with the bike, elliptical, walking, with other stuff tossed in and getting away from the physical therapy type stuff. He told me not to drive myself crazy with it and just do a normal program 3-4 times a week. This is a relief because on the few occasions where I skipped something I felt so guilty and was so afraid...so afraid that my knees would have to be manipulated. And here I am, despite having followed all the rules.
2. My knees are going to take about a year and a half to be totally healed and for things to be "normal". This is good since I have been disappointed that things aren't great at 4 months. I will be more calm if I know what the expectation is. I think. I hope. Yes, I will.
In the meantime, I'm going to dry my tears of anger, frustration, and pity, and hop on my bike.
3 comments:
Wow, that had to be a disappointing appointment. At least you got some answers, a plan of action and now you can go forward. The couple of times Jess had to do PT he went to the physical therapists at the Friendship Center. I believe her name is Jill. I also know that Elaine went there for her knee and she was pleased with them. Hang in there and look forward to Disney!!
Yes, I was very disappointed. Distraught might be a better description. I didn't know that the Friendship Center offered physical therapy. Thanks for the referral- I'll check it out. I'm keeping my sight focused on the Mouse!
Pinnaclehealth Physical Therapy-Lower Paxton - (717) 540-4607
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