Brand spankin' new Six-Million-Dollar-man left knee
02-08-2016, 06:18 PM
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Brand spankin' new Six-Million-Dollar-man left knee
I can't believe that I forgot to mention this before now:
Last December - on my birthday - I got a total knee replacement.
It's pretty amazing, actually. The surgery took about two hours, starting a little before 8:00AM and finishing before 10:00AM. That afternoon the physical therapist had me up and walking the halls (with the aid of a walker). The next day the occupational therapist had me walking the halls, going up and down stairs, and climbing over the edge of a bathtub. I was home that afternoon.
Physical therapy started the next week, three times a week. Within one week I was off the walker and using a crutch, and after another week I was essentially off the crutch.
Last Thursday - 51 days after surgery - I had my second follow-up with the surgeon and he said I'm ready to do anything I want: horseback riding, running, bicycle riding, whatever. (Maybe not Tae Kwon Do; at least, not yet.) After seven weeks I'm where he normally expects a patient to be after 6 months. He's cut me loose from physical therapy; I'm on my own now.
It pays to choose your parents wisely: good genetics.
Last December - on my birthday - I got a total knee replacement.
It's pretty amazing, actually. The surgery took about two hours, starting a little before 8:00AM and finishing before 10:00AM. That afternoon the physical therapist had me up and walking the halls (with the aid of a walker). The next day the occupational therapist had me walking the halls, going up and down stairs, and climbing over the edge of a bathtub. I was home that afternoon.
Physical therapy started the next week, three times a week. Within one week I was off the walker and using a crutch, and after another week I was essentially off the crutch.
Last Thursday - 51 days after surgery - I had my second follow-up with the surgeon and he said I'm ready to do anything I want: horseback riding, running, bicycle riding, whatever. (Maybe not Tae Kwon Do; at least, not yet.) After seven weeks I'm where he normally expects a patient to be after 6 months. He's cut me loose from physical therapy; I'm on my own now.
It pays to choose your parents wisely: good genetics.
02-09-2016, 05:43 AM
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Agree, that is impressive. 
02-09-2016, 11:16 AM
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Good to hear you're back in action!
02-10-2016, 06:16 AM
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The anesthesiologist gave me a spinal block (much as they do for women in labor), and it was done perfectly: it lasted 19 hours (I could feel it as it was wearing off), and no awful headache afterward.
The day that I came home I couldn't bend my leg even 90 degrees; now I'm at 145 degrees and still improving. (My right leg does about 155 degrees.) I even ran a little bit on Sunday with no difficulty.
It's pretty amazing what they can do these days.
02-10-2016, 10:05 AM
#7
Originally Posted by jkelley' timestamp='1455026853' post='23875530
Um, that's ridiculously impressive. 51 days?? You were putting weight on it within a day, on a total knee replacement?? Congrats
The anesthesiologist gave me a spinal block (much as they do for women in labor), and it was done perfectly: it lasted 19 hours (I could feel it as it was wearing off), and no awful headache afterward.
The day that I came home I couldn't bend my leg even 90 degrees; now I'm at 145 degrees and still improving. (My right leg does about 155 degrees.) I even ran a little bit on Sunday with no difficulty.
It's pretty amazing what they can do these days.
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02-10-2016, 03:35 PM
#8
Originally Posted by magician' timestamp='1455117418' post='23876725
[quote name='jkelley' timestamp='1455026853' post='23875530']
Um, that's ridiculously impressive. 51 days?? You were putting weight on it within a day, on a total knee replacement?? Congrats
Um, that's ridiculously impressive. 51 days?? You were putting weight on it within a day, on a total knee replacement?? Congrats
The anesthesiologist gave me a spinal block (much as they do for women in labor), and it was done perfectly: it lasted 19 hours (I could feel it as it was wearing off), and no awful headache afterward.
The day that I came home I couldn't bend my leg even 90 degrees; now I'm at 145 degrees and still improving. (My right leg does about 155 degrees.) I even ran a little bit on Sunday with no difficulty.
It's pretty amazing what they can do these days.
[/quote]
I broke my hip when I was 13. I didn't have a replacement, but screwed it back together and I was on crutches for 9 months. Had to have a "free vascularized fibula" done and was on crutches for another 15 months. 2 years total. So wtf lol.
02-11-2016, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by The Raptor' timestamp='1455131146' post='23877066
[quote name='magician' timestamp='1455117418' post='23876725']
[quote name='jkelley' timestamp='1455026853' post='23875530']
Um, that's ridiculously impressive. 51 days?? You were putting weight on it within a day, on a total knee replacement?? Congrats
[quote name='jkelley' timestamp='1455026853' post='23875530']
Um, that's ridiculously impressive. 51 days?? You were putting weight on it within a day, on a total knee replacement?? Congrats
The anesthesiologist gave me a spinal block (much as they do for women in labor), and it was done perfectly: it lasted 19 hours (I could feel it as it was wearing off), and no awful headache afterward.
The day that I came home I couldn't bend my leg even 90 degrees; now I'm at 145 degrees and still improving. (My right leg does about 155 degrees.) I even ran a little bit on Sunday with no difficulty.
It's pretty amazing what they can do these days.
I broke my hip when I was 13. I didn't have a replacement, but screwed it back together and I was on crutches for 9 months. Had to have a "free vascularized fibula" done and was on crutches for another 15 months. 2 years total. So wtf lol.[/quote]
Wowzer!
02-12-2016, 08:40 AM
#10
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Great news man!