Knee Replacement Part 2

Knee Replacement Surgery Post Op, Day 2 – 10/24/23

Very early that morning my son B.J. took me to the hospital for surgery.  Only 9 hours for pre-op, surgery, recovery, and rehab. Everything went well. I am so grateful for the grandchildren’s other grandmother who came to assist in getting the grandchildren ready for school that morning.

I settled into my son’s guest room by 2:30pm. My grandchildren and son have been so very helpful. We had hired a CNA to be with me for the first 24 hours and I was very grateful for her. She said she had not seen anyone do better after surgery. I had my walker, bedside commode, and chair, with arm rests appropriate to assist me in getting up. The guest room at my son’s house is in the basement, and I was grateful that I was taught how to negotiate stairs before I left the hospital.  I remembered when my mother had knee surgery 35 years ago, she was instructed to take one step at a time, always leading with the same foot. Lead with the good leg going up, and with the bad leg going down. Every time I do the stairs, I remember her saying “the good go to heaven and the bad go to hell.” Whether that is true or not, it did fit my mother’s view and reminds me of the safe way to handle stairs.

Before the surgery I prepared food for myself since I am vegetarian/vegan now, and my son and grands are not. The downstairs bar was well-equipped with a sink, microwave, and small refrigerator. It filled the “get up and walk” requirement perfectly.

During surgery, I was given a spinal block which is more effective than general anesthesia, with less complications and grogginess during recovery. My team had me taking 800 mg ibuprofen and 1000 mg acetaminophen.  Gabapentin was also prescribed, but I had taken it in the past and did not like the side effects. I have been taking nortriptyline for several years for nerve pain and it was decided to continue that instead. My instructions were to take these and for breakthrough pain to take 5mg oxycodone.

I had been warned that the strong pain medications from the hospital would wear off and there would be more pain. I was expecting that to happen by Friday. Unfortunately, Wednesday night after midnight the pain was so great that I took my first oxycodone. So much for thinking I could do this without the heavy drugs. After that one time, I’ve been only taking Tylenol and Motrin. I told BJ I would love a glass of wine, and he refused to let me have it. I am so grateful that I raised kids who look out for my best interest.

My home health physical therapist came on Wednesday. Exercises I could easily do before surgery were incredibly difficult. Afterwards, I can see a difference in movement and flexibility. I hear little Mary insisting, “No! I don’t want to, and you can’t make me!” Then the adult in me says, “Get off your butt and just do it.”

One thing I did not know – an hour before any future dental appointment I must take antibiotics. If bacteria get in my system, it tends to head for artificial joints.

I’m grateful for Facebook messages and inquiries asking how it is going. My sister Joanne sent lovely roses. Heather has sent a package of teas, a mug, and some other things, and Regina is coming to visit on Saturday.