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June 07, 2023

Creaky Knees - the ultimate solution

It was Lynn (RIP) from Winnie Views that really gave me the push to publish a blog.  She named the blog by adding it to her sidebar, before I published anything!

When we were not traveling I wanted to document some greater San Diego hiking areas, hikes that could be done by visitors.

It was just over 5 years ago that my creaky knee became a serious issue.  The surgeon, I was referred to, informed me the XRAY showed a total knee replacement would be needed. 

I was definitely not yet in favor of that option and found  Dr. Besser, a muscular/skeleton specialist in sports medicine, and he became my new best friend, as he too felt surgery should be the final option.  This pretty much confirmed my notion that surgeons want to operate and sports trainers want to keep you active.

After a cortisone injection, a couple months of RICE and physical therapy I was back  on some the local trails. 

That is until Nobel Canyon a couple years ago, where I took a serious tumble.  I was unable to get up, so Fran called 911.  CalFire sent 2 units, the local sheriff and the NPS showed up.  Mountain Rescue provided 2 units.  It was quite the turnout for one stranded hiker.

This was during the height of Covid closures, and no in-person sports medicine or physical therapy was available.

It was almost another year to get in to see Dr. B. again.  A new XRAY and an MRI images showed a complete tear of the cartilage.  Being stubborn, I requested another cortisone and he added 12 more weeks of PT and RICE. 

I set the goal of being able to walk to the Fly Geyser and the Fly Ranch sites as it was a staging area for Burning Man art exhibits.  Fran stuck with me and skipped the tour of the distance art sites, but, with the aid of a cane, we did enjoy the Fly Geyser :)

Dr. B. has offered gel injections of hyaluronic acid, but warns the procedure is painful and provides only short term relief for most patients.

I am now scheduled for full knee replacement the end of the month.  The process includes a meet-n-greet evaluation with the surgeon.  Approval by my insurance, Pre-Op approval by my Primary Care Physician, Dr. Cao (chow), for kidney and heart functions. sugar levels, and 4 vials of blood for whatever additional lab work.

A Pre-Op meeting with the surgeon where I was presented with exercises to do now, for a better recovery.  Also what to expect, the first week will be “agony”, followed by 12 weeks of physical therapy. 

I was asked to visit the Coronado Hospital for a nasal swap to test for pretty much all known airborne contagions.

The big unknown is how I will respond to the anesthesia and its possible long term affects.

Am I worried? "Terrified"!, would be a more accurate description!  But next year I want to be able to follow the boot prints of Pam the “nimble hiker” again.

Fran will be rescheduling ‘gal pal outings around my recovery.  So to be productive she has challenged herself with redoing the kitchen cabinets.

Before:

After:

I have several audio books, plans for a few new hanging baskets as feeders for the visiting hummers.  And more then a few jigsaw puzzles.  I’ll be able to be somewhat productive when not doing the home PT or having Fran drive me to in-person PT.  For sure Fran has the tougher tasks! :)

I do not plan to blog the recovery process, unless requested in the comments.

Aj has graduated !!!

Aj has received a comparable offer from her first choice college UCSD.  So instead of heading off to Embry-Riddle in Prescott, she'll be staying local.  

.

19 comments:

  1. Well,my wife had both knees done over a period of less than one year.The key apparently to managing the pain was to follow the doctor’s direction completely- strong meds for first two days then lesser for next week,then as required- & note,don’t try to tough it out without the meds as that prolongs the healing.She also used the “cold pack “ continuously.A few months later,walking was great.All the best & those hikes will be fun again.

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    1. Thanks! The surgeon said it would be agony for the first few days, but manage the pain or I'll not be able to perform the PT required.
      Glad to hear your wife is doing well!

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  2. Best of luck Jeff. I've heard recoveries going both ways so I wish you a speedy and relatively easy one! I agree, don't get behind the pain, don't be a martyr and remember that ice is your friend! I know we'd all like to keep up with your journey, so don't leave us in the dark. Fran will take good care of you and we'll be watching.

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    1. Thanks Suzi! I'm sure Fran will tke good care of me.
      By the way how is your knee doing?

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  3. Gay and JoeJune 08, 2023

    I’ll add our best wishes and a very speedy recovery along with the others. We are hoping that in time you will be pain free and back to enjoying all the outdoor activities you have missed. I agree with Sue…would love to hear from you from time to time just to know things are going well. Your are very lucky to have Fran!

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    1. Thanks Gay! I am indeed lucky to have Fran!, and know that she'll be there for me. I am looking forward to being able to enjoy many outdoor activities again.

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  4. Jodee GravelJune 08, 2023

    Mr James said pretty much what I was going to share. Bill had both knees done at the same time and was off the walker and cane in two weeks. Went back to work 3 weeks earlier than scheduled. The key for him was taking the pain meds (3 different kinds) as prescribed, not just when he was in pain. He stayed ahead of the pain and was able to do his PT every day with little discomfort. He never worried about addiction because he wasn't responding to pain, just taking his "dailies". As active as you are I bet you'll do even better in recovery and be so happy you had the surgery. Looks like Fran has the bigger job!!

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    1. WOW! Bill is my new hero! I know a couple guys who had the bilateral knee replacements, both took a long time to recover. It is about managing the pain, I'll take Bill's advice and just take the pills as prescribed.
      And certainly Fran has the bigger job, she'll be sanding and painting the kitchen in addition to tending to my requirements.

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  5. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. It's all about following what the doctor orders and doing all the exercises. Our daughter's MIL had a replacement a month ago and she's out walking with her cane. My 91 (to be 92 in August) mother wouldn't do the knee replacement surgery because she knows better than any doctor!! That was back in her 70's. Now it is too late for the replacement and she lives in pain every day with every step. She get cortisone every three months but it doesn't do anything after all these years. Being stubborn really hurt her. She is a picture of health otherwise. Too bad she wouldn't listen to medical advice years ago. Thinking of you. You've got this!! To better hiking days ahead!!

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    1. I've got to salute your mother, since that's the same stance I took!, But I know it's now time to take that last step. And your daughter's MIL WhoYay! Continued speedy and full recovery for her. I'm looking forward to being able to follow in some of your bootprints again!

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  6. Knees seem to be easier than other joints, like shoulders. Do the PT like we know you will.

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement Gaelyn, I have PT and the home exercises to do that will continue the stretching and strengthen knee. But still so totally nervous!

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  7. Hang in there, things will greatly improve over time following your surgery. My cousin at Incline Village had a total knee replacement for both knees last year and is now walking short trails and riding his bike again. There will be painful, difficult days but after your convalescent period, you will be glad your knees allow you to get back to a normal life...

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Jeff! Your cousin had both knees done at the same time? Glad to hear he is doing good and back on the trails.

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    2. No he had them a year apart.

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  8. I don't recall who first inspired me to blog, but Winnie Views was on my must-read list as well. I decided to continue blogging when we are not traveling more as a journal of sorts to keep track of our house building journey.
    Knee replacement sounds like no fun at all, but being an active person, I would think you would recover quickly.

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    1. Your house is looking awesome, you'll be glad you kept a blog of your progress ... and your adventures.
      I was certainly more active before that tumble in Nobel Canyon. I traded my hiking sticks for a cane after that, now the cane for a walker. Looking forward to hiking sticks again! ;)

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  9. I too have been battling the thoughts of the knee replacement in my future. Putting off as long as I can but will be seeing a specialist soonfor planning sakes. Keep us in the loop as it will give me a glimpse of my future...

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    1. I choose to do what I could to avoid the surgery, Unfortunately, at the height of Covid Nobel Canyon made the decision for me.
      At least you have a good PT in the family.

      Delete

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