MK's Right Knee.

When I was about 12 for no explained reason I started falling down a short embankment.  Thud, stop and pain in my knee.    What had happened!!?? It felt although it bent backwards instead of the normal forwards.  .


  After that my knee would "go out" multiple time a year.  In a simple twist of my body to reach something bones, muscles whipped to the outside of my leg AND STAYED THERE.      As I stared at this sight, I knew I must take action and with a swift hit to the outside of my right knee it went back into normal placement.    Over my teen age years this gross occurrence would happen again and again.

  Somewhere in my twenties I learned when that tearing movement started by mentally relaxing my knee it no longer stayed to the outside straining against my skin.  Then after many years it became no problem as the tendons, muscles and whatever held my knee in place just stretched and didn't complain.

This is an arthritic knee where the bones rub together.

 Fast forward to my knee after 50 years  my knee reached old age.    Maybe my companion muscles and tendons were aging also.   The darn knee would quickly flip to the outside and back again but it started to hurt again.    I noticed as I walked it would quit before I was ready.  So off with a portion of  the meniscus.    That is another story dealing with bad advice from the surgeon which ending causing damage to my rotator cuff.   

This darn old knee really just let me down on a trip to Italy with Claudia, my niece, and then Sicily.   I would try to keep up with her even thought I know she slow down for me.   At night in the hostels my swollen leg would be placed on the bunk mattress above me for elevation and a nightly massage to minimize its size.

A trip to Ireland the following year had the same problems but I pushed on.   I did not speak kindly to this knee.

At home this naughty knee  didn't want to get me up and down the stairs.     Also Aleve when I asked it to do overtime which made it happy for a while but IT WANTED MORE. Years of x-rays, poking, physical therapy and finally five years of a leg brace just so this part could have its attention.






  On to Hawaii where it wouldn't take me everywhere I wanted to go....bad knee!




(mkgoingwest.blogspot.com)

After my trip out west my knee was worst.    Sometimes at home did spider crawl upstairs and the  usual down the stairs backwards which really helped.    So the doc said it is bone on bone and needs to be fixed.   No surprise to  me since I knew this was coming for many years.   I am just surprised we had to play around with cortisone shots.  The unloader, pressure brace definitely made a big different over the last five years and allowed me to do more walking.

New Orleans Plantation home

Street band in New Orleans

One more trip the same year to New Orleans with brother and a church group.   This was the hardest to get anywhere.    I pushed myself  as best I could.    Did a lot on my own so I could go at my own pace.    One evening with brother and his wife I didn't think I could make it back to the hotel it hurt so bad.    Solution, stop for a drink and listening to Jazz on Bourbon Street.    This rest helped a bit.      (mkneworleans.blogspot.com)

And worst of all no good walks or floor play with my toddler grand kids.  Carrying their extra weight just made things worst and aggravated that old rotator cuff. So it's time for the life of my right knee to pay the Piper.

I asked current doctors to recommend a surgeon.  They weren't very forthcoming with information.   I asked many friends who had a replacement done and EVERYONE recommended a DIFFERENT doctor.   I searched on line to see what doctors in my area were highly rated...that helped.   Then I did an online inquiry of the best hospital for knee replacement in my area.    Strangely this online searching helped me the most to make a decision.    I decided to go with a local doctor who was highly rated and did specialize in knee replacements.



  I attended a class at the hospital for all those having hip and knee replacements.    One third were using my chosen doctor.   The class was thorough and VERY informative.    A three-ring binder was covered page by page followed by a Q&A.  I was very surprised on what a big deal this was.     Having several surgeries previously, the procedures on replacements require more preparations.   It scared me a little but I need to still live my life and be mobile so forward I go.


Here are the things that surprised me from that class.

A scrub down with Hibiclens the night before and the morning of  surgery. 

A nasal swab to check for staph and MRSA.    If any found a five day treatment with an ointment.

A thorough dental examination prior to surgery.  They even have a form for the dentist to sign to make sure you did it.  To prevent joint infections from now on a visit to the dentist must include  a preparatory dost of Amoxicillin.

Of course, pre-operative cardiac clearance like EKG and stress test.    I never had a stress test even with those other surgeries.   Since I can't walk or jog, wonder what they do.

Donate my own blood prior to the surgery.

If hemoglobin low need injections of Procrit on 21 days before surgery, 14th day and 7th day.   Oh joy, I hate shots since having a series of rabie shots at age 13.

Then there is Lovenox shots for 21 days after surgery to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis.  And they expect me to give them to myself when I get home.....oh right!!!  *#@^+*&#

One to three weeks before surgery they gave me a two page list of drugs and OTC not to take before the operation.

Forms to fill out, choices to make, drink more water, protein intake guidelines, iron and calcium intake, Vit. D, decrease alcohol to no more than 1 per day two weeks before surgery.

After surgery exercises, physical therapy, T.E.D. stockings to prevent blood clots and worn for 4 - 6 weeks.   Notes on what clothes to bring, what shoes, every bit of my life will be orchestrated for the best maximum outcome.


Two to three days in the hospital, then  what I call a nursing home (rehab) for a week and finally home for more physical therapy.

Stupid #%*@$%%#$c laptop

Been adding to this for a month and my stupid computer made it all disappear as it was finalized. Been having a lot of trouble with this two-year old machine. Don't have the time or heart to redo everything at this point.

So I will continue with the two weeks before surgery. Appointment at hospital for final pre-surgery testing which included EKG, test for MRSA (just a nose swab), CBC blood check on most everything, and donation of 1 1/2 units of my blood if needed during surgery At this time I stopped herbal teas, NSAIDS like Aleve, aspirin, etc. The hospital gives you a complete list of these. I had to switch to Tylenol Arthritis which does help. Did see a note that said do not take Tylenol PM at this time.

The next day a visit to my dentist for a cleaning, wing bit x-rays, panoramic shot of all the pearly whites and a through dentist check.....very expensive!

Now the next day back to a doctors who reads all the results and checks you out again. I passed with flying colors....yeah!!

During these last three weeks before surgery I have been using a relaxation tape which is excellent especially during that waiting time in hospital right before surgery. This helps with the anesthesia, healing and comfort. I also am practicing visualization focusing on my knee concerning it readiness and upcoming process. Eating lots of protein for red blood cells and fruits, etc.
Previously I had major surgery and read "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster by Peggy Huddleston. There are some good ideas on relaxing, healing, vitamins, etc. This book helps with a positive attitude and outcome. (see bottom for more detail)***

I told my daughter I would make a tea candle holder out of the bone they sawed off....humm, she said no. However, my niece seemed interested for possible Christmas ideas.   A knee cap might make an interesting something!

During surgery when you are under anesthesia you hearing is at 100%. During my last surgery I used the books suggestions for positive statements from the surgeon and/or anesthesiologist for better healing and quicker recovery. It worked. I also tried
something on my own. I asked the doctor when ever he used a
positive statement to say my name first. (Kind of to get my attention.) I also asked the doctor to say something specific to me and ask me about it after the surgery. The next day he came into my hospital room and asked me the name of his dog. Since I was feeling awful, I was annoyed but stammered ra-ra Roger (An old boy friend). His eyes widen as he said his dog's name was ra-ra Rocket.

I have been working out 3 to 4 times a week....mostly aqua aerobics classes...to keep my leg muscles strong. This should help for the after surgery recovery. Also going up and down stairs to check on my bathroom remodeling helps keep the knee in shape. For about four weeks after swimming, I needed to run all over town to look at toilets, paint, tile, grout, mirrors, faucets, hooks, tubs, vanities, lights, etc. This really tired me out but I kept thinking how good it is for my knee strength.

Around the week before surgery all herbal, vitamins, etc. have been stopped. Their info said you can still take Vit. E. Another source said do not take Vit. E. So I'll take until three days before surgery
hedging my options.

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