Having Knee Surgery & Getting Back On Track After Surgery Part 1

Waiting to be admitted with my Hubby and Dad

Last August I had emergency knee surgery. For a number of years I was experiencing quite a lot of difficulty with my right knee. It kept locking out under all sorts of circumstances and I would have to pop it back into place, some times it was more painful than others and as time went on every lock out took longer to unlock. I had an MRI at the request of my physio and nothing was found. A year later I was at a kickboxing class and was practicing some kicks with the instructor when it locked out stayed locked out. I am not sure how long I was on the ground before I was eventually able to get in a car to the hospital but it was a good while.

Waiting in the Emergency Department, very boring and anxious time

I am the worst injured person, I am loud, I complain and I just don't like it! Once I got to the hospital I saw the Dr. in the ED and he admitted me saying I will need surgery and upon looking at it was a possible knee fracture. This was Thursday night. My surgery was booked in for Saturday. I was stuck in a big knee brace, uncomfortable and in pain. Yes I know play the violins, and pass the Endone!
I was able to use a walker to get around but not very much as the brace on my leg was heavy and my hip was aching too, whilst being careful not to move too suddenly and hurt my knee.

Up and about pre surgery

My MRI was booked in Friday afternoon and that was very uncomfortable as I had to remove the brace and lie in a position that really hurt. My surgeon came to see me and turns out I did not have fracture but had torn the meniscus (a thin fibrous cartilage between the surface of some joints, such as the knee). The reason it was not picked up in the first MRI was because it was a Bucket Handle Tear, when my knee is locked the tear is open, when it is fine the tear is closed and undetectable. The fact I could not unlock my knee was a blessing in disguise as I finally knew what was going on all these years.

There was two options, to cut out the meniscus or repair it. The surgeon said I have healthy knees and he would like to repair it rather than cut it out. So that was that, the next day I would have my first ever surgery.

Unfortunately I was by myself the day of the surgery as my daughter had a sporting event that day and that is where everyone would be. My husband and family were upset they couldn't be there with me but I said I would rather they go cheer on our girl and even though I was nervous I was more upset I was missing out on watching her and felt as though I was letting her down #mumguilt.

I became incredibly anxious being wheeled into theatre and the hospital staff were very reassuring, I was given a wonderful dose of something to calm me down and then I closed my eyes. Upon waking I just remember saying "OW" but not necessarily feeling any pain but I was given something straightaway for the pain, and then felt cold and the recovery ward nurses ( Such nice people!) padded me up with warmed blankets from head to toe, so cosy I will never forget that feeling of cosy!

The first thing that I noticed that was aside from the direct operating site I was not in any pain and I for the first time in years, from my hip down felt fine! Of course I  was tender post op but I already felt the benefit of the surgery.

Home and feet up. Like my socks?

I was able to go home on the Sunday afternoon once I had been able to show the doctors I could be mobile on crutches and they checked I could get up and down stairs safely. Instead of going to my house I went and stayed at my Mum's for a couple of nights as I was able to get adequate rest while I was there. I feel very fortunate I was able to do this. The Olympics also had a week to go so I wasn't stuck with traditional day time TV thank goodness. It just isn't the same without Oprah.
I was left with some very simple exercises from the physio and was not allowed to bend my knee beyond 90 degrees ( I couldn't even get it to do so!!)
The physio exercises although simple really tested me and I found them so difficult, but I had to remember I am in a weakened state and these are necessary, even the weight of a blanket on my foot caused pain. I tried to get up and moving around as much as I could but tried to take it easy too, I had an event to plan and execute a few weeks after and that took a lot of my time and energy, shortly after I got sick and had to rest up.

I am going to leave this here for now and will post Part 2 soon, all about how I went with rehab and returned to training. Hope you enjoyed reading

Fi

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