This is the day! Seven days went by (including the day of surgery) and I am to see the surgeon for the first post-op appointment. Actually, I don’t have any questions other than asking about what’s next and when I can drive, etc. The day progressed as usual in the morning through noon. My wife took me to the doctor’s office for the appt at 1pm.
I was taken inside and the nurse removed the bandage – in reality, the bandage inside had slid down all the way and the wounds were only covered with sterile strips with ace wrap over them. She asked me some questions about what medications I was taking and how I was feeling, etc. She said the Physician’s Assistant (PA) would then come and see me. The PA (who had also been at my surgery) again went over the medications, etc. and examined the wounds. The wounds were fully healed and the PA said everything looked great. She then showed me the photos of the knee before and after and went over the procedure.
Yes, there were four holes made, the ‘one’ in the shin bone (tibia) is the big incision and the drilling is performed through this one. A very thin guide pin (or something like that) is then passed through this hole into the thigh bone (femur) and this is a very small hole. Then, the carpentry ensued – I mean drilling into the bone. The drill follows the guide through the shin bone and partially into the thigh bone. Using the guide pin, the new graft is pulled through and once it’s all the way in, a screw (more a plug) is inserted in both bones from inside. There was also a very small meniscal tear which was fixed through one of the other holes and they used another hole for ‘scope’. Here are a couple of pictures.
Then, another assistant came in and took out the sutures. He kept saying it may hurt, but it didn’t hurt at all. May be I am numb to pain or may be my work made me numb to pain – I don’t know. He also made me lift the leg straight up (horizontal to ground when I was lying down) – he essentially told me that I need to build my quads up as there is no strength there right now. Everything else was fine and he put in new sterile strips and put this thin sock like thing over the knee. Then, he put the brace on – and in reality this is when I realized it was not adjusted properly to begin with and was source of the most discomfort since surgery. So, if anyone wants to get the surgery done, make sure they adjust the brace properly before they send you out. He showed how it’s done and did proper adjustments – it feels so much better now. Also, I was using the ice pack all night and the PA said it is not necessary any longer– that really reduces the burden (believe me it is heavy compared to the brace).
I wanted to know if I can start to flex my knee, rotate, stationary biking, etc. No go – at least for the next five weeks or so. However, I can start to walk without the crutches. Strictly told to put on the brace at all times except when directed by the physical therapist or when using the CPM machine. Even though I am at 90%, I was asked to use it for another week. Was given a prescription for physical therapy for twice a week for six weeks and was asked to come back in five weeks. Told not to drive until next appointment (five weeks) – bummer!
When we were about to leave, I asked for the pictures and was told to contact the surgical center and they would be able to make a copy for us. I called them on the way out and left a message and no one called me back yet. Will follow-up and post these pictures when available. Went to Subway (my wife went inside while I waited in the van) and I enjoyed the sub with the family (kids were home) and was actually feeling quite tired and took a small nap at 5pm for an hour. The rest of the evening and night have been uneventful. Did some walking around the house without crutches. No Ibuprofen since 8am or so and I still feel fine. Took some just now around 10pm (200mg). Did CPM for a total of four hours during the day and iced the knee a couple of times after I got back just for the good/cool feeling and to reduce swelling. That’s about it. Now, it is a waiting game until the body heals itself up – might be another month before I am a free bird!
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