[JustDressageIt]

I have no idea who wants to see gross knee pics, but oh well!!

Original thread:
http://www.horseforum.com/general-o...s-knee-surgery-monday-45186/page3/#post526188

Overall, I'm super happy with how it's healing up! There has been minimal swelling (though it's obvious that it is swollen) and I get to take those bandages off on Monday to see what the incisions look like.

Jan 19, 1 day post op, taking the dressing off:

(showing the swelling)

Jan 21, 3 days post op:

 

[smrobs]

Very nice, Allie. That looks painful :?. Sending icepacks and vodka your way in hopes that it heals up nicely and the doc is wrong.

 

[JustDressageIt]

The incision sites are still very touchy... I've sent the cat flying a few times for almost jumping on it haha...

 

[Kentucky]

I know your not hard liquor, type of gal, so the wine is headed your way as soon as I know your type of perferred brand.

 

[JustDressageIt]

lol I have to be off pain meds too.. as far as I know, they don't mix well....

 

[maura]

Honestly? I think it looks really good. No where near as much swelling as I would have expected, and the incisions are fairly small.

 

[dressagebelle]

I'm glad that the surgery went well, and that you are doing good. I have to go to the doctor asap to see whats up with my knee unfortunately. Jumped off my unbroke horse at the beginning of the month, and landed on the inside edge of my right kneecap. Couldn't move or feel my lower leg for about 5 minutes after I hit the ground, and even though the wound itself is almost healed, its still swollen, and does burn on the inside when I move too much. I'm really concerned about what the doctor is going to say though. I wish you speedy healing, and hope that everything comes out well when all is said and done.

 

[JustDressageIt]

maura, I'm super happy with how it's turned out! I'm so glad the swelling appears to be very very minimal, and I'm excited to actually see the incisions on Monday when i can take the "suture tapes" off
db, good luck!! Physiotherapy worked really well for me until I re-injured it haha

 

[maura]

JDI,

I will confess to having a personal interest in your journey and recovery.

I've scheduled my knee replacement for the end of April. I'm simply out of other options (because constant pain, inability to sleep and not riding is not an option as far as I'm concerned.)

I'm depressed, scared and dreading it.

So I will be following your recovery with great interest!! I want you to have a terrific result for a somewhat selfish reason!

 

[MIEventer]

JDI - you are a strong woman. Before you know it, you'll have your beloved Denny back and will be riding stronger before you know it!

I am so happy things worked out for you, and things are looking better each day!

 

[my2geldings]

JDI,

I will confess to having a personal interest in your journey and recovery.

I've scheduled my knee replacement for the end of April. I'm simply out of other options (because constant pain, inability to sleep and not riding is not an option as far as I'm concerned.)

I'm depressed, scared and dreading it.

So I will be following your recovery with great interest!! I want you to have a terrific result for a somewhat selfish reason!

Sorry to hear about your news Maura. Having had many joint replacing procedures, if I can help you in any way, feel free to pm me. I can help you figure out what it is you will need to get ready for your operation.
Cheers.

Here is a thread you might find of help: http://www.horseforum.com/general-o...phic-prayers-request-surgery-wednesday-45763/

 

[JustDressageIt]

JDI,

I will confess to having a personal interest in your journey and recovery.

I've scheduled my knee replacement for the end of April. I'm simply out of other options (because constant pain, inability to sleep and not riding is not an option as far as I'm concerned.)

I'm depressed, scared and dreading it.

So I will be following your recovery with great interest!! I want you to have a terrific result for a somewhat selfish reason!

Hey Maura, I'm sorry to hear that you're in for a replacement - but I do think that if you're in constant pain, it might be the best idea for you. *hugs!* Please feel free to PM me if you would like - us knee gals gotta stick up for one another!
Today is a bad pain day. I've been trying to hard to avoid pain meds as much as possible, and I'm proud of what I've done so far, but I pushed my knee too much on Friday and I've been paying for it all weekend.
I have decent ROM (range of motion) but walking still hurts. *sigh*
I start with my physio tomorrow, I shall update then!!

 

[FGRanch]

Good luck tomorrow Allie! I'm sure it will go well and then will have you back to good in now time!

Are you excited to see the incisions?

 

[JustDressageIt]

Thank you so much Tiff!! I want to thank you for everything you've done for me, it's meant a LOT

Actually.. yes!! I'm really excited to see the incisions tomorrow... but at the same time I'm nervous. Even talking with the surgeon made me queasy lol so it should be interesting! Maybe I'll get Ryan to take them off.

 

[savvylover112]

Good luck tomorrow Allie hope everything goes ok for you

 

[maura]

Thanks for the good thoughts, everyone! I will be PMing. But Allie, I don't want to hijack your thread.

I do want to tell you one thing: I've done tons and tons of research on my last surgery and my upcoming surgery. One theme stands out - post op results are mostly dependent on compliance with the post op physio. I *hate* pain meds, and from your posts, I suspect you do as well. But all my research really points up that you have to take enough pain meds to get comfortable enough to do the physio to have a good recovery.

Easy advice to give, hard advice to take.

But please, take enough pain meds to be comfortable doing the physio.

And if that doesn't work, remember, you have to set a good example for me.

 

[horses4life43]

Good luck tomorrow Allie! You can always PM me

 

[Vidaloco]

I don't want to minimize your discomfort, but that doesn't look to bad. The first photos of course are nasty. The last one looks like the swelling is really down and the sutures look to be fairly small so you should have minimal scaring. You can still wear shorts!
Good luck and be strong tomorrow

 

[JustDressageIt]

Vida, not at all! I'm super happy with how everything has healed up! Minimal swelling, and no seepage into the dressing - awesome! I'm very very happy with how things are healing on the outside - now it's time to work on the inside.
I am in a fair bit of pain today though, I did too much un-aided walking on Friday, and I've paid for it all weekend
Thank you everyone for the well-wishes for tomorrow - I have a feeling it's going to be very painful (it always is) but well worth it.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone. You have made me feel very very loved and supported on this forum

Thanks for the good thoughts, everyone! I will be PMing. But Allie, I don't want to hijack your thread.
Aw, thanks I do hope you make your own thread so I can follow it!!

I do want to tell you one thing: I've done tons and tons of research on my last surgery and my upcoming surgery. One theme stands out - post op results are mostly dependent on compliance with the post op physio. I *hate* pain meds, and from your posts, I suspect you do as well. But all my research really points up that you have to take enough pain meds to get comfortable enough to do the physio to have a good recovery.
Thank you, very valuable advice. I am going to be following my physio to a T - I've been working on ROM here at home, and some basic exercises. While I am not looking forward to physio, I am definitely looking forward to the results. This will be the second round - I went through this whole thing before the surgery; we tried rehabbing the knee without surgery when I was initially injured, but I re-injured it fairly quickly afterwards, and that busted my knee worse than it was to begin with.
I am like you, I *hate* pain meds. I hate the fuzzy head I get with them, and I'm really trying to avoid them, but then I regret it when the pain spikes. No-win situation here! I suppose I will be popping a few pills pre-physio tomorrow to get through it.


Easy advice to give, hard advice to take.

But please, take enough pain meds to be comfortable doing the physio.

And if that doesn't work, remember, you have to set a good example for me.
Teehee, thanks for the motivation!!

Maura, thank you for your reply. I really appreciate you not trying to hijack this thread, as selfish as it sounds -- however, I would LOVE to follow your story, if you would be so kind as to start a thread?

 

[FGRanch]

You are totally welcome! And it's no problem at all!

Seepage is probably one of the most disturbing words I've ever heard. I'm pretty sure my milk churned in my tummy!

Let us know how it goes today!