I decided I would do a post-op diary if for no other reason than I received a lot of good information, answers to questions, and hope from reading some of the other ones on here.  Also, as I love to write, I thought perhaps it might give me something to do to keep me stimulated and focused  during recovery.

I've posted a little of my history in another thread.  To make a long story short, I am a nurse's aide and injured my knee on the job. I was helping a woman back to bed....who'd had a TKR...and she kept pulling on my uniform to steady herself instead of using the walker.  When we reached the bed, she grabbed me again and flopped onto her bed, taking me with her. In order to keep from landing on top of her, I twisted my left knee trying to get away.  There was an immediate "pop" and horrible pain.

That was the middle of June. I have been out of work since then, trying very hard to get over this.  I was diagnosed with a sprain by my first OS, given a cortizone injection, and sent to PT. The injection didn't help at all, and the PT made it worse. I can barely put weight on the left leg, and it is very weak and unstable, as well.  I asked for a different OS, and he found two areas of Grade 4 Chrondromalacia (behind the patella and on the lateral condyle of femur), some spots of lesser grades, and a Baker's cyst. That's got me to where I am right now.

My surgery is in the morning. The hospital is about 35 miles away (I switched to an OS who wasn't affiliated with my employer) and I have to be there by 9. I am a wimp when it comes to pain, and I told the OS that today. He promises to send me home with plenty of stuff to keep me comfortable. And he might do a nerve block to help, too.  I warned the anesthesia person when I did my registration that I'm a puker when I wake up. And I've never been one to vomit discreetly or daintily.  Not this ol' gal.  It comes from my toes with lots of wretching and a good amount of panic.

I had surgery on my right knee back in 88 while a senior in high school after a basketball injury.  I remember they gave me a pill of some sort as a pre-op medication.  Since I hadn't eaten since supper the night before, that pill made me sick on my empty stomach.  As they were settling me on the OR table, I was trying to sit up to be sick.  The anesthesia guy yelled at me to lay down. I told him I had to be sick, and he snapped at me that I had just had a pill earlier with anti-nausea properties, therefore, there was absolutely no way I could be nauseated. That was the last thing I remember until I woke up in the recovery room with the nurses laughing and cheering me on for vomiting all over him not long after that. 

I don't know if I will get a CryroCuff or a CPM.  He didn't mention it today, and I totally forgot to ask. I was more focused on getting the assurance that I would have adequate drugs, I guess.

He did say that there will be a lot of bandages and perhaps a knee immobilizer on me when I wake up.

Ok, well I don't know if anybody will even read this, but I plan to keep it updated.  Maybe it will help someone down the line as much as the ones I read have helped me. 

Blessings,

Lisa

Today my surgery was postponed until next Friday.

Apparently I have contracted Foot, Hand, and Mouth disease.  My OS said it will have to run its course and there is nothing I can take for it.

It's particularly painful on my fingers and the soles of my feet.  Walking is very painful.

Oh, well.  I didn't get much sleep last night, so I am going down for a nap.

Gearing up for my second attempt at surgery in the morning. No rash this time.....just dealing with a huge case of the nerves.

Going to bed early, since I have to get up so early in the morning to get there in time.

Had my shower with antibacterial soap, and not my nice moisturizing shower gel that I love, and did the scrub on my left leg with the special solution they gave me.  I absolutely stink like a hospital.  Oh, won't hubby be thrilled when he gets home from his night class and crawls in beside me for a snuggle!

I'm scared to death.  Did I mention that already?

Wish me luck!!!

glad you're home and on the mend. even better they skipped the lateral release! so few have had much good luck from getting that ligament cut. hopefully you'll start feeling better soon. Just don't do too much too soon.