I’m getting knee replacement surgery the week before Christmas, and I’m a nervous wreck, what with all the logistical preparations. (I’m glad I found out before the surgery that the new knee the surgeon planned to use was a nickel alloy, since I’m a teensy bit allergic to it.)
“I’ve seen patients who only had a reaction in one knee and not the other,” the nice nurse practitioner said in what I assume was an attempt to reassure me.
“Since it’s the biggest factor in post-surgical infections, I won’t assume I’ll be one of the lucky ones,” I said. “Get me the other knee.” (I do read an awful lot, including medical studies. I used to edit medical abstracts.)
I’ve been doing a lot of what they call “pre-therapy” for the recovery. I’m exhausted.
Oh, and I lost/misplaced my keys. So that’s fun! My friend had a house key, went to Lowe’s to make copies, and brought them to me. There’s no place left to look, but I assume they’ll show up eventually. By the way, thanks to AAA for unlocking my car!
There’s more, but you get the idea. I can’t wait to get this over with.
Boy oh boy. Wishing for the best. I hope everything goes swimmingly!
Been there, done that! Bilateral total knee replacement. Take physical therapy very seriously, and do all the exercises they give you. That’s the hardest part, but so-o-o-o-ooo important. You’ll be glad you did, a year and a half from now. You will be so happy to be without that damned knee pain!
Also, you are very wise to avoid the nickel-component implant if you have any allergy to nickel. Good for you for being on top of it!
They only do one knee at a time now, apparently. I’m supposed to get the other one three months later.