My upcoming knee replacement requires physical therapy exercises, which I must do twice a day, taking about an hour. Yesterday, I finished exercising, then elevated my legs, followed by icing.
Before leaving for a 1 p.m. doctor's appointment yesterday, the surgeon's office called to schedule my pre-operative appointment, the knee replacement surgery, and the post-operative appointment. Once that was accomplished, I was running a bit late. My pulse had sped up. I'm scheduled for September 19 for a knee replacement. It's scary!
I was tense because I didn't want to be late for my appointment, and the phone call had taken some time. I hurried as fast as my sore leg would allow to the garage. My husband was talking to a neighbor, so I yelled out that I was leaving and would see him later.
Before entering the freeway, I feel the muscles around my left knee spasming. Should I go back and have hubby drive me? Nah, they will loosen up and be fine. I parked at the doctor's office in a handicap spot using my temporary sticker. As I got out of the vehicle, I realized I was in trouble; I could barely put any weight on my left leg. Leaning hard on my cane, I hobbled and hopped very slowly to the entrance, wincing with each step. I crossed the lobby and got on the elevator. The second-floor doctor's office only had one patient sitting there, thank goodness. I checked in, almost in tears, and asked for a wheelchair. As I waited for a nurse to get me, I phoned my husband. "It did it again!" I exclaimed.
"What did what?" he replied.
"My leg muscles seized up. I managed to get into the doctor's office and am in a wheelchair. I need you to arrange for someone to give you a ride so you can get me and drive the car home. I'm still in the lobby, so it will probably be about thirty minutes before my appointment is finished."
By the time the nurse took me to the exam room, the tears had come. The PA was shocked to see me in a wheelchair, but the appointment went well, and he was happy with my lab report.
The nurse deposited me back in the lobby near the elevator, and I called my husband, saying I was done. I thought, 'Why isn't he here? I called him well over thirty minutes ago.' I phoned again, and he said he was on the way.
The elevator door opened, and our next-door neighbor was with him. Together they helped me to my car. My kneecap was burning, and the swelling, which had persisted for a month, had worsened. Tender all around the knee, I now had a new squishy lump on the outside. The swelling made it feel like someone had stretched my skin to its maximum, spread like a rubber band before it breaks. We iced the knee on and off for the rest of the evening, and I had to use the walker to move around. My brain didn't want to consider the pain of lying in bed, either cold or with sheets over the sore knee. I stayed up well past midnight but finally took a small dose of Tylenol, a 5 mg muscle relaxer, and a 500 mg Naproxen, and went to bed. I dreamt of tiny metal beads rolling around inside my knee.
Today, I can put weight on my leg. I did my exercises, including the new ones the surgeon's office emailed me to do three times a day before surgery and post-operatively, which significantly increased my exercise time.
The surgery is scheduled for September 19, and my days will be taken up with exercises and icing, in-person physical therapy appointments, and walking short distances slowly and carefully. There is no cartilage in my knee, and the ACL is obliterated, so it is clear that I delayed too long and have reached the knee's failure point.
The phone call setting the surgery date obviously stressed me out. When I hung up, I was tense and scared about the surgery, and running late for my appointment. I had a hip replacement in 2016, but a new knee seems more intense. Yikes. All the pondering stressed me out, and my thigh muscles seized up.
Some of these exercises are challenging, such as pushing my knee backward under a chair. The left knee is 1.5 inches larger than the right due to swelling. I had begun with heel slides two weeks ago, and they were hard, but after a week, the pain had subsided, and I slept better. Yesterday was an unexpected setback and a reminder to me that I absolutely need the knee replacement. My therapy time will take longer, but I am dedicated. I need to go on more trips and want to meet my great-grandson (which is now delayed)!
Copyright © 8/15/2025 by Andrea O. Corwin
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Andrea Corwin
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Comments (8)
Some of these articles I think I can feel your pain for I too have a 'trick knee' and a sore hip when I fell years ago, but I am doing fine but every once in a while, still feel pain but rest and Tylenol or Motrin works for me. Good luck in your future recovery.
Oh, I feel for you Andrea. Kee your eyes on the end game and accept it is not going to be an easy journey. I have not had a knee reconstruction, but I have had both of my shoulders done. Take care, fingers crossed for your journey.
Oh, Andi, it feels painful just reading about it. I hope the exercises and rest will give you enough functionality for the operation and that it goes well. Please stay strong and determined as you are.
This feels even scarier to me than a Dharrsheena story. Glad it’s only a month away. Take care!
I wish they could get you in sooner. The nagging pain sounds uncomfortable. Do take it easy and wishing for a speedy recovery. I know several people who've had the procedure done and they are all happy they did it.
Omggg, I'm so sorry it got so bad to that extent but I'm glad that you're better now. You still have a month more for your surgery. Do take care, my dear friend 🥺❤️
My husband had knee replacement in 2011 and was glad to be free of the constant pain. I hear it's a much easier surgery now. Yes you need to be able to walk freely and without pain again!
It's a reminder of our mortality too, isn't it? I hope you're not in too much pain and that the op is a success. You'll see that great grandchild, I'm sure!