I've been thinking, I need to start the process of investigating if I'm ready for a Knee replacement ...Because if I am, this is the time of year, I'd prefer to have it done.
Let's backup the truck
I've had bad knees for 20 years. Besides the heredity thing (my Mom had knee replacements in the late 1980s, she was the age I am now), I also abused my knees in my early 20s playing aggressive volleyball.
16 months ago
I tore the meniscus in my right knee. The doctor xray'd it, as well as my left knee. They said both knees are bad and while your right one hurts, your left knee is worse, and you can expect to have to do something sooner or later. Well, they gave me an injection of cortisone in the injured right knee, and it got better.
Fast forward to this winter
My left knee has been bugging me more and more...it may have been from a pretty good slip on the ice, and while I didn't fall, I twisted my leg/knee pretty good. So Tuesday, I made a call to the clinic to make an appointment. I figured I'd have to wait days/weeks to get in to the specialist I seen 16 months ago. Well, I got in on Wednesday (the next day), I sure was surprised.
They took a bunch of xrays, and we talked about the problem ...not only is my left knee worn out, it's misaligned. They would have tried some cortisone again or other things, if I wasn't crazy about surgery ...But when they knew I was board with knee replacement, they said it was probably the best option. And since I was anxious for a early surgery appt, we chose the earliest one available (April 2), and I meet with the surgeon on Feb 20.
There is one complication
I have a SS pin in my left femur, from a motorcycle accident in 1977, so that may dictate what type of knee replacement they can do, and may have to do a MRI. I guess for one style knee hardware, they need the exact dimensions of the bones for the custom hardware that needs to be made. They told me, they usually don't do that type, due to insurance, because it's more expensive, but it is the better way to go, I guess? So, if that's true? maybe that SS pin that I've been carrying around in my leg for 43 years, has become a golden egg?
I sure hope my PT goes well.
I'll keep you all posted.