WOW!!! I have made it to the 1 year mark......boy it has been 1 long year!! Actually, today is 11/1/12 and I hit the 1 year mark a couple weeks ago!! I've been meaning to post but have been thinking about my own next steps and it's taken me this long to get back to the positive side of things. :)
So, the big question is was the surgery a success? Well, the answer to that is yes and no. As stated initially, I had 4 large "defects" to be implanted and 3 went well and the 4th......well lets just say thats a big fat no! My knee was scoped the beginning of Sept (now 8 weeks ago) to shave down the cartilage that grew, address some serious crunching I was feeling under my knee cap, and for the dr to take a look around and see how things looked. Funny, I had read so many other articles and such that I expected to have an MRI after a year, then we would go from there. I was a little taken back when we discussed surgery at the visit in August.....oh well, it's old news now.
So, the implant that didn't take. No one knows why, it's not my fault (I have a tendency to blame myself for everything) and it's not the dr's fault either.....just one of those things.
The second big question is would I do it again? I have to say, no. It has been an extremely difficult year and I don't think I would elect this surgery twice....but we'll see!
Next steps for me: First, I recently got fitted for and received an unloader brace. The brace is supposed to push on certain parts of my knee to release some of the bone on bone pressure from the "defect". It's okay, although it's much bigger than I thought it would be and is a little uncomfortable. I still don't wear it every day and am supposed to be getting used to it and building up time. I may be a bad patient! lol!
Second, I am having a synvisk (sp) injection next week. My doctor refers to it as WD40 for the knee joint. It is supposed to kind of coat everything and create some cushion where there is none left. I would be lying if I said I was prepared.....I'm scared shitless. I know I know, after everything I've been through I'm scared of an injection......YES!!! Basically, my knee hurts all the time and sticking a needle into a joint that hurts......well, it's not my idea of fun. But, I'm a big girl and I'll probably be crying as I walk into the dr's office, but I'll (he and I) will survive.
Third, the injection and brace are supposed to allow me to put off additional surgeries until sometime next year. At this point there are 3 (not so great) options: another Carticel implant, OATES procedure, and a partial knee replacement. Here's my thought process: Carticel is no way, OATES is just as bad as an implan- NO, and if I'm going to have another surgery I want new parts. Meaning it will be a new partial knee for me.
I won't lie, it's been a rough couple months coming to grips with the fact that it feels a little like this past year has been for nothing. Days when I don't hurt too bad, I know this isn't true but the thought of another surgery just makes me sick to my stomach. Which is the reason why the brace and the injections are in play.......basically postponing the inevitable. AND of course I'm STILL in PT......really......I know!
On the sunny side- in addition to PT I now go to spin classes 2x a week and lift weights 2x a week. I was having so much trouble with my back and shoulders, I quit riding outside for the time being. I'll try again next spring. For the moment though, I'm feeling good about what I've accomplished (physically).
I get an occasional email from fellow implant-ERS who have found my blog. I'll keep posting my progress and next steps so you all can follow if you'd like.
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