The Knee

This is what my knee looked like prior to the total knee replacement. The surgeon barely glanced at the x-ray and said, "Yeah that knee is completely worn out!"

Apparently it actually didn't take an expert to figure that out and no further discussion was needed.

Here comes the Stryker Mako Total Knee

Prior to surgery I had a CT Scan which was used to create a virtual 3D model of my knee. The surgeon used the virtual model to determine exactly what needed to be done. During surgery, a robot assisted him in removing the exact amount of bone in exactly the right places to insure a perfect fit with the new prosthetic. It's supposed to result in less pain and an easier recovery period.

https://patients.stryker.com/knee-replacement/options/mako-robotic-arm-assisted-total-knee

After the surgery I was walking the halls of the hospital - with the aid of a walker, of course - twice that day and one more time before they sent me home the next day. The day after that was my first physical therapy appointment.

Some people have issues with pain, some with mobility, some with range of motion, etc. My pain has been pretty well controlled from the get go with the help of pain meds. I had full extension from day one. My biggest challenges have been with an unusual amount of swelling (according to my PT) and my ability to flex or bend my knee. Initially I could only bend it to 70 degrees. Today I'm still not quite up to 90 degrees. Getting that range of motion back is probably going to take a while. I see my PT 3 times/week and walk/exercise every day per her recommendations.

Two weeks post surgery, I've replaced my walker with a trekking pole. I'll still need to use the walker occasionally (like getting out of bed and walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night), but, all in all, I certainly can't complain as to the progress I've made in just 2 weeks.

The bandages come off tomorrow. I can't wait!!