So, this is my first ever blog post without screws and plates in my right knee. All of that hardware was successfully removed Monday morning between 11am and 1pm. I emerged from surgery overwhelmed by pain, spent about five hours in a recovery room on heavy medication (percocet and toradol), managed to regain my wits and muster strength enough to get home Monday evening by about 6:45. Since then, I’ve been managing the pain with far less powerful medication (tramadol). Yesterday, I took myself off tramadol because I was starting to feel light-headed and nauseated, usually within an hour or so of my next dose, which made me want to take the medication sooner. I didn’t like where that was heading. As before, I’m more inclined to feel pain than to feel out of control of my mind. Since yesterday afternoon, I’m relying on a megadose of Tylenol to take the edge off.
Fortunately, the surgery went well. Technically, the surgeon accomplished the two primary goals: the hardware has been removed and he cut out all of the scar tissue he could find. Also, I don’t appear to have an infection, a debilitating problem that came up for both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady after their knee surgeries. This is all good and should result in my being more comfortable in general and having slightly improved range of motion (I was already nearly back to normal).
Unfortunately, the surgeon discovered that my knee joint as a whole has not and will not completely heal. Although the bone has healed extremely well, the demoralizing truth is that my meniscus has made very little progress, so little that the joint cannot sustain most of my cherished pre-surgery activities. Running is not going to be an option. Nor jumping rope. Walking up and down stairs may become slightly more comfortable than it is now, but probably will always hurt a little. I have a permanently impaired knee. Although I’m open to the possibility of medical marvels that may help me at some point in the future, realistically, I’ve run for the last time.
This is crushing news. I really love being a runner. This development has stunned me.
I knew a full comeback would be difficult, but I had not accepted seriously the idea that it might be impossible for me to ever run again at all. It’s a shock, especially in light of my surgeon’s optimism up to this point.
Alas, TANSTAAFL applies, as it always does.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you and I need to find a water polo league!
Please be careful of the megadoses of tylenol as it is quite toxic to the liver.
People think Tylenol is benign but overdoses of it are the leading cause of death by suicide if untreated within three days because of its effect on the liver.
I hope you are titering down your Tylenol dose and discussing it with your doctor.
Hard to believe there is no replacement for a meniscus!
There is always swimming, cycling, base jumping and running for office!