New hardware

I first started seeing Dr. Chris Stark, orthopedic surgeon at Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, in late 2023. I had experienced knee pain off and on for a few years and had managed with over-the-counter medications and some physical therapy prescribed by my primary care physician.

By the time I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Stark, both knees were bothering me, and pain in my left knee was waking me at night.

Dr. Stark ordered x-rays and confirmed the advancement of osteoarthritis. He confirmed I was “bone on bone” in both knees and that my kneecaps, which should be straight, each protrude outward.

That day he ordered a cortisone injection, the effects of which lasted a couple weeks. He also prescribed physical therapy, which has helped considerably, especially in that troublesome left knee.

After cortisone, he recommended a gel injection, which is helpful to many people, but not to me. However, in early 2024, a different steroid injection was recommended, and it worked beautifully for about 90 days.

I had that injection three different times over the course of about 14 months. I also faithfully continued to do the exercises taught to me by my physical therapist (shout-out to Braden at the BJI PT clinic on Old Hickory in Brentwood).

Eventually the left knee pain subsided, but the right one flared up and was worse than the left one. While the steroid injections, PT and stationary bike riding helped, walking became more difficult which is a big problem because I love to walk. For the first time in many years, on Thanksgiving morning 2024 I did not even attempt walking the Graceworks Turkey Trot in Franklin, a longstanding tradition in our family. I had to settle for being a spectator.

In the spring of this year, after the effects of the last steroid injection were wearing off, and after talking with Dr. Stark and his Physician’s Assistant, Sanna Shaban (both of whom have become trusted counselors in this journey), I decided it was time for a total replacement of my right knee. They urged me to continue with the exercises and bike-riding, as well as using a resistance machine, all of which, they said, would strengthen my muscles and help with recovery.

Surgery was scheduled for June 19th, so I am a day short of two weeks out as I post this. I still find it unbelievable that I walked into the BJI Surgery Center at 8:15 a.m., and at 2:15 p.m. the same day, after being taught to walk and climb stairs, I was being rolled to the exit door where my wife Susan picked me up and brought me home.

The surgery, for me, was non-eventful since I was asleep. About two hours passed from the time I started preparing to the time I was rolled into the operating room. I was asked about a thousand times to give my name and date of birth, and to confirm the procedure I would be having. Dr. Stark even initialed my right knee with a marker.

By the time I was in the OR, I was already relaxed thanks to the drugs in my IV, and the next thing I knew I was in recovery.

I don’t do well coming out of anesthesia as I have learned over the years from some routine outpatient procedures. I don’t get sick or anything like that, but I become very confused and say nonsensical things, no matter how much I tell myself in advance not to do so.

This time was no exception, and we’ll leave it at that. I made a point of being especially kind to the nurse who rolled me to the exit door because, apparently, I had not been particularly charming in the moments after waking, of which I have no memory.

Arriving home that afternoon, Susan and younger son David helped me up the front steps and into the recliner that has become my headquarters during recuperation.

That first day, and the two that followed, were rough, and my right leg that houses my new knee felt like it weighed a ton. Of course that’s an exaggeration, but it felt quite unnatural and moving it took great effort. I could manage to raise myself to do my required walking every hour, but it was exhausting.

By Day 4 post-surgery, things had improved considerably, although the pain was still intense. I started post-surgery physical therapy with Braden June 23rd and although he says he is not trying to kill me, there are times I question that. He tells me the new hardware in my knee is all just spiffy, and it’s “not going anywhere” as I vow I cannot bend that knee anymore, as he pushes me to my limit. If the guy wasn’t so darn congenial and kind, I would have a real problem with him.

He encourages me to “work into the pain.”

Yeah, I’ll get right on that because, really, what choice do I have?

Today I have graduated from a walker to a cane, to almost unassisted. I know I am making progress, albeit slowly. I am told, in another week, I will begin to feel more confident in my new knee, and I should be driving maybe a couple weeks after that.

Susan has been a spectacular caregiver, keeping a record of my medications and making sure if I am sitting, I am icing. My three adult children each took a turn helping with my care in the days following surgery, for which I am profoundly grateful. Their physical help was invaluable, but they also did much for lifting spirits.

The biggest challenge for me has been becoming dependent. In these, our empty nest years, Susan and I have fashioned a good life with a healthy combination of her doing her thing, me doing my thing and doing certain things together. The togetherness has been in overdrive these past two weeks because of my recovery.

She says she meant it when she said, “in sickness and in health.” Obviously, she did, but I would not want to be around me as much as she is having to be around me.

I take joy in small victories — showering, sitting at the table to eat, working (often from a horizontal position), walking down the driveway, sleeping.

It still hurts, and I get anxious, but everything is gradually becoming more manageable.

God willing, I’ll be walking in the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning.