As some of you would know I’ve had a rather challenging year – starting off with knee surgery and post operative recovery. My knee had been troubling me for years on and off. After a few snow boarding injuries and years of living overseas* my knee had gotten to a point of not responding to exercise, interfering with my ability to work and the pain was keeping me up at night.
(*All health care is not equal, we are very lucky in Australia! Come and speak to me in person if you would like to hear some hilarious international healthcare stories.)
I went to see the wonderful Jim Brennan at Epworth Sports Medicine centre who organised scans. The MRI showed a meniscus tear and cysts around my posterior knee and ACL. Jim sent me to see the exceptional Mr Lachlan Batty, Orthopaedic Surgeon, at Epworth Hospital. After trying some conservative management including braces, injections and personal bargaining with the universe, everyone deemed surgery was the best option. Full disclosure, I was the last person to agree.
The surgery itself didn’t overly concern me- I had faith in my brilliant treating team and knew they were doing all the work. Being unconscious was the easy bit for me! I was slightly nervous about the prospect of being unable to preserve my meniscus but found out in recovery that Lachlan Batty was able to repair it (something that he thought he wouldn’t be able to do). My ACL had been torn and repaired itself (thanks little ACL) and the sizeable cysts were removed. I was really happy with this but it did mean six weeks touch weight bearing (10% body weight) with crutches; a much longer time off work and a much longer recovery. EEP.
I messaged Sally and Sheree with this news and they could not have been more supportive. Lesson 1: your work place can have a huge impact on your recovery. Thank you to Sally and Sheree for being the best, to all my wonderful colleagues who covered my shifts and the admin staff who rearranged so many things and let my clients know and kept everyone informed.
The staff at Epworth Hospital were amazing. I couldn’t fault them. Do something nice for a health care or hospital worker today. They all deserve it.
In the grand scheme of things knee surgery is a minor medical problem but still hugely interferes with your life! I learnt some things and the experience definitely reinforced some things I already knew.
Crutches are horrible. I would like to formally apologise to all my past clients for not checking in on their hands during their rehab. Mine were not ok. My right thumb was numb for months even after I stopped using the crutches.
Pedestrian crossings do not allow enough time for people with mobility issues to cross the road. Please keep an eye out for them and be patient both as a pedestrian and a driver. I promise you, they are going as fast as they can.
Rehabilitation and progress isn’t always linear. Yes, overall every day gets easier but it will fluctuate. Some days the pain might be bad, some days you might do too much (or too little but I probably erred in the other direction) and not feel great and that is normal. When you progress your exercises it may be challenging.
Take the pain relief. I was very lucky that my pain was very well controlled. I’m sensitive to opioids so I was a bit nervous about this. I took the panadol and anti-inflammatories religiously throughout my early rehab. After the first day I only needed the stronger medication to sleep comfortably for the first week. Everyone is different though. Take it if you need it. If you are able to sleep and do your exercises comfortably your recovery will be better.
Look after your scars/surgical sites. I really have Lachlan to thank for most of this, you can barely see my surgical scars but I was also diligent with scar care and scar massage and the wonderful Kate (our hand therapist) gave me advice also. Nightly placement of silicone gel sheets over the scars worked wonders.
Everything takes time. You can’t rush the healing process and building strength again isn’t instantaneous. I feel that my leg is only now getting as strong as it was previously (my surgeon said a year). I’m only just starting plyometric (jumping etc) work again. I’m in the gym five times a week and feeling good but I still haven’t finished. The process is long and the real work as the individual starts after the surgery.
I needed to accept help. I think this was the hardest aspect for me. A MASSIVE thank you to everyone who brought me coffees and meals, stopped by to visit, took me to appointments, messaged, called, carried things for me, held open doors, helped me in and out of cars and generally made sure I was ok. I love you all and I’m so grateful for my community.
A huge thank you to Mr Lachlan Batty for his genuine care and expertise, Jim Brennan who called it very early and everyone who helped me along the way. And to my pilates clients- I still want you to adjust your own springs when you can, thanks.
- Sarah
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