My 2 Week Post Surgery Appointment

Stitches out!!!

Since I live 300 miles from my surgeon, we make this an overnighter.  When I arrived at my 2-week followup, I was sore and stiff from the trip.  They removed my stitches, glued and stern-stripped my scars.  I had a great deal of fluid on my knee which my doc said not to be worried if it started seeping from my scar area when I started bending.  I am still NWB and will most likely be for a total of 12 weeks.  Right now, I use a walker most of the time and a wheelchair when needed.  I tweaked my shoulder in my accident and crutches seem to irritate a previouse injury, so I'm taking a break from the crutches for a bit.  My main goal for the next follow-up appointment is to be able to straighten my leg to 0 degrees and bend to 90 degrees.  I still cannot swim or soak until my follow-up on June 20.

My Meds

I am almost finished with the blood thinner injections (Lovenox) since my surgery.  Since I am basically a healthy person, I won't need to continue any blood thinners.  I've been able to reduce my Oxycodone to night only, using Tramadol during the day.  I am still using the Flexeril as needed, mostly at night.  Since my surgery, I have been taking Lyrica twice a day for nerve pain.  I feel that a majority of my pain is nerve pain.  I am trying to switch from Lyrica to a compounded pain cream (ketamine, gabapentin, lidocaine and a few others).  I used this when I fractured my back, and it worked really well.  I am hoping for the same results.  Finally, with all of these meds- a stool softener/laxative is a nightly must.  The "Brown Cow" shot suggested by one of my nurses suggested (milk of magnesia and prune juice) will never happen for me, I just can't....  

My Brain

I belong to a Tibial Plateau Fracture Support Page on FB.  This page has been a sanity saver for me.  I fell (pun intended) into this injury like a deer in the headlights.  I've had many sports injuries and been lucky enough to bounce back pretty easily.  This injury has forever changed my life physically and mentally.  My injury is classified as a displaced type II. I have a plate with 7 screws and a bone graft and repaired meniscus damage.  While in surgery, they had to basically lift the calf and thigh muscle from the bone for the surgery and then re-attach.  This is why my leg sometimes feels like it's on fire (nerves).  I've always been able to get past the pain, until now.  Yes, it's getting better slowly.  My reasons for creating this blog is to track my progress and how far I've come (especially when I'm having a bad day) and to inspire others with this injury.  I am lucky.  I have seen how bad my accident could have been.  This injury has helped me to realize being healthy is so very important, especially in our later years.  I couldn't imagine going through this journey in bad health and without the amazing support I have at home.  I am thankful every day.

Up next....  my diet and excercise plans for the next month.