Post-surgery recovery is always rough. I don’t think it matters if you have brain surgery, heart surgery, or knee surgery; it all stinks. However, I share my experience with the Misha Knee Implant as an alternative to partial knee replacement surgery to help others in a similar situation. They may be runners or triathletes and don’t want to give up on a sport they love.
As I share my experience, I hope it resonates with those navigating similar paths, reminding you that you’re not alone in this journey. (If you haven’t read week 1, you can read it here: https://www.atriathletesdiary.com/misha-knee-system-an-alternative-to-knee-replacement-surgery-week-one/
Day 6: A Painful Awakening
After a decent night’s sleep, I awoke to an all-too-familiar throbbing pain. It felt like my kneecap had been hammered, with intense pain shooting up and down my leg. Speaking with my doctor’s office brought some guidance, though it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear. I told them I didn’t want to take the oxycodone that was prescribed. I asked them if I could take anything else for the pain. I also explained that the pain had been so intense, I felt like I was going to pass out. They told me to continue taking the painkillers every four hours. The idea of dependency scares me, yet the intensity of the pain left me with little choice. I felt caught in a battle between necessity and fear.
Day 7: A Step Forward
Small victories can feel monumental in recovery. Today, I managed to walk up and down a flight of stairs for the first time since surgery. It might not sound like much, but it was a proud moment for me. I’ve been sleeping in my son’s room, limiting myself to basic activities. But today, I did it independently, and it felt like a significant step forward. Despite waking up with severe pain, this achievement gave me a glimmer of hope. The pain meds started to help take the edge off the pain but it wasn’t enough.
Day 8: A Setback
Recovery isn’t linear. Last night was restless, marked by relentless pain. The oxycodone offered temporary relief, but it was a vicious cycle. I found myself awake after just four hours of sleep, the pain clawing its way back. Swelling was at its peak, and without anti-inflammatories due to blood thinners, I felt stuck in a loop of discomfort.
When I straightened my leg, the pain would shoot up and down it. When I bent my knee, it felt as if I was struck with a hammer. Nothing was helping. I continued to take the pain meds, but it was as if I had the slightest comfort.
My first appointment was with the Physical Therapist (PT). The Hospital for Special Surgery on Long Island Physical Therapy was recommended by my surgeon’s office. They had a collaborative relationship with my surgeon’s office, even though Dr. Strickland, my surgeon works at HSS Manhattan. The Uniondale office was also only 10 minutes from my house.
Joseph, my new PT, seemed knowledgeable but before I came in, he had never heard of the MISHA. After thorough research, he told me he was planning on treating it as if it were a broken leg. After a 30-minute evaluation, and setting up two appointments per week for the next few weeks, I went home.
Day 9: Seeking Solutions
In pursuit of relief, I consulted with my Physician’s Assistant (PA) today. It was a scheduled call and Michael, the PA, was very helpful. He suggested compression sleeves to manage the swelling and even recommended trying my Normatec sleeves.
A new prescription for a muscle relaxer and Dilaudid, a morphine derivative, added more tools to my arsenal. I stopped thinking about getting addicted to the pain meds and started focusing on getting some relief.
My friend Janeth’s visit was a breath of fresh air. She introduced me to the idea of red light therapy. With newfound options, I felt equipped to tackle the pain head-on.
Day 10: A Glimmer of Hope
Saturday brought with it a sense of hope. The new medications, combined with Gabapentin, seemed to make a difference. Alongside compression socks, I found a semblance of relief. Despite the exercises being challenging, they were crucial. Heel slides, knee presses, and leg ups, etc.—though I was advised to do them four times a day, managing two to three was already a victory. I decided to challenge myself even further by adding these workouts, although brief, to Strava.
The emotional weight of pain can be just as taxing as the physical. Yesterday, I felt engulfed by darkness, wondering if I’d ever feel normal again. Reaching out to friends proved invaluable; a lunch visit from a running buddy lifted my spirits.
However, on this tenth day, a shift occurred. The pain was still present, but it was no longer the insurmountable mountain it once was. I felt a breakthrough, a reminder that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.
Meeting Someone Else with MISHA
Another interesting thing happened on this tenth day. I met someone on Reddit who had the same surgeon and the same procedure. He told me he would reach out to me on Facebook, which he did. We had a long DM conversation and it was so nice to hear from someone who was about three weeks ahead of me.
Interestingly, he said his pain didn’t start until after the second week when he got off the crutches and put full weight on his legs. I realized then, that this Misha Knee Unit is going to be a very different experience for everyone. That’s more of a reason to write about it.
In sharing these days of ups and downs, I hope to illuminate the resilience we all possess. Recovery is a journey marked by both setbacks and triumphs. If you’re on a similar path, take solace in the small victories and hold onto hope. Remember, healing is a process, and with each step, you’re moving forward.