Why do I need a new knee?

When I was sixteen (a few years ago now) I fell on a slippery path running up to the gate to meet the undertaker the night my father died. First injury to knee. A minor consideration in my family at the time and treated with anti inflammatories.

Off and on for many years I had trouble with the knee. It would lock up and I would massage around the knee cap until it released. When it locked up it was very painful. Finally when I was 46 I had a laproscopy (keyhole surgery) and several floating ‘bits’ were removed. However I was told that osteoarthritis had already set in and I would need a full knee replacement in about 10 years. Celebration – I lasted 15 years.

In the meantime my right hip became a problem and 2 and a bit years ago I had a hip replacement. I had surgical insurance but at the time in the city I lived in in NZ I couldn’t get in for surgery for months!!

Well ,  there is always answer I believe. I asked advice at my GP and with his backing went to look for a surgeon and hospital somewhere other than the region in which I lived. Scored on the first hit – a town several hours away where my sister lived. I was in for surgery in 6 weeks. Four months after I received a call from the original surgeon’s office giving me a date for an initial visit. Sorry I said, I don’t need the appointment, I’ve had my new hip for weeks.

Having major surgery brought up some questions I had to make a decision that I was totally unprepared or informed to make – Do you want general anaesthetic or an epidural? Well, I said the the anaesthetist would what you do? So I had the epidural and was very grateful for the advice that saved the struggle out of anaesthetic with nightmares and nausea.  On the visit to hospital for my knee replacement it was easy, I knew what was coming and these decisions were made prior to being admitted.

next time … in hospital.