On January fifteenth I began a new journey. I had been suffering with increasing pain
from Osteo-Arthritis of the knees for the past fifteen years. With the encouragement of my wife, Susan, and
many friends I had finally decided to see an orthopedic surgeon to explore
corrective options.
The first doctor I went to see was highly recommended by some friends who had gone through knee replacement surgery. I was not entirely happy with his approach and after discussing my dissatisfaction with Susan, she went to work doing an internet search for a new doctor to provide a second opinion. She narrowed the search by comparing location, experience, background and any reviews available. We finally settled on a doctor working out of University of California at Irvine, Medical Center in Orange, California.
We made an appointment and went for an evaluation. I was impressed with the thoroughness of his diagnostics and his straight forward approach. By the time we left my surgery was scheduled for January 15th 2015 at 8:00 am.
When we checked in to UCI Medical Center Surgery Center at 6:00am as required we were given a pager. The surgical reception center was set up to be very patient/family friendly. A large TV screen displayed each patient’s progress through the process – in pre-op, surgery, recovery and when assigned to a room. I went into pre-op a little before 7:00am and surgery began by 8:00am. Surgery was completed by 11:00am and I went into the recovery room, where Susan joined me to give me her loving support. By 1:00pm I was in my hospital room with Susan by my side and lunch delivered to my bed. Susan had ordered, from the hospital cafeteria, pizza and fruit for me for lunch. It was delicious.
At 2:00pm I was visited by the Physical Therapist. He had me sit up in the bed with my feet over the side and, after checking out my coordination, had me stand up and with the support of a walker went for a short walk. When we got back to the room and I was back in bed, he informed me that we had walked for a total of 50 feet.
The next day the Physical Therapist showed up at 7:00am for a follow-up. This time I walked 250 feet with the walker and went up and down the staircase without incident. When the Doctor came around at 9:00am to check up on me I told him I was ready to be discharged. He checked me out and agreed and I was discharged at 11:00am on the 16th.
I spent the 17th working on exercises to increase range of motion, strength and walking with the assistance of the walker. The 18th I folded up the walker and put it away. I also took a walk for about ¼ mile and continued with my other exercises.
From that time until my appointed time for surgery on my other knee I continued the exercises and was doing quite well. But on March 19th I checked into the hospital for the replacement surgery on my other knee. This time my surgery did not start until 11:00am and was not complete until almost 2:00pm. I was in my room and (thanks to Susan) eating lunch by 3:00pm. The Physical Therapist came around about 3:30pm. I was anxious to walk (because I wanted to make sure I could be discharged the next day), but the Therapist, out of an abundance of caution, was not ready for me to do that. He said he would be back the next morning.
At 9:00am the next morning the Physical Therapist arrived and asked me if I was ready to go for a walk. I got up and, with the help of the walker, went for a walk. After we had gone down to the end of the hall, the Therapist asked me if I was ready to go back. I told him that I wanted to go down the next hallway and he said ok. We continued on for two more hallways until we came to the door to the stairway. I told him that I wanted to climb the stairs. Though he seemed a little concerned he said ok. I was able to make it up and down the stairs ok and I could tell he was impressed (at least I thought so). Then we continued back to my room where Susan was anxiously waiting (what a sweetie).
I got back into bed (none too soon) and the Therapist asked me when I was going to be discharged. I told him that I expected to be discharged this morning and he said ok. Later the Orthopedic Resident came by and gave me the once over. I told him I would like to be discharged as soon as possible. He told me everything looked good. I was discharged by 11:00am.
Now the exercises started all over again, and at first it seemed like such a struggle. With the support and help of my Angel Susan and grandson Tyler, I have made it back, over the past two weeks, to where I feel like I am making some real progress.
I do want to mention the professional and considerate care I have received from Ran Schwartzkopf, MD my orthopedic surgeon and the staff at UC Irvine Health Center in Orange. You have made this journey as easy as it could get.
The first doctor I went to see was highly recommended by some friends who had gone through knee replacement surgery. I was not entirely happy with his approach and after discussing my dissatisfaction with Susan, she went to work doing an internet search for a new doctor to provide a second opinion. She narrowed the search by comparing location, experience, background and any reviews available. We finally settled on a doctor working out of University of California at Irvine, Medical Center in Orange, California.
We made an appointment and went for an evaluation. I was impressed with the thoroughness of his diagnostics and his straight forward approach. By the time we left my surgery was scheduled for January 15th 2015 at 8:00 am.
When we checked in to UCI Medical Center Surgery Center at 6:00am as required we were given a pager. The surgical reception center was set up to be very patient/family friendly. A large TV screen displayed each patient’s progress through the process – in pre-op, surgery, recovery and when assigned to a room. I went into pre-op a little before 7:00am and surgery began by 8:00am. Surgery was completed by 11:00am and I went into the recovery room, where Susan joined me to give me her loving support. By 1:00pm I was in my hospital room with Susan by my side and lunch delivered to my bed. Susan had ordered, from the hospital cafeteria, pizza and fruit for me for lunch. It was delicious.
At 2:00pm I was visited by the Physical Therapist. He had me sit up in the bed with my feet over the side and, after checking out my coordination, had me stand up and with the support of a walker went for a short walk. When we got back to the room and I was back in bed, he informed me that we had walked for a total of 50 feet.
The next day the Physical Therapist showed up at 7:00am for a follow-up. This time I walked 250 feet with the walker and went up and down the staircase without incident. When the Doctor came around at 9:00am to check up on me I told him I was ready to be discharged. He checked me out and agreed and I was discharged at 11:00am on the 16th.
I spent the 17th working on exercises to increase range of motion, strength and walking with the assistance of the walker. The 18th I folded up the walker and put it away. I also took a walk for about ¼ mile and continued with my other exercises.
From that time until my appointed time for surgery on my other knee I continued the exercises and was doing quite well. But on March 19th I checked into the hospital for the replacement surgery on my other knee. This time my surgery did not start until 11:00am and was not complete until almost 2:00pm. I was in my room and (thanks to Susan) eating lunch by 3:00pm. The Physical Therapist came around about 3:30pm. I was anxious to walk (because I wanted to make sure I could be discharged the next day), but the Therapist, out of an abundance of caution, was not ready for me to do that. He said he would be back the next morning.
At 9:00am the next morning the Physical Therapist arrived and asked me if I was ready to go for a walk. I got up and, with the help of the walker, went for a walk. After we had gone down to the end of the hall, the Therapist asked me if I was ready to go back. I told him that I wanted to go down the next hallway and he said ok. We continued on for two more hallways until we came to the door to the stairway. I told him that I wanted to climb the stairs. Though he seemed a little concerned he said ok. I was able to make it up and down the stairs ok and I could tell he was impressed (at least I thought so). Then we continued back to my room where Susan was anxiously waiting (what a sweetie).
I got back into bed (none too soon) and the Therapist asked me when I was going to be discharged. I told him that I expected to be discharged this morning and he said ok. Later the Orthopedic Resident came by and gave me the once over. I told him I would like to be discharged as soon as possible. He told me everything looked good. I was discharged by 11:00am.
Now the exercises started all over again, and at first it seemed like such a struggle. With the support and help of my Angel Susan and grandson Tyler, I have made it back, over the past two weeks, to where I feel like I am making some real progress.
I do want to mention the professional and considerate care I have received from Ran Schwartzkopf, MD my orthopedic surgeon and the staff at UC Irvine Health Center in Orange. You have made this journey as easy as it could get.
