I have had various troubles with this knee since 1992 when it was arthroscoped; I recall the surgeon prophesying then that I would develop osteoarthritis eventually. I reckon I have had a good run from it since then. Doing some final work around the garden yesterday, it seemed that it really had worn out.
I have collected together all the bits and pieces (crutches, drugs of various sorts, ice treatment equipment, and so on) and will soon be off to Rochester this evening. The last few days, I have been washing the area of the operation with chlorhexadine to make sure I am not carrying any bad bugs in with me and working out in the gym with special attention to ensuring good muscle tone, so I think I have done my part.
The procedure is for the Oxford Partial Knee Replacement and has been almost 30 years in development. It will be done at a Surgical Outpatient Unit of the University of Rochester and will involve resurfacing of the femur on the inside of the knee, using a curved stainless steel prosthesis. The top end of the tibia will have a stainless steel tray cemented into a L-shaped cut. When it is all properly spaced and aligned, a special low wear polyethylene insert is placed in the tibial tray and the wound closed up. This will be able to move about in the tray and provide a natural motion to the knee as it flexes. All this takes about an hour. I will be expected to stand on the leg once I recover to a reasonable level of consciousness.
When I am up to it, I will tell you all about the aftermath. When I have rehabilitated this knee I will line up for the same procedure on the right knee. Watch this space, as the saying goes.
I am sure you have found this most interesting (said somewhat tongue in cheek); after all, it is just another of my adventures
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