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As I was getting
nowhere with pain killers prescribed by my doctor, I contacted
Celtic Football Club and spoke to their Physiotherapist, who
advised me to consult privately, an Orthopaedic Surgeon in
Glasgow. The results of that were several minor operations
including, keyhole surgery to trim the damaged cartilage. He
then suggested “half joints” but not until I was over 65.
For many years my
left knee had given me considerable pain, but when my right knee
also gave up I then had to take time off work. I rested it for
a few weeks then only took on jobs that did not require too much
physical effort. Soon it became obvious that I would need to
finish up working altogether.
In 1998 I went
back to see the surgeon again. He then suggested that I should
have full joint replacements, as “half joints” were not lasting
more than five years. Although I was having a lot of pain
walking, I found I had little pain when cycling on the flat
which allowed me get to places on my bike that were restricted
to me walking.
My main concern
was, would I be able to cycle. He could not however guarantee
that I would be able to do so, for, if I got more than 90
degree, I could take that as a bonus. Not enough to cycle!
He then asked me
how far I could walk; I told him, that if I had to go 100yards I
would take the car rather than walk. If I endured the pain, I
found that if I touched my toes after a short walk, to stretch
my back, I found I could then get a bit of relief to carry on.
He reckoned that my back was the bigger problem, and had scans
done of my spine. The result was not good and he would not be
prepared to operate as I could finish up in a wheel chair.
He did however
introduce me to another Glasgow Orthopaedic Surgeon who
specialised on backs. When he examined the scan results he was
confident he could help and I then had two operations on my
back; one in 1999 and the other in 2000. The first was very
successful - trimmed slipped disc and removing a ligament that
had bent back into the spinal canal. The sheath of this ligament
had to be scrapped, which then gave me problems with adhesions.
The second one to free the adhesions was not as successful and I
now suffer from a numb right foot.
Whilst recovering
from all that lot I followed up all and any information I heard
about knee joints, writing to several Doctors, Universities and
Companies, both here and abroad.
In late August
1999 I read an article in the local paper that Corin had given a
sum of money to two Doctors in Monklands Hospital to do further
development of knee joints. I was immediately interested so
contacted Corin.
After speaking to
Sales Director Jack Thomas I convinced him to send me copy of
the Rotaglide Total Knee System brochure, together with a copy
of the Nine Years Follow Up paper. Corin Joints could give 120
degrees. From my engineering background I could see that Corin
Joints were a much better system than any others I had heard of
The Surgeon who
had made such a difference to the pain in my back wanted to fit
new full knee joints but unfortunately did not use Corin
products. Corin had been in contact with him but he told me that
he was more than happy with the results they were getting with
the joints he was using. He thought I might be able to cycle but
was not sure. I was not convinced so let it dwell for a while.
In 2002 my knees
were getting really bad, particularly my left one and I was
beginning to walk a bit like John Wayne. I was reduced to
climbing and descending stairs on all fours. I contacted
Corin’s local representative who was most helpful and
enthusiastic, and convinced me I was making the right decision
to have them done. He also reckoned that I should be able to
cycle after the operation. This was most important to me in
taking the decision to have them done. When I inquired as to
what Surgeons were using Corin joints, he supplied me with three
names.
I finally had my
first knee replacement done by Mr Gavin Tait in August 2002 who
had performed over 200 similar operations.
Once home I did a
lot of sleeping but managed to do most things for myself as I
live alone. I did get my “Mrs Mop” to drop in each day for the
first week for one hour to make my bed and a quick tidy up. My
daughter, neighbours and sister dropped in to make sure I was OK
and did any shopping I needed. For the first week I was
managing to get about the house and garden with the aid of one
stick, but did a lot of sitting about and napping. Week two saw
me out doing small jobs in the garden and garage but I was still
needing pain killers to get me through the day. I also took
several naps as I was not sleeping too well at night. I made
myself a frame to keep the bed clothes off my legs as I found
turning in sleep wakened me.
The next month was
much the same, not sleeping very well at nights, pottering about
and sleeping a lot during the day. It was during this month that
I tentatively started making my left leg lift me up a step on
the stairs and each day increased it until I could walk up and
down the stairs upright only using the hand rail on one side and
a walking stick on the other.
Week seven saw me
back driving which was a good thing as I was getting restless
with nothing to do. Now I could get out and about and see what
was going on.
By week ten I
tried walking further than I have walked in years but it was my
back, my ankles and right knee that controlled how far I could
go.
I was back to
cycling by week eleven although only three miles on first
outing. I try to get out cycling three times per week, although
weather and events often reduce this. Keeping to the flat paths,
I am lucky to have Strathclyde Park and Loch near at hand.
Whilst cycling I also try to do at least five miles and keep to
the lower gears so as to continue to stretch my knee. The
joint feels a bit tight when I start but soon eases off and
feels normal after bout 2000 turns.
Although I knew I
would have to go through all this hassle and pain again with my
right knee, I could hardly wait till my next visit to Mr Tait to
get started again. The pain after the operation is so much
different from the arthritic pain and each day it gets easier.
The arthritic pain just keeps getting worse. Now I have had my
right knee joint replaced by Mr Tait, I find it has come along
so much faster than the left one, probably as I now have a good
knee to support the recovering one and a better idea of what to
expect.
When Mr Tait asked
me to consult with him on the anniversary of my operation I
thought it a bit long, but he was correct, as it has taken me a
complete year for my knee to be fully back to normal. Having
said that for the last six months it has been behaving like
normal, although that is a bit of an over statement as there
always has been a bit of stiffness about, but no pain.
I do however feel
fortunate that I live in a time where Technology and Surgery has
advanced to the present level, where it is possible to be able
to have worn out knee joints replaced with such efficient
replacements. |
