Paul has decided to go ahead and try the "spacer" option.  He will undergo the arthroscopy, and hopefully the spacer insertion, on January 9, 2002.
For more information about this spacer, please click here.

As scheduled, Paul went to Grandview Surgical Center in Mechanicsburg for his arthroscopic surgery and spacer implant on January 9.  After he was taken back an hour late for the surgery,
we were very disappointed to learn that the doctor found too much bone loss to be able to use the spacer.  We knew going in that this was a possibility, but it still hit us pretty hard.  The next step is to schedule a full knee replacement.

Paul had scheduled the next surgery for April 3, to be done by Doctor Hallock.  We discussed the possibility of changing doctors, thinking maybe someone else might do something just a little differently.  So the surgery is scheduled for April 4 at the Carlisle Hospital with Dr. Hely.  Paul will still go to Healthsouth for his few days rehab.

He has been checked by his internist and his cardiologist and has had a stress test.  All systems are go and he's ready for the surgery, as BOTH knees are bothering him more and more.

As scheduled, Paul had his right knee replaced on April 4.  He had a spinal for the surgery, so wasn't nearly so sick afterward.  However, he developed dry heaves which plagued him for quite a while.  He was in the hospital a few days longer than scheduled and then was transferred to the Carlisle Hospital Rehab Unit for about a week.  Still having nausea and those above heaves, he was unable to eat a lot and felt pretty grumpy.  He was discharged on April 18 and began therapy at Alexander Spring Rehab.  Six weeks later, the doctor is pleased with his progress; however, Paul is not so pleased.  He still has a lot of pain, including his left knee and both feet.  The dry heaves have almost stopped, and we think that might have been due to Coumadin, which the doctor discontinued three weeks ago.   I (and the doctor) think he's pushing too hard with his rehab therapy, which makes his knee hurt, but he wants to keep going.  It's his knee and his pain, so I won't argue with him.

He's not supposed to drive till he's off the pain medication (Ultram), but he has started driving for short (5-10 minute) trips.  Back to the doctor in six weeks.

All has gone fairly well since last May.  Paul still has some pain for unknown reasons, but is still a lot better than before the surgery.  He has started working out and swimming at Dickinson's gymnasium and we hope that will help his overall physical condition and his knees as well.
 
 
 

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