Update

March 29, 2009

By E.

It has been a busy few days here and at about 4 AM, my household wakened to the sounds of a roiling storm, which by mid-day had passed, leaving leaves strewn on wet streets and slowly drying puddles.

The swelling in my knee has gone down enough for me to get out Friday in the chair and yesterday, briefly, without it. Because the chair is a manual, the PT warned me to beware of neck, shoulder and wrist wear, which is the last thing I need at this point. I will meet with the adaptive seating specialist this week and eventually obtain a chair that is fitted to my body and needs, theoretically reducing the likelihood of repetitive strain and injury. Another blogger who lives and works from a chair also suggested that I ask for a physical therapist to teach me how to use my body correctly in the chair. This will also reduce the possibility of further strain and injury, and I am grateful for her generosity in sharing this with me.

I continue to use frozen peas and other ice packs as well as anti-inflammatories several times daily. As I indicated in the comments section of the post dated March 19, the meeting with the arthroscopy surgeon did not go as expected. He feels that I would derive little lasting benefit from that procedure at this point due to the state of my knee, which is that of a seventy-year-old. He has referred me to a joint replacement surgeon who has already told me that a total knee replacement is not possible for me and he is not sure a partial will work, either. I am to meet again on April 8, after the joint replacement specialist has had time to confer with colleagues and locate any medical literature pertinent to my specific circumstances.

My own perusal of medical literature has not turned up anything substantive to indicate that this surgery is a good idea for me. I am still looking, although there are more possible negatives than positives to surgery from what I've been told and have read thus far. As my gait and bio- mechanics are at issue here, a new joint would likely wear differently and much faster, ultimately subjecting me to more frequent surgeries for the rest of my life. That is not something I would choose to do without learning all I can first. The options in this situation appear very limited at best, from what I know at present.

In the meantime, I am nursing my geriatric Siamese through an herpetic eye infection and feel fortunate to have the help of a devoted veterinary technician from the nearby cat hospital.

I have chosen to use this time for research, adapting to the use of a chair and finding answers to related questions, including those concerned with pain control. There do not appear to be many good or lasting solutions to this situation and getting current and reliable information is the best thing I and my doctor can do.

I thank everyone for your good wishes and e-mails. My blogging and e-mailing will likely be reduced, but your concern is appreciated nonetheless. I will update again after April 8.

Wishing everyone a happy Sunday and a good week ahead!