by Anura Guruge

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I had my quadriceps tendon repair surgery,
at ‘Frisbie Memorial Hospital‘ —
performed by Dr. Charles Blitzer
of ‘Seacoast Orthopedics‘
on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

Today, as such, is the 4th full-day, post surgery.

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There is, touch wood, very little pain — as yet.

I hope it continues to be the case. It sure would be nice and a welcome relief.

The whole surgery experience, so far, has really been near miraculous. I am in total awe.

Yes, no question, the knee hurts, like billy-o if it bends (or moves). But, I am NOT supposed to bend it.

When I keep it straight and immobile, I have had little pain. I truly lucked out. Just hoping that pain does not suddenly engulf me and I am doing everything I can to make sure that I don’t end up with ‘Central Pain Syndrome‘ (CPS) six-months down the road. Right now I am hopeful. That I haven’t had major pain to drive my central nervous system (CNS) nuts will definitely stand me in good stead. IF I end up with CPS — I will rue the day.

I just cannot tell you how effective that ice therapy with the ‘ice pump’ is. I am convinced that it is what has helped me so much. I have it on about 16-hours a day. It is on now, set to 42°F, as I write.

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All I have taken for medication so far is 325mg Tylenol and Aleve.

I have, so far, not needed any narcotics. I have two bottles, 60 pills, of opioids, one from ER and the other from the surgeon, unused. I hope this continues to be the case.

The nerve block was also amazing. It ran out Saturday night — right on schedule. They said 48-hours and it probably lasted about 54. Definitely felt some pain when it was gone. That is when I started taking Aleve.

Day 1 (Friday) — I took 7 Tylenols, much of it because I felt feverish.

Day 2 (Saturday) — 6 Tylenols during the day + 2 Aleves, late at night, after the nerve block was removed.

Day 3 (Sunday) — 6 Tylenols during the day + 2 Aleves at night.

Day 4 (Monday) — 1 Aleve so far and it is 5:30pm.

As far as I am concerned that is pretty amazing. Right now I feel no knee! It is pretty frozen — but don’t worry, I am not going to get frostbite.

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Appears I am the lucky beneficiary of all of the concerted effort going into preventing the prescription of opioids.

Both the nerve block & ice machine blurbs tell doctors how they can be used instead of opioids. I am all in favor.

Seeing the surgeon tomorrow. Keeping fingers crossed.

So, just wanted to share with you in case, alas, knee surgery is to figure in your future. Based on my experience it might not be as painful as you might dread.

Well, I am still keeping fingers crossed. Pain is a funny ol’ thing. Don’t trust it — as far as I can throw it.

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Related Posts:
Search ‘knee’ & ‘quadriceps‘.

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by Anura Guruge