Another milestone in my journey to bionics. First post-op checkup by orthopod.
Naturally, it was the orthopod PA, because the Big Guy doesn’t
concern himself with such trivialities. I think the appointment would need to
be more than 10 minutes, for one thing.
But milestone achieved, because the bandage came off. Viz,
before:
(Notice swelling and bruising. WRT the latter, something about all the trauma settling below the actual incision and gravity?)
And after:
Interestingly, no staples. There are sub-cutaneous dissolving sutures, and the surface is held together by surgical glue. Incision is 17.5 cm.
Not sure if that qualifies me to say I’m being held together by
chewing gum and baling wire, but it’s in the vicinity. The swelling will be a fixture for weeks, apparently.
Fun fact: they had a robot in there to help drill holes in things and properly seat the devices. X-rays are cool.
Anyway—he pronounced himself pleased with my range of motion; I
can achieve straight leg, and bend beyond 90 degrees, which apparently is the
one-month goal. When I told him I’m driving, he cautioned me. Well, he burst
out, “Are you taking Oxycodone?” No. Then he cautioned me to start by driving
to an empty parking lot and practicing, etc.
Behind my mask I was mouthing, “Dude—that train has so left the
station. How do you think I got here today?”
However, yesterday I also had a rather strenuous PT session,
which kind of knocked the sass out of me, so I’m taking caution under
advisement. Evidently I'll be living with the swelling for at least a month and the road to healing is not a simple one.
Next milestone: second post-surgical checkup in a month.
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