I am so glad that I had my full knee replacement surgery done as the experience exceeded my expectations. The surgery was easy and pain free. Afterwards, I was driven to the EXCEL Program that was a few miles down the road from the TCO Edina location at the Crosstown Surgery Center. I ordered restaurant food from the Taverns menu and was educated on physical therapy. They put an ice compression pack on my leg which I ended up renting for four weeks so I could use it at home. On the same day as the procedure, I was already starting physical therapy. There was no pain which surprised me. I had some good pain medication after surgery and the nerve blocks really helped. I didn’t have pain until I got home and the pain medication and nerve block started wearing off.
You want to try and stay ahead of the pain as much as you can. I did physical therapy twice a day, walked as much as I was comfortable with, and didn’t work for two and a half weeks. I went to my scheduled physical therapy sessions and when those ended, I did them independently at home. It has now been two months and I am pain free.
This new knee is already better and more painless than my original knee. I can finally work out after not being able to for about 12 years. Previously, I could work out my upper body, but since I couldn’t use one leg very well, it was more likely that I wouldn’t work out at all. I climb stairs, do leg squats, snowshoe thru deep snow for miles. It is wonderful!
I had a lot of swelling and bruising but it is still reducing every week. The EXCEL Program really is a miracle, and I would do it again if I need my other knee replaced. I am impressed with TCO and everyone I met. They make it so you are on your way to better health and with confidence. Super great!