Last dentist visit for a while

The bridge is installed and fits fine. What a relief to have the sharp, nasty temporary out of my mouth. My tongue can now finish healing.

It's been nine weeks since the problem there began. That's been a long time. Made longer by the dentist's office being closed now and then because of Christmas and New Year's. I will never have any dental work done just before the holidays again.

Meet the Surgeon

I don't know why I was dreading this appointment so. Maybe I shouldn't have fired the previous specialist? What if I dislike this one as much as the former one? Does this appointment mean I am really going to have the surgery in three weeks?

An hour and fifteen minutes after my appointment time, in walks the doctor. He's friendly, soft-spoken and very reassuring. He immediately answered my first five questions before asking me what questions I had. I didn't have any other questions.

Yes, I need Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery of the left knee. Apparently it is the same thing as a Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA).

The exam confirmed what his assistant had found: my knee needs replacing and soon. Strangely when he was twisting my leg around to see how much play was in the joint (a lot) it didn't hurt at all. For the past several weeks there has been less pain in the left knee. The right heel has been much more painful, especially at night.

Either I have gotten used to the left knee or the pain transmitters have ground away along with my bone and cartilage. Maybe a little of both.

He told me I would be in the hospital three to five days and might need a few more days, perhaps a week, in a rehab facility. Everybody I know who has gone to rehab has had an alcohol problem. If I'm in rehab for knee therapy can I have a drink before dinner?

The next step for me is the pre-op interview at the hospital. Then I'll find out everything I'll have to do before the surgery. And after.

Dental update

The broken temporary crown has smoothed out and isn't as sharp against my tongue (I found a new use for an emery board). The sore spot is less inflamed and doesn't hurt nearly as much. Three more days until the new bridge is installed.

Orthopaedic Surgeon Links

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Here are some links to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, their information about total knee replacement and some frequently asked questions.

American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
The AAHKS also has a lot of information. Start with their Patient Information links.

Pre-Op Appointment

In today's mail came a form from the orthopedic surgeon telling me to be at Sacred Heart Medical Mall Suite 107 for surgery instructions at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, January 23. To reschedule call (850) 416-7830.

I find it strange that yesterday's caller from the orthopedic doctor's office didn't tell me about the pre-op appointment. It was mailed to me from their office on December 31 and must be in my file. Another of their "lost" appointments for me?

Knee Doctor Appointment Confusion

At 3:00 P.M. today I got a call from the orthopedic surgeon's scheduler. She needed to make an appointment for me to see the surgeon.

I told her that the surgeon's nurse had already done that on December 18 -- scheduled me to meet the doctor on January 14. And scheduled me for knee replacement surgery for Thursday, January 29. And told me she would send me a packet of info about the operation and what I need to do to prepare for it. I have received nothing in the mail.

The caller said, "There's no appointment for you to meet the surgeon, just the knee surgery on the 26th." I asked her to check on the date and she corrected it to the 29th.

I now will see the doctor on Tuesday, January 6.

Continued Dental Problem

My tongue very sore again from sharp edges on the broken temporary bridge.