The Bee’s Knees

Hi you guys! I’ve got some good news: soon I’ll have the bee’s knees!

What does that mean, you ask? Well, I had surgery on Thursday, August 4th to fix up my knee alignment. It’s been hurting pretty bad off and on since I tore my ACL back in the fall of 2009 (In a typhoon. In Tokyo. Long story for another time!)

I thought the doc was going to go in and just clean it up and remove some loose cartilage — nothing too serious. Instead I ended up having major surgery. (He said that there was a very remote chance that I’d have it.) It’s called a tibial tubercle osteotomy. Check out this video that explains what it is — don’t worry, there’s no blood or guts, ha ha! Basically the tubercle is a bump on your lower leg bone. The doc cut through the turbercle, leaving the ligaments and whatnot still attached, picked up the bone piece, and then used screws to put it back in where it should be so that everything lines up.

Tomorrow I go back to see him and find out what my recovery time will be like. Hoping that I get to take the brace off, or at least get to bend my knee. The brace goes from just above my ankle almost the whole way up to my hip, whew.

In the meantime, I have a nifty device that J has nicknamed The Ice Robot to keep me company — it’s my new best friend! See those tubes up there that are coming out of the brace? Well, they go to an ice pack that is under all the bandages on one side, and the other side goes into a cooler that pumps ice cold water over my knee area. Ahhhh, I love technology! Yay!

And! Doctors used to use a cast for this kind of surgery instead of the brace. So glad I have the brace, but that means that there’s no place for people to sign it! So, I’d love it if you could virtually sign it by leaving me a little comment — means so much hearing from all of you! (Thanks to everyone who emailed to ask why I haven’t been posting — that really means a ton, too!)

I’ll let you know what the doc says tomorrow! But I have a really great feeling in my heart that everything will all work out and my knee will be great in no time. Can’t wait.

54 Replies to “The Bee’s Knees”

  1. Happy healing sweet Lisa! I can’t wait until you can get your bionic knee out on a bike! Good luck at the doctor tomorrow. (and PS… you made a little typo in your surgery date! ;-) )

    1. Thanks sweet Libby! And thanks for catching the typo! :)

  2. Ohhhh!!! I’ve been thinking about you!!! Hope your recovery is amazing! So glad the surgery went well….and that you hopefully have an END to the pain!! Yay!! {{{hugs}}}

    1. Thanks Dana! Your knee recovery really encouraged me, hope it’s still going great! Hugs! :)

  3. Omg! Lisa, so glad to hear that your surgery went well. The last time I saw you at CHA winter you were telling me about your leg. Is this the same one? Its so amazing how surgery is done these days. At least you don’t have to wear a cast. Take care!

  4. I was so happy to see a new post from you, Lisa! So sorry you needed surgery but I’m praying for a perfectly functioning, pain-free knee for you because there’s hills yet to be hiked and adventures to be had, for goodness sake! Wishing you a speedy recovery and great news from the doc.
    Hang in there, Lisa…you are the bees knees!

  5. Oh no! Sorry to hear about your knee and hope you are healed in time for some fall hiking. I have something out of alignment in mine, so I’ll see how your recovery goes before I get mine checked out. Sending you virtual donuts and a hug!

  6. Cardcrazed (Karen G) says:

    I wondered why you weren’t posting much… I hope you have a safe and speedy recovery. Knee surgery can take some time to heal, so be sure to follow the doctor’s orders :)

  7. I am new around here but I will sign your virtual cast! Hope you’ll be dancing around soon!

  8. There you are! Gosh it’s good to hear from you! I thought your absence might have something to do with your knee. I’m so glad that the surgery went well, Lisa! I’ll be thinking about you tomorrow and sending positive thoughts for a good visit with the doctor! Sending lots of hugs to you! :)

  9. Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear about your injury. I really hope that this surgery will fix it and you will have a swift recovery and have a knee like new again! The ice pack thingy sounds very interesting. Glad to know it’s keeping your somewhat comfortable. Sending you get well wishes and hugs!

  10. Hey Lisa! Sorry you had to have surgery but I know you’ll be back on your feet in no time! Signing your cast friend! {love} Shemaine

  11. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been hurting and wish you a swift recovery and no pain! xx

  12. Lisa, I have been missing you!! SO sorry to hear you had to have surgery – but I’m sure you’ll be feeling much better soon! Aren’t those ice machines great? Get well soon!!!!

  13. Aww….I’m sure it’s no fun hauling that brace around. I hope your recovery is quick and that you’ll be out of pain soon!

  14. Hi Lisa
    Thinking of you, and hoping that you aren’t in too much pain :(
    Fingers crossed that this will make you loads better.
    Take care, and rest, rest, rest!
    Love Lucy xxx

  15. No wonder you’ve been so quiet! I hope you are feeling much, much better and will be up and about really soon and better than new!

  16. You poor thing!!! I hope you get feeling better super quick! Hugs from Copenhagen!

  17. Sending big hugs, Lisa, for a quick recovery! I’d love to hear the typhoon story!!

  18. Sending warm wishes (or maybe cool ones would be better? ha!) for a quick recovery from up I35 a ways (Arlington). Is so hot outside I guess being hooked up to the Ice Robot is better now than in the winter? I sure hope you’re up and about soon :)

  19. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Lisa!!

  20. i wish you a fast recovery, my friend — sending bear hugs your way!

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