From pain to progress

This morning brought with it a reduced intensity in the amount of pain I am feeling. Not that the pain has stopped, It’s just the I can feel a difference between today and yesterday. With the change in pain intensity is a slight change in appearance of my leg: a little more color!

I have home health care as a part of the follow up to my surgery. I saw a nurse, a physical therapist, and an occupational therapist. The only one that is really necessary for me is the physical therapist. He gave me few exercises to do that had an immediate positive affect on my leg. He also reassured me of a number of things. The surgeon I chose was an excellent choice. There was nothing unusual about the appearance of my leg or any other aspect of my condition. He also helped me sort out what is normal with regard to pain management.

One of the odd things that is part of this whole process is that there are different hospitals groups that are a part of my treatment team. My surgery was done by a surgeon in the Wellington Orthopedic group. It took place at Anderson Mercy Hospital. And for some reason, my in home aftercare is being managed by St. Elizabeth Home health. The nurse sent by St. Elizabeth informed me that my pain management should come through my primary care physician with whom I need to make an immediate follow up appointment. He is a part of St. Elizabeth Physicians group. I complied, making an appointment, and leaving a question about my pain management for my primary doctor. Later that day, my surgeon’s assistant called to check on me, and told me that they are in charge of my pain management and that the surgeon would call in some additional meds. The physical therapist told me that I did not really need the follow up with my primary care physician either. So I cancelled that and am left wondering why all these other people are involved at all.

I think I would advise someone else going through TKR to ask questions about the aftercare. Who is supposed to be involved? What should I watch out for with regard to people who do not need to be a part of my treatment team, yet who will try to insert themselves into the process.