BREAKINGIN A NEW KNEE

When the pain becomes too much, going under a knife is the option

- MARILYN SHERLING

I used to hike a lot.

My favorite place is the Pasayten Wilderness where you can go for miles and miles and not see another person. But those days came to a stop. For the past 15 years, the arthritis in my knees has steadily advanced.

A couple of years ago I received Cortisone injections in my knees. That worked for a while and the pain was gone.

But when the injections wore off, I had more pain than before. I knew then that it was time to really fix the problem.

At the end of September, I had a total knee replacement of my left knee at Central Washington Hospital.

Today, post-op day 10, I had my first check-back appointment with the surgeon, and I passed with flying colors. Here are a few reflections on the experience.

1. It’s called total knee arthroplasty. Why did I do it? To be able to walk. To sleep through the night without knee pain and swelling. To go up and downstairs. And, most definitely, to go hiking again.