Six Week Follow-up with Dr. Kerina

So, yesterday I had my six-week follow-up with Dr. Kerina.  Bill and I went to the Lady Lake office,  where I received very positive feed-back on my progress.  I had an x-ray taken that shows the new knee in alignment with no instability or soft tissue problems.  He told me there is no reason to work on increasing the range of motion; 130 is higher than any expectation for six week post-op,  and any additional range will come from my normal activity level, which is fairly high.  I don't need any more PT, and he reluctantly said I can hit tennis balls "as long as you don't run."  He also reluctantly said I could use the elliptical machine, but hitting tennis balls is much more fun that that!

I  had previously picked up the Operative Report from Leesburg Hospital; the knee is a "Zimmer Natural Gender (cobalt chrome cast alloy) #1 femur, #2 tibia, 9-mm ultra condylar and tibial bearing, #1 patella."  The patella parts are "ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene."  He chose that particular knee because I am a tennis player, and the "plastic" parts because the substance is stronger than some other choices, and can better withstand the usage that comes from playing tennis.  He said it should last 20 years of normal use, but my lifestyle is not considered "normal use."  The parts that are most likely to wear are the "plastic" parts, and they can be replaced if necessary.  The other parts are glued in and "aren't going anywhere."  The soft tissue, though, takes longer to heal, hence no running yet.

As for antibiotics and dental work, absolutely I must take antibiotics before any dental work, even cleanings.  "Don't listen to your dentist."  Dr. Kerina said the antibiotics are very important; the mouth is a dirty place, and any infection will seek out the parts that are alien to your body, i.e. the new knee.

And yes, I will set off metal detectors.