The one great thing about scars — be it physical or emotional — is they can be a reminder of where we’ve been and how far we’ve come. Every time I look down at my right knee, the scar I see reminds me not only of all the wear and tear I incurred jumping around on the volleyball court, but the amount of joy the sport has brought me over the years. Last year, I decided to have a total knee replacement after more than 15 years of pain. The recovery period was painful, and maybe a little more so because I made the choice to avoid taking pain medications during my recovery.
[See: 10 Ways to Prepare for Surgery.]
Preparing for My Surgical Experience
It was no surprise when my doctor said I needed a total knee replacement. After playing volleyball on and off for 25 years and attempting to manage my knee pain through exercise, diet and physical therapy, my knee had become non-functional.
As I started preparing for my surgery, I knew it was critical for me to be an informed and involved patient. Pain management was an important topic to address with my surgeon because I knew I didn’t want to rely on medication to manage my post-surgical pain, including opioids. With new reports estimating that 91 Americans are dying every day from an opioid overdose, and that 1 in 10 patients prescribed an opioid following surgery report becoming addicted to or dependent on the drug, my mind was made up to recover naturally.
This was not only a personal decision, but a decision I made with my husband and three girls in mind. For starters, I simply didn’t want to have opioids in my home. My youngest daughter kept asking me, “You’re not going to have to take those strong pills are you?” She was only 8 years old and obviously had been paying attention to the conversations her dad and I were having. I’m respectful of the fact that opioids are addictive and, regardless of how strong I think I am, I was definitely not foolish enough to think I was above being susceptible. After all, addiction to opioids can happen to anyone regardless of their age, faith, gender, ethnicity, lifestyle or determination to not “overdo it.”
[See: 8 Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist.]
The Road to Recovery
I respect that pain is a natural part of the recovery process, as it is the body’s way of communicating to us when we need to rest or slow down. While it wasn’t easy to recover without any pain medication, it felt like such an important choice to stay committed to. Instead of turning to pain medications, I was holistic as possible in my recovery through sleep, stim machines, nutrition, exercise and managing the stress of recovery and the discomfort that goes along with it. To be honest, I continue to promote my healing. I still go to physical therapy and consistently use ice several times a week. I stretch and do exercise that does not set me back in my recovery. When my body tells me I’m pushing too far, I listen and maybe change some of my training to a more low-impact exercise, like biking or pool training.
I learned a lot through this experience, but the most important was that I could have managed my post-surgical pain using a variety of non-opioid options. This approach would have enabled me to have an easier recovery without the risks and side effects associated with opioids. When this came to my attention I was excited to partner with an initiative called Choices Matter, which aims to educate both patients and physicians about their options when it comes to controlling pain after surgery. Choices Matter is about giving patients the resources they need to make the most educated choice for them.
If you need to have surgery, it’s important to have a conversation with your doctor and develop a plan, including alternatives to managing pain. I know doctors are busy, and sometimes it’s intimidating to speak up or ask questions, but believe me: Your body will thank you. More importantly, your doctor will be aware of your concerns and can provide you with better care. To help you with that discussion, I encourage you to visit PlanAgainstPain.com. This website has useful tools and information to help plan for your recovery, including a customizable discussion guide to ensure patients and caregivers ask the right questions prior to surgery. If you still feel too intimidated to speak with your physician, bring a friend or family member for support to help initiate the dialogue.
[See: 4 Opioid Drugs Parents Should Have on Their Radar.]
I’m passionate about people being advocates for their own health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find resources so that you can be an informed and active participant in your care. While pain is personal, it’s important to discuss pain management options prior to any procedure. As I approach the one-year anniversary of my knee replacement surgery, I’m constantly reminded that I made the best decision for myself and my family by avoiding opioids. Not only does my knee feel great, but I’ve learned so much in the process, and I’m sticking with the line “scars are sexy.”
More from U.S. News
7 Reasons to Call Off a Surgery
11 Ways to Cope With Back Pain
Exercising After You’ve Gone Under (the Knife, That Is)
How Volleyball Star Gabby Reece Managed Post-Surgical Pain Without Opioids originally appeared on usnews.com
