THE MOJ: Fun is simply starting after whole knee alternative process

THE MOJ: Fun is simply starting after whole knee alternative process

Published 1:40 pm Wednesday, April 8, 2026

I’m again.

Kind of.

On March 13, your agent had a complete knee alternative carried out at Burnaby General Hospital by Dr. Tim Kostamo and his employees. It’s been a really attention-grabbing expertise and one which I’ve obtained fairly a couple of questions relating to after some posts on Instagram (@therealMoj) and after speaking concerning the process on my common Wednesday hit with Donnie and Dhali on CHEK TV.

So I’ve determined to share my expertise with you to hopefully reply any questions that you will have if you’re considering the process.

First, some background.

I tore the ACL in my proper knee within the 1989 Shrum Bowl whereas enjoying for UBC. For some cause unbeknownst to man, I attempted to sort out SFU operating again Sean Millington – aka the Diesel – which proved to be a dumb thought. My ACL reconstruction was accomplished by Dr. Ross Davidson, who was the Vancouver Canucks doctor on the time.

The surgical procedure was successful, however as time went on, I observed that my knee was getting weaker. Perhaps the best inform was once we had a highschool reunion picnic at Hume Park in New Westminster within the late Nineteen Nineties. My childhood buddy Steve Goodwin, who had an amazing lacrosse profession and was inside a minute of successful the Mann Cup as head coach of the New Westminster Salmonbellies, was throwing round a soccer with me when he began to giggle.

“You’re running with a limp,” he joked.

It was one thing that I hadn’t even observed

Nor did I discover because the knee simply received weaker and weaker with osteoarthritis setting in through the years. Strangely sufficient, I by no means actually felt any ache. There was weak spot and discomfort however none of that excruciating ache that might pressure you to name the physician.

Fast ahead to the previous few years, whereas like earlier than, there was no vital ache.

So what was the breaking level for me?

Stairs.

They’d turn out to be a nightmare.

It had received to the purpose the place happening the steps was accomplished one-at-a-time, virtually at all times sideways whereas hanging on to the hand rail with an iron grip.

Enough was sufficient, so I lastly determined to pursue surgical procedure and finally met Dr. Kostamo. After a cancellation, we lastly received a date for a complete knee repalcement – Friday, March 13.

I had accomplished a variety of ‘prehab’ previous to the process which I’m advised is vital. I’d stroll thrice every day racking up wherever between 12,000 to 14,000 steps. That helped me lose shut to twenty kilos which was good. I additionally labored on attempting to extend the vary of movement in my knee as properly.

The night time earlier than the surgical procedure was attention-grabbing. It jogged my memory of the sensation that I had earlier than enjoying in a giant sport. There was a way of figuring out that you simply had been going to be in for a battle. I felt calm and assured but I additionally revered what was occurring and figuring out that it was no joke.

Lucky for me, I used to be the primary surgical procedure of the day at 7:30 a.m.

I received taken to ‘pre-op’ the place you meet the workforce that might be engaged on you. The nurses, the anesthesiologist and the surgeon all pay visits to debate what’s going to happen. You obtain an IV drip and likewise get a nerve block needle into your groin to assist with ache administration post-surgery.

Eventually you get wheeled into the working room the place you’re greeted by the surgical workforce.

The sedation course of this time was completely totally different from my surgical procedure in 1989.

The days of getting a gasoline masks positioned in your face and counting down from 50 have been changed by receiving a spinal block needle which numbs the physique from the waist down.

Remember that IV from earlier? That’s how they put you to sleep throughout the process.

I felt completely superb waking up in post-op. The very first thing that I keep in mind was listening to Dr. Kostamo on the cellphone speaking to my experience and letting them know that the surgical procedure went properly.

I requested Dr. Kostamo how unhealthy the knee was on a scale of 1-10.

“Nine-and-a-half,” was Kostamo’s response, noting that he pulled out a variety of osteophytes (bone spurs) with one the scale of a toonie.

I spent two hours in post-op with my coronary heart charge and blood stress being monitored with checks additionally being accomplished on again the place the spinal block was injected.

From there it was to ‘daycare’ which I discovered ironic seeing how I’ve been advised at instances I act like a toddler.

Remember that spinal block?

It left me quickly paralyzed from the waist down, which is a traditional facet impact.

The subsequent 4 hours had been spent with extra checks and finally the sensation in my legs returning. Once the sensation returned, a nurse taught me how one can use a walker and I used to be up and about going for brief strolls. Then the physiotherapist got here by and gave me directions on how one can dress, get off the bed and a bunch of different duties. Then one other go to from a nurse with a listing of prescriptions that needed to be crammed out instantly.

As for ache, I can truthfully say I had none however being jacked up on hydromorphone might need had one thing to do with it.

By 3:30 p.m., I walked out to my experience utilizing my folding walker and was on my means dwelling.

The enjoyable was solely starting as the following step could be the restoration course of and rehab.

More on that in my subsequent column.

Veteran B.C. sports activities persona Bob ‘The Moj’ Marjanovich writes concerning the B.C. sporting scene for Black Press Media.

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