Nanny Confessions: Don’t Put Off Joint Replacement Surgery

Getting a total knee replacement was the best upgrade I’ve ever made. I went from a creaky antique knee to a high-performance model in just a few hours.

Working as a nanny with a bad knee had become nearly impossible. Stairs had become my mortal enemy, playgrounds felt like painful obstacle courses, and even a short walk with the family dog or to the bus stop felt like a torturous Olympic event that I hadn’t trained for.

Fast forward to my new bionic knee, and now I’m living my best life. I still have to build more strength but now I can chase after toddlers, conquer grocery aisles like a pro, and take the family dog on walks that both the pet and I actually enjoy. The cardio walks and bike rides I can take since surgery have even helped me shed about 30 pounds in the past few months.

I put off my much needed knee replacement for too many years because of fear. I was most scared to take off work for months, or even lose my job, during recovery. Worrying about not having income was actually scarier than the actual recovery for me. The reality was I couldn’t work for 8 weeks and once I was ready to work again, I did lose my job. But, I applied with nanny placement agencies and did find a new nanny position just weeks after the total knee replacement.

Also, having health insurance via the government marketplace turned my knee replacement from a financial nightmare into a fresh start — proof that good health coverage is the real MVP of modern medicine.

Without health insurance, my new knee would’ve cost an arm and a leg (even though I only had to replace a knee). My health insurance made getting a new knee possible and now I’m back on my feet, both literally and financially.

I cannot recommend enough that nannies make sure they are paid on the books and have health insurance. I was able to get health insurance via the government marketplace because I pay taxes. I was able to receive temporary disability benefits through my state during my recovery because I have been paid legally.

I’m also proof that getting back to work, even at a physical job like working as a nanny, within 8-12 weeks after total knee replacement is absolutely possible.

Having a surgeon and staff willing to answer any questions and educate me on what to expect during recovery was key! Knowledge is power and my surgeon and the medical center provided a book and a mandatory joint replacement class that had me prepared for recovery. Utilizing all the services health insurance provides like in-home, and then out-patient, physical therapy was vital as well.

So yes, total knee replacement might sound daunting — but for me, it was the ultimate reboot. If you are suffering in pain and need joint replacement surgery I recommend not putting it off too long. I traded pain for possibility, stiffness for spontaneity, and now I’m walking proof that sometimes the best way forward is with a brand new knee.

References:

Written by Stephanie Felzenberg
Orthopedic Surgeon, Mark Chase
Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center
Physical Therapy, Ivy Rehab, Nima Sherpa
In-Home Nursing, Atlantic Health
Affordable Care Act
Your Nanny Boutique