Now That Surgery's Done, Brauer Faces Rehab Battle

Photo: BassFan Denny Brauer said he felt the most intense pain the second day after surgery.

He recently underwent that operation at a clinic in Tyler, Texas, and is mending right now. Here's an update.

Post-Surgery Pain

"Overall I feel pretty good," Brauer said. "The surgery went extremely well. The surgeon couldn't have been happier with the bone cuts and everything – how precise it came out.

"Obviously, with surgery like this, it's not all a picnic. But we're pretty well over the hump. I got the wrap off (last Friday), and could see the incision and the staples and everything. And they took me off the machine that's been bending my knee."

He added that his rehabilitation is rigorous, and he'll remain in Tyler for a few weeks to do that regiment. He wants to "try to do it right" so he doesn't "screw it up again." That's what happened in high school. While on crutches, he reinjured the knee, which then became infected and that's part of what led to the current problems.

Dealing With Pain

There's no such thing as good pain when it comes to joints, but at least the pain he feels now is working toward something positive, whereas his pre-surgery pain did nothing other than degrade his already debilitated knee.

The most intense pain, he said, came the day after surgery. Because of his four previous back surgeries, there was too much scar tissue for an epidural. And once the local wore off, "there was a 4-hour period where it was pretty intense."

"I think I'm pretty well in control pain-wise now," he added. "It'll be fine."

His primary pain now comes from the rehab. "It's one of those deals where you have to push it and stretch it, and there is pain – it's just part of the rehab. Anytime you have to rebuild something, it's tough.

"The good news is that it can be rebuilt, because my knee was even worse than they thought," he noted. "My doctor said of all the knees he's done, this one ranked right up there at the top. It had to be done, and I'm glad I got it done when I did, so I can get back to where I can stand and not be in pain again."

Other interesting notes from Brauer about the surgery:

> On whether he'll be ready for competition in March: "If we had a tournament next week I'd be ready (laughs). Honestly, I don't see any problem. I definitely plan on being ready by March, and I'd be very disappointed if I wasn't."

> On whether he can attend the Classic: "I don't know if I'll be able to do anything more at the Classic than stand up. I'll work it and sign autographs, and I'll probably do a little more, but I know my sponsors will understand."

> "The doctor told me it's not unusual to experience swelling 10 to 12 months after surgery."

> "They inserted what's called an active knee, which gives you more range of motion. The knee I've been battling with over the last few years has been very stiff and inactive. I'll actually be able to do more things now, with a bigger range of motion."