Update on knee replacement

13 years ago

This is the first time I have been on here since Aug.25th. I had the total knee replacement done on Aug 26th, no problems. Came home on Tue the 27th. Everything was going good, went for my first PT on Wed the 28th. Still everything was going good. Wed evening I was sitting in the kitchen just going to eat dinner. I passed out & fell to the floor. When that happened it opened my scar. Hubby called 911 & they brought me to our local hospital which is 50 min. away. They called my Dr & he wanted me back to the hospital 2 1/2 hrs away so they could repair the leg. Back to surgery & got to come home on Fri. Sat I passed out again but with the holiday I did not call my Dr, I did not hurt myself. On Sun I passed out again & 911 brought me to our local hospital for tests. Was there for 2 days & had more tests that I can count. Every test came back negative. This has happened a few times over the years but never 3 times in a few days. No one knows why this has happened. My body was run down as I have had 5 surgeries in one year. It has been hard to do what I have to do for my knee but I am doing as much as possible. I know this is long but just wanted to say hi & let everyone know how I made out.

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Comments (14)

Jodi_SoCal
13 years ago
Oh Mary, sounds like you've really had a time of it. Sure hope they get to the bottom of why you're passing out all the time. Thanks for checking in.

Jodi-
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
13 years ago
How scary! The passing out issue is frightening. Keep us informed.
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Well, I did it! Or rather my orthopedic surgeon did. Dr. Pontius gave me a total knee replacement almost five weeks ago. After spending five days in the hospital I came home to the excellent care of my hubby, Bob, instead of going to a rehab facility. The after care provided was very complete and well organized, and I'm told is cheaper for the insurance company than going to rehab. I had RNs, LVNs, a caregiver that helped me shower, and physical therapists in and out of our home almost daily. While there is a lot of discomfort the first two or three weeks round the clock pain meds are provided to take the edge off. Interestingly the anesthesiologist gives you something like a massive novicain injection in the thigh area before surgery (you are 'out' when he does it) which totally negates any severe pain. It lasts for several days allowing you to start physical therapy by walking around your hospital room the day after surgery. I am now walking without a walker or a cane (not very fast, but I'm walking) and I even went outside to water the plants yesterday, as well as going to Olive Garden for lunch with Bob and visiting my daughter where she works. Yes, there is a lot of exercises that must be done a couple of times daily. Some I do almost continually such as scrunching the knee cap muscles while sitting in a recliner as well as moving both legs around and working the feet up and down. At first the therapy is not easy and you think you are never going to be able to extend the knee, but it's amazing how quickly you find that movment works through and lessens the stiffness and soreness. I'm still taking pain meds, but am going longer between doses. A couple of tips I can think of right now: Be sure you get the same pain meds that were working well for you in the hospital. My prescription was initially filled with a generic and it was not the same! I had the ice machine at the hospital and it was wonderful, but one of those pleated ice bags works very well also. We went through a lot of bags of crushed ice before I thought of using a mini ice chest to keep the it in between uses. My drinking water bottle was kept cool in it as well. Elastic compression hose work great to keep the swelling down. I'm still wearing it in the daytime. You may be able to bring them home from the hospital, but if not buy some. Well, that's about it. So far so good. Of course there are certain risks with any major surgery. If the rare complication occurs recovery might take a little longer, but they are taken care of. Whatever, the modern miracle of knee replacement sure beats the alternative of limping around with knee braces and a cane or walker the rest of your life. Happy gardening everybody!
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Hi Lori, Have you been logging and documenting all of the stuff that's been going on since the accident? Including all of the phone calls, the actions ... and your reaction to all of them at the time. Including the funny business with your doc's office. It wouldn't hurt for you to refer to how many times his office had called in such and such a period ... or hadn't (when maybe they should have) when in coversation with him. To have him aware that you're keepng track of his office's shortcomings will likely make him pay more attention to the way in which the situation is developing. I think that you should make as clear records as you can of the ongoing situation with your knee (and other physical situations that might become involved) prior to the accident, as well. Insurance companies pay better attention if you can refer to specific circumstances in such a situation, for they know that you've been recording everything ... which is of interest to not only attornies ... but judges, as well. That makes them less inclined to push you around, if they know that you've recorded everything, I think. And keep the necessary evaluations and treatments going - sooner or later, almost certainly one of the insurance companies is going to have to pony up. Good wishes for pushing to get the evaluations and treatments that you need - as soon as possible. ole joyful
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I am headed for a tkr after we're in our new house - will start the process - pre op appointments, etc. in January. I'm not sure how long it will take after that to have the operation...the doctors have told me to limit walking/hiking after the operation, to switch to nonweightbearing exercise like biking and swimming. I hate water, and the nearest public pool is about 20 miles from here. So - I need to look for an exercise bike, I guess. The only thing I'm dreading - I've heard that many people wind up with catheters afterwards - true? I've had them before and hated the pulling feeling whenever I moved. We're about 30 miles from the hospital where I'll go for the operation, but there is a good PT clinic in our small town, so that's good.
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DH had his surgery 2 weeks ago. I am a huge fan of his doctor and the joint center he and the hospital have put together, but I can't send you that. Each doctor and place will have their own preferences and ways of doing things. DH had a partial nerve block in his thigh for the first 2 days, or nearly -- it ran out a bit early. That helps with the period of greatest pain -- apparently very well. DH really hasn't had many complaints of pain except the stiffness that comes with swelling. His other concern is that he wants to get off the oxycodone as soon as possible but he's still using it. He handles it pretty well, but I can tell he's a little loopy at times. They did suggest taking a dose an hour before PT. The powered icing machine seems to have a lot of fans, but here they sent us home with a Cryo Cuff and that was more of a pain than it was worth. We use a few ice packs in rotation and it has been much easier (we have an XL gel one like they use at the PT office and some Igloo Natural Ice sheets of Target (sold in the camping/outdoor section (where they have lunch boxes and thermoses year round). If her doctor wants her to wear compression stockings, I would have 2 pair and get them in the size for her legs now plus at least one larger size (1 and/or 2 sizes larger) and practice putting them on before the surgery. DH has thigh high stockings on both legs -- not sure if that is until his 6 week check. I don't know how widely available they are, but there is a "baby" company (her words) called ROMTech. The ROMTech is an interactive version of a cycling machine that includes passive, active and resistance pedalling in 6 different circles. I was a skeptic and thought it was just something more for them to bill, but it has been great and DH is swearing by it. He is nearly to his 6 week range of motion goal at just past 2 weeks, he's taking short walks and getting back to near normal activity levels around the house -- he just can't be out and about very long. He credits the ROMTech for helping him get there. I would recommend it to anyone having knee surgery -- if it is available where you are.
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gadgets
13 years ago
Mary, I've been wondering how you were doing. I'm so sorry to hear about your ordeal. And I hope they find out why you're passing out and can put a stop to it. 5 surgeries in one year could really do a number on your body. I pray that it's smooth sailing from now on. Keep us updated as much as you can.

Are you still doing PT? Are you walking okay?

Shirley
phoggie
13 years ago
I am so sorry you are having problems. Stay on this until they find a reason...have you had a good check of your heart? I assume they have done an extensive blood work-up. Although I never passed out, I felt like I would, and ended up having low sodium.

Good luck and keep us informed. Hugs!
pekemom
13 years ago
Sorry you are having problems, I passed out once while in the hospital, in bed, while my husband was visiting, he said he couldn't wake me up, they found out I didn't have enough blood, gave me blood and I was okay after that..my surgery was Oct 22 of last year.
glenda_al
13 years ago
Wow! Sorry to hear! Hope things improve soon and you find why the passing out!

Good luck!
Georgysmom
13 years ago
Gosh, Mary, that's frightening. Bad enough trying to deal with PT and getting the knee in good working order without the passing out ordeal. I sure hope that get to the bottom of it and soon. Keep us posted as to just what is going on.
marie_ndcal
13 years ago
I do hope they can find out why you are passing out. Could be low blood platlets, low sodium, liver problems, not enough water/liquid you drink/ and just stress. Hope you do find out.
jackie_ok
13 years ago
That is scary. Hope they can find out what's going on.
lisa_fla
13 years ago
Glad to hear an update. I've been wondering about you. Hope you aren't home alone during the day. Be careful! Maybe you are doing too much and its your body's way of telling you.
jemdandy
13 years ago
One does not pass out without a cause. In your case, the cause has not been found. For your case, its probably something that is transient. I'm sure your doctors are looking into many factors.

Did you get tunnel vision just before you passed out. In other words, your prerepheral vision went shady or dark and the remaining vision was a circle straight ahead. This effect is typical of a suddent drop of blood sugar (glucose) in diabetics. It is serious because you are slipping into a coma.

The antidote for low glucose (for me) is to eat a teaspoon of sugar or about 5 lifesavers. However, this can be very wrong if the cause is something else.

A drop in blood pressure can cause one to pass out.

My mother in her old age admitted to me that she had passed out a few times while taking a bath. After she talked a bit, I gathered that it happened when she raised her arms to a certain position to towel off her face and hair while standing. She was a difficult patient with the doctor and I doubt the she confided with the doctor about this problem.

I wish you well.
sjerin
13 years ago
Wow, that sounds scary--I hope they figure out why you're passing out. My dd once did so when she yawned and turned her head at the same time. I'm sure your cause is not so simple! Good for you for trying to do as much pt as possible. I hope you are getting good rest as well. Welcome back!
mary3444
Original Author
13 years ago
I want to thank everyone for your good wishes.

I will answer some of your questions.

I am still going to to PT 3 days a week. My knee is doing very good & my range of motion is 125 which they say is great. My problem is my ankle. The Dr said when you have knee surgery your ankle will swell but when I fell the first time I hurt it. By the end of the day the ankle is 3 times the size it should be. I am having PT on that too.

marie-ndcal, they have checked me for everything you asked about & all was normal.

lisa fl, I am not home alone, my husband is here with me. I am not doing too much but my body was run down with that many surgeries in 1 year. 1 surgery was planned but the others were not.

jemdandy, I know there has to be a reason for my passing out but no one has been able to find out why. I do not get tunnel vision before I pass out. I was talking to my husband & in the middle of saying something I stopped & was on the floor. I have no warning at all. This is not the first time I have passed out, this has happened over the years & many many tests.

I don't think there is a test out there that I have not had & all have come back that I am fine.
ivamae
13 years ago
You don't by any chance have low thyroid, do you? I passed out on the front lawn and after doing a lot of research myself, and with my Dr.s help, we found my iodine level was low. Now that they have had me snacking on pretzels or chips, it has come up and has made a huge difference. Who would have thought it? The soil in our area is apparently low in iodine, so must always use iodized salt in everything that needs salt.
Hope you soon find out what is causing the problem

Update on knee replacement

Comments (14)

Jodi_SoCal

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

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Update on knee replacement

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mary3444Original Author

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