I think you might like the Shark Steam Mop. It works great on any kind of floor mess that I've run across, and I imagine it would do fine with dog drool. I clean up all kinds of sticky, gloppy kitchen messes off my maple hardwood floor....it is amazing how dried up stuff dissolves with the application of the steam. If you like the effect of the vinegar on your floors, spritz some on the floor before you use the mop, as you can't put anything but water in the mop chamber. The Shark has a microfiber pad that you can toss to the floor and then put the mop right on it, as the velcro will grab the pad. You really don't have to bend over at all while using it.

Oh you folks here are "the bomb!"!! We didn't inquire much about PT...we were pretty surprised about the "Best-fix" diagnosis! Still trying to wrap my head around "needing a re-lined" knee & knee-cap!!!! Such an Uffda moment don'cha know...;-) In a way, I got kinda "numb" to all the different joint-repair stories/advancements over so many years. It just becomes kind of a "back-of-mind" thought...something I NEVER thought would "apply to me". Well surprise Faron...it's in your LAP now! The more I think about it, I lean towards the surgery. "Get it fixed RIGHT...the FIRST time!" I'm not scared of surgery at all for the most part. As Marti inquired about, late fall/winter is the slower time at work overall. I'd rather be back to full-speed by spring!! The Dr. did mention Synovisc (sp??) shots, & that many do get some relief for a time. Others don't realize much benefit. He'd also be fine with "scoping" for now. It would help with my minor swelling for a time, but doesn't really address the REAL issue. He's been in Fargo now since 1980, & did 3 hip procedures on DW's Dad. Very well thought of in Fargo & our tri-state area. I'm comfortable with him. He took a lot of time to explain everything! Faron

Hello out East Ajsmama! (Wow! 400lbs.?!?!?! Never thought of it that way!) I didn't need an Rx for the "chiller", lol! I just asked if it was mine to use at home, & they said "sure". I think they send the machines with every knee patient. I think I mentioned previously somewhere here, we "pay" for it anyway, buried in the billing...?! Oh well, it sure helps! I didn't mean that I'm heavily swollen at the end of the day. There is slight swelling though, and only the knee itself. Not down into the ankle/lower-leg at all. The muscles around the knee do get tired & stiff though! And the MCL-area, where it was reinforced & re-anchored, still gets sore occasionally thru the day. I also do a lot of stretching as I mentioned. So, I figure, just to help the healing, I put ice in the bucket, fill it with water, plug it in, & cool-off the knee! Certainly doesn't hurt anything! (bought another 20lb. bag 2 days ago....) You could ask the hospital staff/Dr.'s if there's an Rx for it possible?! At least trying is free! Do keep me/us updated on your DF! Again...tell him & your Mom, there's a guy in Fargo, ND that's sending good wishes waaaaayyy out east! Faron

Wow! Lotsa good tips here!! Cyn & OSP- Haven't thought about a Chiro yet! B4 the new knee, my L shoe would always wear noticeably on the inside rear heel. Now, there is no uneven wear! So...I spose my hip is reflecting pain from being RE-aligned? >>> How close to the floor do you hold the weight? I did see a Chiro ~~4yrs ago, because my neck, trapezious, & L-shoulder were getting so tight. Frozen-shoulder syndrome I guess?! They would work into the shoulder/cuff muscles, & manipulate the Supraspinatus (?) muscle. Hurt a lot at first, but got a lot better after more manipulation. Stretching it does help, so I'm gonna try your exercise! April- Are there some good youtube hip-stretching vids? Busybee3- I had good rom b4. By ~~2 months, had full rom back. I stretched it a LOT! THANK GOD for that icing machine!!! Faron