Knee replacement thoughts
satine100
2 years ago
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Comments (50)
cooper8828
2 years agoRelated Discussions
What are your feelings on total knee replacement?
Comments (31)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!...See MoreCan we talk about knee replacement?
Comments (13)My daughter had both knees replaced. 1st one at age of 42 and 2nd one at 44. They kept putting her off because of age until she was nearly crippled. She is a nurse and was on her feet constantly at that time. The Dr. apologized after the lst surgery as he saw how bad the knee had gotten. His theory was that you would probably need it done again in 10-12 years. She had both knees scoped and had taken the shots. Nothing helped until after the surgery. It has been 10 years for the lst one and she is doing great. I had my left knee replaced two months after she did. Had tried the shots and lived on pain pills. It really helped me that she had already been through all this and cheered me on. Stayed in rehab 11 days because I could not bend the knee to the degree they wanted. Could walk but just could not get the knee to bend enough. It was tedious but really learned a lot about how to take care of your legs. Didn't realize how important it is about getting in a car and how you sit down in a chair and getting in and out of a bed. I had done all of them wrong. Am a complete wimp so the recovery was quite a bit longer for me, about 3 months. Our precious granddaughter stayed with us and carried lots of bags of ice and took me to therapy 3 times a week. Lots of people recover much sooner but doctor said some people's nerve endings (or something like that) was closer to the surface and they could not stand pain. That was definitely me! It is so important to do all the exercises they give you because that will determine how flexible you are later. Still have trouble getting that knee to bend good, but was so excited when it got to the point that I could get on my knees to do my gardening. While I was in rehab there was a lady that was 70 and had just had the surgery. Said she would have the 2nd one done about 4 months later. Thought I would throw up just thinking about it. They say that "usually" you have to have the 2nd one done as you have probably damaged it giving in to the bad one. Thank goodness I have not had to do that. Hope this helps and good luck. Dora Lou...See More~Remember My Knee Replacement Surgery..
Comments (45)Oh my good friends! I love and appreciate all you so much! Reading your replies has lifted my spirits and my courage. Honestly! Since I have no choice in the matter (well, I do have a choice: stop doing anything that requires the use of my left leg.....) I might as well have a good attitude. Knowing I can come here for support means a great deal! In answer to the questions...I hope I don't miss any!... Fear and terror is how I lost the weight. Truly. See, the joint works fine. The weakness, pain and swelling is in the femor and the tibia. Any exertion created problems. My leg hurt while I was sleeping. When I started feeling the prongs of the joint moving around is when I got serious about weight loss. Basically I cut out the sweets and used portion control. If I wanted to have a dessert, I didn't eat bread or potatoes with the meal. I pretty much ate what I wanted but the portions were very very small. Eating a high protein breakfast each day kept me from snacking. Two months of physical therapy helped immensely and now I am in pretty good shape. I blew it the last week what with the holiday sweets and treats but they are all gone now. Insurance: My insurance will pay for the second surgery. However, everything involved in this process is in subrogation. If you recall, immediately after the accident my surgeon's PA read the radiation scan and scheduled a knee revision for the following month but I could not get into the see the surgeon for another ten days. During that ten days I got calls from every insurance company involved, including our health insurance, wanting to record or conversations and asking me to sign documents. This is when I sought the advice of an attorney. I told the surgeon I could not agree to another surgery until I knew the bills would be paid which is when he said the knee was not injured and told me to carry on with normal activities and come back in a year. Basically I have turned everything over to an attorney. The last time we spoke he mentioned a settlement. I told him for now all I was concerned about is the bills got paid. You see, there is still over three thousand dollars of medical bills incurred immediately after the accident that have not been paid. For now I just want to be able to walk again and stay out of the poor house. As some of you pointed out this time around I know what to expect and can prepare. Thank you for putting this into perspective for me. The surgeon says I will spend at least three days in the hospital for physical therapy. I spent less that 24 hours in the hospital the first time around which horrified my current doctor. He said he requred more time to observe and monitor my progress before letting me get over a hundred miles away from him. The first time I was told I couldn't go home until I learned how to use crutches. Considering I've spent a LOT of time on crutches in my life (this is the twelve surgery on this leg since I was a kid) I proved in a hurry I was crutch-competent. LOL I got in the room at 8 o'clock at night and was on my way home by 8:30 the next morning. I came home with a staph infection (something the surgeon was not very concerned about; they referred me to our family doctor for treatment) which set me back considerably in my recovery. Apparently my current knee can't be re-used. It will have to replaced. I wonder if they will let me keep it? LOL This leg has been broken, set, rebroken and reset and the knee rebuilt once and I have the hardware from each episode. I'd like to have the knee to add to my collection. LOL How morbid is that? Thanks again everyone. I appreciate it! I will keep you updated. Lori...See MoreTips - knee replacement surgery
Comments (35)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....See MoreZalco/bring back Sophie!
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