Total Knee replacement

[Robb]

Who here has had one? I'm due for one. What would you recommend I do to get through the recovery period as easy as posssible?
I just got done with 30 minutes on an excercise bike, lifted some weights and will stretch my hamstrings in a bit. I can't do squats at all, left knee is still unstable and I'm still on one crutch.
I'd sure like to hear any tips and pointers from anyone who's gone through a total knee replacement before.

[encorehunter]

I only had half of my left knee done about 3 weeks ago. I just did a lot of stretching and movement. Leg lifts while bending and straightening 3-4 times a day.

[Great-Kazoo]

well i'll make a suggestion for you and anyone else having a TKA, as it's called. See if your ins co will cover an allergy testing procedure BEFORE you have the procedure. You can say nahhh never happen to me.

Well who knew it's actually more prevalent than surgeons will admit. That some people are allergic to either the device or compound that secures it to your bone. Take it from someone who went through a bunch of yes men who were more interested in protecting their ass, than acknowledging there was an issue. When you inquire and the surgeon says Oh that's a 1 in a million chance. Ask them , if so. why is there a company offering this service?

It runs approx $4-500 for a solid answer, to know if there's an issue ahead of time
https://www.orthopedicanalysis.com/

Orthopedic Analysis was established to help doctors and patients diagnose metal allergy:

Before surgery to prevent hypersensitivity related problems
After surgery when material hypersensitivity is suspected.
We provide unrivaled expertise in hypersensitivity testing for:

Allergic sensitivity to implant metals
Orthopedic metals and plastics
Dental Materials
General Immune Hypersensitivity Responses

[MrPrena]

After 1st surgery, I made appointment for physical therapy. My last surgery, we had to fit the physical therapy appt because it is booked month ahead.

Uc health physical therapy is great but too damn crowded.

Coordinate the home physical therapy (if insurance allows) for 10-14 days, and try to coordinate outpatient physical therapy at least few weeks before surgery to have all the recovery schedule set.

[cableguy11]

When I had my hip replaced I loaded up on Turmeric to help with the swelling, and I bought one of those circulating cold water machines to ice it down. I probably could have gone back to work within 2-3 weeks. Now yours is more complex, but I think those things really helped out alot.

[Lurch]

Sitting at just over a month and half on mine. Stay on the pain meds because it effing hurts. I thought I had a high pain tolerance and this brought me to tears a few times. Ice Ice baby and elevation, get an ice machine with the circulation wrap and use it nonstop. Getting your range of motion back is crucial so get to PT as often as possible. Riding a stationary bike is the best for breaking up scar tissue but work on your quads and calfs.

Good luck

[blm28]

Just 5 months having my right knee done. Only had formal therapy once a week for 5 weeks, but was given home exercises that I did 3 to 4 times a day. I still do some exercises every day especially flexibility. Second the ice machine. I iced after all home exercise sessions. I think it is a good idea to do strength exercises prior to surgery. Everybody is different but my pain was not that bad. I was off pain meds after two weeks and was able to drive by three weeks.

Good Luck

[asystejs]

My wife had both knees replaced a year apart.
The PT afterwards is critical to smooth recovery.
She was back at light part time work after 10 days each time and walking a mile after 4-ish weeks.

Panorama Orthopedics and Colorado Ortho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCvYDv4kP2Y

[MrPrena]

As people mentioned ice ice ice.
I should have bought the bag polar ice care system on ebay.

[Gman]

I bought a cryotherapy unit for my shoulder surgery - https://smile.amazon.com/Kit-Cold-Rush-Knee-Pad/dp/B0040OD2IO. It held ice longer than the super expensive unit that was rented for the first week of recovery. Purchase was waaay cheaper than the rental price too. I bought the pads for foot/ankle, knee, shoulder, and back/other flat areas. Was well worth it. The ice kept the swelling and pain down and was able to deal with pain via NSAIDs instead of opiods.

[Robb]

thanks for the info in the ice machine. I didn't know I needed to buy one. I talk to the surgeon this coming wed so I'll be more informed then. Thanks for the links.

[MrPrena]

Yeah, typically ice machine are covered by some insurance, and need to pay out of pocket.
Pretty good ice machines on amazon/ebay. I should have bought one.


Cheap way : I use to carry 2 ice bags inside the individual icebox/cooler during summer after surgery.

Thin towel on top of knee
Ice pouch/bag on top of thin towel
wrap it with shrink wrap.

[cableguy11]

thanks for the info in the ice machine. I didn't know I needed to buy one. I talk to the surgeon this coming wed so I'll be more informed then. Thanks for the links.

You can borrow mine, just get the Knee pad portion of it. I won't be back in Colorado till the end of the month though...

[Irving]

Whatever you do, get the warranty this time.

[8Ring]

Here is my post from Glacktalk in December 2018:

I had my right knee replaced in November 2017. I had two previous arthroscopic procedures on the right knee (10/06 and 1/17) so I was familia with surgeries and rehab. I knew there was almost no cartilege remaining on the right tibia and fibula. By October 2017 I could hardly walk more than a 1/2 mile without significant pain.

Here are my suggestions.

1. Do "pre-habilitation" meaning exercises to strengthen your knee as much as possible before the surgery. I was and am a fairly avid road bike rider so my right leg was in fairly good shape before the knee surgery. (This helped my recovery.)

2. Prepare your home prior to the surgery so you can cope with your limited mobility post-surgery. Get a raised toilet seat and a seat for your shower. Both will be needed.

3. Your spouse / significant other should be aware that your sleep will be difficult for the first few weeks post-surgery. You will move around alot at night trying to find a comfortable position. My wife slept in the guest bedroom for the first 5 weeks after surgery. We were both happier.

4. You won't be able to drive for a couple of weeks so arrange transportation to your doctor and physical therapy appointments.

5. Select a physical therapist before the surgery. Ask him / her of their experience with knee replacements. Chose a therapist with whom you are comfortable but who will also push you when needed.

6. Your hospital may have a pre-surgery educational program. Go to it, take notes, and ask questions.

7. Discuss the procedure with your doctor and physician assistant and ask questions. Find out what kind of prothesis will be used. My doctor used a Stryker Tri-Athlete prothesis but I'm sure there are other good ones.

8. When you arrive in the operating room, you first notice that it is very cold. There's a medical reason for this. You will not recognize your doctor or physician assistant as they will be wearing what look like haz-mat suits. On the table behind them you will see an array of hardware and protheses. They use one of these.

9. When you wake up in the recovery room you will see that your knee is very swollen, perhaps red, with the incision held together by numerous stitches or staples. I had 34 staples in mine. You will have some pain but it will be manageable. You will perform exercises in your hospital bed and will need assistance getting to the bathroom. You may or may not need a catheter. You will get out of bed and move around the room or hallway with help of a rehab worker. They will see if you can get out of bed, use your cane or walker properly, and maybe even go up and down a few stairs.

10. If all is going well you will go home the next day. Now the fun begins. The nerve block yoiu got before surgery wears off in 24-36 hours and then the pain hits you smack in the face.

11. You will be prescribed a pain killer. Mine was Oxycodone 5 mg, a rather low dose. During the first ten days, I needed to take one every 4 hours and keep a couple on the nightstand to take during the night. My useage decreased thereafter but I still needed to take one before lights out so I could get to sleep. By seven weeks after the surgery I was basically off the Oxycodone.

12. About two weeks after the surgery I tried to be a hero and stopped the Oxycodone. It was a dumb move because I didn't sleep and had more difficulty at physical therapy. I resumed the regimen described above and got back on track.

13. Any opiate based pain killer will cause constipation. Be prepared to deal with it including obtaining enema equipment if necessary.

14. Sleep and physical therapy are vital to your recovery. Don't skimp on either. My physical therapy appointments were 90 minutes long and were well worht the time and effort. Follow the therpist's instructions, try to push through moderate discomfort, and do your home exercises.

I completed my physical therapy (18 sessions) 8 weeks after surgery. I had 135 degrees of knee flexion which was quite good. Pain with everyday activities was gone after 10-12 weeks. I started riding my indoor training bike 3 months after the surgery. My leg strength has come to near what it was before surgery.

You will have limitations even after a completely successful surgery and recovery. Jogging, running, playing basketball, racquetball, etc. are strictly forbidden. Moderate hiking is OK as long as you don't hike downhill on steep or rocky trails. Balance on the surgical leg is not a good as on the non-surgical leg. My doctor doesn't want me to ride my bike more than 25 miles at a time but I sometimes exceed that with no after-effects.

I am very satisfied with my outcome. My surgery, pain, and rehab were neither a "walk in the park" nor a protracted ordeal. If you have tackled other challenges in your life, you can probably tackle knee replacement surgery and will enjoy improved (but not perfect) quality of life afterwards.

Good luck.

[Robb]

8Ring,
Awesome info, thanks for sharing. It really helps knowing what to expect.

[MrPrena]

3 month temp place card.

[8Ring]

8Ring,
Awesome info, thanks for sharing. It really helps knowing what to expect.

Don't bother with an ice machine. Get a couple of 2 lb. bags of frozen peas or corn. Take one out of the freezer, wrap it in a thin towel and put it on your knee. Repeat as necessary.