View Full Version : Knee replacement
Anybody had a knee replacement done? Dear GOD this fuckin' hurts.....and the Oxycodone/Percocet only keeps me awake, and makes me itch. Day 2, they say Day 3 is the worst one. Fuck me......
Bailey Guns
10-01-2021, 14:09
Haven't had knee replacement but I'm with you on the opioids. Can't sleep at all, they don't really do anything for the pain for me, make me itch all over and I get constipated. I just refuse to take them. I'd rather deal with the pain.
Good luck...
Martinjmpr
10-01-2021, 14:09
I didn't but both my parents did. Yeah, I know it sucks at first. Have you started PT yet?
jimbolay
10-01-2021, 14:28
My mom had her knee replaced when she was 97 She cannot take opioids so she used CBD transdermal patches and said they managed her pain better than any prescription drugs (before and after the knee replacement). She continues to use them for chronic back pain.
BushMasterBoy
10-01-2021, 14:29
Maybe it is inflammation. Have you tried prednisone? Tylenol? Ibuprofen?
hate reading threads like this because one day, in the not so distant future, I'll be looking at two total knee replacements. Not looking forward to it.
Good luck and hope the pain begins to ease soon for ya.
Great-Kazoo
10-01-2021, 14:59
I have and it was a failure, from day 1. Throw in a decent portion of ortho surgeons are too busy covering each others ass. To be honest when a surgeon screws up.
Here's a link to a place that does testing to see if you have any metal allergies. I highly suggest, Nay. will tell you. To spend the $$, if your ins co doesn't cover the test. Prior to having any replacement.
https://www.orthopedicanalysis.com/
oxy and Tylenol for pain, NSAIDs for inflammation. Asprin for blood clog on surgery.
(sub asprin with love lovenox Enoxaparin sodium for anticoagulant during tkr).
wait till physical therapy.
more pain. :(
I just did an orthoscopic and doing 2x week physical therapy.
BTW.
full blown gout hurts 25x more than tkr.
I would rather have 3 tkr than 1 full gout.
I once had full blown gout and took asprin before I knew anything about it. I wanted to amputate my leg.
gout+asprin = pain so bad that I wanted to cut my own leg of.
Haven't had knee replacement but I'm with you on the opioids. Can't sleep at all, they don't really do anything for the pain for me, make me itch all over and I get constipated. I just refuse to take them. I'd rather deal with the pain.
Good luck...
Just found out today that a 6oz juice glass of lightly warmed prune juice does wonders for constipation. But warmed, not cold.
I've heard something called Colchicine is good for gout.
I've heard something called Colchicine is good for gout.
yes. :)
I haven't had gout for over 6 years but I have bottle of colchicine ready just in case.
BTW. have ice bag or polar ice machine handy as well.
it's been~ 4 years since I had the surgery and I still get chills when I see the scar.
best way is just remind myself that it is my own knee.
hate reading threads like this because one day, in the not so distant future, I'll be looking at two total knee replacements. Not looking forward to it.
Good luck and hope the pain begins to ease soon for ya.
Me too. My right knee is 80-90 gone and the latest round of injections isn't doing great. Still nursing a sprain in the left knee about 8 weeks now. Tomorrow is Antelope opener but we're mostly road hunting private land in 105.
Hope you feel better soon Ron.
Me too. My right knee is 80-90 gone and the latest round of injections isn't doing great. Still nursing a sprain in the left knee about 8 weeks now. Tomorrow is Antelope opener but we're mostly road hunting private land in 105.
Hope you feel better soon Ron.
Thanks man! Good luck with the speed goats.
Thanks man! Good luck with the speed goats.
Looking at getting a replacement in a few months, Lube injections aren't working and Steroids don't last. Not looking forward to PT but need to do something!
Supposed to take 1 hr and it sounds like a routine procedure like a brake job. Kazoo had some great advice on metal allergies, certainly worth checking out.
speaking of metal, gotta tell the tsa/court/etc prior about tkr. if you tell them early, you might end up finishing up checkpoint earlier than normal metal detector line.
Great-Kazoo
10-01-2021, 19:29
Looking at getting a replacement in a few months, Lube injections aren't working and Steroids don't last. Not looking forward to PT but need to do something!
Supposed to take 1 hr and it sounds like a routine procedure like a brake job. Kazoo had some great advice on metal allergies, certainly worth checking out.
Most if not all ortho surgeons will tell you. Oh that's a 1 in a million issue, if that. The surgeon i saw who said we need to do a metal allergy test. Had a waiting room full of 1 in a million patients with some form of metal allergy reaction. When we visited the mayo for a 2nd opinion after the 3rd tke came loose. That surgeon said metal allergies are an often overlooked problem that we see a lot of here.
Both the 2nd & 3rd were press fit, unfortunately with bone being porous. The damage from the metals in the epoxy compound had already done their damage
Never had any weird allergies that I know of, just cat dander, wheat dust, and some grass pollens.
Wife used to be a travel agent and is pretty sure there's some kind of ID card you can/should get to present to TSA at airports.
My surgeon is with Kaiser and is top-notch. All he does is knee and hip replacements. Mine took 2 hours, was home that afternoon.
encorehunter
10-01-2021, 19:51
I was up and walking the day of surgery, they released me that afternoon. They anesthetic wore off on the drive home, though they said it would last much longer. I couldn't get meds until the next day. The first three days were bad. On the fourth day I quit taking the hyrocodone and moved to ibuprofen. It was still painful, but bearable. I was able to begin walking a mile after a week, back to work in two weeks after giving the doctor a mild heart attack. At day 8 after surgery, I climbed a 75 foot ladder in full bunker gear and made my firefighter video it to show him. His comment was,"You know you just had a major surgery, right?" I replied, "Apparently you did a good job." I have been working since, with only minor pain compared to what I was in before.
I don't like reading these threads, and I don't have any knee/joint issues. :/
I was up and walking the day of surgery, they released me that afternoon. They anesthetic wore off on the drive home, though they said it would last much longer. I couldn't get meds until the next day. The first three days were bad. On the fourth day I quit taking the hyrocodone and moved to ibuprofen. It was still painful, but bearable. I was able to begin walking a mile after a week, back to work in two weeks after giving the doctor a mild heart attack. At day 8 after surgery, I climbed a 75 foot ladder in full bunker gear and made my firefighter video it to show him. His comment was,"You know you just had a major surgery, right?" I replied, "Apparently you did a good job." I have been working since, with only minor pain compared to what I was in before.
Y'all be crazy!
This thread reminds me of post whore thread.
we talk about joint surgeries there.
I forgot who was suppose to get a knee replacement from that thread.
Great-Kazoo
10-02-2021, 00:43
I don't like reading these threads, and I don't have any knee/joint issues. :/
Or prostrate issues, either.
Yet.
I've had both knees replaced, the right knee in November 2017 and the left knee in June. Both have been successful. The first two weeks after the surgery will suck due to pain, stiffness, and swelling. If your pain medications aren't working, call your doctor and get something that will keep your pain at a manageable level (no zero pain) so you can sleep and participate in physical therapy both of which are vital to your recovery. For me, 5mg of hydrocodone worked as well as 5mg of Oxycodone and caused far less constipation. YMMV. (Eat veggies and take stool softeners.) Start physical therapy as soon as possible to improve range of motion. Do the home exercises that were suggested to lower the risk of blood clots. For me, things slowly and gradually improved after about two weeks. I have an excellent physical therapist who guided my recoveries, provided encouragement, and showed me how I was making progress. Finally, patience, a good attitude, and support from your family are also important. Good luck with your recovery.
theGinsue
10-02-2021, 08:23
My knees have been destroyed since before I retired from the Air Force in '05. I know knee replacement is in my future but I'm holding off as long as I can because of stories like yours Ron.
Brother, I'm sorry that you're going through this and hope that the pain decreases a lot and very soon.
One bit of wisdom I learned from when my mother in law got her knees replaced was to ensure you do the PT but don't let the therapist push you too far too fast. My MIL had to have one of her replacements replaced because the PT therapist pushed her too hard and it damaged the knee. When it's time, go slow - but always move forward.
I feel for you brother; I really do.
biggest side effect for my tkr was arthrofibrosis. it is one of the most common issues for some after any major joint surgery.
make sure you are not one who generate scar tissues ( fibrosis) before any joint surgery.
I had 2 manipulation under anesthesia and 2 surgeries to get rid of those fibers around my joint.
Well, I actually feel much better this morning of Day 3! Swelling and tightness are down, and I can sleep now. Lots of ice helps a lot, and swapping the Oxycodone for Tramadol made a huge difference.
wctriumph
10-03-2021, 12:49
Good to hear you are doing better, Ron. I know that I will be getting tkr at some point, a lot of my friends have had it done. Good luck and I hope that you will recover fully.
Good to hear you are doing better, Ron. I know that I will be getting tkr at some point, a lot of my friends have had it done. Good luck and I hope that you will recover fully.
Thank you, much appreciated! And IMO - this is NOT something one should attempt to do solo, as in "I don't need any help, I got this" - no, you need help. And grab bars added, and dual handrails on stairs, and a good quality walker, and good quality gloves with padded palms for the walker, someone to carry the walker from downstairs to upstairs - or two walkers, etc.
This has been eye-opening, I sure recommend doing homework and getting ready as much as possible.....
Thank you, much appreciated! And IMO - this is NOT something one should attempt to do solo, as in "I don't need any help, I got this" - no, you need help. And grab bars added, and dual handrails on stairs, and a good quality walker, and good quality gloves with padded palms for the walker, someone to carry the walker from downstairs to upstairs - or two walkers, etc.
This has been eye-opening, I sure recommend doing homework and getting ready as much as possible.....
Great advise RD, glad your'e doing well.
Great advise RD, glad your'e doing well.
Thank you sir! And FWIW, I've encountered several folks that "know somebody" that "had BOTH knees done at once - and in MY opinion - no! Hell NO!!! I can't even imagine that, unless you live in a big, single-level ranch house with no stairs/steps.....
I've heard something called Colchicine is good for gout.
Yep. I keep it on-hand. At least it's a generic again. That fast-track patent for Cholchrys was criminal for what it did to people that need it.
FKR seems to be tougher for recovery than hip replacement. Biggest relief for me going through recovery for major joint surgery has been cold therapy. Better than pain meds.
Thank you sir! And FWIW, I've encountered several folks that "know somebody" that "had BOTH knees done at once - and in MY opinion - no! Hell NO!!! I can't even imagine that, unless you live in a big, single-level ranch house with no stairs/steps.....
Some people do both because they know they'll chicken out on the second knee after going through the pain of the first.
I got my right knee replaced because I couldn't walk more that a half-mile due to pain. Stepping off a curb onto the right leg was a painful experience. If I was standing on a bus and it hit a bump, I got a sharp pain in my knee. Before my left knee surgery, if I got up from a chair and my left foot was not pointed straight ahead, it felt like someone stuck a knife in my knee. Climbing stairs was painful and playing golf or hiking down a any trail were impossible. Now that both surgeries were successful, I have no knee pain and have resumed normal activities. I can't jog, downhill ski, do deep knee bends (squats), or hike down steep rocky trails but those are my only limitations. The point is that I went through the pain, discomfort, and inconvenience of these surgeries to improve function and I'm glad I did.
encorehunter
10-04-2021, 06:52
One other thing I learned after surgery. About a month after, my 6 year old wanted my to do a canonball off the diving board. I hit the water with my legs bent and it bent my foot back to my butt. I almost drowned due to the pain.
Regular diving is OK. Canonballs bad.
Thank you sir! And FWIW, I've encountered several folks that "know somebody" that "had BOTH knees done at once - and in MY opinion - no! Hell NO!!! I can't even imagine that, unless you live in a big, single-level ranch house with no stairs/steps.....
many will not recommend 2 at once. at least uc health anschutz.
never seen anyone who did 2 at once even at the physical therapy places
ChickNorris
10-04-2021, 10:39
Friend of mine did both @ once a few years ago.
Most if not all ortho surgeons will tell you. Oh that's a 1 in a million issue, if that. The surgeon i saw who said we need to do a metal allergy test. Had a waiting room full of 1 in a million patients with some form of metal allergy reaction. When we visited the mayo for a 2nd opinion after the 3rd tke came loose. That surgeon said metal allergies are an often overlooked problem that we see a lot of here.
Both the 2nd & 3rd were press fit, unfortunately with bone being porous. The damage from the metals in the epoxy compound had already done their damage
I took a quick look at you link for testing.
The first three on the list
Aluminum
Cobalt
Chromium
Everyone will test positive for reactions to those.
Very few implant materials are elements; most are alloys.
As an example, everyone "knows" that nickel is bad for you. Go get a poorly gold plated cheap ring and see what it does as soon as the very thin gold layer wears off. It is even in panel 1 of you link.
But take a typical implant alloy. MP35N. (it stand for Multiphase Nickel alloy 35%) It is 35% Nickel, 20% Chromium, 10% Moly (nominal).
Millions upon millions of pacemaker lead wires have been manufactured with MP35N and are implanted on a daily basis. This has been used 35+ years. Yet the MP35N isn't an issue.
Testing against sensitivity to elemental metals is disingenuous at best. They need to be testing the specific alloys as they behave much different.
I doubt you would use essentially pure iron surgical tools, but that same iron when alloyed turns into 316L surgical stainless steel.
Great-Kazoo
10-04-2021, 12:09
I took a quick look at you link for testing.
The first three on the list
Aluminum
Cobalt
Chromium
Everyone will test positive for reactions to those.
Very few implant materials are elements; most are alloys.
As an example, everyone "knows" that nickel is bad for you. Go get a poorly gold plated cheap ring and see what it does as soon as the very thin gold layer wears off. It is even in panel 1 of you link.
But take a typical implant alloy. MP35N. (it stand for Multiphase Nickel alloy 35%) It is 35% Nickel, 20% Chromium, 10% Moly (nominal).
Millions upon millions of pacemaker lead wires have been manufactured with MP35N and are implanted on a daily basis. This has been used 35+ years. Yet the MP35N isn't an issue.
Testing against sensitivity to elemental metals is disingenuous at best. They need to be testing the specific alloys as they behave much different.
I doubt you would use essentially pure iron surgical tools, but that same iron when alloyed turns into 316L surgical stainless steel.
Disingenuous is hardly the word i'd use. Lots of people have had allergic reactions to knee implants. But what do i know on the subject.
I got my right knee replaced because I couldn't walk more that a half-mile due to pain. Stepping off a curb onto the right leg was a painful experience. If I was standing on a bus and it hit a bump, I got a sharp pain in my knee. Before my left knee surgery, if I got up from a chair and my left foot was not pointed straight ahead, it felt like someone stuck a knife in my knee. Climbing stairs was painful and playing golf or hiking down a any trail were impossible. Now that both surgeries were successful, I have no knee pain and have resumed normal activities. I can't jog, downhill ski, do deep knee bends (squats), or hike down steep rocky trails but those are my only limitations. The point is that I went through the pain, discomfort, and inconvenience of these surgeries to improve function and I'm glad I did.
That's what I want/need, real-world experience - thank you!
Well, today is exactly 1 week out, Day 7. First few days had a pretty high suck factor. The Oxycodone pain pills were a big part of that though - much better using Tramadol. But I've been moving around like they told me to.
Went to 1st PT appt yesterday, the tech was flabbergasted - he said my range of motion and mobility is FAR ahead of normal 1-week levels. He was amazed.
Today, I've discovered I can easily walk without walker or cane support - but I'm not going to push things.
So, overall - doing great! Still have some ugly swelling and bruising, but that's normal. Ice and elevation baby!
Great to hear!
Thanks! I'm diggin' it.
that's good news. Glad to hear that you're on the mend...
that's good news. Glad to hear that you're on the mend...
Thank you!
BushMasterBoy
10-06-2021, 17:49
I like Tramadol, stops the pain pretty well. After the third day, I'm addicted. The with drawls are horrible. You are right oxycodone was much easier.
I don't like reading these threads, and I don't have any knee/joint issues. :/
Keep climbing ladders and rooftops, and that status might change. You might want to consider joint health supplements, wish I had - but I had injuries too.
I like Tramadol, stops the pain pretty well. After the third day, I'm addicted. The with drawls are horrible. You are right oxycodone was much easier.
Sure you don't have that backwards? Tramadol works great for me, it's the goddamned Oxycodone that gives me fits.
BushMasterBoy
10-06-2021, 18:08
One day they will practice medicine with a DNA profile that gives genetic markers indicative of side effects. Everybody is different, treat them all the same...
I am probably just asking for way too much.
Thanks! I'm diggin' it.
Keep up with the updates. Your recommendations of grab bars and handrails is well noted.
Glad to hear things are doing well, I'm convinced some of those PT ladies are actually Catholic Nuns doing sadistic side work (grew up in Catholic school)!
Thanks for the insight Ron, SOMEONE might be a little nervous about his surgery approaching on Knee Replacement and it's nice to follow someone's post op PT and recovery.
Much appreciated.
Keep up with the updates. Your recommendations of grab bars and handrails is well noted.
Glad to hear things are doing well, I'm convinced some of those PT ladies are actually Catholic Nuns doing sadistic side work (grew up in Catholic school)!
Thanks for the insight Ron, SOMEONE might be a little nervous about his surgery approaching on Knee Replacement and it's nice to follow someone's post op PT and recovery.
Much appreciated.
Hey, no problem - happy to actually contribute something here!
Another tip - our bedrooms are upstairs, adding two new handrails was a godsend, as I expected. But.....I didn't think about the walker - getting it upstairs too.
My wife carried it up a few times, then I tied a rope to the railing upstairs. Now, I tie the walker on the rope, gimp up the stairs, then haul the walker up with the rope. Easy peasy.
Oh, ice! We borrowed a Donjoy Iceman machine from a friend. It has a pad and straps to attach it to your knee, you fill it with ice and water, and it circulates ice water through the pad. Works awesome! But you'll need lots of ice and some good way to apply the cold to the swollen areas.
Here's a great icing tip I forgot to mention. Get one of these ice bags and a bottle of plain old rubbing alcohol. Pour the alcohol in the bag, then use empty bottle to put two bottles of water in the bag. Put the cap on, burp the air out, tighten the cap, put in freezer.
This thing will freeze, but will not freeze hard. It'll stay pliable, take it out of the freezer and squish it to shape and go. But - it gets REALLY cold! So use a thin towel or something over your hide. I've had one of these in our freezer for 16 years, still as good as day one.
87898
Sleeping - you'll want, and need, to sleep a lot while recovering. But if you use a CPAP machine while sleeping, MAKE SURE the water tank is full! Get up to pee - refill the tank before crashing again. Trust me, your water tank goes dry and you end up breathing hot, dry air pumped right into your schnozz - your sinuses will get inflamed like you won't believe and you'll be MISERABLE! Not a pleasant companion to knee surgery, or life in general.
Also, when your leg is all swollen, in pain, and difficult to move - simple shit like rolling over in bed can be difficult. I got lucky, we have a headboard that has places I can grab, to help me roll over, etc. You might want to think of ways to make this easier.
Progress update - this is Day 11 and I'm doing great! Have been walking unsupported since Day 7, only using my cane when needed. Range of motion is excellent. Swelling is almost gone and bruising is fading. Thigh muscles are still sore and pissed though, but I'm stretching them constantly too.
One day they will practice medicine with a DNA profile that gives genetic markers indicative of side effects. Everybody is different, treat them all the same...
I am probably just asking for way too much.
https://promethease.com/ - $12.
That said, it's not good for medically anxious individuals to do that. You may think you are going to die before tomorrow.
Well, I had my right knee done 2 days ago and it is getting better but hurts like hell! Surgery was at 9:30 and went home about 5PM.
Your advice was spot on Rondog, get the house ready. Did you get a nerve blocker catheter ? I'd never heard of one.
.
The biggest thing is a care person. No way would I have done this without my loving wife.
Ain't that the truth. I'd hate to have gone through life's challenges without my wife and I helping each other.
Hope the healing goes well. Ice has always been my friend, but my wife finds the ice more painful than whatever she is dealing with.
Well, I had my right knee done 2 days ago and it is getting better but hurts like hell! Surgery was at 9:30 and went home about 5PM.
Your advice was spot on Rondog, get the house ready. Did you get a nerve blocker catheter ? I'd never heard of one.
.
The biggest thing is a care person. No way would I have done this without my loving wife.
The anesthesiologist gave me a nerve blocker injection in my lower back, but not a catheter. Worked great, I was numb as hell for hours. Strange though, scratching your junk and not feeling it.....
My wife was a lot of help, but I'm pretty stubborn and independent so I said "no" more than "yes". Going up and down stairs turned out to be a non-issue.
When you get the bandage off at 2 weeks the incision will look like a strip of Silly Putty stuck on your knee. It'll be big, rough and ugly. Rather disheartening. But one day I woke up and it was all gone, just as flat as can be. Actually looks great now.
Doc said to expect 1 to 1.5 years to get back to 100% normal, expect setbacks, aches, pains, and swelling for a long time.
Biggest problem I have now is inflammation and pain in the two big ligaments on the sides of the knee, the lateral collateral and medial collateral ligaments - they tie the femur, tibia and fibula bones together and hold the knee joint tight. Those ligaments get pretty beat up in the surgery, and stay pissed off for quite awhile.
For anyone getting knee surgery or if you have knee pain where you'll need to ice it . . . a Cryo Cuff is worth its weight in gold. If your insurance won't cover one, they are not very expensive to buy ut of pocket. A neighbor loaned me his when I got scoped. I went out and bought my own just to have around after.
It's a knee wrap that hooks up to a cooler. Fill the cooler with ice & water. When you want to fill the knee wrap, you raise the cooler up and it gravity feeds and you get the cold and compression. When you want to take a break or the wrap isn't cold anymore, put the cooler below the wrap and the water runs back into the cooler to get cold again. Repeat and add ice to the cooler as needed (but it stays cold a long time).
https://supplypt.com/collections/aircast-gravity/products/aircast-gravity-cooler?variant=37832085668005
longrange2
12-11-2021, 08:39
Followed this thread, some day I’ll need a knee replacement too. Thanks for sharing the journey.
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