Knee replacement

[rondog]

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!

[MrPrena]

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]

I don't like reading these threads, and I don't have any knee/joint issues. :/

Or prostrate issues, either.









Yet.

[8Ring]

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]

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.

[MrPrena]

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.

[rondog]

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]

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.

[rondog]

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.....

[flogger]

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.