ownsyjay1310499934.67422 PostsRegistered 5/11/2006 While it is highly individual as to how much pain and how long, my doctor's way of putting it was that for the first three weeks, she'd wonder why she had the surgery; at six weeks, she'd see light at the end of the tunnel, and at 12 weeks, she'd wonder why she waited so long. My pain was manageable, and that is really the key to it--keep it under control, so that you can do the PT and get moving again. You might browse some of the comments by searching "TKR" or looking at the "Pagging Abbycat and Docsgirl" thread--we're all at different stages, and have discussed some very common stages of TKR. This might help you and her know what to expect. I am at around 14-15 weeks, and have only the tiniest twinge, and that only occasionally. It's amazing to me, especially since the one that hasn't been done is aching terribly. What a blessing to have one that is working! Best of luck to her for a speedy and complete recovery! BigBro61310500333.8771990 PostsRegistered 11/15/2007Lafayette New Jersey On 7/12/2011 ownsyjay said: While it is highly individual as to how much pain and how long, my doctor's way of putting it was that for the first three weeks, she'd wonder why she had the surgery; at six weeks, she'd see light at the end of the tunnel, and at 12 weeks, she'd wonder why she waited so long. My pain was manageable, and that is really the key to it--keep it under control, so that you can do the PT and get moving again. You might browse some of the comments by searching "TKR" or looking at the "Pagging Abbycat and Docsgirl" thread--we're all at different stages, and have discussed some very common stages of TKR. This might help you and her know what to expect. I am at around 14-15 weeks, and have only the tiniest twinge, and that only occasionally. It's amazing to me, especially since the one that hasn't been done is aching terribly. What a blessing to have one that is working! Best of luck to her for a speedy and complete recovery! Thank you. Unfortunately she waited too long and both knees were very, very bad. The doctor will shoot cortisone in her other knee for PT. Not sure it will help, since she had them before. Good luck with the rest of your journey ! abbycat1310501096.874618 PostsRegistered 5/19/2007Maryland As ownsyjay said .... it's individual with each person. I would think some of it depends on what condition you're in when you get it done, and possibly age. I'm 66 and I just had it done 7 weeks ago. I'm doing really great and feeling better and walking better than I have for years. Probably the toughest part is the P.T., but it's also extremely important. After the initial week or two it is extremely important that your mother take a pain pill about an hour before she goes to P.T. That really helps. And, also one thing my doctor told me to do was to take one before I went to bed or I won't be able to get comfortable - he was right. So, I think there's no specific answer - each person is different. Probably the best person to ask is her doctor. abby <*)))>< docsgirl1310501621.847506 PostsRegistered 10/15/2006 Hi BigBro6, I had mine on June 6 and for the first few days death looked like a better option to me as the pain was so excruciating. Of course, I'm just making an anology as I really wouldn't wish for death. I went through all of it without benefit of pain medication other than Ultram, which does very little for pain as I am very allergic to just about the entire pharmacutical industry. Of course, every patient and situation is different. For example, you said Mom had her surgery yesterday and hasn't had any PT yet. I was on the CPM machine and out of bed the first day. Of course, I wasn't racing down the hall, but was taking very small steps, using a walker, in my room. I am now a little over 5 weeks out of surgery and have some pain but not as horrid as in the beginning. I see my surgeon tomorrow, who will probably discharge me to out-patient therapy. Will Mom be discharged to home or to a rehab facility? My surgeon prefers his patients be discharged home but because I live alone, I went to a rehab facility but am home now. A good deal of pain is to be expected during the first few weeks but it is very important that she works her way through the pain and follows her therapy exercises. That's the only way to heal. I will be keeping her in my prayers. We have a thread over in Health and Wellness so look for us over there? Feel free to ask any questions. We are all there to support one another. Good luck and God bless your dear mother. docsgirl  BigBro61310511666.2071990 PostsRegistered 11/15/2007Lafayette New Jersey Thanks ! Thats a good suggestion regarding the pain meds before bedtime. My mother mentioned she couldnt sleep last night due to pain. About 1:00 am she called the nurse for meds. She will be going to a rehab facility because most doctors in New Jersey want their patients to go to rehab only. We have many wonderful rehabs centers here. I think she hasnt started PT because the pain meds didnt come before the PT came. Zoologist1310511897.9835952 PostsRegistered 9/3/2010 Mom had both knees done the same time, after her MD wanted WAY too long. She did 10 days in the hospital (TCU), then to my home for 8 wks of PT. I'd say the first 20 days afer she got here, I was up every night about every hr or two for ice packs, pain meds every 4 hrs, etc. About a month post-op, she was only up 1-2 times/night for pain, needing ice, etc. ownsyjay1310517419.617422 PostsRegistered 5/11/2006 On 7/12/2011 BigBro6 said: On 7/12/2011 ownsyjay said: While it is highly individual as to how much pain and how long, my doctor's way of putting it was that for the first three weeks, she'd wonder why she had the surgery; at six weeks, she'd see light at the end of the tunnel, and at 12 weeks, she'd wonder why she waited so long. My pain was manageable, and that is really the key to it--keep it under control, so that you can do the PT and get moving again. You might browse some of the comments by searching "TKR" or looking at the "Pagging Abbycat and Docsgirl" thread--we're all at different stages, and have discussed some very common stages of TKR. This might help you and her know what to expect. I am at around 14-15 weeks, and have only the tiniest twinge, and that only occasionally. It's amazing to me, especially since the one that hasn't been done is aching terribly. What a blessing to have one that is working! Best of luck to her for a speedy and complete recovery! Thank you. Unfortunately she waited too long and both knees were very, very bad. The doctor will shoot cortisone in her other knee for PT. Not sure it will help, since she had them before. Good luck with the rest of your journey ! ownsyjay1310517562.067422 PostsRegistered 5/11/2006 On 7/12/2011 ownsyjay said: On 7/12/2011 BigBro6 said: On 7/12/2011 ownsyjay said: While it is highly individual as to how much pain and how long, my doctor's way of putting it was that for the first three weeks, she'd wonder why she had the surgery; at six weeks, she'd see light at the end of the tunnel, and at 12 weeks, she'd wonder why she waited so long. My pain was manageable, and that is really the key to it--keep it under control, so that you can do the PT and get moving again. You might browse some of the comments by searching "TKR" or looking at the "Pagging Abbycat and Docsgirl" thread--we're all at different stages, and have discussed some very common stages of TKR. This might help you and her know what to expect. I am at around 14-15 weeks, and have only the tiniest twinge, and that only occasionally. It's amazing to me, especially since the one that hasn't been done is aching terribly. What a blessing to have one that is working! Best of luck to her for a speedy and complete recovery! Thank you. Unfortunately she waited too long and both knees were very, very bad. The doctor will shoot cortisone in her other knee for PT. Not sure it will help, since she had them before. Good luck with the rest of your journey ! Last edited on 7/12/2011 tansy1310517673.09317572 PostsRegistered 4/19/2005 The first few weeks I would collapse into a pool of tears in the evening but a great deal of the discomfort was from the stranglehold the TED hose had on my leg. Next spring I'm getting the other one done. You fit into me, like a hook into an eye
A fish hook, an open eye
~Margaret Atwood~
ownsyjay1310562473.677422 PostsRegistered 5/11/2006 My apologies for the repetitive quotes. I had carefully deleted them and given you a reply, but that's not what came out--and it wouldn't let me edit either! Arrgh! What I was going to say was that everyone waits till they can't stand it any longer to do this, since it's major surgery, and elective to boot. I don't think you need worry too much about that part of it, since the surgery instantly cures the arthritic problem. Your mother may during healing have some residual pain from areas that were particularly thinned and irritated by the arthritis, but most of what she will have is surgical pain and swelling. So the big challenge is to manage the pain so that she can start moving and begin to get the benefit of her new knee. The pain for most of us subsides in stages, though it's not always a straight line progression, just a trend. As for the steroid injection, I did the same thing during my surgery, and it bought me nearly three months--long enough to get my new knee going without the old one retarding its progress. I hope and pray it will do the same for your mother. As to pain management, in the early stages, she may need more pain meds, and not just at bedtime. Of course, in the hospital, no matter, since they wake you up at all hours to take blood and stuff. A nurse finally explained why they take blood at 2 or 3 in the morning--so your doctor will have your lab reports for morning rounds. AHA! I do love a good explanation. Again, best of luck to you and your mother. I know I can speak for Abbycat's entire Titanium Troops (isn't that a great name she coined?) in saying that if we can answer any questions or give you any support, we'll do our best! Just ask.
bigsister1310628347.4134381 PostsRegistered 5/15/2010Southern California I wish your mom well. It's going to be very hard on you, isn't it, seeing her in so much pain? My friend went through that with her mother; it was a very slow process. BigBro61310666339.771990 PostsRegistered 11/15/2007Lafayette New Jersey On 7/12/2011 tansy said: The first few weeks I would collapse into a pool of tears in the evening but a great deal of the discomfort was from the stranglehold the TED hose had on my leg. Next spring I'm getting the other one done. Good luck with your other knee. Mom going to rehab center today, she does not have any pain. I think the pain will start when PT starts tomorrow. grandma r1310746569.43716 PostsRegistered 10/26/2010 I just passed my 3 year anniversary for bilateral knee replacements. I too had waited much too long before the surgery. In fact, my surgeon said my knees were in worse shape than the model they use to explain why surgery is needed. I can now say that I am happy that I had them done, however, at the time, I thought I was an idiot. Your mom should use her pain meds @30 min prior to PT. When PT is over, ice will be her new best friend. As one nurse told me, you can't ice too much. I won't lie, the pain is intense. If her doc advises use of pain meds, she should use them. It makes it much easier to do the exercises. It will also get easier when the staples are removed. She should also do her exercises at home too, not just @PT. A lady at church stopped me one Sunday & gave me a great tip. She said that I should forget what "they" say & the time frames given. She advised to give it a good year to really feel like myself. That advise helped take off some pressure I was putting on myself (EG: it's been 8 weeks, I should feel like this). I wish your mom a good recovery. And, just remember, even when she says she's "fine", she still needs your love & support. eljaypatt1310746869.547266 PostsRegistered 3/10/2011 Total Knee Replacements are tough! I've had both knees replaced (18 months apart). In my case, the first 3 months are the very worst! I cried, I was angry, felt I was totally stupid for having it done, etc. It's a very tough recovery for most. Rehab is misery. Both my in-laws have also had their knees replaced and all 3 of us had the same difficulties in pain, rehab....oh why did I do this? It does get better...but it takes several weeks. Give your Mom a shoulder to cry on if necessary. It'll get better in time and then she'll be glad she had it done....it just takes time. abigail74561310746923.981795 PostsRegistered 11/15/2006Back home again in Indiana~ Hi ladies I dont want to change the subject, but I have a question about TKR. I just turned 40 and was told a few years ago I would need this done. When I walk my knee cracks (sounds like someone crackin their knuckles) and it feels weird too. Any thing to worry about? TIA I have torn minicus and a couple other issues with my knee. It locks up all the time. 41! Dark Brown super thick hair, combo skin and I am addicted to lipsticks!
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