topic Re: Knee Replacement in Wellness

Knee Replacement

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:01:57 GMT

I'm sorry if this has already been discussed, I haven't been around here in a couple of years. My Dr. wants me to have a knee replacement. I know he's right but not sure I want to do it. Have read a lot and some say the knee still hurts and wish they hand't done it. This knee never hurt until last year when I just got out of chair and the front below knee hurt. Had x-ray and showed arthritis. My left hip was bad and was a priority. Got shot in knee jn Dec. of 2017 and it worked. No pain for weeks.Shot every3 months,it was great. Finally had hip done in September of this year. Everyone said hip surgery is easier than knee. Hip is great now. Leg was almost 2 ins. shorter before surgery almost even now. In hospital on Monday am and home late Tuesday afternoon. Had a spinal, all went well. At 2 week checkup he gave me another shot in my knee. Well, nothing. Shots stopped working. Anyone with knee replacement experience? Thanks in advance.

Re: Knee Replacement

NicksmomESQ — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:07:34 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 Did you try physical therapy? DH & I both have knee issues.When necessary we go for 6-12 weeks of P T. Good as new after that.Plus we do our home exercises which help a lot. We go for P T about once a year on average.

Re: Knee Replacement

SXMGirl — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:15:24 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2, I truly feel your pain. After shots, meniscus surgery, and another shot that did not work, my ortho said it was time for knee replacement. I switched orthos and was sent to physical therapy with a suggestion for stem cell. I have done my research and plan to have stem cell done after the first of the year. My otho specializes in it, my physical therapist and chiropractor both recommend it, and it sure beats surgery that I have decided not to have. My knee problems all result from working out as in getting healthier when I retired. The knees are not working out for me.

If you are on Facebook, there is a group for Knee Replacement there. You might want to check it out. Not everyone is happy with their surgery, even after years.

Re: Knee Replacement

Kachina624 — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:24:49 GMT

There are many replaced knees on this board; what do you want to know? I think few, if any of us, regret getting a knee replaced. For many, it has opened or reopened a whole new world and we're once again able to live active lives.

The shots you got that have quit working are just a temporary fix, and it's true they rapidly lose their effectiveness to the point where they don't work at all. Your doctor should have explained that to you.

Re: Knee Replacement

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:25:35 GMT

Not specifically for the knee yet. After had the hip surgery I went a couple of times but it aggrevated my knee. I know I will have to go for therapy before I do the knee surgery because of Medicare rules. It's weird, 2 people I know got new hips about same time I did. Not the same Dr., one lady is 85 and the other my age. Neither had to do therapy after surgery. My Dr. said to go if I wanted. Figured it might be good but my knee was not happy. My neighbor is a recovery room nurse and said a lot of prople get both knees done at the same time because after just one they won't do it again. I'm no wuss with pain but knees sound bad.

Re: Knee Replacement

depglass — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:27:01 GMT

If your doctor has convinced you that there is no alternative, go for it. It will hurt like hell right afterwards, but down the road you will be so happy you had this done. I was "bone on bone" and could not take a step up the stairs with that leg because the bones had moved over so far. I laid in the hospital thinking this was the worst mistake of my life because of the pain. I takes about 6 to 8 months to get the knee to feel "normal" and one year later its like I never had a knee problem.

Re: Knee Replacement

spent2much — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:28:41 GMT

Well, I can't say I'm sorry I had a knee replacement, because of the horrendous pain before surgery. However, my surgery was over 2 years ago and my knee is still not "right." X-rays show that nothing is wrong. I guess I'm just one of the unlucky ones. The knee isn't as painful as before surgery, but it always aches a little.

Re: Knee Replacement

blackhole99 — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:31:18 GMT

Knee replacement surgery is really rough, especially if you are very over weight. I went through it with my friend and it was really an eye opener, I didn't realize a knee could swell up that much after surgery. We all have different levels of pain, but she was in pain for days and days after the surgery. She was a mess for quite awhile and says she would never go through that again. That being said, she is recovered and has great mobility and no pain.By the way, if your knee is really bad and the ortho doc is recommending replacement, no amount of PT is going to fix that. My other friend opted for the stem cell procedure and it has not worked for him, he still has pain, but he's deathly afraid of surgery.

Re: Knee Replacement

mousiegirl — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:37:34 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 wrote:
I'm sorry if this has already been discussed, I haven't been around here in a couple of years. My Dr. wants me to have a knee replacement. I know he's right but not sure I want to do it. Have read a lot and some say the knee still hurts and wish they hand't done it. This knee never hurt until last year when I just got out of chair and the front below knee hurt. Had x-ray and showed arthritis. My left hip was bad and was a priority. Got shot in knee jn Dec. of 2017 and it worked. No pain for weeks.Shot every3 months,it was great. Finally had hip done in September of this year. Everyone said hip surgery is easier than knee. Hip is great now. Leg was almost 2 ins. shorter before surgery almost even now. In hospital on Monday am and home late Tuesday afternoon. Had a spinal, all went well. At 2 week checkup he gave me another shot in my knee. Well, nothing. Shots stopped working. Anyone with knee replacement experience? Thanks in advance.

@CrazyKittyLvr2 Did your doctor mention a gel injection into the knee? I read that some people have had this and say it works, so it may be worth a try, unless your knee is bone on bone, then it is just a temporary fix. I have been taking Andrew Lessman's glucosamine/chondroitin for about three years and it has eradicated any pain and all creakiness. Hopefully, this will do it.

Re: Knee Replacement

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:37:45 GMT

Oops, should have said my replay regarding therapy was in response to Nicksmom.

Dr. did say shots were temporary. It's that I just went thru this baloney 3 months ago with my hip,

I retired in 2015 and husband was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer 5 weeks later. My hip was to be my first post retirement project. Of course his cancer treatments and surgery came first. It was over a year of hell. surgery was successful, but he got a staph infection and back in hospital. He'sdoing good so far. Then I had a stroke. No lasting effects thankfully. All in all I have seen more Drs. and hospitals in the last couple of years than in my previous 65 years.

Re: Knee Replacement

mousiegirl — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:41:10 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 wrote:
Not specifically for the knee yet. After had the hip surgery I went a couple of times but it aggrevated my knee. I know I will have to go for therapy before I do the knee surgery because of Medicare rules. It's weird, 2 people I know got new hips about same time I did. Not the same Dr., one lady is 85 and the other my age. Neither had to do therapy after surgery. My Dr. said to go if I wanted. Figured it might be good but my knee was not happy. My neighbor is a recovery room nurse and said a lot of prople get both knees done at the same time because after just one they won't do it again. I'm no wuss with pain but knees sound bad.

@CrazyKittyLvr2 I had a hip replacement decades ago due to a childhood injury, so younger than most are for this surgery, and my doctor gave me exercises to do in bed, fine with me, so never went to therapy, worked like a charm.

Re: Knee Replacement

RedTop — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:41:56 GMT

First knee done in 2012, second knee done last October; I have absolutely no pain.

I think you will reflect on your knee surgery as positively as you are looking back on your hip surgery. With all the teaching that is done prior to ortho surgeries these days, patients go into their procedures much more aware of what to expect, and are more prepared to work hard thru the recovery process. For me, the first 10 days were the hardest; I was off the walker and using a cane by day 14 the first time, and by day 9 last year.

As you can see, shots are simply short term relief. Best wishes to you.

Re: Knee Replacement

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:56:47 GMT

I'm sure it's way past the therapy point and will have no choice, I just dread the whole thing. I know there will be a 4 hour class as there was for my hip. They called it Joint Camp. Camp my foot. Did all pre-op tests the same day. Funny story, I opted for the spinal and it was great. Right before surgery guy came in and said we are taking you to OR give you relaxant and spinal etc. I was like ok let's go.Out like a light. Woke up, music playing, chatting going on.On my side,tried to move my legs,of course nothing. Laying there laughing to myself it was weird. Heard pounding, not tapping and finally said "am I supposed to be awake?" they said yes, and I was out again. I wasn't the least bit afraid or freaked out, it was just strange.

Re: Knee Replacement

ozarkgirl — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 01:07:48 GMT

I had meniscus surgery October 2017 after gaving kneed injections that did absolutely nothing. This surgery took care of the tears but left the arthritis. By January 2018 I could hardly walk. So I went to open gym at the PT unit at the hospital. I did exercises on my own until the doctor and I decided total knee replacement was needed. Had the knee replaced the 18th of June. I call it a mirale. I woke up from surgery and had absolutely no pain from that day forward. 8 weeks of new physical therapy and then on my own. I truly believe all the exercise prior to surgery helped. I would that recommend that to everyone getting ready for this surgery. The first day at physical therapy which was 7 days after surgery I was on the exercise bicycle for 12 minutes with no pain what so ever. This surgery was much easier than the meniscus surgery. As you can tell I am totally excited about my new knee and as so glad I had it done. They only thing I really don't do is get down on my hands and knees. I do get on the floor but don't put pressure on that knee. Otherwise the sky is the limit.Good luck on what every decision you and your doctor make.

Re: Knee Replacement

RedTop — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 01:18:05 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2,

With my first surgery I woke up to hear the bone saw whirring; didn’t scare me either.

Re: Knee Replacement

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 01:34:10 GMT

@RedTop There was a guy in when I was who woke up too, he was freaked out. I told surgeon when he came in. He asked if the music was rock n roll that morning. One thing no rest there. My calves were on either side of a foam block and tied so I coulnd't cross my legs. IV fluids of course and all night I had to pee every hour. I hated bothering the nurses but could go alone. Next day 2 PT sessions and a group lunch for all joint replacement patients then home.

Re: Knee Replacement

Leeny — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 01:36:42 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2

I will give you my experience that I have had since you have asked for help from people who have had this surgery.

I had total knee replacement done 4 years ago and I am glad that I did. Was it easy? Not at first. I am being honest. The first therapy session I had, which was 2 days after surgery, I didn't think I could do it, but I did. The therapy and exercises are the key to the success of this surgery. There is no magic trick or pill or etc. Simply said, it takes work and determination. Those that complain of not having success with their knee replacement is usually a high percentage that didn't do their therapy. I did most of mine at home without fail, 3 times a day. It does get easier after a few days though.

If I hadn't had it done, I'd hate to think what kind of shape I'd be in. I do just about everything I did before my knee gave out and the shots stopped helping. I also had meniscus surgery 2 years before my surgery. That is also a temporary fix. The only thing I will not do is kneel. It's not that I shouldn't, but even my doctor said your replacement will last longer for you if you avoid kneeling.

Good Luck in your discison and remember your knee isn't going to get better and the pain is not going to go away. The longevity of the knee replacement is approx. 20 years.

Re: Knee Replacement

chrystaltree — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 01:44:12 GMT

I had my left knee replaced a year ago. I had good results with the injections for 2 years, I got them every 3 months but after a while the injections stop working. I resisted surgery but I hobbling around in pain is no way to live, I wanted my life back. TKR was the best thing I ever did for myself. The surgery was a breeze; no post op pain. I took OTC pain meds and oxycodone for about 2 weeks. I was on a walker and OT and PT came to my house 3 times a week. After 3 weeks, I was on a cane and then I went to the hospital for my PT, 3 times a week. You do exersizes at home on the other days. And then it was walking, walking, walking. I do need my right knee replaced, I'm planning to have that done in January of 2020.

Re: Knee Replacement

SeaMaiden — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 01:52:04 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2. Yes, hips are much easier per say in the healing aspect than the knees....at least it was that way for me. I had the newer anterior approach with both of my hips.

Expect about 8 weeks minimum of serious PT to get the best outcome with your “bend after knee replacement. Much more pain and discomfort with the knee during the healing process...but still SoSo Worth it! I had both knees done at the same time.

It saved my life having both knees and both hips replaced. I give thanks everyday!

Re: Knee Replacement

pdlinda — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 02:08:22 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 Thanks for posting about this subject!! I have had both my hips replaced: L in 2008 and R in 2017. The left was done posterior. Right anterior. My right knee was somewhat problematic since 1993 and I had arthroscopic surgery on it in 1996.

After my L hip was replaced I took 2 months off of work (I retired in 2015) and religiously did my PT exercises that were given to me. I did those exercises for YEARS and had excellent results.

When I had the R hip replaced, I began to notice my R knee really creating a problem. When I did the hip PT exercises I couldn't really do them with the same attention and success as with the L hip, mostly because of my knee.

Since 2017 my hip is fine; HOWEVER, the knee is really causing me problems. I went to the ortho and did 6 weeks of PT last year; however,I haven't done the exercises as was suggested because it's simply too uncomfortable and, let's just say, I simply don't have the motivation I had in 2008 when it was "smooth sailing."

I have an appt with a sports med doc on Monday to discuss what he suggests. My condition is not bone on bone but I am quite anxious about doing much exercise because I don't want to exacerbate the knee situation that would cause me to need the replacement surgery immediately.

I absolutely do NOT have the same quality of life I had before but simply DREAD another major surgery.

My 2017 hip replacement took me a year to recover from mainly because of my knee.

I'm reading all the posts here and know I have some decisions to make, just like you do. Best of luck to you (and me!!)