topic Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues in Wellness

My Post op Knee replacement issues

Goodie2shoes — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 19:27:28 GMT

A little set back but as they say it's a setup for success. Went to therapy last Tuesday, therapist pushed down on my knee to get it loosened up and she massaged it (it was very painful but I understand it has to be done) Left there on my cane and by the next day it was so painful that I ended up going back on my walker Thursday afternoon. Had my first post op appointment Thursday morning, incision had started bleeding (this was before the therapist massaged the knee so it was not her fault). The home nurse/therapist had started removing the durabond tape (as she was told to do by her office) 2 weeks after surgery. The doctor's office was very upset and wanted to know the therapist name so they can contact her. The bleeding has stopped, Doctor says everything looks good (THANK GOODNESS !!) Has anyone else had the durabond ? I had sutures for my 2015 Left knee replacement, don't recall this much pain. I'm still using the walker, still painful to bend my knee but I'm doing the exercises as best I can.

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

Vivian — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 19:58:59 GMT

I never had those experiences when my knee was replaced two years ago. I think you need to work with your surgeon to be sure you are receiving the proper PT. You may want to change your physical therapist.

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

pdlinda — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 20:14:04 GMT

@Goodie2shoes wrote:
A little set back but as they say it's a setup for success. Went to therapy last Tuesday, therapist pushed down on my knee to get it loosened up and she massaged it (it was very painful but I understand it has to be done) Left there on my cane and by the next day it was so painful that I ended up going back on my walker Thursday afternoon. Had my first post op appointment Thursday morning, incision had started bleeding (this was before the therapist massaged the knee so it was not her fault). The home nurse/therapist had started removing the durabond tape (as she was told to do by her office) 2 weeks after surgery. The doctor's office was very upset and wanted to know the therapist name so they can contact her. The bleeding has stopped, Doctor says everything looks good (THANK GOODNESS !!) Has anyone else had the durabond ? I had sutures for my 2015 Left knee replacement, don't recall this much pain. I'm still using the walker, still painful to bend my knee but I'm doing the exercises as best I can.

I had my right knee replaced on Oct 9th and believe I had the Durabond tape (didn't know the name). My incision is just about healed at this point. I went for my first post-op visit with my surgeon a week ago Friday and HE removed the strip (PT was sent to my home 3X week for 2 weeks).

He ordered me into his PT facility 2X/week for 3 weeks. My personal care assistant (nurse) has to take me to all appointments as I can't drive yet.

At this point I'm off the walker and using a cane. I have very little pain during the day but still ice the knee and do my exercises at least 3X/day. At night, I DO have some pain and use Tylenol as needed.

So glad the worst is hopefully behind you and you're making positive progress each day.

I can't wait to drive!!

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

CLHS68 — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 20:25:55 GMT

I had stitches in mine when it was done & a drain tube in the hospital. It will hurt for some time when doing the exercises but they have to be done to get better. I had PT at home for 3 weeks then was sent for out patient therapy. The hardest part for me was not being able to drive as I live alone.

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

pdlinda — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 20:31:40 GMT

@CLHS68 wrote:

Me too!!! Can't wait to drive!!

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

Goodie2shoes — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 20:49:54 GMT

@pdlindawrote:

He ordered me into his PT facility 2X/week for 3 weeks. My personal care assistant (nurse) has to take me to all appointments as I can't drive yet.

So glad the worst is hopefully behind you and you're making positive progress each day.

I can't wait to drive!!

I was looking forward to being able to drive but still can't because of the pain and stiffness. Thank goodness for my boyfriend who has been right by my side, takes me to therapy, cooks and cleans my apartment. I had been able to walk around home without my cane until that Tuesday therapy session ! I"m so glad you are progessing well, all the best to you. I will get there and like you I can't wait to drive !

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

pdlinda — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 21:50:42 GMT

@Goodie2shoes wrote:
@pdlindawrote:
I had my right knee replaced on Oct 9th and believe I had the Durabond tape (didn't know the name). My incision is just about healed at this point. I went for my first post-op visit with my surgeon a week ago Friday and HE removed the strip (PT was sent to my home 3X week for 2 weeks).

He ordered me into his PT facility 2X/week for 3 weeks. My personal care assistant (nurse) has to take me to all appointments as I can't drive yet.

At this point I'm off the walker and using a cane. I have very little pain during the day but still ice the knee and do my exercises at least 3X/day. At night, I DO have some pain and use Tylenol as needed.

So glad the worst is hopefully behind you and you're making positive progress each day.

I can't wait to drive!!

I was looking forward to being able to drive but still can't because of the pain and stiffness. Thank goodness for my boyfriend who has been right by my side, takes me to therapy, cooks and cleans my apartment. I had been able to walk around home without my cane until that Tuesday therapy session ! I"m so glad you are progessing well, all the best to you. I will get there and like you I can't wait to drive !

Thanks so much!

I budgeted for 4 weeks of my personal care nurse (very expensive) who essentially does what your boyfriend does for you!!

Therefore, with Christmas coming up and 7 grandchildren involved I'm going to have to hope that I can get to driving so I may resume a somewhat normal schedule without going broke!! LOLOL.

I know we'll both get there...it just takes time!!

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

RedTop — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 23:02:58 GMT

I learned with both knees that physical therapists can push too hard. First time around, everything was great until that last week before I was scheduled to return to work, and my PT had me pushing weights. I had worked up to 80 lbs; my knee and legs were strong and it was good. But then 80 wasn't enough; I pushed 90 and then 100 and then i quit PT. I reported the incident to my Dr, who chewed out the PT, and my return to work date was delayed a week due to soreness in my knee.

2nd time around my PT tried to overwork me from the get go. I had considerable bleeding from the incision on the day after surgery, and it continued to seep until I started PT on day 5. I left my first 3 sessions in tears with my knee bleeding. Trust me, I'm no wuss, and was quick to tell my therapist when the pain was too much. When I had my first recheck appt and the durabond was removed, the incision above the top of my kneecap was split wide open! I still managed to reach my PT goals in 6 more sessions, but it took from Nov to Feb for the incision to fully close.

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

Abrowneyegirl — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 23:17:38 GMT

We know several orthopedic surgeons (friends not patients of!!) and they each have horror stories on PT or PTA that have completely ruined their surgical work.

One thing I learned from them is ALWAYS confirm you are assigned to a DPT (doctorate of Physical therapy) not a PT and never a PTA (physical therapy assistant)

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

SeaMaiden — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 23:22:37 GMT

@Goodie2shoes How many weeks since your surgery?

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

pdlinda — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 00:31:58 GMT

@Abrowneyegirl wrote:

I would agree with you; however, at the facility run by my surgeon they only have a PT, not a DPT.

I went for my first session last Thursday and the PT raved about my progress...BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...I sat on that hard "bed" then she had me do the bike (that I got my leg all around) for 7 minutes. When I left after an hour of exercises I was sore and tired.

I suffer with IBS (irritable bowel) and am still on the 88mg blood thinner baby aspirin. As a result of sitting on those hard surfaces including the hard bike seat I had a very difficult digestive incident I'd rather not go into more detail about here.

Suffice it to say, I called my PCP immediately (emailed him) and he agreed I should NOT return to PT until I'm off the blood thinner and my surgical healing progresses some more. I will follow that advice.

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

chrystaltree — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 01:13:41 GMT

There therapist should NOT, under any circumstances have removed the Durabond! Her office should have told her to that and she should have known better. That should have only been done by in the surgeon's office, they are the ones who check for post op healing. Not some physical therapist. Yes, indeed. I'm sure the surgeon's office will have a firm talk with that home health agency. I did not have Durabond, I had stitches. Everyone I know had stitches. I know in years past, patients had post op pain like you are having but I think that doesn't really happen today because they have us up and exersizing....a lot...right after surgery so the artificial joint loosens and we don't develop any adhesions. I had a 30 day prescription for Oxycodone and my surgeon insisted that I take it because he wanted me to get the full benefit of my home PT and that would not be possible if I was in pain. So, I actually never had any pain. Keep exersizing and icing your knee and exersize it as much as you can. The rehab part really is the hardest part of having the knee replaced and the most important part. Hang in there. It gets better as the days go by.

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

Goodie2shoes — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 18:15:21 GMT

@RedTop wrote:

2nd time around my PT tried to overwork me from the get go. I had considerable bleeding from the incision on the day after surgery, and it continued to seep until I started PT on day 5. I left my first 3 sessions in tears with my knee bleeding. Trust me, I'm no wuss, and was quick to tell my therapist when the pain was too much. When I had my first recheck appt and the durabond was removed, the incision above the top of my kneecap was split wide open! I still managed to reach my PT goals in 6 more sessions, but it took from Nov to Feb for the incision to fully close.

I understand your pain ! I know how important rehab is and glad you are recovered. I see that the durabond was not removed until your first post op appt. That's apparently what my doctors plan was. Thanks for your feedback because as I said in my OP the therapist started removing it 2 weeks post sx. I'm just glad this is the last time for this surgery period.

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

Goodie2shoes — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 18:18:17 GMT

@SeaMaidenwrote: how many weeks since surgery?

Surgery 9/30/19, 5 weeks on 11/4

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

SeaMaiden — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 22:10:19 GMT

@Goodie2shoes wrote:
@SeaMaidenwrote: how many weeks since surgery?

Surgery 9/30/19, 5 weeks on 11/4

It was a game changer for me by my 8th week..... just saying... hang in there and see how you feel in three more weeks. Sometimes the internal healing takes a lot of time. I had bilateral knee replacement in 2013.

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

Abrowneyegirl — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 21:47:33 GMT

@pdlinda That is very interesting. When my DH needed a PT to help with shoulder pain (no surgery or anything) golf injury. I called 3 local therapy practices and everyone had at least 3 DPT on staff! The clinic he goes to has 6! No association with an ortho. office.

It must be a location issue.

Re: My Post op Knee replacement issues

Goodie2shoes — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 00:47:42 GMT

Continued update on my post op knee placement. As I previously stated I went to therapy and due to the intense tx I am back on my walker as of last Thursday. Well the pain did not improve as a matter of fact it got worse and by Sunday night 11/3 I ended up in the ER for severe pain and muscle spasms down the outside of my right leg. I was in tears and just could not take it. I was given pain meds which helped. call from my doctors office on Monday and told me to keep it elevated, pain meds and ice for a few days, cancel therapy until improved. I have improved, still on the walker, haven't had to take any pain meds for a couple of days and I started my home PT sessions again, taking it slow. I do feel better, still knee swelling but not as bad. I will certainly be glad when this is done !