Wellness

[Winkk]

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@Catch71 wrote:

Since so many here have had Total Knee Replacements, I have a question for you.  How does your knee feel walking down steps a year after your surgery.  I had my replacement 11 months ago.  It feels good except first thing in the morning going down a flight of steps.  It is very stiff until I move around a bit.  Wondering if this is normal.

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@Catch71. I had my knee replaced 3 years ago and still the muscles around my knee get stiff after I've been sitting for awhile.  It goes away when I start to walk on it.

[kismet]

I had both my knees replaced.  One 9 years ago and one 10 years ago.  Before surgery my doctor said if I had no help at home that I would have to go to a rehab facility.  I told him I had help but actually my husband was here but he was no help and I knew that.  I didn't want to go to a facility to get an infection.  I did fine both times and didn't need a walker.  I used a crutch when needed.  I did stay in the hospital both time for 2 days, surgery on Tues morning and discharged Thursday morning.  I could of gone home the same day.  There is no sleep in the hospital.  I did have a machine dispensing pain meds and I thought some antibiotics were going through also.  Also had the machine in the hospital to keep my knee moving.  The day before release I had a PT come and show me how to move with the knee and we would walk down the hall of the hospital twice a day.  I had PT come to the house for one week, 3 visits and then my doctor sent me to PT twice a week.  I think people heal faster at home. The first PT I had a home was great.  Went through all the exercises and I learned a lot.  With the second PT that came there was nothing she did except talk.  I knew the exercises to do so I cancelled her after 2 visits.  She called and said that they like to come at least 5 times.  When I saw that the charge was about $500 for  one visit I was shocked.  Went to PT and it helped a lot. 

[Winkk]

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@chlema wrote:

Had both knees replaced, 4 months apart in 2018.  Both were done in the morning and in the afternoon had PT.  Spent the night and then home.  My doctor did not recommend nursing home PT and I went to a facility 3 times a week for about a month.  Downside of that was I do not drive so I had to rely on a PT service which was not that reliable on being on time or bringing me home.  All is well though and I love my bionic knees lol.

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I'm surprised @chlema that you had to go to therapy.  Like you said that means you have to rely on others to take you.  A lot of areas have at home PT the first few weeks.  But, I don't know if that is up to the doctor to prescribe or who determines home therapy.  I also had a home health aid come out the first week (I think) to check my incision, blood pressure, etc.  It was good. 

[chlema]

@Winkk I really do not have an answer to why I was not offered at home PT.  My options were stay at a facility for therapy or go home and use the go-to therapy.  I never thought to ask either which was stupid on my part, looking back.  Both my knees are done but at my age who knows what will need replacement next and then maybe I'll be smart enough to ask about all options lol.