Wellness

[qvc chick]

I am having knee replacement surgery next week.  My right knee is bone on bone for past several years.

It will be outpatient surgery.  Dr said next day I will start PT.

Any tips or insight?  Please no doom and gloom!

[KathyM23]

@qvc chick Knee replacement is wonderful and life changing.  DH is 84 years old and going on 60 years young.  Can do anything, bikes, takes long walks, still does physical work, can get down on his knees.

I shudder to think what he would be like now if he had not had knee surgery  more than 15 years ago.  Had both knees done 6 weeks apart.

You will be happy and grateful you had this done.  Make sure to do the physical therapy and use lots of ice while healing.  

[Kachina624]

@qvc chick.  Good grief, they're sure pushing TKR patients out the door fast these days. I had one in 2011, and stayed in a rehab center 2 weeks afterwards.

Expect to be in pain.  Lots and lots of ice helps.  I got freezable ice packs from Amazon.   Make sure you have really effective pain meds and take one BEFORE PT.  When you start feeling better, don't overdo activity.

I hope you dont live alone.

[wagirl]

@qvc chick --no, have not had that type of surgery but my SIL has had it and she did stay one night, maybe 2,  but she also got up as soon as possible to start to walk. And she did start with p/t right away as well. Think she went 2x a week for 6 weeks . 

Good luck to you!

And do your p/t no matter what!!! That will be the key thing!! Also, take your pain meds on a schedule, ice, ice, ice!! My sil is doing well---

[Still Raining]

Hopes for an easy recovery.  ❤️

I still remember a BB being giddy with delight when I was able to get her into my front seat and take off for our fav food.

You will have lots of joy once it is all over.

Don't hesitate to ask for help around the house.  That is what family and friends are for.

[qvc chick]

Yes, I do live alone, in a first floor apartment.  My son lives in the same building so he will be taking me to PT appointments and will look out for me.  It is hard when you are alone!

I did want to stay overnight at hospital, but dr. recommeneded the outpatient.  He said it is overall better to get right out and recover at home.

He gave me an option about staying at a Rehab Center for a few weeks.  I dont know.  Most of them are same as nursing homes and I think that would be depressing.

Ice - just get ice packets?  Someone said there is an ice machine to use?

[Travone]

Had it done in  2014 and 2015....best decision I ever made.   My advice do your PT.  If you don't you are only hurting yourself.   I live alone in a 3 story house with lots of stairs.   They had me walking a flight of stairs hours after surgery.   I did spend a couple of nights in the hospital back then, but nobody moved in with me when discharged. 

Good luck 

[Carmie]

I just had TKR a year ago in December....right knee, bone on bone.

I was scheduled for OP,  but ended up staying overnight anyway.  It's a good thing I packed an overnight bag, left it in the car and husband got it for me.

There were several surgeries that day and I was last.  There were no available PT's that worked later in the day, plus I don't do well with anesthesia.  I get sick. I had a spinal.

The pain was less than I expected.  I used a walker for three days only.  I drove on day 21.  I was happy I had it done...still am.

Make sure you take a pain pill about one hour before PT.  Do push forward with PT, but don't force anything that makes the pain worse.  Trust your judgement.  

Do keep your leg moving even while laying down.  Stretch your toes. Do not lay down with a pillow under your knees....keep that knee straight.. If you have a recliner, sit in that and keep your leg elevated.

I was fortunate.  I had a few weeks of PT before surgery and only needed 10 PT sessions after surgery.

My left knee is bone on bone too.  It looks awful on X-rays.  My surgeon is shocked that it doesn't bother me.  It looks way worse than my right which was so bad, I was almost completely imobile.

If you haven't had your Vitamin D level checked, do that.  My knees felt so much after I was diagnosed and started to take that supplement.  Low Vitamin D levels cause bone pain.

Plan on wearing baggy loose pants or elastic waist shorts and have no tie slip on sneakers for PT sessions.  It will take a while to get socks on or tie your shoes by yourself.

Best of luck to you. You'll be up and around in no time.

[ciao_bella]

Had two TKR one in 2012 and the other in 2013. Best decision ever!  My knees feel as good as when I was in my 20s.   I had my surgery at Hospital for Special Surgeries in NYC.  Including the day of surgery, I was there for 3 days and released home on the morning of the 3rd day.  I was up and walking in the room and hallway of the hospital late in the day of the surgery.  Second day, they had me climbing up and down a special stair (four steps) with handrails.  If you can get one of those special ice machines that they use for surgery for at home, all the better.  If not, on Amazon, they have soft pliable ice packs that can literally wrap around your knee.  I bought 2 of these and they were GREAT!   Take the pain meds the doc gives you, especially at the beginning of your recovery and before PT. 

ALWAYS GO to your PT and DON'T baby yourself. The PT is what makes your surgery a success.   One last thing, wear loose fitting pants like jogging pants.  You might want to buy yourself a pair or two of inexpensive one size up jogging pants (example Haines) so that they're loose and comfortable on and around your incision. 

[Meowingkitty]

I had mine done (only 1 knee) in 2017. I was only in the hospital overnight. Get an ice machine and freeze several bottles so you don't have to buy bags of ice. Do your PT. Have quick easy to make meals available. Comfy clothes are a must. Shorts are best for PT. And get lots of rest. Every week you will see an improvement over the previous one. Be patient.