Knee Replacement - Page 2

mousiegirl · ‎03-09-2010

@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.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

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.

CrazyKittyLvr2 · ‎05-11-2013

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.

ozarkgirl · ‎03-12-2010

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.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

@CrazyKittyLvr2,

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

CrazyKittyLvr2 · ‎05-11-2013

@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.

Leeny · ‎06-24-2011

@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.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

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.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@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!

pdlinda · ‎10-23-2011

@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!!)