A health writer gets new knees

I agree.however, let us recognize that although many physicians would like to always take the time to inform patients of all aspects of crae and future care that time limits imposed by external forces often prevent them form doing that.
My point, lets stop blaming ourselves all the time. It is time to begin fighting those who cause us to perform poorly, or at the least, not at the level we’delike to perform.

Can you explain the limitations on her sleep medication?
Why was she moved when she was barely ambulatory, and kicked out of the nursing facility so quickly?

What about the new pumps for continuous peripheral nerve blocks for analgesia? Knee replacement in older patients would seem the perfect use for this method of pain control…

When I read results like this I can only thank the Good Lord and my orthopedic physician for my knee replacement (2) success. First, I totally disagree with having both knees done at the same time.

Ten years ago, at age 73, I Had my first operation and three months later the second. I spent (7) days in the hospital with first operation and (9)days with the second. I was told the time period related to guarding against infection due to large cuts. The first two days after each operation were painful. The pain started to ease with day three.

In each case, after two days at home I discarded the crutches. I had very little pain. Nothing like what I was experiencing before the knees were replaced. After the first operation, I worked with a therapist four days during the first week at home. After that I was on my own. I did not need the therapist after the second operation as I was familiar with the recommended exercise routine.

Doing both knees at the same time makes for a difficult recovery. Getting around and doing rehab exercises becomes extremely difficulty.

My recovered from each operation was complete within six to eight weeks. I was playing beach volleyball and paddle tennis (8) months after entering the hospital for the first operation. I have not had any trouble with my knees these last ten years.

When I had the surgery, there was some question about how long the cushioning material within the prothcers would hold up. Just two weeks ago I cracked my ankle (playing paddle tennis) and had to have xrays. I went to the same orthopedic who did my knees. He took xrays of the knees to determine wear and tear. We were both plesently surprised, ther appearsed to be no deterioration or mis-alignment.

I encouraged three of my friends with bad knees to have them replaced. All have been pleased with the results. My reason for making this lengthy reply is on the chance that someone facing this decision might read it and be encouraged.

Powjak

I am in the last stages of my knee replacement (1); it’s been almost 7 weeks. I am 50 years old and while my doctor and I discussed having both knees done he did not recommend it due to the painful and long/hard recovery. I was more then happy to take his advice.

My experiences were nothing like some of the others. I was in the hospital 6 days and had both in-patience physical therapy twice a day and occupational therapy once a day. While I had a detailed instruction sheet about what exercises to do at home, I had in-home therapy come twice a week for the first 3 weeks I was out of the hospital and I am still going to out-patience therapy twice a week until the end of April. My doctor along with the hospital gave me all the details of what I could/should expect after surgery. In fact the hospital made be attend a “knee class” before I had the surgery. While I do not think anyone can ever really prepare a person to understand the pain you will have after surgery my pain was controlled. Pain is usually temporary in these operations but my knee will last 15-20 years.

I still need to have my other knee done, and had you asked me if and when I was going to have it done 3 weeks ago I probably would have hesitated. But now, while my knee is still sore and stiff it is so much better then before the surgery. I will be having the other done early next year (due mainly to the way my job ebbs and flows). I see no advantage in having 2 knees done at once and have seen many articles on the problems that can arise.

In each case, after two days at home I discarded the crutches. I had very little pain. Nothing like what I was experiencing before the knees were replaced. After the first operation, I worked with a therapist four days during the first week at home. After that I was on my own. I did not need the therapist after the second operation as I was familiar with the recommended exercise routine.

I did both 12/09/04. Am glad I did, as I sure would not want to do it again. Having said that, I think I did really well in the hospital and at in hospital rehab afterwards…was in for almost two full weeks. I also went to PT three times a week until April. However, I cannot bend either knee more that about 105 degrees. That is really discouraging for me as stairs are still a problem and little things like being able to sit with my legs crossed are very difficult. Also, I am still on pain pills….I take two a day, one in the morning before I go exercise and one in the late afternoon or early evening. I would really like to be off them, but I keep having pain. I find that I wake up in the middle of the night, and I swear, the knees hurt just like they did before I ever had the surgery! That’s messed up. I am able to walk better now than for a couple of years prior to the surgery, so that is great, but I am coming to the realization that there are just a lot of things I will never be able to do again…..and I did know that with the knees the way they were, I wasn’t going to be doing those same things, but I did have hope that the surgery would change some of that.

At 51 am I a satisfied customer? Yes, with some reservations.

On 5-17-05 I had a total left replacement and a partial right. I am 57 and now almost 3 weeks out, and likely doing fairly well except for the sleep situation. I am getting by with Tylenol most of the day and am walking unassisted. Range of motion is fair (close to 90), but I am very weak and very slow. I will begin outpatient therapy tomorrow and hope to be able to check in at the office this week a bit. Am I being unrealistic to think I can do this? I am glad it is over, but wonder if I would do this again. If only I could sleep…. My spouse is very patient, but busy. I hate to see the nights coming on. Any suggestions? I am taking pain pills at night and Ibuprofen 3 times a day.

age 65 -bilateral total knee relacement feb 1,2005. Mininally invasive surgery. Two nights in hospital. No time in rehab facility. Severe pain walking prior to surgery.Previous arthoscopic surgeries and injections. I can walk pain free, bike and swim. some swelling after workout, but excited over current results and hopefull for further mobility in the near future. I would be happy to share additional information.

Had bilateral total knee replacement Feb.1, 2005. Am 62 overweight but with a very optimistic attitude and quick healing body. My surgeon didn’t want to do both knees due to age, weight, pain, etc. I finally told him they both need doing and I might not have insurance after Mar. 1, due to former employer closing doors forever. He had a heart and he and his associate each did one knee in same op so I was only under the anesthetic for 3 hours with an epidural since I had asthma and they were concerned about that. First morning he said I’d chosen a rough road would take hard work, I said I know but I’ll do it. Second day he said you’re my star, I said I am? He said yes you had the roughest surgery and did the best getting on your feet and doing exercises. Second day I walked from the therapy room with a walker to my room which was a good walk. Pain was high but am able to put pain aside and do what I need to do. Op on Tues. sent to another hospital for rehab on Fri. he said they’d teach me how to take care of myself totally so would help me and my husband. I aced the physically therapy by doing exactly as I was told and often. Was given an independent certificate on Sunday and Mon. came home, climbed steps as they showed me, got into house no problem, bathed myself starting on Wed. Was on walker for 1 week then walking with cane for 3 weeks, didn’t rush myself just did the exercises even when it hurt like anything. Now totally pain free, went to Vegas the end of April and walked 3 miles sitting down each mile for a bit. It’s a miracle for me, I’ve always been a quick healer but always did as I was told to do to get well and did it.
Am I happy with my knee replacement? You bet I am I was unable to walk only a little when I did it and with great pain day and night. Now off pain pills for ages, never needed sleeping pills as pain pills put me out at night for the time I needed them. We all have different levels of pain tolerance but working with my doctor I am still in the top 1% at overcoming knee replacement. He said what I did the first 2 weeks of surgery determined my outcome and I believe it. Know your surgeon and don’t be afraid to ask questions, he was truthful from the get go and never refused to talk to me or listen to me.
I hugged him at the 3 mo. checkup and he said he’d see me next year, so great by me lol. Do the exercises faithfully and do them for life.

It is seven weeks since I had bilateral total knee replacements at a private hospital in England, close to where I live. My wounds are well healed and I am doing well on my feet, I can walk without crutches and climb stairs using a handrail. It is still difficult to use a conventional w.c. if it is low and getting up from a low chair is still difficult.

I had an epidural anaesthesia as well as a general (I was not happy to be aware during the surgery). Unfortunately this was only fully effective on the right side and this made post-op analgesia difficult to assess. I had some very painful days in hosipital. I am a 54 year old nurse and had worked up to the day before surgery although the pain in my knees was awful when I was on my feet all day.

I have felt at times that I have reached the end of my paitence with pain and incapacity but do trust that things will improve given more time and effort with exercise etc. My Physiotherapist tells me I am making excellent progess and am selling myself short, being too impatient.

The next challenge will be to get back to work – my thoughts of a 3 month recovery period will have to be rethought I am sure. At present my legs are very swollen and if I stand for any length of time – for example when cooking – they are worse.

Sleeping is a problem as I can’t really get comfortable in bed and when I wake the legs are very stiff and sore so I need to walk about to loosen them.

I am sure that if I had had one leg operated I would have been very reluctant to go back for the other. I knew orthopaedic surgery had a reputation of being very painful, now I understand why! Hopefully this experience will make me a better more compassionate nurse.

Best wishes to all fellow travellers.

My daughter found this web site and it has been good to read what others have experienced. My orthopedist thinks the surgery is coming since other things have not worked and I have problems with knees locking and falling, the pain is bad but tolerable. I have osteoarthritis in both knees and they prefer to do both at the same time. I want to be able to get it done so I can go back to school in Jan. I am 56 and don’t want to wait too long, my mother, 89 has been confined to a wheelchair for years now due to the fact her knees gave out on her and it was seemingly too much for her later. I want to be active, my husband is retiring from the Army and we want to travel and enjoy our lives before it is too late. Thank each of you for writing, I am still weighing the positives and negatives since nothing else has worked.
God bless each of you, hang in there, surely things will improve.

This is an update. I posted earlier that I had a bilateral replacement on 5-17-05. I was hospitalized for 3 nights, then went home. I went to physical therapy from weeks 2-6. The first 3 weeks were extremely difficult, but by that time I was able to return to work on a part-time basis, working from home some. By 6 weeks, I was attempting full time return. Most of my time is spent at a desk, so there has been some pain involved, but I am doing better all the time.
The first 3 months I suffered from sporatic cramps that were excruciating. Nothing seemed to touch them, so I just waited them out. I did not sleep for more than 2 hours at a strech for most of that time.
I am now at 3 1/2 months, and the cramping is still sporatic, but much less intense and shorter in duration. I can occasionaly get a 3-4 hour stretch of sleep in. I am taking only ibuprofen.
I returned to my regular exercise program at 2 months, and I can do as much as I could 2 months before surgery, I am just weaker. My right leg (partial replacement) is fairly strong with good flexibility and pain-free. The left(total replacement)has not done as well. It is weaker, and mobilty is maybe 5-10 off of straight and 115 on my best days (90 on most). I have been released by the surgeon to return for xrays in a year, but I am still suffering at night. I see the stiffness and discomfort seem to be rather commonly reported, so I guess I just need more time.
I am active, but not overly active most days. I do swell at night, seemingly more so on the days when I do NOT exercise. All in all, it is going well, I suppose. When I feel like saying “but it has been THREE MONTHS! , people respond that is has ONLY been three months. That is my biggest issue, which is more of a desire for a speedier recovery than anything else.
Am I glad I did both? You bet! If I had this experience knowing I would have to return and do it again, I would be quite hesitant.

I had bi-lateral total knee replacement on 11-22-05. Was in the hospital 3 days followed with 7 days of rehab. My concern was the amount of drugs I was given. I have very little rememberance of anything until I was able to get drug free 12-16-05.Between my spouse and myself, we didn’t have much of a clue to how to handle my condition My twice a week in home PT was good, but we didn’t know what to ask of her as far as my progress was going. Do I stay in bed, do my exercises and then what? Today, I had to come live with my daughter and let her run the show. I will also start seeing a therapist about depression. Since I tend to be a very organized person, I feel very helpless in my present condition. Thank you all for your uplifting comments and hopefully soon, mine will be here also.

Hello all…I have been reading about both knees or one at a time and the pain involved. I was wondering which type of replacements you had? Oxford, Woman’s knee, minimally invasive knee replacement or quadriceps-sparing knee replacement, or PiGalileo Computer Assisted Surgery Sysgem. I have access to all and am trying to decide. I think I want both knees done at the same time but not sure. After reading I think I will go to the gym and work on upper arm muscles before surgery.
thanks to all . mary m

I had bilateral surgery on 8/9/06. Today is 9/26/06 and have had great progress on on my left and challanges with my right. Due to an overly aggressive outpatient PT who validated her successes by how many degrees she could bend my knees ( she popped 1/2 my staples) I had to go in for a manipulation after one month. This set me back about another 4 weeks. I have a positive suggestion. My wife aggressively massages my knees 1 to 2 times per day and she works full time with two teenagers at home. Each massage lasts about 1/2 hour. This becomes the equivelent of two hours of iceing or 2 oxycondone. It really takes away the pain enough so that I can fall asleep for a few hours. I do not ice afterwards although it is propbably a good idea. The consensus is correct. The pain is significantly more intensive and extensive that described in the literature or by the doctors.

I had total knee replacement on Mar1, 2010, at the age of 62, the first couple of days were a challenge, but with PT things improved. I came home after 10 days in hospital. I faithfully did my exercices at home twice a day. When I went back to my surgeon after 6 weeks he was very impressed by my mobility and bend. It is now 3 months and I am back at work ( a grader opperator of roads) The pain is getting better everyday, though sitting for long periods causes stifness, so must get out of my machine and walk every 3 hours. The surgery corrected my bowed legs, but now I notice that I walk on the inside of my feet, causing swollen inside ankles( almost like an over correction) Has anyone else experienced this? I am happy with the surgery and so glad that I did both at the same time, as the pain I had before was more intense then any I have now and it only gets better everyday.