Posted , 13 users are following.
Am I on the right group for knee replacement questions? I've got my first knee replacement booked for 1st March and have a list of questions tht don't seem to be covered anywhere else on the net.
1 like, 93 replies
Posted , 13 users are following.
Am I on the right group for knee replacement questions? I've got my first knee replacement booked for 1st March and have a list of questions tht don't seem to be covered anywhere else on the net.
1 like, 93 replies
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april99094 chris00938
Posted
chris00938 april99094
Posted
martinarvelo chris00938
Posted
Just a few comments which may be useful. Before the operation, try to build up muscle not only in the leg which needs the operation, but also in upper boy, as using crutches to begin with is quite hard work. Exercises with the leg. . lifting it when lying down etc. will help to strengthen the muscles in the leg too and aid recovery. Make sure you have things in place for when you return. if possible, a comfortable chair which is not too low, an over the toilet seat to make getting up and down easier, a cross body bag for transporting small things around while you are still using crutches, like books etc. . freezer bags or a freezer cuff, some very soft and comfortable jogging bottoms, perhaps some extra pillows, . . I found velvet the most comfortable . . paper plates and glasses to avoid too much washing up, ready made meals in the freezer a pair of shoes larger than you usually wear as your foot may very well be swollen, and decent pain killers. If you are in the UK, they may prescribe these for you anyway, and in the USA I'm sure they do, but I would check it out before as I was expected to survive on paracetamol, and it's no fun. Someone did mention, and I second that, that there are probably more people on this site with a difficult recovery from the knee operation, as it is precisely those who will look for a forum, so you may be one of the lucky ones who sails through it will little problems. However, there will obviously be a period when you need to push yourself to do the exercises, and I believe that absolutely nobody escapes that! If you are asked to use blood thinning drugs after the op you may feel the cold more, depending on the time of year. You probably will curse having had the operation done for a week or two, but hang in there and you will be glad in the long term! Best of luck,
chris00938 martinarvelo
Posted
Thank you SO much and thank you for these wonderful ideas! I've already found my jogging bottoms that I used for an op a few years back and have got my bag already partly packed (well there are only five weeks to go LOL!) so am passing the waiting time by preparations. I'm finding living with severe arthritis for so long has left me pretty prepared in many ways - raised furniture, raised toilet seat and even getting up and down from a chair correctly, and in and out of the car, so hopefully it will all help, along with doing the treadmill and recumbent bike most days. But as you said, the physio after the op is SO important and I think this is what makes all the difference between success and problems in many cases!
Guest martinarvelo
Posted
2parts 50% rubbing alcohol to 1 part water, add few drops food coloring in a ziplock DOUBLE BAG. All sizes are great to havr on hand but quart size is great for length of time, weight on knee and not freezing ALL your skin. Hand towel wrap, place on knee.
Gallon size when it hurts just breathing and your legs are up for a movie lol!
chris00938 Guest
Posted
What's the food colouring for? Is it so you realise it's not a food?
Guest chris00938
Posted
Yes! Acts as a Quick reminder. Plus u say to someone grab the blue or( whatever color u want) ice pack in freezer and easy to find.
chris00938 Guest
Posted
CHICO_MARX chris00938
Posted
Here ya go... After reading this, you'll probably cancel the surgery!!! LOL!!!
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
Check my other posts too. Have fun...it's soooo easy...zero pain...back to running miles in a week or two...NOT!!! Be prepared...this takes a year.
chris00938 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Well that's a brilliant realistic post! So thank you! I like to be prepared! I'm so fortunate that I've got a helpful supportive husband, so I can feel free to whinge as much as I need to:-) I've struggled with the pain of both knees for so long now, so I KNOW the time is right:-)))
martinarvelo CHICO_MARX
Posted
Spme people do not have such problems. . honestly! I have heard of several. In fact, the morning of my operation the same surgeon operated on a woaman of 80. three days later, she walked out of the hospital . . no crutches. . I was still gasping flat on my back, and unable to put my foot to the ground. so, don't be too negative LOL
chris00938 martinarvelo
Posted
At least with the op you know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but struggling with osteoarthritis for so many years, you're just going further and further into the dark, so there is every reason to be optimistic that you'll be better off in time with the ops:-)
CHICO_MARX chris00938
Posted
I have to get my other knee replaced...but not until this one is a distant memory. Need to be fully healed and a lot stronger. I give big props to people who do bilats or have the two done close together. They're my heroes...I don't know how they do it. Get strong and focus. Your priority will be your recovery...and only that.
chris00938 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Will do Chico. I'm hoping to get the second one done four months after the first, but it will obviously depend on how fast recovery is and how bad the other knee is, but it's so bad now that I'm not sure I want full recovery of the first before having it done.
CHICO_MARX chris00938
Posted
In that case, there are two major things you have to do:
1. Get your ROM to 0 / +120 as quickly as possible. This may mean enduring pain and some swelling if you do PT 3x/week instead of twice plus a lot of home exercises...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/zero-degrees--517809
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-heel-slide-exercises-526213
Lots of ice, elevation, rest and pain meds...
2. This may be the most important...rebuilding your quads. All the strength in your leg to lift yourself, squat down, climb stairs, etc. is focused in your quads (which are destroyed by the op)...plus they atrophy from lack of use while recovering. Regaining that strength will be MEGA important to you since you will have to rely on the previously operated-on leg when you put the second one out of commission. See the Exercise Section of the first big post.
On the pre-op side, get as strong as possible right now. Gym...weights...lots of leg presses.
martinarvelo chris00938
Posted
Having that sort of support at home will be absolutely great for your recovery! I really feel for people who do this on their own, with no hlep . . and there are lots of them! I hope he's good at making lots of cups of tea and washing up!
KneedInput chris00938
Posted
Hi Chris. I had mine done 08/10/16 then second one 11/30/16. I thought I was ready, you quickly realize how not ready your first knee is. I have been doing PT 3x a week since 08/16, exercises at home, using ice compression several times a day, using a foam wedge for elevation at night and during day, etc etc. if my husband's company wasn't switching insurance carriers, surgeon doesn't accept new, I would have waited a little longer. I glad I did it because it will all be over sooner. I regret rushing it because of the dual discomfort. Good luck with your decision!!! Either way, you win.
chris00938 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Thanks Chico! A few years ago my legs were SO weak and my fitness so bad that I got out of breath wiping a worktop in the kitchen so I took myself in hand and that's when we got the treadmill and exercise bike that has made so much difference. I hadn't actually tried lifting legs out straight (one at a time) while on my back for ages but was surprised how much more strength I had in them and it has to be down to the exercise stuff! You've encouraged me to work on all this even more now:-)))) Thank you!
chris00938 KneedInput
Posted
I understand exactly what you're feeling Kneedinput. I realise it will be tougher getting the second one done four months after the first, but then the recovery rate won't stretch out so far - that's my thinking. Also the knee not being operated on first is so bad that it's going to limit what I can do even if the first one makes a remarkable recovery, so it just seems to be the best way to get to a better place as fast as possible, even if it's tougher at the time, which I'm fully prepared that it might be. Of course, after the first one is done I might be wanting to put it off for a year LOL!
CHICO_MARX chris00938
Posted
My daughter is a graduate nutritionist and ACSM-/ACE-certified personal trainer for 16 years. She knows her stuff and designs my rehab routines...in the therapy pool with me when I rehabbed my hip replacement. American College of Sports Medicine is the gold standard certification...takes two years to attain. Also designs my normal workout and strength training too. Helped me lose 57 pounds in 11 months. Her exercise tips for TKR recovery are in the Exercise Section here...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
Right now, I'm still not fully recovered at almost 11 months because I developed stenosis in my back at the 8-month mark. Been hobbling around ever since. Lots of tests...see the spine surgeon next week...surgery mid-February. Once that's done, I can get myself back to full strength. It's just been a very long road.
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