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Posted , 11 users are following.

Lindynvegas
Lindynvegas

I just had a knee replacement last Friday, April 8, 2016.  I have numerous suggestions for "pre-surgery" people and I want to ask some questions to peop who are 2 months further along than I am. Now what?

2 likes, 31 replies

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  • tana4life
    tana4life Lindynvegas

    Posted

    Kindy

    Hey my name is Montana I am 13 weeks post op had both knees done the same time . It is taking a long time th heal , full night sleep almost impossible, stiffness all the time and the Dr wants you off the pain meds

    . All you can do is heal at your own pace. Do your PT, ice, elevate. And read these forums it helps alot.

    • david55379
      david55379 tana4life

      Posted

      Tana...are you SERIOUS? Both knees at the SAME TIME and the doctor wants you off the pain meds??? 😮😮😮

      Ohhh Lord...you'd better talk to LINDY (not Kindy...altho K could stand for KOOKOOLinda. 😊

      If they take you off pain meds after ....ohh 13 weeks. I read it wrong..i thought i saw 13 days. Anyways Kookoo or MasuggaLindy as i call her will act as your personal injury counsellor...and help you sue the doctor. Shez very letigiousbiggrin

      You'll be $$millionaires if you listen to her! 😋😄🔯

    • Lindynvegas
      Lindynvegas david55379

      Posted

      Hi Tennis Guy, "all kidding aside." Gee where have I heard that phrase before? Can you believe Tann (previous post) had BOTH knees done at once? I would most definitely be in the psych ward right now! And tennis guy, I have noted that you are having  way too much fun with my name, so I will be diligently working on a very special screen name for you. In fact, I was thinking of getting the ENTIRE harem together so they can give me some feedback. I'm sure each one of the "gals" already has a little "pet" name for you,  maybe, when I leave the "Palace" I will be able to stop by at "rush" hour ( I think the high schol in your area gets out around 4:00p.m.) around 4pm and visit with the flock. I'm going to have to sleep on this. Really need to sleep (and you are probably just waking up).  Talk later
    • david55379
      david55379 Lindynvegas

      Posted

      I know right...id be in psych ward too if they did both. Tann must be a warrior!
    • tana4life
      tana4life david55379

      Posted

      David

      I am Montana and I will confess the reson I had both done at one time is that I am more a chicken than a warrior . I am still part of the work force and I knew I could not take off twice ,plus I was assured that they both had to be done period no question. Trust me when I say had I had the worst knee done first I don't think I would have had the other done. My left knee was bad. But now being on the other side of surgery I have good days and I have bad. I try to do the best I can every day and I have to remember to not be so hard on myself for this too shall pass. These forums are a god send .Thank to all who participate.

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 Lindynvegas

    Posted

    I guess the 1st thing I can tell you is that you are about to undergo the the most frustrating few weeks or months of your life. Everyone is so different and healing is the same mixed bag. The whole experience is first and for most a process. For most of us it means take your pain meds on a schedule not when pain hits. Do your excercises but with common sense........this isn't something that that requires you to put yourself in pain. The expression up to but not into pain is soon understood. The best investment I ever made was one of the large colpak that is flexible and can wrap around the knee and they refreeze in a hurry so they are ready when needed. Check Amazon for specifics. Rest......rest every time you have a chance.......and.....hydrate to an almost excess. A tired, dehydrated body heals so much slower than one That's been cared for. Sleep will be hard to come by so take it when you can get it. My recliner has been my best friend for years. Others have many tips that help. As you go through this just lost your questions or concerns or even rant a bit if you wish . one thing about this site.....everyone has one thing in common.....they have been through it. Dr's and therapists know the text book side.....those on here know the pain, misery and uncertainty.
  • tom809
    tom809 Lindynvegas

    Posted

    Post your question. Maybe I can help
    • Lindynvegas
      Lindynvegas tom809

      Posted

      Hi, I had a TKR on Friday, April 8, 2016 I have soooooo many questions and it's super late here (Chicago:2:00 a.m. ). But here's a few. I'm barely sleeping.  Maybe I'm nervous . I take a tramodol one every four hours for pain. I was mixing this on and off with oxycodone up until last Saturday which has eased my nauseaness quite a bit. So one question is, is everyone getting nausea? (From the drug?), when do most people start actually  walking without a walker/cane? When can I scale down from the STRONG narcotic to a less potent drug such as Tylenol? Will I ever to truly be able to walk "normal" again? Will I be able to dance, run, swim? The Tennis Guy said something about not being able to swim in chlorinated water, so swimming is a major concern,,I will have mor questions tomorrow.  Need to sleep. 
    • tom809
      tom809 Lindynvegas

      Posted

      First of all about the medicine the oxycodone made me so nauseous that I could nottake it. in fact because the tramadol didn't do much I quit taking all pain medicines and just put up with the pain. They say that this is not the best way to go but it work for me. I did use it and beyond for the sleeping pill since the pain made it hard to sleep at night. I also know later on begin taking a little tramadol when the pain was not as severe because it would then help Basically I think you should take as much pain pills as you think are helpful weighing the relief of pain against the nausea they cause.

      I was told that swimming was a good exercise and having swim competitively in the past using us as part of my strength building program

      As far as when you scale down to Tylenol or walk without a cane or walker or crutches everyone is different and you shouldn't try to set a deadline for yourself but just listen to your body and be patient. It's not a race and the time varies from patient to patient.

      You will be able to walk normal, dance and as I said swim however running is not recommended. Finally I am unaware that chlorinated water is bad but perhaps you should check this with your doctor you certainly do not want to swim for the first three weeks maybe four or until the wound is completely satisfactory healed

      you'll be reassured by reading the post of others as many of them will have similar worries and complaints as you do

    • debbie171066
      debbie171066 Lindynvegas

      Posted

      Hi im 10 wks tomoz and my main thing i would say is dont be to hard on yourself. I wasnt prepared mentaly for how much this would affect me! Dont worry if you cry iv cried loads! It is so important you get pain under control so you can do your exercises! They are the most important thing! Also ice and elevate! Sleep is really hard as u wake when wanting to move! Im stil waking every 2 hours! Its been a long 10 wks but i have come a really long way! Im walking out daily and building up the distance! I walk with 1 crutch out for confidence but walk round house without and garden. Dont be hard on your self its a major op and u need time to heal. Im seeing my specialist/surgeon tmoz so lets hope hes pleased with me! I am! I want to get back to work and am hoping another 2 wks and i can! People seem to say it does take 12 wks! So keep ur chin up x
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 Lindynvegas

      Posted

      All pain meds should be taken with food. Never on an empty stomach. If they don't agree with you talk to your Dr. There are so many pain meds out there ask your primary care Dr to help. They are much more in tune to side effects than surgeons.
  • d.78163
    d.78163 Lindynvegas

    Posted

    Wish I had something like this before my surgery 2 years ago--I am still learning things that I should and should NOT do from uninterested third parties.  And I have to say that is an unforgivable situation when you expected the hospital and its employees to hold up their end of the surgery by giving you full disclosure--and its obvious they did not.
    • tom809
      tom809 d.78163

      Posted

      How long did it take your knee to really become comfortable. I have been told that my situation could take up to a year. It seems a long time and some people are close to 100% after eight or 12 weeks but I guess I don't have any choice but to wait and hope that it will happen at a year at the most
    • tana4life
      tana4life tom809

      Posted

      Tom

      I am Montana I had both knee done same time and I thought I would be back to work in three months ha ha. I am 13 weeks post op and there I'd no way I could go back to work now my job is very physical and the floor is usually wet or has something slick on it and I am not willing to chance all thw work I've done. Anyone that tells you they were 100% after 8 weeks should have a really long nose from telling fibs. Don't judge yourself by other people we all heal at our own pace. Stay with these forums I find them to be a little more truthful.

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 tom809

      Posted

      Honest Dr's will tell you that the one year Mark isn't unreasonable. The joint is solid within hours then the primary healing so the stitches/staples can be removed . After that comes the streatching and strengthening then the most difficult and the area you have the least control over, nerves. Nerves take a long, long time and until they are fully repaired the sensation of the of the apparatus. Everytime the body gets a shock through the legs/knees you are going to get a tiny set back. I have been nearly 14 years since a tumor blew up and 13 since my original tkr. I never thought my first one was done correctly but was told that bb ecause I had radiation plus 3 surgeries to drain the bleeding and a synovectomy I had so much damage I might have a long recovery if a full one at all. Then 9 years later the real problems when the tumor came back with vengence. After my 11th surgery last June t he e Dr's agree that I may have enough residual pain to need pain meds the rest of my life. As different asvwe all are there is just no guarantees when it comes to the repair of a knee. Just keep up the excercises and one day the strange sensation will just not be there. It may be 6 months, a year or longer but when the nerves are fully healed you will own it.
    • pam92068
      pam92068 tom809

      Posted

      Tom,

      Anyone that says they are 100% at 8 to 12 weeks????  I am 100 % in straight and bend....but come on???those muscles and nerves still let me know they are healing.  my my surgeon said 3 to 4 months minimum till you feel somewhat normal......???whatever that is.  And a year to heal.  I am doing above average at 10 weeks po.  Stretches this morning, Just back from 30 minute walk and rode my bike for 10 minutes.  Now ice and elevation...ahhhh.

      pam

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 d.78163

      Posted

      Not disinterested people by any means.....people who have been through it and are willing to take time to help strangers. 1st thing I noticed on this site was no matter where people are in the world, uncertainty and psi are universal.......as is the lack of involvement by much of the medical team
    • d.78163
      d.78163 tom809

      Posted

      My recovery was set to be at 2 years (Total recovery).
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