Posted , 11 users are following.
My TKR is 12 days away now and I was told I that if there was a single break in the skin on that leg the op would be cancelled because of the infection risk. Even an insect bite would be a problem...
I have to say I never realised how often my legs had minor wounds... I'm generally quite outdoorsy and I'm permanently covered in bites, bramble scratches, nettle rash (which I always manage to scratch open) etc, or accidental scratches from playing with dogs and cats, or catching my leg on a fence whilst struggling to get my dodgy legs over a style...
i never even think about it, but now I feel like I have to wrap the leg in cotton wool to protect it these last few days... Just got me wondering... What aspect of your surgeries took you totally by surprise? What did you have have to think/worry about that you never even thought about before?
2 likes, 96 replies
cheryl90571 saz2020
Posted
Another surprise was having to urinate about every half hour ALL NIGHT LONG that first night and having to CONTINUALLY call for a nurse to bring the BEDPAN!
It took me about four weeks to feel like my body would do what my BRAIN was asking it to do. I had a nerve block which was GREAT for pain, but at 12 weeks post op I still have parts of my leg that are NUMB.
BusterBeans cheryl90571
Posted
cheryl90571 BusterBeans
Posted
I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really didn't have ANY pain in the top of my leg where the surgery took place. That is the purpose of the nerve block. There is A LOT going on in that area, and not feeling pain there is A VERY GOOD THING!
My nurses came to check the drains that were put in my leg, and they also monitored my IV for the nerve block as well as the sodium and glucose IVs. I was encouraged to drink lots of water to flush out anesthesia. I was thirsty, so drinking lots of water wasn't a problem.
My nerve block was attached until the morning I was discharged. That was three days total.
On the second day two nurses and an aide would come to help me to the bathroom. It was HILLARIOUS getting all FOUR of us across the room and into the bathroom! We got really good at it, though, quite fast because as I mentioned before, I was urinating like it was my JOB!!!
One thing with a nerve block to remember: When you take a step with that surgical foot, put your HEEL DOWN FIRMLY first. Keep your leg as straight and STIFF as you can as you take your step. This prevents your leg, which has no feeling in the knee area due to the nerve block, from bucling
cheryl90571
Posted
I am having my right knee done Oct. 9th. I will have the same nerve block procedure for it.
With the nerve block I needed only minimal other pain medication which was good.
Catheters are convenient, but I think all my bathroom visits with my trusted assistants actually gave me more Physical Therapy and practice than I WOULD have gotten having a catheter. Yes, it was annoying always getting up and down, but I became stronger faster than I WOULD have otherwise.
Wishing you much success with your procedure! Please let us know how you are doing!
martinarvelo cheryl90571
Posted
jean34329 martinarvelo
Posted
Are you still having physio/
jean
martinarvelo jean34329
Posted
martinarvelo cheryl90571
Posted
The nerve block sounds like an excellent idea. . wish they had used that on me! By two hours after the op, the pain was pretty bad. . and it wasn't until the evening that they put something fairly strong in a drip . . .If I have to have the other knee done, I shall ask if this is an option over here!
jean34329 martinarvelo
Posted
In what way did Lyrica turn you into another person?
BusterBeans cheryl90571
Posted
cheryl90571 martinarvelo
Posted
YES, NUMB is much better than PAIN!!!
cheryl90571 BusterBeans
Posted
We will be fine!
Wishing you a good experience!
Keep in touch!
cheryl90571 martinarvelo
Posted
Having the nerve block prevented that severe pain that can come upon you as meds wear off.
jean34329 cheryl90571
Posted
Jean
jean34329 martinarvelo
Posted
Jean
BusterBeans cheryl90571
Posted
martinarvelo jean34329
Posted
martinarvelo cheryl90571
Posted
irish_linda BusterBeans
Posted
cheryl90571 martinarvelo
Posted
For me the nerve block pretty much eliminated pain where the surgery took place on my leg.
Pretty amazing thing!
cheryl90571 BusterBeans
Posted
Looking forward to another SURGERY BUDDY! Mary Ellen has hers around the same time, too!
BusterBeans cheryl90571
Posted
BusterBeans irish_linda
Posted
BusterBeans cheryl90571
Posted
cheryl90571 BusterBeans
Posted
cheryl90571 BusterBeans
Posted
It is SO GREAT to have others who are going through what I am going though! That is one of the main reasons I LOVE this site!
martinarvelo cheryl90571
Posted
martinarvelo BusterBeans
Posted
martinarvelo jean34329
Posted
martinarvelo jean34329
Posted
BusterBeans cheryl90571
Posted
jean34329 BusterBeans
Posted
BusterBeans jean34329
Posted
cheryl90571 BusterBeans
Posted
Epidurals are a continuous flow of medication for pain, I think, so you should be good to go!
I was in the hospital three nights, and I had PT starting in the NIGHT of my surgery which was at 8am that morning. The PTs came each day I was there.
Wishing you NO PAIN, a good rest, and zero complications!!
Keep us up to date, OK, on your progress!
jean34329 BusterBeans
Posted
With best wishes.
Jean
BusterBeans jean34329
Posted
jean34329 martinarvelo
Posted