Re: Trying to help out a friend...

[Guest guest]

Hi

I can't comment on the drugs or the knees, I'm a bilat hippie.

What I would say is that it would be good for your friend to take glucosamine

(esp. in

liquid form), MSM and Omega 3. They are cumalative and need to be taken for a

while

before any benefits are appreciated. Personally I wouldn't bother with the

Chondroitin,

there is no studies actually proving any effectiveness, this just tends to make

the

glucosamine more expensive.

Before my hips were replaced (resurfacings) I took no pain meds just the above

combo and

I know they helped me. I was 37 when my hips were done and I had a remarkably

quick

recovery, with all due respect, your friend is a little older and I do think

that age is a factor

in recovery.

Is she able to to walk much, does she use a cane? I would say four months is not

an awful

long time as recovery actually takes a year or so before maximum benefit is had.

Hope she is feeling better soon

jane in Wales UK

[Guest guest]

I know age should be taken into account, but I think you can put too much

emphasis on age.

It depends on so many things. Health, mental state, after care, physio,

your own body reaction, and even the support you have about you.

I work with older people, and because of my own interest I watch clients

when they have joint replacements. I haven't worked out a way to tell how

they are going to do after surgery yet. Maybe someone else has though.

All the best for everyone facing surgery this week. I'm going to the

surgeon tomorrow to see what we can do with this lemon hip of mine. Wish me

luck.

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

Re: Trying to help out a friend...

> Hi

>

> I can't comment on the drugs or the knees, I'm a bilat hippie.

>

> What I would say is that it would be good for your friend to take

> glucosamine (esp. in

> liquid form), MSM and Omega 3. They are cumalative and need to be taken

> for a while

> before any benefits are appreciated. Personally I wouldn't bother with

> the Chondroitin,

> there is no studies actually proving any effectiveness, this just tends to

> make the

> glucosamine more expensive.

>

> Before my hips were replaced (resurfacings) I took no pain meds just the

> above combo and

> I know they helped me. I was 37 when my hips were done and I had a

> remarkably quick

> recovery, with all due respect, your friend is a little older and I do

> think that age is a factor

> in recovery.

> Is she able to to walk much, does she use a cane? I would say four months

> is not an awful

> long time as recovery actually takes a year or so before maximum benefit

> is had.

>

> Hope she is feeling better soon

> jane in Wales UK

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm 76 (until March) & had a right TKR Nov. 15, so my

experiences might be comparable to your friend's. I was fairly

active before the surgery, doing exercise at the YMCA pool & at

least supervising the housework, doing the cooking, etc. But I

could no longer stand up in the shower, because both knees were

bad, & couldn't enjoy walking anywhere, shopping or other

activities.

I've had a very good result from the TKR, with a pretty easy

recovery. I had 2 weeks of PT at home, followed by a month of

outpatient PT (these were 3 times/week. Also some exercises at

home.

I stopped taking any pain pills sometime before the Holidays,

I've already forgotten when! I do have pain in my thigh &

sometimes in my shin on the operated leg, but it's much less

than before.

My mobility is much better: went to the art museum & got around

for an hour or so; went to the mall last week; can usually walk

about half a mile. I got rid of the shower chair a week ago,

because I can stand up again.

Limitations: still can't go upstairs at all well, have to haul

myself with the banister; have just this week gotten able to

step up on a curb without help. I frequently feel somewhat

unsure of my balance, have to put a hand on whatever's near. It

takes pushing with both hands to get up from the toilet (ADA

height) & most chairs, because the strength isn't quite there.

I started the water exercise again Jan. 19 & added using a

leg-press weight machine a couple of weeks ago--40 lbs. of

weight. Have noticed a lot of improvement since then! I walk

more like my old self again.

Hope this info helps. By the way, doesn't your friend consider

vicodin & oxycontin " pills " ?

Barb, in MI

Barbara Ward

Macomb County, Michigan

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Barb! I'll pass this on to her.

As for whether she regards the narcotics as 'pills'; she certainly does. That's

why she went

cold-turkey on the Oxycontin and wants to be off the others, too.

>

> I'm 76 (until March) & had a right TKR Nov. 15, so my

> experiences might be comparable to your friend's. I was fairly

> active before the surgery, doing exercise at the YMCA pool & at

> least supervising the housework, doing the cooking, etc. But I

> could no longer stand up in the shower, because both knees were

> bad, & couldn't enjoy walking anywhere, shopping or other

> activities.

>

> I've had a very good result from the TKR, with a pretty easy

> recovery. I had 2 weeks of PT at home, followed by a month of

> outpatient PT (these were 3 times/week. Also some exercises at

> home.

>

> I stopped taking any pain pills sometime before the Holidays,

> I've already forgotten when! I do have pain in my thigh &

> sometimes in my shin on the operated leg, but it's much less

> than before.

>

> My mobility is much better: went to the art museum & got around

> for an hour or so; went to the mall last week; can usually walk

> about half a mile. I got rid of the shower chair a week ago,

> because I can stand up again.

>

> Limitations: still can't go upstairs at all well, have to haul

> myself with the banister; have just this week gotten able to

> step up on a curb without help. I frequently feel somewhat

> unsure of my balance, have to put a hand on whatever's near. It

> takes pushing with both hands to get up from the toilet (ADA

> height) & most chairs, because the strength isn't quite there.

>

> I started the water exercise again Jan. 19 & added using a

> leg-press weight machine a couple of weeks ago--40 lbs. of

> weight. Have noticed a lot of improvement since then! I walk

> more like my old self again.

>

> Hope this info helps. By the way, doesn't your friend consider

> vicodin & oxycontin " pills " ?

>

> Barb, in MI

>

>

> Barbara Ward

> Macomb County, Michigan

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

What is she able to do now? Is she walking w/ a walker or a cane, or no

assistive device? What is her range of motion in her knees? Did her

therapist discharge her? is she still doing exercises?

Marilyn

schmadie wrote:

> Hello, everyone!

>

> My 78 year old housemate had both her knees replaced last October and

> is looking for some

> input as to how well she's actually doing with her recovery, etc.

>

> She's only just recently taken herself off Oxycontin after being on it

> for an extended period of

> time before the ops. She's still taking Percodan. Her doctor has just

> put her on an anti-

> inflammatory, Meloxicam. But she feels he relies too heavily on drugs

> and is hesitant about

> taking them. Anyone have any experience with this one?

>

> As far as she's concerned, she hasn't recovered as fast as either she

> thought she would, or

> what she'd been suggested. How long -generally- before someone is back

> to form?

>

> And what about Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM tabs? Anyone find they

> help?

>

> Hoping to help her out with some info, I'm off to trawl this group's

> archives until one of you

> kind souls responds. Thanks in advance.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

She does a swimming fitness class twice a week.

She goes for a walk once a day, usually for about an hour. (About a km on a

snowy road)

She gets around, but is slow.

She says her sense of balance is sometimes a concern.

She's still supposed to be doing rehab at home...but doesn't like doing it. (Her

therapist

says unless there's a problem, she won't be coming out to the house again)

Not sure about her range of motion; I'll ask her.

She uses a ski pole when she's out for a walk, or getting to the car.

I hadn't seen her in years before this January, so I don't know how she was

'before'.

She also suffers from spinal stenosis.

> > Hello, everyone!

> >

> > My 78 year old housemate had both her knees replaced last October and

> > is looking for some

> > input as to how well she's actually doing with her recovery, etc.

> >

> > She's only just recently taken herself off Oxycontin after being on it

> > for an extended period of

> > time before the ops. She's still taking Percodan. Her doctor has just

> > put her on an anti-

> > inflammatory, Meloxicam. But she feels he relies too heavily on drugs

> > and is hesitant about

> > taking them. Anyone have any experience with this one?

> >

> > As far as she's concerned, she hasn't recovered as fast as either she

> > thought she would, or

> > what she'd been suggested. How long -generally- before someone is back

> > to form?

> >

> > And what about Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM tabs? Anyone find they

> > help?

> >

> > Hoping to help her out with some info, I'm off to trawl this group's

> > archives until one of you

> > kind souls responds. Thanks in advance.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I am a phramacist. It is good that the doctor took her off the Oycondon.

She should continue taking the Percodan , as long at the pain persists.

She will know when she can decrease the dosage of the Percodan, She should

keep taking the Mobic, as this helps with both the anti-flimatory and

moderate pain. I have had both a total hip replacement and a knee surgey

Re: Trying to help out a friend...

> What is she able to do now? Is she walking w/ a walker or a cane, or no

> assistive device? What is her range of motion in her knees? Did her

> therapist discharge her? is she still doing exercises?

> Marilyn

>

> schmadie wrote:

>> Hello, everyone!

>>

>> My 78 year old housemate had both her knees replaced last October and

>> is looking for some

>> input as to how well she's actually doing with her recovery, etc.

>>

>> She's only just recently taken herself off Oxycontin after being on it

>> for an extended period of

>> time before the ops. She's still taking Percodan. Her doctor has just

>> put her on an anti-

>> inflammatory, Meloxicam. But she feels he relies too heavily on drugs

>> and is hesitant about

>> taking them. Anyone have any experience with this one?

>>

>> As far as she's concerned, she hasn't recovered as fast as either she

>> thought she would, or

>> what she'd been suggested. How long -generally- before someone is back

>> to form?

>>

>> And what about Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM tabs? Anyone find they

>> help?

>>

>> Hoping to help her out with some info, I'm off to trawl this group's

>> archives until one of you

>> kind souls responds. Thanks in advance.

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jane,

I just wanted to say you are right that age makes a big differance ,I had my operations when I was 57 and 58 I'm 63 now I had my right hip done first that didn't go too good but my Knee turn out better . Well you have a nice day.

Susie

-------------- Original message -------------- From: "jane" <laeticia_demorte@...> HiI can't comment on the drugs or the knees, I'm a bilat hippie.What I would say is that it would be good for your friend to take glucosamine (esp. in liquid form), MSM and Omega 3. They are cumalative and need to be taken for a while before any benefits are appreciated. Personally I wouldn't bother with the Chondroitin, there is no studies actually proving any effectiveness, this just tends to make the glucosamine more expensive.Before my hips were replaced (resurfacings) I took no pain meds just the above combo and I know they helped me. I was 37 when my hips were done and I had a remarkably quick recovery, with all due respect, your friend is a little older and I do think that age is a factor in recovery. Is she able to to walk much, does she use a cane? I would say four months is not an awful long time as recovery actually takes a year or so before maximum benefit is had.Hope she is feeling better soonjane in Wales UK

[Guest guest]

Hi Margaret,

You are so right what you put in this e-mail I wish you the best of Luck:-)

Have a great day:-)

Susie

--------- Re: Trying to help out a friend...> Hi>> I can't comment on the drugs or the knees, I'm a bilat hippie.>> What I would say is that it would be good for your friend to take > glucosamine (esp. in> liquid form), MSM and Omega 3. They are cumalative and need to be taken > for a while> before any benefits are appreciated. Personally I wouldn't bother with > the Chondroitin,> there is no studies actually proving any effectiveness, this just tends to > make the> glucosamine more expensive.>> Before my hips were replaced (resurfacings) I took no pain meds just the > above combo and> I know they helped me. I was 37 when my hips were done and I had a > remarkably quick> recovery, with all due respect, your friend is a little older and I do > think that age is a factor> in recovery.> Is she able to to walk much, does she use a cane? I would say four months > is not an awful> long time as recovery actually takes a year or so before maximum benefit > is had.>> Hope she is feeling better soon> jane in Wales UK>>>>>>>>>

[Guest guest]

It sounds to me as though she is doing quite well, for 78 years old, and

4 months post-op. The swimming is excellent, walking is also very

good...but I would be very careful of walking on snowy roads at this

time, especially if she feels her balance is off. Her balance may be

affected by the lack of proprioception in her knees.....our normal

joints give our brain feedback as to where the extremity is in space in

relation to the rest of the body. Because the knee joint is now metal,

this feedback is lost, and takes a while to train the body/brain to

compensate. Loss of sense of balance is a good reason to continue

Physical Therapy, probably at an out patient clinic where there are more

modalities to work w/. Often patients find that the 6 month mark is a

big change, and they feel so much better beyond that time.

AND....post-op depression, combined w/ SAD...seasonal depression of

wintertime, is a very real problem for some people. If she is feeling

depressed...or acting depressed, she may need a little help from the MD

to get past this stage....or she may just need some light therapy.

Keep up the encouragement for her, and the support, and Good Luck!

Marilyn

schmadie wrote:

> She does a swimming fitness class twice a week.

> She goes for a walk once a day, usually for about an hour. (About a km

> on a snowy road)

> She gets around, but is slow.

> She says her sense of balance is sometimes a concern.

> She's still supposed to be doing rehab at home...but doesn't like

> doing it. (Her therapist

> says unless there's a problem, she won't be coming out to the house again)

> Not sure about her range of motion; I'll ask her.

> She uses a ski pole when she's out for a walk, or getting to the car.

> I hadn't seen her in years before this January, so I don't know how

> she was 'before'.

> She also suffers from spinal stenosis.

>

>

>

> > > Hello, everyone!

> > >

> > > My 78 year old housemate had both her knees replaced last October and

> > > is looking for some

> > > input as to how well she's actually doing with her recovery, etc.

> > >

> > > She's only just recently taken herself off Oxycontin after being

> on it

> > > for an extended period of

> > > time before the ops. She's still taking Percodan. Her doctor has just

> > > put her on an anti-

> > > inflammatory, Meloxicam. But she feels he relies too heavily on drugs

> > > and is hesitant about

> > > taking them. Anyone have any experience with this one?

> > >

> > > As far as she's concerned, she hasn't recovered as fast as either she

> > > thought she would, or

> > > what she'd been suggested. How long -generally- before someone is

> back

> > > to form?

> > >

> > > And what about Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM tabs? Anyone find they

> > > help?

> > >

> > > Hoping to help her out with some info, I'm off to trawl this group's

> > > archives until one of you

> > > kind souls responds. Thanks in advance.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I haven't worked out a way to tell how they are going to do after surgery yet. Maybe someone else has though. >>> I wouldn't agree with anyone that says there is "a way to tell". Surgery is no different then drug reactions or anything else that effects the human body... it's an individual case by case issue~ and what works well for one is not necessarily going to work well for the next... if it works for both you can almost beat there will be some degree of difference whether it's in recovery, pain levels or whatever~ Some are bad for saying "your young don't sweat it"... I too agree that age has little to do with it.