Total Knee replacement

[Guest guest]

Good luck with your surgery, Jim!

I, too, was a little fearful about the surgery but some of the people on this

site helped to assuage my fears.

My experience in the hospital the day of surgery is that they ask you to take a

short walk -- maybe a min or two at most within the room with the walker and

then back to bed. The second day I went to PT and they made sure I could climb

steps so I could get in my house.

I had help at home and I made meals ahead of time. Also, purchased soup and

prepared some quickie meals to warm up.

Looking forward to reading your account of your experiences.

All the best to you,

a

>

> Well guys im not ready but monday the 10th they are doing my left knee then

after rehab they are doing the left one. wish me well im terrified of all this

what normal person wouldnt be. i went to the hospital for a class on tkr they

made it seem like ohh gee we send you home the 2nd day after surgery just as

soon as we get the cathater out and get you eating solid food your on your own

bye bye nice knowing you i was dumbfounded to say the least in shock they told

us how they would have us up walking after surgery and then we would walk out

the door two days later i just dont know i have seen my ex wife with her

surgerys and she didnt get out of bed but 1 time the day of the surgery that was

it every time they worked on her knees she was in a nursing home for 10 to 14

days before they let her go home anyway where im going has wifi and i have a

netbook so i can write about my experiance with this im hoping i never have to

do this again

> best wishes Jim

>

[Guest guest]

,

That's great news. I hope your recovery continues smoothly.

Jeff

________________________________

From: Remillard <remi13211@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2009 2:41:25 PM

Subject: Re: Total Knee Replacement

I am 4 weeks out today from my TKR and doing great. I was to drs on mon and very

plwased. I take pain meds when needed such as in pain for for PT. I have had no

problems and very pleased. Waiting for left knee to be done in 6 months I hope.

>

>

>

>

> Hi all,

> I had TKR on May 27.I'm waiting for the part that makes this all worth it.My

> knee still won't go straight.When they bend my knee back they get 101.:-(

> Still in a lot of pain.OS says I'm doing great. I sure don't feel great.I can

> walk without aid but walk very slow.

> Dot

>

> A curve that can set a lot of things straight is a smile. " ~~ Anonymous

>

>  

[Guest guest]

How soon a person drives depends on a lot of variables. Things like how bad is

your knee to begin with, how hard you work post-op in PT, whether you had one or

two knees done, any other diagnoses may affect your recovery and return to

driving....things like lymphadema, developing infections like cellulitis, etc.

One good book is After Surgery, Illness or Trauma by Regina Sara . I got

it from Amazon.com I didn't read the whole thing, but there's lots of good

information, and was recommended by someone else here.

Advise for pre-op: do your exercises! Hopefully your surgeon has given you

some information about exercises you can do. Take pain medications as you need

them....don't " tough it out. " In the long run, you'll be glad you were well

medicated. Don't be in a rush to get better quicker than your body is able to.

An example....I thought I'd be transferring from walker to cane sooner than I

did, that I'd be driving sooner that I did (was eight weeks instead of 4-6

weeks), that I'd have less pain now (at 12 weeks) than I do.

It sounds pretty routine what your doctor told you about how long you'll be in

the hospital post-surgery. Three weeks of no driving sounds pretty early....I

think there's a few folks here who've driven early out of necessity, but from

what I've heard six weeks of no driving seems to be the standard. I haven't

heard anything about no flying.

How long are you planning on being off work? Plan for potentially needing more

time. I'd hoped to get back to work in 12 weeks (which would have been

yesterday). However, I'm not ready....hopefully will be able to return by Nov.

1. (I had two knees done, and one in particular was in really bad shape.)

I'm sure others here will give you good information. Being bone on bone doesn't

feel good. I was there. Even though I still have some pain, it is tolerable,

and preferred, over what I felt pre-op. You'll be so glad you got it done.

[Guest guest]

Ahh, another Kim!

3 weeks is early for driving especially if it is your right knee.

Are you tall? What kind of car? What meds will you be on after

surgery? Narcotics a big No No for driving.

Book called Total Knee Replacement and Rehabilitation was the best for

me. Got a copy from library though available on amazon to purchase.

Recovery is individual. You may be ready when your doctor said. I was

not.

I began working 9 weeks postop. I had complications and a second

surgery. Not the norm, but possible. I am a teacher. I can adjust my

work environment. Sit, stand, move, don't move. Can you?

Ask why the time frame on flying. Sitting in one place may be the

reason. Again depends on your height. May be med related. I don't know.

Good luck!!

Kim

Minnesota

Sent from iPhone

http://quiltmom05.blogspot.com/

http://web.mac.com/skinbike/Site/Welcome.html

http://community.webshots.com/user/quiltmom05

On Oct 14, 2009, at 12:49 AM, " KJayhan " <kimjayhan@...> wrote:

> Hi,

> I'm new to the group, and have just gotten a total knee replacement

> surgery scheduled for December. I'll eventually have to have both

> knees done (both are bone on bone), but in December, I am starting

> with my right knee. I'm looking for any advice on getting prep'd for

> it - any books I can read, what to expect, recovery, etc. My doctor

> tells me I will be in the hospital for a couple days, then home -

> can't drive for 3 weeks, no flying for 5 (this will be a killer, as

> I am in sales)....and I'm reading as much as I can. But I figured

> I'd ask if anyone has things to share....having had the surgery,

> anything you wish you'd known, or that I can do to prep? I want to

> be very successful.

> Thanks!

> Kim

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am also new to the group and been reading and absorbing. I, like Kim, am

having one knee done in December and trying to prepare as much as possible.

I have a neighbor who had bilateral done last Feb and some friends who have

just done one at a time. I am curious to know if anyone else was put in an

onloader brace before going on for the surgery? I tried synvisc shots to no

avail and then he put me in the brace in June because my bone on bone is

primarily on the medial side and he said I was too young to have the knee

replacement. We needed to try to get another year if at all possible..not

happening...I will be 55 on the date of my surgery..yippee..HB to me.

Also, I am concerned a little about post op and my job...I have a daycare

out of my home. I am planning on doing the surgery just prior to my holiday

break (the 17th) and then I will have two and a half undisturbed weeks

before the kids come back. I will be hiring a full time helper until I can

do it alone. He told me to expect the full 8 weeks. My question, after three

(or almost) will I hopefully be good enough to be of some help to my helper?

I am having trouble picturing what I am about to face...

(`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´)

«´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`»

( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸)

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments,

WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD.Every moment, THANK GOD.

~ Rick Warren ~

Need a website? Visit me on the world wide web:

Kid'n'Kaboodle

DivaDesigns

-- Re: Total Knee Replacement

Ahh, another Kim!

3 weeks is early for driving especially if it is your right knee.

Are you tall? What kind of car? What meds will you be on after

surgery? Narcotics a big No No for driving.

Book called Total Knee Replacement and Rehabilitation was the best for

me. Got a copy from library though available on amazon to purchase.

Recovery is individual. You may be ready when your doctor said. I was

not.

I began working 9 weeks postop. I had complications and a second

surgery. Not the norm, but possible. I am a teacher. I can adjust my

work environment. Sit, stand, move, don't move. Can you?

Ask why the time frame on flying. Sitting in one place may be the

reason. Again depends on your height. May be med related. I don't know.

Good luck!!

Kim

Minnesota

Sent from iPhone

http://quiltmom05.blogspot.com/

http://web.mac.com/skinbike/Site/Welcome.html

http://community.webshots.com/user/quiltmom05

On Oct 14, 2009, at 12:49 AM, " KJayhan " <kimjayhan@...> wrote:

> Hi,

> I'm new to the group, and have just gotten a total knee replacement

> surgery scheduled for December. I'll eventually have to have both

> knees done (both are bone on bone), but in December, I am starting

> with my right knee. I'm looking for any advice on getting prep'd for

> it - any books I can read, what to expect, recovery, etc. My doctor

> tells me I will be in the hospital for a couple days, then home -

> can't drive for 3 weeks, no flying for 5 (this will be a killer, as

> I am in sales)....and I'm reading as much as I can. But I figured

> I'd ask if anyone has things to share....having had the surgery,

> anything you wish you'd known, or that I can do to prep? I want to

> be very successful.

> Thanks!

> Kim

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim,

An important thing to remember here is that everyone responds differently to the

surgery and pt. A lot depends on how hard you work at pt and doing the exercises

at home. It's important to ice the knee often and elevate your leg to reduce

swelling.

Check out this website for info on the surgery and some exercises you can do

prior to the surgery:

http://www.ehealthm d.com/library/ totalkneereplace ment/TKR_ whatis.html

Everything your doc said sounds like standard boilerplate info and each person

is going to be a bit off of that. You can't drive until staples are out and

that's 2 weeks and you're off most meds. Don't skimp on meds in order to be able

to drive or go back to work earlier. It's important to stay ahead of the pain so

you can rehab sucessfully. You need to count on at least 4 weeks plus of rehab

3x a week and probably longer.

Jeff

________________________________

From: KJayhan <kimjayhan@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 1:49:12 AM

Subject: Total Knee Replacement

Hi,

I'm new to the group, and have just gotten a total knee replacement surgery

scheduled for December.  I'll eventually have to have both knees done (both are

bone on bone), but in December, I am starting with my right knee.  I'm looking

for any advice on getting prep'd for it - any books I can read, what to expect,

recovery, etc.  My doctor tells me I will be in the hospital for a couple days,

then home - can't drive for 3 weeks, no flying for 5 (this will be a killer, as

I am in sales)....and I'm reading as much as I can.  But I figured I'd ask if

anyone has things to share....having had the surgery, anything you wish you'd

known, or that I can do to prep?  I want to be very successful.

Thanks!

Kim

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim

I am at 3 weeks TKR - right leg. I am at 100 degrees ROM...PT tells me

this is good. I saw my DR on Monday.

He says no driving until I am off pain meds. They're guessing 6 weeks,

but no guarantee. I am not on as many as in the beginning, but I

certainly do not want to be without yet.

Best of luck to you.

Dorie Madsen

Hi Kim,

An important thing to remember here is that everyone responds

differently to the surgery and pt. A lot depends on how hard you work

at pt and doing the exercises at home. It's important to ice the knee

often and elevate your leg to reduce swelling.

Check out this website for info on the surgery and some exercises you

can do prior to the surgery:

http://www.ehealthm d.com/library/ totalkneereplace ment/TKR_

whatis.html

Everything your doc said sounds like standard boilerplate info and each

person is going to be a bit off of that. You can't drive until staples

are out and that's 2 weeks and you're off most meds. Don't skimp on

meds in order to be able to drive or go back to work earlier. It's

important to stay ahead of the pain so you can rehab sucessfully. You

need to count on at least 4 weeks plus of rehab 3x a week and probably

longer.

Jeff

________________________________

From: KJayhan <kimjayhan@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 1:49:12 AM

Subject: Total Knee Replacement

Hi,

I'm new to the group, and have just gotten a total knee replacement

surgery scheduled for December.  I'll eventually have to have both

knees done (both are bone on bone), but in December, I am starting with

my right knee.  I'm looking for any advice on getting prep'd for it -

any books I can read, what to expect, recovery, etc.  My doctor tells

me I will be in the hospital for a couple days, then home - can't drive

for 3 weeks, no flying for 5 (this will be a killer, as I am in

sales)....and I'm reading as much as I can.  But I figured I'd ask if

anyone has things to share....having had the surgery, anything you wish

you'd known, or that I can do to prep?  I want to be very successful.

Thanks!

Kim

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Dorie,

You sound great.Do you show your yorkie? I show my poodles and sheltie in

obedience trails.I;m,going into 5 mo TKR and just barely able to change pace.The

bending back ROM is 119.

Dot

This world is such a harsh place - and smiles and kindness cost us so little

and feel so good to others - can we really avoid this golden chance to make

this world a better place?

:

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Terri!

I’m glad you found this group, which has been a wonderful help and support

to me through both my right (march 19) and my left (september 1) total knee

replacements.

I’m also glad you’ve been able to schedule this surgery. I really don’t

get why docs are so reluctant to do this surgery on their younger patients.

Who knows what will be available when and if your knee ever needs to be

re-replaced.... And why should you have to wait to recover the quality of

life that the TKR will give us? Anyway....

I think you were wanting feedback on your plan to return full time to your

day care center after 2 1/2 weeks off. What follows is my personal

opinion. I am not a medical professional and don’t play one on television.

I am now going through rehab on my second TKR and that is the experience I

want to share with you.

As I understand your email, your doc has said to expect the full 8 weeks of

recovery before returning to work. I would take this advice and information

very seriously. Even 8 weeks seems pretty fast to me, though it could be

perfect for you.

In my experience, it is not realistic to expect to be able to continue the

type of work you describe after 2 1/2 weeks of recovery. I am older than

you at 67 so perhaps have less energy and slower healing. But by all

reports from my doc and physical therapist as well as my observations of

others with whom I work in our PT gym, my recovery is way ahead of the curve

-- and I could not do it.

To help get a sense of what is realistic, you might write out all the

activities that you will need to do once you return to your work, as well as

your work schedule. Go over this with the doctor and the physical

therapist. Go through each item and see what they say about your ability to

do it, as well as about the whole picture. Also ask them for the details

of what you will need to rehab. Then with their help you can better assess

whether you will be able to do this along with the added job of recovering

from your TKR in the timeframe you are looking at.

I’ve found the rehab to be quite a strenuous regimen. For the first 2

weeks I had Physical Therapy twice a week at home and did my exercises three

times a day. These critical exercises were intended to give me back the

ability to flex and extend the surgical knee. They hurt!!!! Then I went to

outpatient PT twice a week and added that to my existing exercises along

with some new exercises. After 2 weeks I was sent to the “independent gymâ€.

I go 5 times a week and it takes me over 2 hours to complete all I’ve been

given to do. And I’m working hard, not hanging out! I also have some

ongoing stretching to do at home and am supposed to walk an hour a day. I’m

behind on the walking because I’ve found the gym routine so strenuous. I

continue to have sleep disturbance many nights, waking from once to 5 times

a night with discomfort or pain. This is normal according to my doc and to

what I have read here. Thank goodness, it seems to be getting better. I

have slept well the past few nights. But without sleep I am not worth much

: ) I am happy to say that my current level of pain is very low. Until

today I have continued to use medication when I go to the gym. Today I

forgot and did okay on 2 Tylenol. I needed major icing afterwards though!

You might also want to get a copy of the book “Total Knee Replacement &

Rehabilitation: An Owners Manualâ€. As people on this list have said,

everyone’s recovery is different; but there are some common threads and this

book gives an idea of what to expect for the first year. It also has a lot

of exercises so that we can vary our routine and if something isn’t working

maybe it can be replaced by a different exercise. The book is available

from the publishers online at http://hunterhouse.com/ One of the things

these authors stress (p. 88) is that for at least four weeks your

rehabilitation is a 24X7 job. As always, I found things that I thought

would work for me, some things I thought were over the top. So I take what

I need and leave the rest. Overall I think it’s an excellent resource and

it may help you with your question.

This recovery is so important to the quality of our lives so I hope that you

will take the very best care of yourself and give yourself all the time,

care, and attention you need and that you will accept all the help you are

offered from friends and family.

Best wishes!

Peace,

Jackie

Ps I did not have the brace. I did have several rounds of the shots which

helped a lot. Though the last one gave out 2 weeks before my surgery. EEK!

It sure convinced me that I had been right to schedule the surgery!

j

On 10/14/09 5:07 AM, " DivaMom " <dzoo@...> wrote:

>

>

>

>

> I am also new to the group and been reading and absorbing. I, like Kim, am

> having one knee done in December and trying to prepare as much as possible.

> I have a neighbor who had bilateral done last Feb and some friends who have

> just done one at a time. I am curious to know if anyone else was put in an

> onloader brace before going on for the surgery? I tried synvisc shots to no

> avail and then he put me in the brace in June because my bone on bone is

> primarily on the medial side and he said I was too young to have the knee

> replacement. We needed to try to get another year if at all possible..not

> happening...I will be 55 on the date of my surgery..yippee..HB to me.

> Also, I am concerned a little about post op and my job...I have a daycare

> out of my home. I am planning on doing the surgery just prior to my holiday

> break (the 17th) and then I will have two and a half undisturbed weeks

> before the kids come back. I will be hiring a full time helper until I can

> do it alone. He told me to expect the full 8 weeks. My question, after three

> (or almost) will I hopefully be good enough to be of some help to my helper?

> I am having trouble picturing what I am about to face...

>

> (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*€*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´)

> «´¨`·..€ * Terri * €..·´¨`»

> ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*€*`'· .¸)`'·.¸)

> Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments,

> WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD.Every moment, THANK GOD.

> ~ Rick Warren ~

> Need a website? Visit me on the world wide web:

> Kid'n'Kaboodle

> DivaDesigns

>

>

>

>

>

> .

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim!

I¹d just chime in with others have said about pre-surgery exercises. The

more you can strengthen your quads and other leg muscles and improve your

core strength, the more you will have there to rely on when you are

recovering.

I was told I couldn¹t drive for 6 weeks but did a little earlier for the

first (right) knee and much earlier for the second. My recovery has been

quicker for the second surgery and I didn¹t have the braking/gas pedal issue

since it was my left knee. For the right knee I practiced moving between

brake and gas and stomping on the brake before driving. I¹m told not to fly

for 2 months. I suspect you will be sufficiently engaged in rehab at 5

weeks that flying won¹t be an issue! I think one of the reasons for not

flying is to reduce the possibility of blood clots. It is also really

uncomfortable to fly. When you do get back on airplane, you might get an

aisle seat with the surgical leg on the aisle. That¹ll help you to stretch

during the flight as well as make it easier to get up for frequent walks.

The knees really like that during a flight!!

Best wishes for your surgery and recovery!

Peace,

Jackie

On 10/13/09 10:49 PM, " KJayhan " <kimjayhan@...> wrote:

>

>

>

>

> Hi,

> I'm new to the group, and have just gotten a total knee replacement surgery

> scheduled for December. I'll eventually have to have both knees done (both

> are bone on bone), but in December, I am starting with my right knee. I'm

> looking for any advice on getting prep'd for it - any books I can read, what

> to expect, recovery, etc. My doctor tells me I will be in the hospital for a

> couple days, then home - can't drive for 3 weeks, no flying for 5 (this will

> be a killer, as I am in sales)....and I'm reading as much as I can. But I

> figured I'd ask if anyone has things to share....having had the surgery,

> anything you wish you'd known, or that I can do to prep? I want to be very

> successful.

> Thanks!

> Kim

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My original surgeon, and his partner who actually did the surgery both

said a brace of any kind wouldn't help me. I had synvisc shots at

Thanksgiving last year, and tbey

didn't work for me either.

Baloney on the too young for surgery stuff. I had my bilateral surgery

at 49, and probably should of had it done a couple years earlier on the

left and a year earlier on the right. First surgeon I worked with (who

prescribed the synvisc, plus steroid shots, etc) wanted me to delay

surgery as long as possible. His partner, who did the surgery, said I

needed it ASAP and quality of life would be so much better afterwards.

Life is definitely getting better each week as I progress.

At three weeks, I still rested a lot. Was on 1-2 tabs (usually 2) of

percoset every 4-6 hours. I would recommend being as minimally

involved in your daycare as possible when the kiddos come back. Really

focus on you getting yourself better. The more you can invest in your

recovery from an early stage, the better you'll be in the long run.

Remember, you'll have out-patient Physical Therapy appointments to go to

during the week, will have home exercises to do, everything seems to

take longer to do in those early weeks.

I was told 8-12 weeks for bilateral surgery. I've just passed the 12

week mark. Though significantly better, I am still not back to work. I

hope to be back within 3-4 weeks. (My situation was compounded by a

bout of cellulitis in my left leg at week 7 which had me back in the

hospital for four nights and I still have a bit of swelling in my left

knee area. I also have pre-existing lymphadema in both legs.) My

return to work will depend upon my getting my extension closer to 0

degrees. The most recent time extension was measured, I was at -13 for

the right knee and -15 for the left. Because I'm on my feet so much at

work I really need to be as close to 0 degrees as possible.

Hope this helps.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your insight, Jackie. I understand what you are saying about

returning to work too quickly, but my situation is so different since it is

in my home. I usually work alone, so the idea behind having a full time

helper is that pretty much the help will be there to do what I normally

would and I would be more in an adivisor/supervisory situation with taking

mostly care of my infant granddaughter..so, it's not as drastic as it sounds

does that make sense? I just had a hysterectomy last Thanksgiving (I know,

I'm a glutton for punishment with these holiday surgeries) and it's stupid

but I am always mindful of trying to be as considerate of my client families

as possible and trying not to inconvenience anyone for too long lest I lose

my business, when I should be doing what is best for me..

I'll definitely be getting the book and while I've always been physically

active, my exercise is has been pared down to a stationary bike for the last

year or so, and I see that I need to go back to some upper body and quad

strength training in preparation for the big cut.

(`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´)

«´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`»

( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸)

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments,

WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD.Every moment, THANK GOD.

~ Rick Warren ~

Need a website? Visit me on the world wide web:

Kid'n'Kaboodle

DivaDesigns

-- Re: Total Knee Replacement

Welcome, Terri!

I’m glad you found this group, which has been a wonderful help and support

to me through both my right (march 19) and my left (september 1) total knee

replacements.

I’m also glad you’ve been able to schedule this surgery. I really don’t

get why docs are so reluctant to do this surgery on their younger patients.

Who knows what will be available when and if your knee ever needs to be

re-replaced.... And why should you have to wait to recover the quality of

life that the TKR will give us? Anyway....

I think you were wanting feedback on your plan to return full time to your

day care center after 2 1/2 weeks off. What follows is my personal

opinion. I am not a medical professional and don’t play one on television.

I am now going through rehab on my second TKR and that is the experience I

want to share with you.

As I understand your email, your doc has said to expect the full 8 weeks of

recovery before returning to work. I would take this advice and information

very seriously. Even 8 weeks seems pretty fast to me, though it could be

perfect for you.

In my experience, it is not realistic to expect to be able to continue the

type of work you describe after 2 1/2 weeks of recovery. I am older than

you at 67 so perhaps have less energy and slower healing. But by all

reports from my doc and physical therapist as well as my observations of

others with whom I work in our PT gym, my recovery is way ahead of the curve

-- and I could not do it.

To help get a sense of what is realistic, you might write out all the

activities that you will need to do once you return to your work, as well as

your work schedule. Go over this with the doctor and the physical

therapist. Go through each item and see what they say about your ability to

do it, as well as about the whole picture. Also ask them for the details

of what you will need to rehab. Then with their help you can better assess

whether you will be able to do this along with the added job of recovering

from your TKR in the timeframe you are looking at.

I’ve found the rehab to be quite a strenuous regimen. For the first 2

weeks I had Physical Therapy twice a week at home and did my exercises three

times a day. These critical exercises were intended to give me back the

ability to flex and extend the surgical knee. They hurt!!!! Then I went to

outpatient PT twice a week and added that to my existing exercises along

with some new exercises. After 2 weeks I was sent to the “independent gym”.

I go 5 times a week and it takes me over 2 hours to complete all I’ve been

given to do. And I’m working hard, not hanging out! I also have some

ongoing stretching to do at home and am supposed to walk an hour a day. I’m

behind on the walking because I’ve found the gym routine so strenuous. I

continue to have sleep disturbance many nights, waking from once to 5 times

a night with discomfort or pain. This is normal according to my doc and to

what I have read here. Thank goodness, it seems to be getting better. I

have slept well the past few nights. But without sleep I am not worth much

: ) I am happy to say that my current level of pain is very low. Until

today I have continued to use medication when I go to the gym. Today I

forgot and did okay on 2 Tylenol. I needed major icing afterwards though!

You might also want to get a copy of the book “Total Knee Replacement &

Rehabilitation: An Owners Manual”. As people on this list have said,

everyone’s recovery is different; but there are some common threads and this

book gives an idea of what to expect for the first year. It also has a lot

of exercises so that we can vary our routine and if something isn’t working

maybe it can be replaced by a different exercise. The book is available

from the publishers online at http://hunterhouse.com/ One of the things

these authors stress (p. 88) is that for at least four weeks your

rehabilitation is a 24X7 job. As always, I found things that I thought

would work for me, some things I thought were over the top. So I take what

I need and leave the rest. Overall I think it’s an excellent resource and

it may help you with your question.

This recovery is so important to the quality of our lives so I hope that you

will take the very best care of yourself and give yourself all the time,

care, and attention you need and that you will accept all the help you are

offered from friends and family.

Best wishes!

Peace,

Jackie

Ps I did not have the brace. I did have several rounds of the shots which

helped a lot. Though the last one gave out 2 weeks before my surgery. EEK!

It sure convinced me that I had been right to schedule the surgery!

j

On 10/14/09 5:07 AM, " DivaMom " <dzoo@...> wrote:

>

>

>

>

> I am also new to the group and been reading and absorbing. I, like Kim, am

> having one knee done in December and trying to prepare as much as possible

> I have a neighbor who had bilateral done last Feb and some friends who

have

> just done one at a time. I am curious to know if anyone else was put in an

> onloader brace before going on for the surgery? I tried synvisc shots to

no

> avail and then he put me in the brace in June because my bone on bone is

> primarily on the medial side and he said I was too young to have the knee

> replacement. We needed to try to get another year if at all possible..not

> happening...I will be 55 on the date of my surgery..yippee..HB to me.

> Also, I am concerned a little about post op and my job...I have a daycare

> out of my home. I am planning on doing the surgery just prior to my

holiday

> break (the 17th) and then I will have two and a half undisturbed weeks

> before the kids come back. I will be hiring a full time helper until I can

> do it alone. He told me to expect the full 8 weeks. My question, after

three

> (or almost) will I hopefully be good enough to be of some help to my

helper?

> I am having trouble picturing what I am about to face...

>

> (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*€*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´)

> «´¨`·..€ * Terri * €..·´¨`»

> ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*€*`'· .¸)`'·.¸)

> Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments,

> WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD.Every moment, THANK GOD.

> ~ Rick Warren ~

> Need a website? Visit me on the world wide web:

> Kid'n'Kaboodle

> DivaDesigns

>

>

>

>

>

> .

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

The advantage I do have is being at home with the ability to sit down when I

need to (although right now that is a rare occasion, but with help here it

will be different), so I am hopeful that everything will go smoothly. As far

as going to PT, my hubby gets off early enough to escort me when needed or

if I am able to drive myself he can stay and " help " with the kids.

(`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´)

«´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`»

( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸)

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments,

WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD.Every moment, THANK GOD.

~ Rick Warren ~

Need a website? Visit me on the world wide web:

Kid'n'Kaboodle

DivaDesigns

-- Re: Total Knee Replacement

My original surgeon, and his partner who actually did the surgery both

said a brace of any kind wouldn't help me. I had synvisc shots at

Thanksgiving last year, and tbey

didn't work for me either.

Baloney on the too young for surgery stuff. I had my bilateral surgery

at 49, and probably should of had it done a couple years earlier on the

left and a year earlier on the right. First surgeon I worked with (who

prescribed the synvisc, plus steroid shots, etc) wanted me to delay

surgery as long as possible. His partner, who did the surgery, said I

needed it ASAP and quality of life would be so much better afterwards.

Life is definitely getting better each week as I progress.

At three weeks, I still rested a lot. Was on 1-2 tabs (usually 2) of

percoset every 4-6 hours. I would recommend being as minimally

involved in your daycare as possible when the kiddos come back. Really

focus on you getting yourself better. The more you can invest in your

recovery from an early stage, the better you'll be in the long run.

Remember, you'll have out-patient Physical Therapy appointments to go to

during the week, will have home exercises to do, everything seems to

take longer to do in those early weeks.

I was told 8-12 weeks for bilateral surgery. I've just passed the 12

week mark. Though significantly better, I am still not back to work. I

hope to be back within 3-4 weeks. (My situation was compounded by a

bout of cellulitis in my left leg at week 7 which had me back in the

hospital for four nights and I still have a bit of swelling in my left

knee area. I also have pre-existing lymphadema in both legs.) My

return to work will depend upon my getting my extension closer to 0

degrees. The most recent time extension was measured, I was at -13 for

the right knee and -15 for the left. Because I'm on my feet so much at

work I really need to be as close to 0 degrees as possible.

Hope this helps.

[Guest guest]

HI Terri!

The stationary bike is a perfect exercise; as you say, you just need to add

some of those quad strengthening ones and it will really really help you

with recovery from surgery. I¡¯m riding an hour a day now in rehab. So

glad I started before surgery. Actually, way before surgery. I decided to

celebrate my 65th birthday by riding the Cinderella Century ¡ª a 100 km (65

mile) bike ride for women. I trained with a friend.I finished the course,

tired and very happy and proud. Though I didn¡¯t know it at the time, I was

also doing great pre-surgery prep. I enjoyed riding a lot and continued

after the big ride. I¡¯m hoping to do the Cinderella again next April.

Sounds like you are really thinking this through, so good for you. I

really admire your dedication to your client families. And good for

remembering also that you need to put yourself first at this time. It¡¯ll be

a balancing act and you sound like someone who is good at that.

Peace and Best Wishes

Jackie

On 10/15/09 4:37 AM, " DivaMom " <dzoo@...> wrote:

>

>

>

>

> Thanks for your insight, Jackie. I understand what you are saying about

> returning to work too quickly, but my situation is so different since it is

> in my home. I usually work alone, so the idea behind having a full time

> helper is that pretty much the help will be there to do what I normally

> would and I would be more in an adivisor/supervisory situation with taking

> mostly care of my infant granddaughter..so, it's not as drastic as it sounds

> does that make sense? I just had a hysterectomy last Thanksgiving (I know,

> I'm a glutton for punishment with these holiday surgeries) and it's stupid

> but I am always mindful of trying to be as considerate of my client families

> as possible and trying not to inconvenience anyone for too long lest I lose

> my business, when I should be doing what is best for me..

> I'll definitely be getting the book and while I've always been physically

> active, my exercise is has been pared down to a stationary bike for the last

> year or so, and I see that I need to go back to some upper body and quad

> strength training in preparation for the big cut.

>

> (`'¡¤.¢¬(`'¡¤.¢¬*¢´*¢¬.¡¤'¢¥)¢¬. ¡¤'¢¥)

> ?¢¥¡§`¡¤..¢´ * Terri * ¢´..¡¤¢¥¡§`?

> ( ¢¬.¡¤'¢¥(¢¬.¡¤'¢¥*¢´*`'¡¤ .¢¬)`'¡¤.¢¬)

> Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments,

> WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD.Every moment, THANK GOD.

> ~ Rick Warren ~

> Need a website? Visit me on the world wide web:

> Kid'n'Kaboodle

> DivaDesigns

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was 54 when I had my first knee done, also bone on bone and now, 2 years

later, he wants to do the second before " it gets as bad as the first. " So

although they try to wait, it is not always possible.

Young

I tried synvisc shots to no

avail and then he put me in the brace in June because my bone on bone is

primarily on the medial side and he said I was too young to have the knee

replacement. We needed to try to get another year if at all possible..not

happening...I will be 55 on the date of my surgery..yippee..HB to me.

Re: Total Knee Replacement

Ahh, another Kim!

3 weeks is early for driving especially if it is your right knee.

Are you tall? What kind of car? What meds will you be on after

surgery? Narcotics a big No No for driving.

Book called Total Knee Replacement and Rehabilitation was the best for

me. Got a copy from library though available on amazon to purchase.

Recovery is individual. You may be ready when your doctor said. I was

not.

I began working 9 weeks postop. I had complications and a second

surgery. Not the norm, but possible. I am a teacher. I can adjust my

work environment. Sit, stand, move, don't move. Can you?

Ask why the time frame on flying. Sitting in one place may be the

reason. Again depends on your height. May be med related. I don't know.

Good luck!!

Kim

Minnesota

Sent from iPhone

http://quiltmom05.blogspot.com/

http://web.mac.com/skinbike/Site/Welcome.html

http://community.webshots.com/user/quiltmom05

On Oct 14, 2009, at 12:49 AM, " KJayhan " <kimjayhan@...> wrote:

> Hi,

> I'm new to the group, and have just gotten a total knee replacement

> surgery scheduled for December. I'll eventually have to have both

> knees done (both are bone on bone), but in December, I am starting

> with my right knee. I'm looking for any advice on getting prep'd for

> it - any books I can read, what to expect, recovery, etc. My doctor

> tells me I will be in the hospital for a couple days, then home -

> can't drive for 3 weeks, no flying for 5 (this will be a killer, as

> I am in sales)....and I'm reading as much as I can. But I figured

> I'd ask if anyone has things to share....having had the surgery,

> anything you wish you'd known, or that I can do to prep? I want to

> be very successful.

> Thanks!

> Kim

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am doing exercises to get my left knee ready for replacement. I am learning

how to swim, my doctor gave me a few exercises and the trainer that I just

happen to run into at the gym pointed me to two machines that are helping. But

the best is one is when at work and talking on the phone to people, I am able to

raise my foot off the ground for about 30 seconds or I count to 20 and I do this

5-7 times, I can feel it and I mean feel it.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gwendolyn,

 

Sounds like you have a plan.  Stick with it and good luck.

 

The exercise where you lift your foot ... how exactly are you performing it? 

Are you lifting your foot straight up while you are seated? or lifting your foot

with your leg extended? Why do you say that is the best? 

 

Thanks,

Gayle 

From: Gwendolyn <gwenny_97@...>

Subject: Total Knee replacement

Joint Replacement

Date: Friday, July 9, 2010, 6:15 PM

 

I am doing exercises to get my left knee ready for replacement. I am learning

how to swim, my doctor gave me a few exercises and the trainer that I just

happen to run into at the gym pointed me to two machines that are helping. But

the best is one is when at work and talking on the phone to people, I am able to

raise my foot off the ground for about 30 seconds or I count to 20 and I do this

5-7 times, I can feel it and I mean feel it.

[Guest guest]

I am having my surgery at henry ford hospital downtown.

Live, Laugh, Love!

From: Donna Rae <rae900@...>

Subject: Re: Total knee replacement

Joint Replacement

Date: Saturday, July 23, 2011, 6:17 PM

 

Hi Lynne,

I had two knees replaced end of 09 and March of 10. I have found another Donna

here in MI also.

I am in Royal Oak. Where are you getting you surgery?

Donna R

Total knee replacement

Good morning..my name is lynne and I am from Michigan. I am having a total knee

replacement done on my left knee on Monday. Believe me it can't happen soon

enough. I have been getting everything ready and all this running around has

caused my knees to really get very painful. Once we get the left one back I will

have the right one done. I have severe arthritis in almost all of my joints and

had a shoulder replacement done 2 years ago, I can't raise my arm very high but

there is no pain and that is a blessing. I had nerve damage before my surgery

and did months of pt after but I have adapted. I would love to hear from anyone

that has had knee replacement done. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Lynne