knee replacement

Originally Posted by id10t

If you do not hate your PT, either they aren't doing their job, or you are slacking on your exercises, walking, and knee bending

That's funny. My next door neighbor is a PT and has been very helpful. But when I asked him to be the PT after surgery, he was hesitant. I think he wants us to stay friends and knows that won't happen if he does it!

I had three shoulder surgeries (no, I don't have three shoulders) and my best PT was a sadist. But they are back to 90%.

[5String43]

I had a knee replacement in 2008. My case apparently is not at all typical, according to my doc, but here's how it went for me:

Surgery July 2, a Wednesday. Supposed to stay in the hospital for five days, get out Monday or so.

Man, the hospital is a terrible place. Hot, cold, noisy - I talked the doc into releasing me on Thursday - he said he'd do it if I could be comfortable on pain meds taked orally. So - home Thursday afternoon with some pretty powerful drugs, which I took only when I absolutely needed them. I was so happy to get out of that place.

Went for my first drive on Saturday - leg very stiff, very tough getting into, and out of, my car at the time - a 3 Series. Sneaked out while my wife was running an errand. She was not pleased that I had done this. But I needed to.

Went back to work the following Tuesday - would have gone Monday but my wife, who looks after me like a mamma bear, would not allow this.

Was hiking across the Scottish moors exactly a month later.

Now, some comments would seem to be in order:

My doc told me that for whatever reason, I seem to have a high tolerance for pain.

I just decided that this surgery was not going to slow me down and get in my way - I decided I would heal as quickly as possible. I promise you, it can come down to being merely a matter of will.

It is not easy. Getting around was tough. I was reliant on having an automatic transmission. For the first week I was totally reliant on a cane. I did not use a crutch as that would have been too unwieldy around the office.

The most telling thing that happened was about a month later - a woman in the office told me, "Well, you must be feeling better - it's good to see that you've finally got some color back."

Total recovery? At least a year, and it's critical that you do the rehab, and work hard at it.

Payoff? My steel knee works great. Absolutely terrific.

Three downsides: The metal knee appliance doesn't bend to as great an angle as the OEM item; and when I sit for a long time in one position, as one might while on a long drive (think Lost Angeles to the Frisco Bay), the bones aches a bit - I mean, after all, they've got being metal wedges jammed into them. Also, the appliance absolutely lights up the magnet thingy in the airport security line. You will be sentenced to a complete search each and every time you fly.

But I'd do this again in a heartbeat - and may have to, eventually, as the other knee also is damaged.

That said, I will note that I've a pal who had his done a year before mine - he is still troubled by his knee. So as always, your results may vary.

Good luck with it - it is doable.

-JFT

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by quicksix

Do your P.T. ahead of time,start a program to strengthen the knee flexors and extensor muscles to shorten recovery time.Research you ortho ahead of time and where he does his surgeries,keeping an eye on post surgery infection rates.
Be prepared.
Why are you getting the surgery?

Good Luck and be prepared

^this^ try to keep in mind that your physical therapist is not a sadist bent on your constant suffering, they will help you, it just seems malevolent.

addtionally, after a large joint replacement, you need to take anti-biotics prior to getting dental work, and must be very careful about little scrapes getting infected and possibly ending up with an infected implant.

also it is very common to end up a little too short or too long following a knee or hip replacement, a lift in the shoe on the short side is usually allyou need to do about it.

Originally Posted by Tobra

^this^ try to keep in mind that your physical therapist is not a sadist bent on your constant suffering, they will help you, it just seems malevolent.

addtionally, after a large joint replacement, you need to take anti-biotics prior to getting dental work, and must be very careful about little scrapes getting infected and possibly ending up with an infected implant.

also it is very common to end up a little too short or too long following a knee or hip replacement, a lift in the shoe on the short side is usually allyou need to do about it.

I bet you see a lot of patients who have had this done, Tobra, and probably have to even out their heights. Interesting.

So far, they have prescribed no pre-surgery PT, and it's less than month away. This may be because the "minimally invasive" part does not involve cutting the quadriceps, like the regular kind does. I suspect I'll get some PT homework at my pre-op appt this week, though.

Thanks to all for sharing experiences. Pelican is a uniquely great place for questions like this. When you go to websites devoted to joint replacements (there actually is a website called "joint geeks" or something) all you seem to hear from are people who have had horrible experiences raving on about them. Here you get a more balanced cross section of experiences.

[quicksix]

I would still get online and develop a workout routine on your own. Strengthen,stretch and work on balance, both dynamic and static.
It will help you speed your recovery!
Good Luck

Originally Posted by quicksix

I would still get online and develop a workout routine on your own. Strengthen,stretch and work on balance, both dynamic and static.
It will help you speed your recovery!
Good Luck

That's a good idea. I'll take a look around. Might also ask my neighbor next door what he advises.

[Halm]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

"minimally invasive" part does not involve cutting the quadriceps, like the regular kind does.

Can you tell me the implant manufacturer and model and I will ping a buddy still in the industry and see what I can learn from him for you.

Originally Posted by Halm

Can you tell me the implant manufacturer and model and I will ping a buddy still in the industry and see what I can learn from him for you.

Cool. I'll find out later this week.

Thanks Hal,

Terry