New Member

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Weclome to the group! I don't know much about hip injuries except for

the car accident I was in last year, I banged mine up pretty bad and

boy was it sore!!! But there are lots of folks here that can help you

out I'm sure. I'm one of the TKR people here.

I just wanted to say hello...anyone who's a friend of Margaret's must

be a great person. She is wonderful and has been so supportive of me!!

Deb

[Guest guest]

Hello. Welcome to our world. Wish we didn't have to be here. But we are glad you found your way to us.

It is nerve racking. But no you do not have to wait until you need a walker.

You may need to get several opinions from different OS's. Research the different types of hips. Metal on Metal, ceramic, plastic, and the resurface, and the thing where they rotate the ball of your hip. I can't remember what it is called and couldn't spell it if I could.

The metal on metal and the resurface have an ion issue. After much research the ions were not as a big problem we decided. My husband could not get a resurface, so he went metal on metal. That was ten months ago. Three hours after the surgery he was standing. Walked out the next day crutches for stability. Then crutches went back to the basement about 21 days later. He never went to a PT as he is only 36 and the doctor figured that there wasn't going to be a problem getting him up and about. He said to walk, walk, walk.

He's hip was result of a motorcycle accident at the age of 18 and never healed and got worse, as the years went on. He could have got his hip replaced at 18 but they didn't have any types he liked. He would have been due for his revision about now, so he waited well. But he was getting to the point that if they hadn't brought that hip to Canada he would have need one any way.

Any way ask your doctor why the on set could be?

Also how overweight are you? Whatever the amount is you should try to loose some of it. It will make your joint feel much better. This will also make a new joint last better. And sometimes they will not do it unless you loose some. There are simple things you can do. Start by writing down everything you put in your mouth. Every candy and drink also what time. See little thing like eating late at night can not help you loose weight. Simple little changes make a difference. Not eating ten little toffees, have a sucky candies that are low, or have veggies, or fruit. Watch your snack bars they sometimes have more fat then a chocolate bar. Drinks are one of the bad ones. Pop and juice, if you want some pour it in a small glass, and put the rest away. This will keep you from drinking those calories away. Keep snacks away from you so you have to get up and get them, not just eat them not thinking about it.

As for exercise. It is hard if you are in pain. Just do little things. Take a lap around the house when you go to the bathroom (someone else said this before), sit on an exercise ball, or under your feet like a foot rest. Get a step counter, try and beat it by even a few steps everyday. Aqua fit and swimming is easy on the joints. You can work at your own speed. If you don't like how you look in a bathing suit go at times when there are few people, or just the little old ladies (sorry ladies). Tuesday and Thursday mornings are slow at our pool. So you can ask when the slow times are at the pool. And as an added bonus they have a hot tub for after. And you can work at your own speed. Find someone to do it with you. This makes it easier to go.

I know the loosing weight is hard. My mother's boyfriend is about two hundred pounds over weight maybe more. Just to get him to walk to the end of the driveway is a challenge. He has always been a big guy. He is 6'6 but over the last ten years the little things have gotten out of control.

So do little things. Every little thing counts. You can do it. We are here for you. We can be your rocks to lean on.

From: " Chapman" <ltcol@...>Reply-Joint Replacement To: Joint Replacement Subject: New memberDate: Tue, 09 May 2006 22:24:55 +0000

Good morning all

I am wondering if my membership was not approved as I posted something about two weeks ago and it hasn't appeared on the board yet.

I am wondering if all you knowledgeable people could assist me with some very basic information. I am an overweight 56 year old aussie male and have been experiencing quite severe right hip pain for about the last two months. (I also suffer from gout, but that's another story!) My questions are: Is hip trouble normally rapid onset like mine and do the doctors use an MRI for initial diagnosis?

Comments on the group about not using surgery until you need a walking frame have been a little worrying also!

Many thanks in advance for your advice ...

Aussie (A friend of Aussie Margaret!)

[Guest guest]

Re:initial diagnosis of osteoarthritis

Xrays are usually the diagnostic tool used first, along with analysis

of the patient's symptoms. Sometimes xrays are all that's needed to

confirm the diagnosis. If the xray doesn't confirm the suspected OA,

then other methods might be used.

[Guest guest]

Just incase anyone is wondering really is my friend.

He is a wonderful witty man who can make 5 hours seem like 5 minutes.

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

[Guest guest]

Put him on a plane and send him to Deb. (lol) KathyMargaret <zztinau@...> wrote: Just incase anyone is wondering really is my friend.He is a wonderful witty man who can make 5 hours seem like 5 minutes.Aussie Margaret RTHR 1990 revised 2004

New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.

[Guest guest]

Okay Kathy,now I'm hoping that's a nice thing you posted....right? I

too am a nice, fun AND witty person. So I bet and I would have

a blast. , have you ever been to Los Angeles? My husband and I

could take you to all the cool places here

Deb

> Just incase anyone is wondering really is my friend.

>

> He is a wonderful witty man who can make 5 hours seem like 5

minutes.

>

> Aussie Margaret

> RTHR 1990 revised 2004

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Of course it was ment as a nice post, just thought would be great company for you and get you to do your exercises without knowing you were doing them. kathyreynawhitehawk <ReynaWhitehawk@...> wrote: Okay Kathy,now I'm hoping that's a nice thing you posted....right? I too am a nice, fun AND witty person. So I bet and I would have a blast. , have you ever been to Los Angeles? My husband and I could take you to all the cool places here Deb> Just incase

anyone is wondering really is my friend.> > He is a wonderful witty man who can make 5 hours seem like 5 minutes.> > Aussie Margaret > RTHR 1990 revised 2004> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hey, what have we started here?! I have already warned Aussie Margaret that she will give me a swelled head if she keeps publishing such nice things about me. In fact, it is Margaret who is such an abundantly nice person... not me!

Many thanks to all those kind people who responded to my questions. It's about time that I took the first step towards some pain relief and stopped procrastinating. Your cyber community comes across to this "newbie" as an abundantly warm and caring one. The suppport and encouragement which I have read about are wonderful. I promise to keep posting about what results.

Deb, to answer your question: I have been to LA ... in 1966!!!!!! By a strange coincidence my son is in LA right now. I'm not sure why ... he is a PR guy for Sony Entertainment so I guess he's attending some sort of conference. I am hoping to get across to the US again one day and will certainly take you up on your offer ... provided you don't pick places with too many stairs!

Cheers

Aussie

Okay Kathy,now I'm hoping that's a nice thing you posted....right? I too am a nice, fun AND witty person. So I bet and I would have a blast. , have you ever been to Los Angeles? My husband and I could take you to all the cool places here Deb> Just incase anyone is wondering really is my friend.> > He is a wonderful witty man who can make 5 hours seem like 5 minutes.> > Aussie Margaret > RTHR 1990 revised 2004> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

and I have reason to believe he would actually know what he was doing if he

helped you with your exercises.

Double bonus.

I'm hoping to see him again real soon.

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

Re: Re: New member

| Of course it was ment as a nice post, just thought would be great

company for you and get you to do your exercises without knowing you were

doing them.

|

| kathy

|

| reynawhitehawk <ReynaWhitehawk@...> wrote:

| Okay Kathy,now I'm hoping that's a nice thing you posted....right? I

| too am a nice, fun AND witty person. So I bet and I would have

| a blast. , have you ever been to Los Angeles? My husband and I

| could take you to all the cool places here

|

| Deb

|

|

|

| > Just incase anyone is wondering really is my friend.

| >

| > He is a wonderful witty man who can make 5 hours seem like 5

| minutes.

| >

| > Aussie Margaret

| > RTHR 1990 revised 2004

| >

| >

| >

| >

| >

| >

[Guest guest]

Hey, what about me?

I want to go too.

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

RE: Re: New member

| Hey, what have we started here?! I have already warned Aussie Margaret

that she will give me a swelled head if she keeps publishing such nice

things about me. In fact, it is Margaret who is such an abundantly nice

person... not me!

|

| Many thanks to all those kind people who responded to my questions. It's

about time that I took the first step towards some pain relief and stopped

procrastinating. Your cyber community comes across to this " newbie " as an

abundantly warm and caring one. The suppport and encouragement which I have

read about are wonderful. I promise to keep posting about what results.

|

| Deb, to answer your question: I have been to LA ... in 1966!!!!!! By a

strange coincidence my son is in LA right now. I'm not sure why ... he is a

PR guy for Sony Entertainment so I guess he's attending some sort of

conference. I am hoping to get across to the US again one day and will

certainly take you up on your offer ... provided you don't pick places with

too many stairs!

|

| Cheers

|

| Aussie

|

|

|

|

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|

| Okay Kathy,now I'm hoping that's a nice thing you posted....right? I

|

| too am a nice, fun AND witty person. So I bet and I would have

|

| a blast. , have you ever been to Los Angeles? My husband and I

|

| could take you to all the cool places here

|

|

|

| Deb

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

| > Just incase anyone is wondering really is my friend.

|

| >

|

| > He is a wonderful witty man who can make 5 hours seem like 5

|

| minutes.

|

| >

|

| > Aussie Margaret

|

| > RTHR 1990 revised 2004

|

| >

|

| >

|

| >

|

| >

|

| >

|

| >

[Guest guest]

Hi guys, Just by reading the post I can tell you are both great people, but that just puts you up with the rest of the people on this board. I don't write a lot, but I read all the time. Kathy Set for surgery on left knee July 19, 2006. Chapman <ltcol@...> wrote: Hey, what have we started here?! I have already warned Aussie Margaret that she will give me a swelled head if she keeps publishing such nice things about me. In fact, it is Margaret who is such an abundantly nice person... not me! Many thanks to all those kind people who responded to my questions. It's about time that I took the first step towards some pain relief and stopped procrastinating. Your cyber community comes

across to this "newbie" as an abundantly warm and caring one. The suppport and encouragement which I have read about are wonderful. I promise to keep posting about what results. Deb, to answer your question: I have been to LA ... in 1966!!!!!! By a strange coincidence my son is in LA right now. I'm not sure why ... he is a PR guy for Sony Entertainment so I guess he's attending some sort of conference. I am hoping to get across to the US again one day and will certainly take you up on your offer ... provided you don't pick places with too many stairs! Cheers Aussie Okay Kathy,now I'm hoping that's a nice thing you posted....right? I too am a nice, fun AND witty

person. So I bet and I would have a blast. , have you ever been to Los Angeles? My husband and I could take you to all the cool places here Deb> Just incase anyone is wondering really is my friend.> > He is a wonderful witty man who can make 5 hours seem like 5 minutes.> > Aussie Margaret > RTHR 1990 revised 2004> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Margaret and ...

No problem, I can show you both around town. And no stairs for me

either . I'm only post-op 8 weeks now from my LTKR so stairs

aren't my friend yet. I work in the enitertainment field too, at the

world's largest Costume Company. Not like Halloween costumes.....as

in we make to order/provide/rent clothes for all the movies, tv

shows, videos, theatre, etc that you see. We've been in business

since 1912. We're in business with all the studios. Since I'm

assistant to the company president, I've been fortunate enough to

meet many famous people, and that's not a bad company perk And

being around all those fabulous clothes...some dating back to the

early 1800's is awesome.

And then there's my " previous " life...my husband is a musician and

there are all those clubs we used to hang out in down in Hollywood.

In the days when I had lots of big, blonde hair and wore lots of

leather....in the 1980's, boy those were the days!!!

I'll have to save those stories for another day...LOL.

Deb

>

> Hey, what about me?

>

> I want to go too.

>

> Aussie Margaret

> RTHR 1990 revised 2004

>

>

> RE: Re: New member

>

> |

> | Deb, to answer your question: I have been to LA ... in

1966!!!!!! By a

> strange coincidence my son is in LA right now. I'm not sure

why ... he is a

> PR guy for Sony Entertainment so I guess he's attending some sort

of

> conference. I am hoping to get across to the US again one day and

will

> certainly take you up on your offer ... provided you don't pick

places with

> too many stairs!

> |

> | Cheers

> |

> | Aussie

> |

> |

> |

> |

> |

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for the nice compliment And of course I knew you were

kidding on your post the other day! Yes, everyone here in our group

is so wonderful...this is the best place to be for support for your

upcoming surgery. Are you having a TKR?

Debi

> Hey, what have we started here?! I have already warned

Aussie Margaret that she will give me a swelled head if she keeps

publishing such nice things about me. In fact, it is Margaret who is

such an abundantly nice person... not me!

> Many thanks to all those kind people who responded to my

questions. It's about time that I took the first step towards some

pain relief and stopped procrastinating. Your cyber community comes

across to this " newbie " as an abundantly warm and caring one. The

suppport and encouragement which I have read about are wonderful. I

promise to keep posting about what results.

> Deb, to answer your question: I have been to LA ... in

1966!!!!!! By a strange coincidence my son is in LA right now. I'm

not sure why ... he is a PR guy for Sony Entertainment so I guess

he's attending some sort of conference. I am hoping to get across to

the US again one day and will certainly take you up on your offer ...

provided you don't pick places with too many stairs!

> Cheers

> Aussie

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

WOW! Meg I llive in London Ohio'I too LOVE that show!'Carrfie

new member

Hello,

I just joined the group. I watched Smallest people in the world and found it

very interesting what they have to go through in their

daily lives. I hope that one young girl, forget her name, hopes she

becomes happy with herself with the way she is. I think she is quite

a girl!

I was hooked on Little people, big world for while. I was watching

it every Saturday night. It was so cool to see what's happening with

Rolof family. Zach is a strong person and that kitchen is awesome,

they can function more comfortably in their own home!

[Guest guest]

Awesome!

[Guest guest]

Joan:

WOW!! You got a lot on your plate! I live in the BayArea and know

were and what you are doing. Don't know the condition of your leg

however. I would stongly suggest a cab for the BayArea visit for

all or part of it. It would save a ton of time as well. As far as

the trip to Hawaii, you might want to change that to a later date.

You maybe able to go at the time but I would not assume anything.

That is pretty close to the surgury date.

I applaud you for your physical health. I am looking at a TKR later

this year or next and realized I need to be in the best physical

condition as possible before the operation. KEEP UP THE WORK!!

Just my 2Cents Worth

Don

>

> From: ODAJoan@...

> Subject: New Group Member

> Date: June 8, 2006 5:00:33 PM PDT

> notify-dg-Joint Replacement

>

> This is my first posting; my daughter " signed me up " a few weeks

ago

> and I've found reading what others have gone through to be very

helpful

> as I'm having a total (right) knee replacement on July 14th. I

bought

> the book " Total Knee Replacement & Rehabilitation " by Doctors

Brugioni

> and Falkel and obtained a lot of good information from that too.

>

> My daughter is deaf and had to have surgery (revision of her

October

> 2005 cochlear implant) on May 11th, with activation on May 25th

and

> reprogramming scheduled for June 29th and the next one for August

29th.

> Because I wanted to travel with her to San Francisco (from the

Reno,

> NV area) for all of these appointments, I scheduled my own surgery

for

> July in the hopes that I will be able to walk sufficiently well

> . . .

> be appreciated. Thanks! Joan

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > From: ODAJoan@

> > Subject: New Group Member

> > Date: June 8, 2006 5:00:33 PM PDT

> > notify-dg-Joint Replacement

> >

> > This is my first posting; my daughter " signed me up " a few weeks

> ago

> > and I've found reading what others have gone through to be very

> helpful

> > as I'm having a total (right) knee replacement on July 14th. I

> bought

> > the book " Total Knee Replacement & Rehabilitation " by Doctors

> Brugioni

> > and Falkel and obtained a lot of good information from that too.

> >

> > My daughter is deaf and had to have surgery (revision of her

> October

> > 2005 cochlear implant) on May 11th, with activation on May 25th

> and

> > reprogramming scheduled for June 29th and the next one for August

> 29th.

> > Because I wanted to travel with her to San Francisco (from the

> Reno,

> > NV area) for all of these appointments, I scheduled my own

surgery

> for

> > July in the hopes that I will be able to walk sufficiently well

> > . . .

> > be appreciated. Thanks! Joan

>

>

I hate to bust peoples bubbles BVUT I had my first TKR May of 2000.

It went so good I was up walking the next day and I came home from

hospital with in a week. It was great. My second one Nov 2005. Was

not great I ended up in the nursing rehab and 3 weeks came home.

Still could have stayed more because it was not responded well. You

never know !!!!I thought the second one would go like the first boy

was I wrong !!!!

Pam

[Guest guest]

Hi, Barb--

Healing time, levels of pain ans speed of recovery are all very individual,

and depend on many factors. We've seen people here who still take

painkillers a year after surgery, and people who haven't recovered ROM and

still have trouble walking, and those, like me, who had little to no trouble

at all-- and just about everything in between. I can only tell you my

experience.

Before surgery, having a normal life really seems like " Misison Impossible " .

I was bone-on-bone in my right hip, so severe that I didn't even know I had

a problem with my left one until my orthopedist went over the x-rays with

me.

This was after misdiagnosis with a VERY mediocre orthopedist (I'm being

generous here) and an extra 3 years of pain, I found an orthopedist I could

trust, and I got my life back (I'm a " double hippie " -- bi-lateral hip

replacement).

The first thing is a positive attitude. Go in with determination that you

will be one of the success stories, not one of the problematic cases. Find

a good orthopedic surgeon, one with experience and a good track record with

hip replacements. There are good ones in almost every country in the world,

but there are a lot of hacks, too.

After the first night (both surgeries), I never used painkillers again, even

though I was given prescriptions-- I threw them out a few weeks ago, when I

was cleaning out my desk.

Always remember that the distribution of the work of returening to action is

about a 50-50 distribution: 50% of the work is the medical and PT staff, 50%

is yours. If you don't do your part, the best medical team in the world

won't do much good.

A sense of humor helps, too... I joke at checkups about " when the next oil

change is due " ... Then go out and play some street basketball in the park

down the street.

Different people have different pain threshholds... Don't let the doctor

tell you what you should feel. Ask questions, any questions you have, even

if you think they're stupid ones. The only " stupid questions " are the ones

you don't ask.

Again, I was up on the morning after surgery (as the " kickoff patient " both

times... first on the table for the day), with a walker, and went to the

shower accompanied by a nurse. By the third day, I was using crutches, and

at 6 weeks a cane for another couple of weeks. Two months after each

surgery, I was walking unassisted.

Prepare your home for rehab-- hold bars in the shower and by the toilet, a

plastic chair or stool for the bath, grab bars to get in or out (although I

think baths should be " out " for the first month, at least-- showers are

safer- you can bend too far inadvertantly, and cause a lot of damage and

pain), a bed above knee height (put it on blocks is you have to-- the closer

your bed is to mid-thigh height, the easier it is to get in and out of it).

A " toilet booster " , so you can use the john without bending your hip to 90

degrees. A chair you can sit in for long periods comfortably, but is still

easy to get in and out of (I used an adjustable " executive's chair " for

this), with armrests you can use for support getting in and out. Pillows...

Not just for your bed, but for sitting, too. A reasonably solid pad for the

first few weeks, ideally a long triangle. to maintain the separation of your

legs while you sleep. I had a lot of trouble sleeping on my back. At two

weeks (once they took out the staples) I was sleeping half on my side, half

on my stomach, with the triangular pad maintaining the distance (I use a

regular pillow now, but it's still more comfortable with the " spacing " than

without, even after three years from the first op). Move all throw rugs,

loose mats and unanchored carpets from your path-- they can be dangerous.

If you have pets that run around the house (dogs or cats, usually) have

someone take care of them for a few days to weeks-- they don't understand

that they could cause a fall and a lot of damage-- better to be safe. Keep

the rhinoceros outside, if you have one! ;-)

Once you start your rehab, you're going to have to " push the envelope " ...

And often re-learn how to do things normally, after limping or favoring one

leg for so long. Be patient! Nothing comes automatically, and most of the

achievements (range of motion, climbing and descending stairs, even hanging

laundry and standing by the stove to cook) take time and a certain amount of

effort.

" Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to return to a full, normal

life... GOOD LUCK! " ( " Mission Impossible " theme).

Greywolf - RTHR-2003; LTHR-2004

mdavison@...

New Member

Hi all,

I am a retired nurse (LPN only}. I have an illness called Takayasu

Arteritis which is rare, and have been on prednisone for a few yers to help

treat the illness. I just found out last week that pain I have had in my

left hip is Osteonecrosis, and that I will need a hip replacement. I have go

to an Orthopedic surgeon next week friday. I have been looking up everything

I can about hip replacements and recovery periods. Could anyone tell me

their experiences whth that surgery? Also about the pain and recovery times?

I used to work in a nursing home so I have seen some hip replacements but I

think that makes me more afraid, I know I want to be able to do as much as

possible. Thanks in advance for any help and info offered.

Barb

(bpeterson@...)

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

My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate

anti-spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from

www.digiportal.com

[Guest guest]

That's 10 months ago - seems like quite a long time to me, who had

both knees done 3 months ago now - and was hoping to feel all better

by that time. I'm sure you've been talking to your doctor and

physical therapist, but how is your knee still bothering you?

Hope it is all better soon,

Judy

>

> Hi everyone. So glad I found this group. Had a Total Knee

> Replacement on March 28, 2006. Starting to feel better, but just

> wonder--how long does it take to feel and walk normal? Im glad I did

> this, though.

>

[Guest guest]

Karin,

Perhaps you are in better shape physically than I was, but one week isn't enough. I had my TKR three months ago and I was 43 (just turned 44) and the first two weeks were pretty bad. I had the surgery done in my hometown so my mother took care of me with my husband and son arriving the second week. First off, you will probably be in the hospital for three or four days. When you get home, you will be on a walker and still hurting pretty horribly. Also, you won't get the staples removed for two weeks and once they are out, it makes a difference.

I work from home sitting at a computer and I could only do about an hour a day in week three. Now I'm completely able to work. But certainly, you should give yourself two weeks plus a day or two before returning. You won't even feel like wearing real shoes for that length of time.

I hope others on here back me up but really, one week after surgery is not realistic no matter how sedentary the job. For one thing, you'll still be on pain meds which will make you loopy and more than likely having daily PT which makes your schedule tough.

Good luck,

-----Original Message-----From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ]On Behalf Of hector17111Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 7:14 AMJoint Replacement Subject: New member

Hi everyone! My name is Karin and I am 40 years old. I am having a total knee replacement on May 2nd. I'm not to sure of what to expect so I am a little anxious. I am scheduled to have surgery on a Wed and be back at work by the following Wed. I don't know if this gives me enough time to get back on track. How much time did it take you to be able to work again. I have a sedentary job so I figured this would be ok - but I don't know. I would love to hear other people experiences.Thanks,Karin

[Guest guest]

and what about driving to work ? That would be way too early as well,

imo ...

>

> Karin,

>

> Perhaps you are in better shape physically than I was, but one week

isn't

> enough. I had my TKR three months ago and I was 43 (just turned 44)

and the

> first two weeks were pretty bad. I had the surgery done in my

hometown so my

> mother took care of me with my husband and son arriving the second week.

> First off, you will probably be in the hospital for three or four

days. When

> you get home, you will be on a walker and still hurting pretty horribly.

> Also, you won't get the staples removed for two weeks and once they

are out,

> it makes a difference.

>

> I work from home sitting at a computer and I could only do about an

hour a

> day in week three. Now I'm completely able to work. But certainly, you

> should give yourself two weeks plus a day or two before returning.

You won't

> even feel like wearing real shoes for that length of time.

>

> I hope others on here back me up but really, one week after surgery

is not

> realistic no matter how sedentary the job. For one thing, you'll

still be on

> pain meds which will make you loopy and more than likely having daily PT

> which makes your schedule tough.

>

> Good luck,

>

>

>

> New member

>

>

> Hi everyone! My name is Karin and I am 40 years old. I am having a

> total knee replacement on May 2nd. I'm not to sure of what to expect

> so I am a little anxious. I am scheduled to have surgery on a Wed and

> be back at work by the following Wed. I don't know if this gives me

> enough time to get back on track. How much time did it take you to be

> able to work again. I have a sedentary job so I figured this would be

> ok - but I don't know. I would love to hear other people experiences.

>

> Thanks,

> Karin

>

[Guest guest]

Right, Karin. Especially if this is the right leg, you can't drive until 6 or 7 weeks out. You won't be able to wedge yourself comfortably in the car to drive even if it's the left leg until a few weeks out.

New member> > > Hi everyone! My name is Karin and I am 40 years old. I am having a> total knee replacement on May 2nd. I'm not to sure of what to expect> so I am a little anxious. I am scheduled to have surgery on a Wed and> be back at work by the following Wed. I don't know if this gives me> enough time to get back on track. How much time did it take you to be> able to work again. I have a sedentary job so I figured this would be> ok - but I don't know. I would love to hear other people experiences.> > Thanks,> Karin>

[Guest guest]

Karin,

Hi, and welcome to the group. I'm . I'm 42 and I had a right TKR on March 5, just about 5 weeks ago. I am out of work for a minimum of 8 weeks. I was in the hospital for five days and due to pain, swelling, stiffness, and heavy duty pain meds, there is just no way that I can see anyone being able to return to work just a week after a total knee replacement. What did your doctor say about this?

I have a side job at home, mostly on the computer, but I couldn't sit in one position long enough to do even that for a couple of weeks after surgery.

Best of luck to you though. I found a wealth of information from the people on this list before and after my surgery.

in WA

>>Hi everyone! My name is Karin and I am 40 years old. I am having a total knee replacement on May 2nd. I'm not to sure of what to expect so I am a little anxious. I am scheduled to have surgery on a Wed and be back at work by the following Wed. I don't know if this gives me enough time to get back on track. How much time did it take you to be able to work again. I have a sedentary job so I figured this would be ok - but I don't know. I would love to hear other people experiences.Thanks,Karin

[Guest guest]

Hi Karin, Has your doctor given you any info on recovery after surgery?

Surgery like a TKR takes quite a bit of time to recover from. Not just the leg, but there can be blood loss and you will feel tired for a while. I don't want to discourage you and maybe your job is one that you can work at lightly and sitting down.

We are all different at the rate we recover. My recovery was probably not a good example at all, as I was in bed for 7 weeks. However I had the flue for a couple weeks too.

We are here for you and will be praying for your surgery. Terry

>>Hi everyone! My name is Karin and I am 40 years old. I am having a

total knee replacement on May 2nd. I'm not to sure of what to expect

so I am a little anxious. I am scheduled to have surgery on a Wed and

be back at work by the following Wed. I don't know if this gives me

enough time to get back on track. How much time did it take you to be

able to work again. I have a sedentary job so I figured this would be

ok - but I don't know. I would love to hear other people experiences.

Thanks,

Karin

Re:New member

Karin,

Hi, and welcome to the group. I'm . I'm 42 and I had a right TKR on March 5, just about 5 weeks ago. I am out of work for a minimum of 8 weeks. I was in the hospital for five days and due to pain, swelling, stiffness, and heavy duty pain meds, there is just no way that I can see anyone being able to return to work just a week after a total knee replacement. What did your doctor say about this?

I have a side job at home, mostly on the computer, but I couldn't sit in one position long enough to do even that for a couple of weeks after surgery.

Best of luck to you though. I found a wealth of information from the people on this list before and after my surgery.

in WA

>>Hi everyone! My name is Karin and I am 40 years old. I am having a

total knee replacement on May 2nd. I'm not to sure of what to expect

so I am a little anxious. I am scheduled to have surgery on a Wed and

be back at work by the following Wed. I don't know if this gives me

enough time to get back on track. How much time did it take you to be

able to work again. I have a sedentary job so I figured this would be

ok - but I don't know. I would love to hear other people experiences.

Thanks,

Karin

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[Guest guest]

Karin, You have a positive attitude, and I don't want to be discouraging, but I've never heard of a knee-replacement going back to work in a week. This is a wonderful surgery that will give you back a normal life, but it is major. You must have time to heal and rest. So many people told me I would need more recovery time than I had planned for my September double-knee replacement, but I had worked out aggressively in the pool and thought I was tougher and would be different. What a rude awakening I had! :-) I went into it without a lot of research because I was out of options and my mother had knee and hip replacements many years ago and didn't burden us with just how difficult it was. I wasn't prepared for the pain nor coping with it well until I found this site and learned about recovery. Before then, I thought

something had gone terribly wrong and I was frightened by the pain meds. Here, I learned I was hurting like everyone else and that I needed my strong pain medications and, when the time was right, how to gradually wean off them to avoid awful side effects. On the day after surgery, they started getting me up up a couple times a day to walk a short way down the hall, and I did simple exercises in bed. My knees were iced 24 hours a day. (When you get home, you will need to continue the ice therapy for several hours. I still use my ice wraps after a long day.) I was in the hospital for four days, one more day than predicted because I needed a blood transfusion. Then I went to an inpatient physical therapy rehab center for a week, where I had intense physical and occupational therapy. Then I had a friend stay with me for a week. I needed help from her at first just to get into

the shower. She moved things around in my house so I could more easily navigate from the bedroom to the bathroom to the living room. Friends drove me to physical therapy for the first month. And I slept -- a lot! Everyone I've was given a walker to use at first, even if you're having only one knee done. Then you'll graduate to a cane. I also had a pair of crutches from a knee injury that came in handy when I wanted to move faster and go further. You will be on strong pain meds, especially before your physical therapy session, so you bend that knee further than you thought possible. Some need the meds only a month. I needed them for three months in addition to two weeks to wean off them. You will also be on a blood thinner for a month. I took the Coumadin pill and had blood tests weekly to monitor its effects. Others here used the new, self-injectable shot that does not require monitoring. I also

took a sleeping pill so I can get through more of the night without the pain awakening me. When you return home, you will need aggressive physical therapy two to three times a week for one to three months just to get that knee bending. Most insurance plans give you the option of a therapist coming to your house for the first few weeks. I chose outpatient from the beginning because friends volunteered to drive me. At five weeks, my surgeon gave me permission to drive, though he wasn't crazy about it. I went back to work part-time then and couldn't complete the week. I then worked part-time the next week and just hung in the best I could. I really wished I would have had at least eight weeks to recover before returning to work. When I returned to work, I was so tired it made me foggy and I made mistakes. Several others at this site said they experienced the same thing. And I haven't' even mentioned the raised toilet seat you will need to use for awhile. I don't remember how long -- wish I would have kept a journal on these types of things. Perhaps you should sit down and have a talk with your surgeon. It would also be helpful to talk to your physical therapist, and visit the rehab center to talk to others recovering from knee replacement. Also, most hospitals require you to attend a class to educate you about the surgery, what to expect afterward, special equipment you will need and how to recover. Most people seem to feel less anxious after the class. People have shared lots of great tips here about what you should take to the hospital, what you need to do at home beforehand and the handy things to have during recovery. Let us know if you need any advice. The members here are just terrific. They will give you excellent advice and

lots of empathy when you need it. I'm only sorry I didn't find them sooner. I just wanted to give you a glimpse, Karin, of what to expect so you can plan to take the time you need. Your age will certainly be in your favor. And the surgery is worth it! I wish you the very best outcome. Keep in touch and let us know how things progress. Warm regards, Donna >

Hi everyone! My name is Karin and I am 40 years old. I am having a> total knee replacement on May 2nd. I'm not to sure of what to expect> so I am a little anxious. I am scheduled to have surgery on a Wed and> be back at work by the following Wed. I don't know if this gives me> enough time to get back on track. How much time did it take you to be> able to work again. I have a sedentary job so I figured this would be> ok - but I don't know. I would love to hear other people experiences.> > Thanks,> Karin>

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