Questions about knee replacement surgery

[Guest guest]

Janet,

I believe each persons may be a bit different in time depending on the

severity of the knee,mine was 3 1/2 hours long. And for the

functioning when you get home...how many days will you be in the

hospital?...I know I needed someone home with me the first few days

back. Just to make sure I was ok, no falling, and I didn't really feel

like getting up and down for everything. My second day home, my friend

wasn't their yet, I had people at the door wanting me to move my van

and truck so they could pave the road. Here I was looking here and

there for keys so they could move them...I found my van keys...but had

them push the truck to the lawn. I was so stressed by the time my

friend got there and so was my body. I think it would be helpful for

you if someone could at least check on you and make sure you have what

you need. Sure you sleep alot, but make sure you have meals, lots of

water, and just make sure you are ok.

pam

[Guest guest]

,

Because you are young, your hospital stay probably won't be long. I was 43 when I had mine done last year (also right leg) and was in the hospital four nights. I was not sent to an inpatient rehab but recovered at my mother's house for the first 10 days after that because I had this done in my home town. My husband then drove to get me. We were able to drive back home (500 miles) once I was at 14 days post-op and could get my staples out. At that point I was still using a walker and still needing lots of pain meds.

By week three when we were home I was able to sit at my computer on short bursts (I work from home and most all is work at the computer) and talk on the phone. I needed lots of rest and took naps frequently. I also started outpatient PT that week and it was intense. Because it was my right leg I couldn't drive until about 7 weeks (and it still was painful another week).

I think what work you do depends on when you can go back. Certainly I used the walker the first 14 days and then a cane just under another week. But I was walking slowly and very tired. I will say that at just under two months post-op I was able to fly across country, walk through two airports and a large resort hotel and attend a three-day conference. So certainly about 6 weeks post-op you could return to most any job, but still expect some swelling by day's end and tiredness.

-----Original Message-----From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ]On Behalf Of andie_alex_mom37Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 8:44 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Questions about knee replacement surgery

Hello, I am 38 and may have to have knee replacement on my right knee soon.. When I was younger around 12 to 13 I had major surgeries on my knee because there was bone not growing properly. I was wondering how long is the average hospital stay and how long before I could expect to go back to work if that is even possible?? thanks ahead of time for any answers to my questions..

[Guest guest]

I have gone through the needles injected into my bad knee. The

medicine only lasted 3 months instead of 6. The cortisone injections

only lasted 3 days. I am at my wits end. I am in constant pain. I

am now taking darvocet and icing my knee. I see the doctor tomorrow

to try to talk him into setting a date for knee replacement surgery.

I'm scared, unsure, and worried about recovery time. Has anyone gone

through knee replacement? How difficult was the surgery? How long

did it take for you to recover? Any information would be greatly

appreciated.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/7/2008 8:45:00 A.M. Central Standard Time,

skrista@... writes:

Hello Margaret,

I had my first TKR March 11. Like you I went through all the

injections with no relief.

The surgery itself is not that bad. The hospital I was in has a great

pain relief program and worked well with me on keeping the pain as low

as possible.

Recovery time varies from person to person. The big factor in

recovery time is how well you prepare yourself BEFORE the surgery.

EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE!!!!EX

The more you can build up the hamstring and thigh muscle before the

surgery the shorter your recovery time will be.

Talk to your doctor and research the web. If possible go the the

center you will use for rehab and the therapist will be glad to give

you exercises to do prior to surgery. Do them faithfully for at least

a month prior to the surgery. The longer you do them the better the

leg will be prepared for the surgery and rehab.

Good luck.

Hi, I had my RTKR in Nov of 05 and my LTKR in Feb of 06. I was in extreme

pain, bone in bone as I call it. I was 47 and they didn't want to do it until

I was 50, but they finally did. I thought it was all a breeze really. The

PT is hard and you have to work at it. I still have some pain but it's not

anything like what I had before. I had a bout with depression and stayed in

bed a lot so I think I'm behind the game. I've just started exercising a lot

more. I am so glad that I had them done though. Has anyone had any problems

with their knees swelling 2 years or more after the surgery? I'm trying to

figure out what's going on. My knee Dr. says that he doesn't think it's

because of my replacements and my family Dr. says that she thinks that it is.

It's not an infection or anything, at least my x-rays look good. My knee Dr.

thinks it's a med that I'm taking causing it. It's only happened twice but

it's weird. I rode my exercise bike for 15 minutes last night and no

swelling. Any ideas? Thanks,

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[Guest guest]

Hello Margaret,

I had my first TKR March 11. Like you I went through all the

injections with no relief.

The surgery itself is not that bad. The hospital I was in has a great

pain relief program and worked well with me on keeping the pain as low

as possible.

Recovery time varies from person to person. The big factor in

recovery time is how well you prepare yourself BEFORE the surgery.

EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE!!!!!

The more you can build up the hamstring and thigh muscle before the

surgery the shorter your recovery time will be.

Talk to your doctor and research the web. If possible go the the

center you will use for rehab and the therapist will be glad to give

you exercises to do prior to surgery. Do them faithfully for at least

a month prior to the surgery. The longer you do them the better the

leg will be prepared for the surgery and rehab.

Good luck.

>

> I have gone through the needles injected into my bad knee. The

> medicine only lasted 3 months instead of 6. The cortisone injections

> only lasted 3 days. I am at my wits end. I am in constant pain. I

> am now taking darvocet and icing my knee. I see the doctor tomorrow

> to try to talk him into setting a date for knee replacement surgery.

> I'm scared, unsure, and worried about recovery time. Has anyone gone

> through knee replacement? How difficult was the surgery? How long

> did it take for you to recover? Any information would be greatly

> appreciated.

>