Total knee replacement, what to expect?

[pcgeek11]

As the title says I am at the point where I need a total knee replacement due to Osteoarthritis and have bone on bone contact in the knee. I have my first consult tomorrow and will definitely get a second and maybe a third opinion.

I have read a lot, but would like to know from a first hand perspective:

How long were you out of work?
(I have 6 weeks vacation/personal time and I also have Short and Long Term Insurance that pays 65% of earnings.)

How much pain after the surgery and how long were you incapacitated?

What other complications did you have?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I've had my left knee replaced. They had me on one of the first constant flex machines the whole time. It sucked big time. I've now heard they're moving away from that idea. Pain was manageable with drugs during recovery which took about 6 weeks plus another 2 weeks to build up stamina. Make sure it you have stairs or steps at home, you practice them before you leave the hospital. You will have to learn to walk again. Physical therapy is your friend. I've seen too many people give up on themselves because they didn't want to do the work. The good news is after you're healed, there is no more knee pain.
Several years after my knee was replaced I got an infection requiring all the plastic bits in my knee joint to be replaced. Again, recovery was about 6 weeks and I had to learn how to walk once again. No issues since.
Do yourself a favor and do NOT watch a knee replacement surgery before hand.

 

[pcgeek11]

Well, it's a little too late about not watching the video. That didn't bother me too much.

Thanks for your input. I'm really looking forward to no or reduced pain at least.

 

[Chaotic42]

I can't offer any experience with this, but good luck and quick recovery to you.

 

[snoopy7548]

Good luck. Be sure to post pics!

 

[T_Yamamoto]

My dad has had both his knees replaced (before 60) from running too much (literally too much running).

You won't be able to walk without help, we're talking like a walker, for a good bit. Expect total loss of independence, as you'll need help with everything. Constant PT is required, my dad used some knee moving machine (you strap your leg in and as you lay down, it'll move your knee).

Take as much time as you need since driving won't be possible for a while.

 

[pcgeek11]

I can't offer any experience with this, but good luck and quick recovery to you.

Good luck. Be sure to post pics!

Thanks for the wishes. I'll try and post some pics when the time comes...

 

[pcgeek11]

My dad has had both his knees replaced (before 60) from running too much (literally too much running).

You won't be able to walk without help, we're talking like a walker, for a good bit. Expect total loss of independence, as you'll need help with everything. Constant PT is required, my dad used some knee moving machine (you strap your leg in and as you lay down, it'll move your knee).

Take as much time as you need since driving won't be possible for a while.

Thanks. In the reading I've done lately they have recently stopped with the machine movement and now most are using a PT and exercises.

 

[highland145]

How old are you people? I must have stumbled into the geriatric wing while looking for my depends.



Replacement is probably in my future but not today, potato. OP, I'd ask as many people as you can about their ortho. I like mine and he's been good so far but there's another guy in town that, I've been told, is the best for knees.

Best of.

 

[snoopy7548]

Thanks for the wishes. I'll try and post some pics when the time comes...

If you can get some shots and/or video during surgery, I bet you could get a CoolCoin or two!

 

[pcgeek11]

If you can get some shots and/or video during surgery, I bet you could get a CoolCoin or two!

Here you go. Pretty graphic.

Hopefully I'll be out cold for all the fun! LOL

 

[pcgeek11]

How old are you people? I must have stumbled into the geriatric wing while looking for my depends.



Replacement is probably in my future but not today, potato. OP, I'd ask as many people as you can about their ortho. I like mine and he's been good so far but there's another guy in town that, I've been told, is the best for knees.

Best of.

63 and 3/4.

At least I'm not at the depends level ... (yet).

 

[zinfamous]

he's been good so far but there's another guy in town that, I've been told, is the best for knees.

Does he also raise bees?



--Best of luck OP, seriously. As far as what to expect: good drugs, I hope. Because pain...but you know that. Rehab that shit and don't doubt yourself.

 

[Schmide]

My mom got both knees replaced 12 years ago. (at age 71) They made her walk almost immediately after the surgery. I helped her rehab and I basically had to do very little. Apparently if you can handle the pain you can get moving very soon.

At 83 she still managing her property, keeping up a garden, and riding her bike 5 miles a day. (she also goes to the Health Club daily)

Work at it and you can be mostly whole.

 

[pcgeek11]

Does he also raise bees?



--Best of luck OP, seriously. As far as what to expect: good drugs, I hope. Because pain...but you know that. Rehab that shit and don't doubt yourself.

Thanks!

 

[pcgeek11]

My mom got both knees replaced 12 years ago. (at age 71) They made her walk almost immediately after the surgery. I helped her rehab and I basically had to do very little. Apparently if you can handle the pain you can get moving very soon.

At 83 she still managing her property, keeping up a garden, and riding her bike 5 miles a day. (she also goes to the Health Club daily)

Work at it and you can be mostly whole.

Good for her! I am looking forward to my new cyborg knee.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Coworkers dad had both knees replaced last year. (He's an 80-something year old farmer, still works his fields.)

There was pain, discomfort, PT to do, etc., but he kept up with it and while it's not perfect (he gets around with a cane most days) he's much more mobile and in much less pain than he was before. It was about a month before he started to feel better than he did before the surgery, and it has been uphill since then.

And harvest went pretty well this year.

So good luck!

 

[pcgeek11]

Thanks. Talking with the scheduler tomorrow to set a date etc.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Thanks. Talking with the scheduler tomorrow to set a date etc.

Keep us posted.

 

[squirrel dog]

about the pain meds . Be sure to take Metamucil daily or you will encounter the concrete pine cone syndrome .

 

[BurnItDwn]

I have family members and colleagues at work who have gone through knee replacement surgeries.

The pharmacist I used to work for needed to sit down after his return, so, unlike all the other pharmacists, he would sit most of the day in the chair near the consult window/verification pc. (He came back to work after 6 weeks)

My RN Grandmother was only out like 3 or 4 weeks after her first knee replacement a bunch of years ago.

She's had her second knee replacement done recently, she retired in her mid 80s and still gets around fine.



My MIL is in need of knee replacements, but she is so afraid of the procedures and of being helpless that she keeps putting it off.

My MIL's sister had knee replacement last year, the MIL spent 3 weeks taking care of her during recovery, then, the MIL's sister was back to work. (light duty)

I hope your surgery goes fantasticly pcgeek, I'd prefer to argue with you over in P&N when your healthy and well

 

[pcgeek11]

I have family members and colleagues at work who have gone through knee replacement surgeries.

The pharmacist I used to work for needed to sit down after his return, so, unlike all the other pharmacists, he would sit most of the day in the chair near the consult window/verification pc. (He came back to work after 6 weeks)

My RN Grandmother was only out like 3 or 4 weeks after her first knee replacement a bunch of years ago.

She's had her second knee replacement done recently, she retired in her mid 80s and still gets around fine.



My MIL is in need of knee replacements, but she is so afraid of the procedures and of being helpless that she keeps putting it off.

My MIL's sister had knee replacement last year, the MIL spent 3 weeks taking care of her during recovery, then, the MIL's sister was back to work. (light duty)

I hope your surgery goes fantasticly pcgeek, I'd prefer to argue with you over in P&N when your healthy and well

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm looking forward to the recovery as I am in pain everyday as it is now.

 

[ibex333]

I strongly advise against it... A lady at work did it. She was like late 60s maybe early 70s. She used to be such an optimist. Always seeing her cup half full. Never complaining, always positive. I was sure if anyone can do it, she can!

They basically turned her into a cripple. She was never the same again. Always in bad mood, pale skin from constant pain, always a frown.. I tried asking few times how she was feeling. The reply was always "not good", or "been better". She was walking around with a cane, regardless of how much time has passed. Took days off every now and then because the pain was unbearable. Eventually the boss retired(fired) her. It was horrible and everyone felt bad.

Makes sense to me what happened... Think about it. It may hurt a lot. You may be constantly suffering. but its YOUR knee. Once it's gone, it's gone. No way to fix anything, no way to go back. If your body doesn't do well with the plastic knee, there's literally nothing you can do.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I strongly advise against it... A lady at work did it. She was like late 60s maybe early 70s. She used to be such an optimist. Always seeing her cup half full. Never complaining, always positive. I was sure if anyone can do it, she can!

They basically turned her into a cripple. She was never the same again. Always in bad mood, pale skin from constant pain, always a frown.. I tried asking few times how she was feeling. The reply was always "not good", or "been better". She was walking around with a cane, regardless of how much time has passed. Took days off every now and then because the pain was unbearable. Eventually the boss retired(fired) her. It was horrible and everyone felt bad.

Makes sense to me what happened... Think about it. It may hurt a lot. You may be constantly suffering. but its YOUR knee. Once it's gone, it's gone. No way to fix anything, no way to go back. If your body doesn't do well with the plastic knee, there's literally nothing you can do.

I'm sorry but, you don't understand. The lady you spoke of was an unfortunate aberration. Almost all knee joint replacement patients are eventually pain free after recovering from surgery and physical therapy. The chronic pain from bone on bone in a joint is worth trying anything to alleviate. Many of us have had revision surgery to replace failed components in the artificial knee and returned to pain free full movement. There are methods to repair/replace failed artificial joints. I'm sorry the lady you knew did not avail herself of them.

 

[pcgeek11]

I strongly advise against it... A lady at work did it. She was like late 60s maybe early 70s. She used to be such an optimist. Always seeing her cup half full. Never complaining, always positive. I was sure if anyone can do it, she can!

They basically turned her into a cripple. She was never the same again. Always in bad mood, pale skin from constant pain, always a frown.. I tried asking few times how she was feeling. The reply was always "not good", or "been better". She was walking around with a cane, regardless of how much time has passed. Took days off every now and then because the pain was unbearable. Eventually the boss retired(fired) her. It was horrible and everyone felt bad.

Makes sense to me what happened... Think about it. It may hurt a lot. You may be constantly suffering. but its YOUR knee. Once it's gone, it's gone. No way to fix anything, no way to go back. If your body doesn't do well with the plastic knee, there's literally nothing you can do.

From all of my reading she may have had an issue, but there are ways to fix what is wrong by having a revision surgery. Nothing is 100%.

I'm constantly suffering now.

The knee isn't plastic it is a Titanium Alloy and uses a high density plastic disk between to cushion.