surgery

[csj]

Going for a left knee replacement in just over a week, at a toronto hospital.

Advice, thoughts.

[Jess from VA]

Before you go in, write "this one" in magic marker on the left knee, and "not this one" on the right.   

Apologies.

Everything I've heard (and told by my folks who had all 4 done) is working the rehab hard after surgery is the key to good success.

[Rams]

Before you go in, write "this one" in magic marker on the left knee, and "not this one" on the right.  

Apologies.

Everything I've heard (and told by my folks who had all 4 done) is working the rehab hard after surgery is the key to good success.

Wife just had shoulder replacement and went through rehab, will be getting the other shoulder done this fall.   Rehab is the key to getting back into "normal" living.   I don't expect my own knees to last through the warranty.   Doc wanted to replace them five years ago.

Reference that left/right marking, I was there when the surgeon asked (again) which shoulder and then marked it for everyone to see so that no mistakes were made.    All involved knew the surgeon knew and I believe that was done just as a confidence builder.   But, it never hurts to be cautious.  

Rams

[Jess from VA]

My 92 year old mom is getting a shoulder replacement in a couple weeks.

It's a testament to how hard she works at staying in decent shape (for a 92yo), that they will even do it for someone that old.  

And she's excited about it.  I'd be scared.

[da prez]

 I have two shoulders and a hip replaced. T H E R A P Y after surgery (and before if possible) .

                                      da prez

[John Schmidt]

Just curious...are they using the old fashion method where they make an incision nearly a foot long over the top of the knee and cutting muscles/tendons? Or using the newer method of a 4-5" incision on the side and don't cut muscles/tendons. Recovery is quite fast and much less painful during rehab.

During rehab following my hip replacement(used the anterior method & a 4" incision), I ran into an older granny type with the new method for her knee job. It was two weeks and she walked into the center hands free...no cane, crutches, walker. Others with the old method...oh my!

[Jersey mike]

Before you go in, write "this one" in magic marker on the left knee, and "not this one" on the right.  

Apologies.

Everything I've heard (and told by my folks who had all 4 done) is working the rehab hard after surgery is the key to good success.

Wife just had shoulder replacement and went through rehab, will be getting the other shoulder done this fall.   Rehab is the key to getting back into "normal" living.   I don't expect my own knees to last through the warranty.   Doc wanted to replace them five years ago.

Reference that left/right marking, I was there when the surgeon asked (again) which shoulder and then marked it for everyone to see so that no mistakes were made.    All involved knew the surgeon knew and I believe that was done just as a confidence builder.   But, it never hurts to be cautious.  

Rams

PT is the key to recovery 

It may be slow at first, it may be painful as well but do it, do it all and listen to your therapist. Relay any thoughts or concerns regarding pain or discomfort you feel to the therapist and make sure YOU DO ANY EXERCISES AT HOME THEY RECOMMEND.

My wife had 2 complete hip replacements last fall and they had her up and walking almost immediately after she woke from the anesthesia and being able to walk on her own and climb up and down 4-5 stairs before they would release her from hospital. If you don’t have a physical therapist now find one unless you are going to one recommended by your doctor.

Also, take your pain meds as prescribed. Yes they may be narcotics and acetaminophen (Tylenol) combined but they do not want you in pain which may cause you not to do your PT. Plus, since the pills will be a combo with Tylenol the Tylenol is an anti inflammatory to keep the swelling down.

Ice is your friend, use it as often as necessary or prescribed.

[old2soon]

      I Totally AGREE with tagging knees which is which. I'd just read in the last week or so a 10 year old boy was given a vasectomy!  Most of us here have read/heard horror stories of something being removed/altered that was NOT to be touched! And should your Surgeon being doing many a day better safe than oh s it! Good luck on the knee replacement!  RIDE SAFE.

[csj]

write "this one" in magic marker on the left knee, and "not this one" on the right.

Seriously thinking about it!

I don't expect my own knees to last through the warranty.   Doc wanted to replace them five years ago.

Yes, five years ago I was having trouble, too. Warranty's been screwed since.

T H E R A P Y after surgery (and before if possible) .

We go to gym bout 3 days a week. Definitely working on the Before part.

...are they using the old fashion method where they make an incision nearly a foot long over the top of the knee...

My girl got her right knee done Jan 2021. It was done like that, and she was in a world of hurt for some 4 months. I had to get her in/out of bed, make all meals, help her put on clothes. Always sore. She was given Hydromorphone by surgeon. Not nearly strong enough. I've used this argument to get oxycontin ordered by the surgeon.
I hope i'm more able to take the hurt.

Good luck on the knee replacement!

Thank You. Gonna need it.

[bassman]

+100 on the PT/Rehab recommendations.  Wife had both shoulders done (at different times) and the doctors, therapists and friends ALL agree her success is directly related to the effort she put into the PT afterwards.  She would also take a pain med or two prior to a session to help her push through it.

Good luck !!!

[cookiedough]

IMO go to 2-4 PT treatments and ask if they have given you all of the exercises needed.  Once they say yes,   do them at home.

[Bighead]

Just curious...are they using the old fashion method where they make an incision nearly a foot long over the top of the knee and cutting muscles/tendons? Or using the newer method of a 4-5" incision on the side and don't cut muscles/tendons. Recovery is quite fast and much less painful during rehab.

During rehab following my hip replacement(used the anterior method & a 4" incision), I ran into an older granny type with the new method for her knee job. It was two weeks and she walked into the center hands free...no cane, crutches, walker. Others with the old method...oh my!

John the “ new “ method you speak of isn’t really new it is called the sub vastus approach.

[John Schmidt]

Just curious...are they using the old fashion method where they make an incision nearly a foot long over the top of the knee and cutting muscles/tendons? Or using the newer method of a 4-5" incision on the side and don't cut muscles/tendons. Recovery is quite fast and much less painful during rehab.

During rehab following my hip replacement(used the anterior method & a 4" incision), I ran into an older granny type with the new method for her knee job. It was two weeks and she walked into the center hands free...no cane, crutches, walker. Others with the old method...oh my!

John the “ new “ method you speak of isn’t really new it is called the sub vastus approach.

Yeah I know, I just called it that cuz not many are aware of that method, they only know about their Aunt Myrtle getting her knee sliced open with a 12" scar left over. I had much the same thing when trying to explain the anterior approach to folks following my hip job in 2016. The VA doctor that lived across the street didn't believe I'd had a full replacement until I showed him the xrays. In less than a week I was going for walks with my wife, she with her walker and me with nothing.

I'm wondering how long will my hip last with rather hard use, it gives me some pain every once in a while...especially following a workout in the gym. I don't go above 200 lbs. on leg presses now but still will have some pain at times.

[csj]

It's been about 3 months since the knee was replaced.

Before you go in, write "this one" in magic marker on the left knee, and "not this one" on the right.   Grin

Three different doctors put their mark, or initials on the left knee. They don't much like making mistakes.

I learned to put up with the discomfort during the day, after the first month, and did not take pain killers during the day.

But at night....  I sleep light.... so, the discomfort would keep me awake all night.

So, I worked with different doctors, including the surgeon, to use hydromorphone (pain killer), a sleeping pill, and another type of sleeping/pain pill. Finally, after a month of hell, found a regimen
that allows me to get sleep.

Physical Therapy is a pain. I now have most of the range of motion back.

Working now to break away from the nightly drug regimen, though even last night I hurt so bad, I had to take the stuff again.

[John Schmidt]

My friend Nancy had hers done a month ago today. Around the house seldom uses the cane, even on the stairs. This week will be the end of PT so I told her it's time to dust off her stationary bike. At this stage she's only on the hydrocodone once a day at the most and usually just before her PT. For most of the last 2 wks. it's been a couple tylenol at a time, maaybe 1/2 a hydro. Sleeping good most of the time according to her, some days it just aches which tylenol takes care of. She damaged the knee(left) in a skiing accident some years ago, had some work done on it at the time but eventually it started bending in, causing her to walk funny and gave constant pain. The surgery straightened her leg and now has less pain than before having it done. Prior to surgery she was attending swimming exercise classes nearby which I think made a huge difference in her recovery. She's quite limber(nearly 80) and quite strong, formerly a figure skater, skier, horseback rider...always active. Once healed, I may not be able to keep up. 

[cookiedough]

John, if you had hip replacement surgery,  the Dr. told me should last 25-30 more years after install.  I hope for 30 since am only 52 and need both done eventually if I can loose 30lbs., dr. will do it.

[TTG53#1717]

csj…

If you are 3 months post surgery and still in that much pain then you have issues.

Mine was done through the top when I was 63 and at 3 months post I had full range of motion and no need
for any pain meds. One month later, 4 months post, I was back climbing 120 foot refinery columns and doing hundreds of steel grate steps per day.

I made knees, hips and surgical tooling back in the 80’s/90’s and sad to say all of our rejects went to UK/France. I don’t know if Canada is in that sphere.

 Hope yours is a good one.

Seriously, get checked for a latent infection or something causing inflammation and find out why you’re
Not fully healing.

Wishing you all the best.

Tim

[Jersey mike]

Discuss pain issues with the therapist and your doctor, try to be a specific as possible regarding the type and location of the pain.

Best of luck and hope you can get some relief soon.

[csj]

I've been back to the surgeon for two separate visits. One of them was for x-rays, and they said all looked as it should be. Surgeon is finally happy with the range of motion.

I'm surprised that the hurt follows me to bed and keeps me awake. But in 2021 my lady had her right knee done and she was still hurting out to 4 months. She sleeps deeply, the hurt doesn't follow her like it does me.

The day of the surgery, they had injected me with Nerve Block. For 12 hours after the surgery, I was a leaping gnome, no pain at all, until it wore off 12 hours later. Ooh I wish they made that nerve block in pill form.

I'm slowly reducing the last of the pain meds and will learn to cope with the sleep issue.

[da prez]

  I am different than most. I quit pain meds 36 hours after having hip replaced. Shoulders were replaced and same.  An in depth blood test and X-ray for a closer look. Some Dr's do so many surgeries that they assume all is good. Every body heals at a different rate. Posture , therapy and being careful .
  Best of luck. You have to be your own advocate.

                                               da prez

[John Schmidt]

John, if you had hip replacement surgery,  the Dr. told me should last 25-30 more years after install.  I hope for 30 since am only 52 and need both done eventually if I can loose 30lbs., dr. will do it.

Hmmm...25-30 years?  I'll be dust by then and sporting a new body.