Anybody here have a full knee replacement?

[hammersley]

I'm getting one on 3 Nov......talked to some friends, what practical experience...like where did you sleep.....how long to get back into your truck.....getting up and down from a toilet.....etc

 

[Dutch & Di]

Dutch had his done in June of 2002. I understand that now they don't cut the tendons anymore just pull them aside to put in the plates. That sure speeds up recovery time. The had him on a knee machine every 2 hours to keep his knee flexing and bending. Dutch's {because they did cut the muscles/tendons back then} took him about 4 weeks to get back to golfing and driving. They released him from the hospital only once they were assured he could climb into the truck and up the 3 steps of our 5th wheel so that was about 5 days. The 1st week he slept on the couch but hobbled to the bedroom after that. He did 4 therapy sessions then the next week, had the therapist show me his routine so that we could finish up while being on the road. We stopped every 2 hours to do his exercises. He was doing little things outside around the truck & 5th wheel quite soon but I had to threaten several times to make him back off. We have only 2 step to get up into our bathroom and he had no problem with the toilet. He is a very quick healer & I was adamant about him faithfully doing his exercises which really does help.
Good luck and keep us posted. If you have any more questions, just ask. Hugs, Di

 

[HPSimpson]

I had both knees done at same time total replacement see below.

 

[HPSimpson]

I had both knees total replacement at same time, was in the hospital for three days, was able to come home and sleep in my own bed, had to raise the bed up on wooden blocks for getting in and out, no problems in the bathroom. Went to therapy sessions for six weeks, which start five days after surgery, was able to drive myself to the sessions in my car, had to be careful as was stick shift, but the clutch was easy to handle. Now driving on'96 Ram was another deal, had to wait for six weeks that clutch was stiff, return to work on the eight week. Was best operation made my life so much better, good luck and hope have speedy recover!

 

[Slow Six]

My wife has had both her knees replaced and is very pleased. She is pain free and can walk again. We are full time living in our 5th. wheel and she had no problems getting around. It is VERY important to follow directions from the physiotherapist and keep the knee moving. Use good pain management so that you keep the knee mobile. If you let the knee seize up it will be a long road to recovery.

 

[Wertles]

Early movement is the key to a quick recovery. Here at my hospital, we have people in physical therapy in under 24 hours. Talk with your anesthesiologist about different pain control options. Our protocol is a Duramorph Spinal along with a femoral nerve block or adductor canal block +/- general anesthesia. Most people wake up very comfortable and can do their PT on post OP day 1. Before you go home, you must be able to move around and do stairs so that you will be safe at home. If you are not able to do so adequately, then you may need a short rehab stay before going home.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Had both TKR done TWO times on one knee, and one time then amputation above the knee on the other. All rehab was the same. Out of surgery in AM and walking on them in PM didn't use the passive motion thing it didn't work for me. Total time in the Hospital was 4 days after surgery. Walking rehab in Hosp. was as many times around the ward as could be done 3 times a day. Was back in Class 8 truck driving with two of the TKR in 9 weeks, working like it had never been done.

Sleep in the hosp. was non existent, went home slept like a baby NO PAIN TO KEEP ME UP, do your exercises and you will be fine. Just remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and its PAIN FREE if you do your work on PT

 

[Simplysmn]

Have had more surgeries then Most can remember 23 on left n 10 on right TKR on left with several redo's along with 2 dislocation's of the artifical jiont .What ever you do Do not Kneel down on it .I found out the hard way that it will Pop out of Place in a split Sec. But after revision in 2002 I have been doing good .Right Knee need's to be repaced but I'm not ready for it . being Tall has a Disadvantage when it comes to Knee joint replacement I'm not off the shelf .Took Doc 6 month's to hand Design the Joint when they redid it n 02 found out the Joint it's self is 45,000 alone Ide hate to see what surgery cost's but .If Doc say's you need 1 go for it .It's the best thing I have done so far .

 

[sfritts]

Good luck with it I had left one done 2 yrs. ago It was tough the first week,but got better fast. The one bit of advice is to keep moving If you do you'll be much happier with it. took me about 3 mo. to get to where I got do anything I wanted with it, and it's been great every since don't even know it's in there.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Wow! What a shame you had such a bad surgical experience. I guess every operation is different. Dutch is down on his knees all the time doing work on the truck or 5th wheel or doing installs and he has never had a problem and he's 83. Hugs, Di

Have had more surgeries then Most can remember 23 on left n 10 on right TKR on left with several redo's along with 2 dislocation's of the artifical jiont .What ever you do Do not Kneel down on it .I found out the hard way that it will Pop out of Place in a split Sec. But after revision in 2002 I have been doing good .Right Knee need's to be repaced but I'm not ready for it . being Tall has a Disadvantage when it comes to Knee joint replacement I'm not off the shelf .Took Doc 6 month's to hand Design the Joint when they redid it n 02 found out the Joint it's self is 45,000 alone Ide hate to see what surgery cost's but .If Doc say's you need 1 go for it .It's the best thing I have done so far .

 

[Simplysmn]

DI I think it has to do with my size .Most knee replacement's are off the shelf joint's and I'm far from it . Doc had to hand make mine to make it fit Me.

 

[hammersley]

Great info folks, thanks a lot....All of this is pretty much what I have been told. Will keep you posted.....Going in on 3 Nov, surgery 10:00.....

 

[BIGNASTY]

DI I think it has to do with my size .Most knee replacement's are off the shelf joint's and I'm far from it . Doc had to hand make mine to make it fit Me.

Very Very few are OFF THE SHELF replacements is what I have been told, that's the reason for the high cost of the joint. Im 6' 6" if that makes a difference? When I had two knees I was on them all the time putting in Kitchen cabinets, and flooring, working on cars, and have never had any problems at all. When the knee joint was taken on my left leg and a different kind of Prosthetic Leg is used. I can get on my knees but I try to avoid it, reason being is that to stand up puts a tremendous amount of strain on my right knee, but NEVER did I have one POP out of place!!

 

[Dutch & Di]

Gotcha!! Hugs, Di

Very Very few are OFF THE SHELF replacements is what I have been told, that's the reason for the high cost of the joint. Im 6' 6" if that makes a difference? When I had two knees I was on them all the time putting in Kitchen cabinets, and flooring, working on cars, and have never had any problems at all. When the knee joint was taken on my left leg and a different kind of Prosthetic Leg is used. I can get on my knees but I try to avoid it, reason being is that to stand up puts a tremendous amount of strain on my right knee, but NEVER did I have one POP out of place!!

 

[Simplysmn]

Well Big being Tall 7 ft and 340 lb's I also have very large Bones they said nothing they they had would work . I get down on my knee's but I am very careful when I do .

 

[BIGNASTY]

YOUR 7ft tall? HOLLY CRAP!! your feet would drag on my mule Daisy and she's 15.5 hands high!!

I guess we could take two mules and strap them together side by side and then let you get on :-laf

I have always thought that im glad that I started to smoke and stunted my growth at 6'6" I clear doorways without ducking!! any taller and I would have to wear a helmet!!

 

[Simplysmn]

Yeah I tried Coffee at around 5 and got a 3rd degree burn on my hand from it so I never touched it sense . Height run's in the Family both my Parent's were 6 ft 1 1/2 and I have a Brother that is 6 ft 11 sister's r 5-9 5-10 n 6 ft .Not very Often that I have to look up to somebody but when I do it sure feel's Wierd . And I only have a Size 20 shoe:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf but I bet I pay less for mine they most do for a smaller size .

 

[BIGNASTY]

My Son is the same as me 6' 6" Daughter is short like her Mom. 5' 1"

I have a size 15 shoe, Damn it must take a frigging cow to make you a pair of shoes!! :-laf

 

[Simplysmn]

As we always use to say when I wore boot's 2 Cow's and a Half a keg of Nail's . Both my kid's took inbetween son is 6 ft n Daughter is 5 ft 11 and wife is Short

 

[fest3er]

...your feet would drag on my mule Daisy and she's 15.5 hands high!! ...

Training feet can be useful to get home when the mule is drunker than the rider.