I got a brand new knee today!

[Lasher]

Last edited Tue Apr 26, 2022, 06:59 PM - Edit history (1)

It hasn’t been too bad so far. But to be honest, I really wasn’t there during the surgery.

I will be in the hospital overnight. Morphine is a hell of a drug.

ETA: Turned out, they only replaced knee parts - not the whole knee. I figure this would be much less invasive. Trying to find out the name of the procedure.

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Cheers, Mate!

Get to using that new knee on day one! Curse me, if it helps!

[Lasher]

3. Good advice. And I did just that today

My first test run didn’t work out. I’m told I turned pale when the therapists stood me up.

Try number 2 went better. I managed to
get a little way down the hall. Getting better every time I get up now.

[3catwoman3]

9. Stay well hydrated and be sure to flex/squeeze...

…all the muscles from your pinky toes all the way up to your glutes before standing up. That will help get blood to your brain prior to getting upright. When we’ve been lying down, blood tends to pool in the lower extremities. Also, sit on the edge of the bed a couple of minutes - popping up too fast can give you quite a head rush, even when not recovering from surgery.

Will you have someone with you when you get home?

[dweller]

2. Kick

😊

as best you can man, as best you can



✌🏻

[Lasher]

6. I think i will get to go home tomorrow.

Thanks for the encouragement.

[Skittles]

4. wishing you luck!

do everything the ortho doc advises, take no chances with your mobility!

[Lasher]

7. Thanks, Skittles!

But I am already a lucky guy. I can
afford this surgery, and there’s lots of people with bigger problems than mine.

All the same, I appreciate the sentiment.

[UTUSN]

5. Glory!

[CentralMass]

8. Congratulations. May your recovery be speedy.

[Lasher]

15. I just got home.

Turned out, it was not a total knee replacement as I expected it would be. My surgeon just replaced some parts. Not sure I understand all that yet but I will get there. My whole leg is double dog sore!

[SmittyWerben]

10. I had bilateral knee replacement 2 years ago

It is going to suck for the next 3 weeks, then progressively gets easier as the ligaments and muscles get over the trauma. The most important thing I will pass on is this: DO THE DAMN STRETCHES AND PUSH YOURSELF. I did my exercises and stretches 3 times a day and pushed as hard as I could. You are fighting scar tissue formation so push hard. That said, it was the best damn thing I have ever done for pain relief. I can now move pain free, stand and kneel (that took some work) and even crouch, without pain. I too loved the morphine after they removed the nerve blockers in my thighs and my body said, quite loudly, "what the fuck did you do?" But it's all good now. Also, don't spend too much time with your leg bent, no matter how good it might feel, it is a trap that is hard to overcome. Peace to you, and welcome to the club.

[soldierant]

11. DO THE DAMN STRETCHES AND PUSH YOURSELF.

That's good advice with any surgery. I had abdominal surgery , godh, over 30 years ago now - an ovarian cyst (the size of a soccer ball) and pushing myself to move helped with my breathing. But I think with joint surgery it may be even more important.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Yikes! Congratulations!

Wow! This is monumental, hoping that life will be much easier once you finish healing and get used to it. And I agree with what others have said - I didn't have surgical replacement, but I did have major surgery and it's important to follow the instructions to get moving when you can. I identified with what you said upthread - when I was told to get up and out of bed within 24 hours, I thought they must be insane! Good luck with your recovery and please let us know how it goes...

[tirebiter]

13. Always say your pain level is a at least 7

I’ve had a few sessions in the hospital from a fractured neck, a broken rib and a rolled over van and I was able to get morphine if I said my pain level was at least 7 on a 1-10 scale. Never touched the stuff before or since. Yeah it was fine stuff but do not need another habit I can’t afford. Hope the knee works.

[Walleye]

14. I had both knees replaced nine years ago. Completely changed my life

It was at least a year before I got full mobility I think. But now I can kneel and crouch and squat without even thinking about it. Before the surgery I had to walk downstairs sideways one step at a time because neither knee bent or straightened out. Be sure and go to your physical therapy religiously. Good luck and congratulations

[Stuart G]

16. I had a hip replaced..years ago, and improved my life dramatically..Be sure to go to rehab.

At a rehabilitation location, they will help you walk again, and teach you how to strengthen your knees so you have
few troubles in the future. Yes, it is very much like physical therapy.. Sometimes, I do the exercises that I learned in rehab, and those exercises strengthen the whole body. Oh, and if I remember correct, most of rehab is paid for by your insurance. I found rehab to
be an outstanding experience. Not only the hip, but strengthens, stomach, pelvis, knees, butt and many other parts too.

Stuart

[Lasher]

19. A therapist will come to my house 3 times a week.

It's what my surgeon recommended - partly because Mrs Lasher is not very mobile. Still getting that set up.

[Stuart G]

21. After the therapist comes 3 days a week, try to go to rehab at least 3 days a week or more.

Last edited Tue Apr 26, 2022, 09:27 PM - Edit history (1)

After you learn the best exercises. then you can stretch your legs yourself. Now I bend very well, climb the stairs very well, and
walk very well. The therapist and rehab for a few weeks are very important. While healing is going on, you don't want to
hurt anything. The physical therapist will show you the exercises that you can do by yourself. They are very easy once you
get used to them. Once you strengthen the areas around the knee, and do exercises, it is much less likely that you will
hurt that area again...I am not an expert on knees, but the physical therapist is, and that person will show you what works
and what to avoid. Once recovery is complete, (and it must be complete) you can go back to the old self and do whatever
you want to do. (like bend, run or walk a long time)...oh I need a new computer..this one doesn't line up the sentences well.

[Lasher]

22. A home health care nurse is coming here to see me tomorrow.

She is with the same company as the therapists. I don't know how this fits in. I went in thinking it was a total knee replacement, but the surgeon told me he'd just replaced some parts. I am hoping the nurse can help me understand this better tomorrow.

They told me they had to put a tube down my throat while I was under. I was real groggy for awhile while I was waking back up, so that didn't register until I noticed a bump at the back of my throat. Maybe tongue, maybe top of throat.

I will continue to provide updates here, as there is some interest in my experience.

[beaglelover]

17. Please complete all of your rehab. My Dad did with his first knee replacement but did not with

his second one on the other knee and he never walked right again until he died a few years later. Rehab is crucially important to the success of a joint replacement.

[Lasher]

23. I will follow my surgeon's instructions fully.

A home health nurse is on her way to see me tomorrow. The therapist will come 3 days a week for I think 2 weeks. Then it's rehab after that, I don't know. This is my first knee operation. I appreciate all the good advice I am getting here.

[Stuart G]

25. I second that thought about rehab and agree ..I completed my rehab, and do the recommend exercises

3 or 4 times a week..They aren't hard and those things that you pull to strengthen your chest and your arms, I bought them
too. Because I walk up the stairs many times a day, from the first floor to the computer room, where I am now, it helps the
legs, knees, and most important my heart. Without rehab, and some exercise often, (depends on what it is) and somewhat
careful eating..(not always, but often)...I would simply be dead.. Exercise of some kind is very important..Here is why.............

Sitting too long can kill you......

.....and I sit too long at the computer...every day...it is time to quit and get up and walk around ..talk to you later...

..................Best Wishes Always, ..

....................Stuart...G, oh by the way....I love beagles too..or is it BEEGALS?.....a dog or a roll?..which is it?

[sl8]

18. ♪ Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates, you got a brand new knee. ♪

Sorry.

Congrats on the new knee & I hope your recovery is short.

New knee, new knee, new knee really rolls off the tongue.

[Lasher]

20. Heh.

[Fla Dem]

24. Good for you!! Hope you're running circles around everyone soon.

I have friends who've had knee replacements done, you must do the exercise and rehab.
Good Luck!!!!