Well written and appropriately scary. However, one correction: You mean to say so blood clots don't form in the affected limb, not in the "effected limb." A common grammatical error these days, but one we can be mindful enough to avoid.
My father had his right knee replaced but we had a very hard time convincing him to undergo surgery. We were trying to convince him like a thousand times! I can’t blame him, undergoing surgery is not a simple thing, I’ve heard from others that the pain is excruciating and it is very expensive. If I was not able to find a medical center offering affordable total knee replacement in India his surgery wouldn’t be possible.
After 3 months, he was able to drive again. He can still pain re-occurring pain but he said that it was bearable.
Hi I had total knee replacement four years ago. I was in the hospital for four days, had pain management with a feed in my groin. When I left the hospital, I was in pain but would not have undergone the surgery if the pain before had not been completely debilitating. By day three, I was hobbling around without a cane, walking , one step at a time, up and down my stairs. Within a week, I was driving but it was my left knee so didnt really need it to drive the car. I started therapy three weeks after the surgery and glad I waited as most physical therapy is too rough immediately after surgery. Within a month, I was in much less pain and discomfort than before the surgery and within 6 months-one year , I would sometimes forget I had had the surgery. At four years post surgery, my knee is perfect and I can walk like when I was a kid. I am 71 years old!
This ad was about the insertion of something, sounded like in the bone & bone space, newly approved by FDA, and l believe they even said it was a non-surgical process. So it must be something insertable. But it isnt SunVisc b/c l kno abt it, it's not new, didnt particularly work. Thanx 4 responding. I have yet to be in my car long enough to hear the ad on the radio, but please share anything you hear about it.
CarolLynn. I think you may be referring to resurfacing of the knee joint. Haven't researched it so can't write more. By the way I have come out of hiding and gone "public" Still finding my way around the site but really enjoying being able to share things I have learned along the way. makes me still feel useful.
An interesting article and interesting comments. It's good to see a little balance when it comes to the experience of TKR. I was told I would need TKR about 7 or 8 yrs ago, but decided I would try everything else before resorting to surgery. I'm sure that my experience doesn't apply to everyone, just as is the case with TKR, but I found a combination of joint supplements that completely solved my problem. I still have my own knee joint & have no pain or stiffness. I work out hard 5X/wk without limitation. The product I use is called Omniflex - contains fish & krill oil, collagen and rosehips and pine bark. I am very happy with my outcome, just as some of the TKR people are happy with theirs. Needless to say, avoiding the downside of TKR was a blessing.
I am currently off my computer except for my android phone and my television cable is disconnected, but I heard on the radio just coming back from the doctors yesterday. Something about an FDA approved method of fixing knee pain without joint replacement. I have knee pain so I tried to get the phone number but I missed it because I was driving. I couldn't find anything from my cell phone that looks like what I heard so I'm going to have to listen to the radio again. When I get the information, I'll post it.
Let's see how you feel in six months. I can tell you I need both knees done eventually but I am primary caregiver for my 85 y/o mother and I can't take the time now. Mom had one knee replaced at 70 y/o and went through a lot of rehab like you describe. She refused to have the other knee done just like you are saying. However, now, at 85 y/o, she is absolutely miserable and can barely get around. She is bone on bone and in an extreme amount of pain. Having severe dementia she doesn't understand what will help her knee. If she had had the second knee done at, say 75, and gone through the rehab she would be much happier now. I have learned a lesson from her.
I posted most of this narrative on 8/3 in response to "Defining Frailty". 8/3/13: "I had two total knee replacements, both in 2011, 5 months apart at ages 65 & 66. Although those were fairly difficult, I'm very happy I had them done. The hardest part was taking care of my frail 66 year old husband with advanced dementia (young onset) at the same time. Honestly, it made the TKR's seem easy in comparison, especially in retrospect. I told myself that getting up and taking care of him was actually good therapy for my knees. Two years afterwards, I am thrilled with the outcome of the TKRs and can only say "go for it". 6/21/13: OK, I will admit that I had a lot of pain and can recall saying "When will this pain end???" But now I am able to do so much and am up and down in my house (3 full stories + basement) all the time with no problem. I was able to do laundry in the basement in about two weeks following surgery and really stretched myself in caring for my husband. I shopped at Aldi's because there's much less walking there than larger grocery stores once I could drive (6 wks both times). I admit that I cheated a bit the second time and drove sooner, but I drove very carefully and only locally. I cooked a lot in advance, froze it, and friends and neighbors brought over some food. My retired nurse sister came out for 1 week both times. She said my husband was harder to care for than I was! Cold packs were my salvation! I gave myself two abdominal Lovenox injections (blood thinner) for at least 4 weeks, since my orthopedic surgeon is very conservative. I'm glad I had the TKRs while I'm young enough to benefit the rest of my life. I was in the hospital for 3 days both times, 4 wks of at home therapy, approx 4 wks of outpatient therapy. I have Smith and Nephew knees that last 30 years in simulated tests.
I'm 65 & had a left knee replacement last November. Home Health Care was the only PT I had--no out-patient. No knee pain following the surgery & only once in a while upon awakening, a slight twinge. Total knee replacement was a blessing for me--no big deal. Wish I'd had it 4 years ago!
A very dear friend of ours DIED at 50 years old following a knee replacement when a blood clot went to his heart. A knee-replacement can be a VERY big deal!
My mom had her right knee done when she was 87. She had already had both hips done, so we knew she was a slow recoverer. Even so, the knee WAS a bit ridiculous. She was 4 months in the SNF doing authorized and continually improving rehab. Her ortho doc had to increase rather than decrease her pain meds plus order the facility to give her the pain meds exactly 30 to 45 minutes before PT, which they were arguing about until the ortho directed it. Seems like it would have been a no brainer, huh?
ALSO, beware the CPM machine! She didn't have it in the hospital but when they moved her to the rehab hospital (not a SNF at first), they put her on the it. BTW, it stands for continuous passive motion. The physical therapist put her on it and left and never checked on her. When I came in, the machine had shifted to the side, her leg was strapped in and the machine was running at an incorrect angle. My mom had fallen asleep. I actually screamed for immediate attention. Get this, when they came in, they yelled at her, "OMG, what have YOU done here?" Ooooooh!
It is my understanding that they no longer use the CPM in the entire Kaiser Network because it seems to be able to do more harm than good, and they don't think any real efficacy has been proven. Be sure to check with your doctor about it beforehand. I have a friend who had a knee replacement 6 days ago. They put her on the CPM in the hospital and four days later, the ortho supervisor at the SNF she was transferred to, was angry that she'd had it and ordered it discontinued. So there does seem to be some controversy about the use of the CPM.
With my mom, after10 days in the rehab hospital, I ended up moving her to a SNF. The Dr believed the more aggressive therapy would be better at the rehab hospital, more so than the nursing facility. However, at 87, they were pushing her too hard, believing she needed to regain her independence, but trying to make her do things unrelated to her knee that she had not been able to do prior to surgery. Her skin was pale and I saw an unusual number of new gray hairs. IMHO, it was killing her to be there. I would only recommend a rehab hospital to younger people who are healthy overall in their physical functioning.
So, back to my mom and her knee. It took another 6 months after she got home - so a little over 10 months all together - before she could fully walk without limping and without a walker or cane. But then it was like the surgery never happened, no awareness of the surgery, no more pain, no adhesions, so I guess you could say it worked out okay in the long run. She hadn't been able to kneel before surgery for other reasons, so she certainly never tried to do that afterward anyway, therefor don't know if she could have knelt on the new knee?
When she later suffered from drug-induced dementia, her non-surgical knee often ached but her knee replacement was fine and she didn't believe me that it was a knee replacement even when I showed her the scar. Hmmm...
Had first knee done 8 years ago -- age 60 and was considerably overweight. Came home from hospital in 4 days . . . lots of pain both in hospital and once I got home esp. at night. Moving around was difficult but I started PT immediately and also did my exercises religiously. Had a lot of swelling of knee and was pretty miserable for the first 2 or 3 weeks.
A couple of years later I did have surgery to remove scar tissue (knee snapped all the time -- called Paetella Clunk -- it is common). Out-patient surgery took about 20 mins, no pain or recovery issues; walking immediately and is well worth the bother if you are having problems with the new knee. It made a huge difference in my comfort, so much so that I decided to have my other knee done.
Second knee replaced 3 years ago. Huge difference. Maybe it was the improvement in how procedures are done; maybe it was that I was 40 lbs. lighter (definitely a factor), did not have the swelling and the pain was most bothersome for about 2 weeks. I was outside walking with a cane the first week.
I have found that the knees get better and better as the years go by. I have much less arthritic pain throughout my body now that my knees are working well. Virtually no pain in knees -- although you are always aware that you have a prosthesis in them. You just get used to it.
All-in-all it improved my quality of life greatly and I would certainly do it again. BTW, my husband has had 2 hips and 2 knees replaced starting at age 56 . . . last one done 2 years ago at age 69 . . . no major problems at all and he does everything he used to do -- even stuff he is not supposed to do.
I hope this is of some help to those facing decision re surgery. Everyone is different and so are the outcomes. I believe that the majority of people who have replacement surgery are grateful for the improvement in their quality of life.
I had both my knees done, 4 months apart two years ago. I agree with you I would never do it again. I will tell you that I am so glad that I had it done. The benefits of having my knees replace are far greater than the pain I had to endure.
I hope many others with knee replacement will share their stories. That way those contemplating this surgery can get a better idea of the difficulties encountered. Being overweight does add to the difficulties
I had a knee replacement 2 and 1/2 years ago thinking it would be "no big deal" because I had heard other people saying theirs went fine. I spent 4 days in the hospital with no feeling whatsoever in my leg for almost 3 days. The pain was extremely bad and I didn't think I would ever walk again. I went home to recuperate but had 3 months of grueling physical therapy that was painful and made me cry a lot and I thought I would never get through it. Today, I can walk o.k. but I still suffer from some pain and I know that the replacement is there as I can feel it. I can't bend on my knee and do the things I was able to do before the surgery. I am a 24/7 caregiver for my husband who suffers from Parkinson's and Dementia so I am up and down a lot with him and I feel pain every day. Would I do it again???? Most definitely not!
Wow you did have a bad time with your knee Marlis I am so sorry. Four years ago I had a hip and knee replaced within four months. I had wonderful care in the hospital and after four days came home to the care of my husband or should I say no care. I spent the time in a recliner and was able to get to the bathroom without assistance using a walker and to the kitchen to make a cup of tea but how do you get back to the chair with a walker and a cup of tea? The answer is you can't! However I figured that if I used a travel mug I could hold it and use the walker without spilling. My meals were turkey sandwiches and yogurt and I had to hobble to the kitchen to supervise the loading of the dishwasher. I was desperate to wash my hair so managed to slide into the chair in the bath tub and was almost drowned by hubby - next time I did it myself. After both the knee and hip I was able to drive within two weeks. Physical therapy was some what taxing but I took the pain meds half an hour before treatment and was reasonably comfortable. Shopping was another adventure! We went to Walmart to get groceries and I tried one of their electric carts and what a production I found that to be. Next time we tried a wheelchair and that was worse because hubby could not hear what I was telling him to get so I ended up pointing with my cane - not a good idea. Four years down the road I can bend and kneel, do my garden and mow the lawn both on the tractor and with the push mower. I can't walk far without a cane or using a shopping cart but my main problem is the pain in my back from O/A As far as the blood thinners were concerned I went to the Lab at the hospital on day 6 and weekly thereafter with no trouble for a month. I now have to continue on them for the rest of my life because I was recently diagnosed with A/fib. My worst fear about the first surgery was having spinal anesthesia which terrified me. In the end the deep sedation had worked and I knew nothing about it. They put lots of morphine in the spine at the end so there was no pain for the first twenty four hours then pills after that but if there was pain before time was up a quick shot of morphine into the IV took care of that. I am so glad I had both surgeries done and yes Marlis it is a big deal but I think you had a particularly bad time. I would say to anyone else, if you need it get it done but only if you need it not because it is fashionable.
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Knee Replacement Surgery: A Personal Story
After 3 months, he was able to drive again. He can still pain re-occurring pain but he said that it was bearable.
I had total knee replacement four years ago. I was in the hospital for four days, had pain management with a feed in my groin. When I left the hospital, I was in pain but would not have undergone the surgery if the pain before had not been completely debilitating. By day three, I was hobbling around without a cane, walking , one step at a time, up and down my stairs. Within a week, I was driving but it was my left knee so didnt really need it to drive the car. I started therapy three weeks after the surgery and glad I waited as most physical therapy is too rough immediately after surgery. Within a month, I was in much less pain and discomfort than before the surgery and within 6 months-one year , I would sometimes forget I had had the surgery. At four years post surgery, my knee is perfect and I can walk like when I was a kid. I am 71 years old!
This ad was about the insertion of something, sounded like in the bone & bone space, newly approved by FDA, and l believe they even said it was a non-surgical process. So it must be something insertable. But it isnt SunVisc b/c l kno abt it, it's not new, didnt particularly work. Thanx 4 responding. I have yet to be in my car long enough to hear the ad on the radio, but please share anything you hear about it.
Haven't researched it so can't write more. By the way I have come out of hiding and gone "public" Still finding my way around the site but really enjoying being able to share things I have learned along the way. makes me still feel useful.
ALSO, beware the CPM machine! She didn't have it in the hospital but when they moved her to the rehab hospital (not a SNF at first), they put her on the it. BTW, it stands for continuous passive motion. The physical therapist put her on it and left and never checked on her. When I came in, the machine had shifted to the side, her leg was strapped in and the machine was running at an incorrect angle. My mom had fallen asleep. I actually screamed for immediate attention. Get this, when they came in, they yelled at her, "OMG, what have YOU done here?" Ooooooh!
It is my understanding that they no longer use the CPM in the entire Kaiser Network because it seems to be able to do more harm than good, and they don't think any real efficacy has been proven. Be sure to check with your doctor about it beforehand. I have a friend who had a knee replacement 6 days ago. They put her on the CPM in the hospital and four days later, the ortho supervisor at the SNF she was transferred to, was angry that she'd had it and ordered it discontinued. So there does seem to be some controversy about the use of the CPM.
With my mom, after10 days in the rehab hospital, I ended up moving her to a SNF. The Dr believed the more aggressive therapy would be better at the rehab hospital, more so than the nursing facility. However, at 87, they were pushing her too hard, believing she needed to regain her independence, but trying to make her do things unrelated to her knee that she had not been able to do prior to surgery. Her skin was pale and I saw an unusual number of new gray hairs. IMHO, it was killing her to be there. I would only recommend a rehab hospital to younger people who are healthy overall in their physical functioning.
So, back to my mom and her knee. It took another 6 months after she got home - so a little over 10 months all together - before she could fully walk without limping and without a walker or cane. But then it was like the surgery never happened, no awareness of the surgery, no more pain, no adhesions, so I guess you could say it worked out okay in the long run. She hadn't been able to kneel before surgery for other reasons, so she certainly never tried to do that afterward anyway, therefor don't know if she could have knelt on the new knee?
When she later suffered from drug-induced dementia, her non-surgical knee often ached but her knee replacement was fine and she didn't believe me that it was a knee replacement even when I showed her the scar. Hmmm...
A couple of years later I did have surgery to remove scar tissue (knee snapped all the time -- called Paetella Clunk -- it is common). Out-patient surgery took about 20 mins, no pain or recovery issues; walking immediately and is well worth the bother if you are having problems with the new knee. It made a huge difference in my comfort, so much so that I decided to have my other knee done.
Second knee replaced 3 years ago. Huge difference. Maybe it was the improvement in how procedures are done; maybe it was that I was 40 lbs. lighter (definitely a factor), did not have the swelling and the pain was most bothersome for about 2 weeks. I was outside walking with a cane the first week.
I have found that the knees get better and better as the years go by. I have much less arthritic pain throughout my body now that my knees are working well. Virtually no pain in knees -- although you are always aware that you have a prosthesis in them. You just get used to it.
All-in-all it improved my quality of life greatly and I would certainly do it again.
BTW, my husband has had 2 hips and 2 knees replaced starting at age 56 . . . last one done 2 years ago at age 69 . . . no major problems at all and he does everything he used to do -- even stuff he is not supposed to do.
I hope this is of some help to those facing decision re surgery. Everyone is different and so are the outcomes. I believe that the majority of people who have replacement surgery are grateful for the improvement in their quality of life.
After both the knee and hip I was able to drive within two weeks. Physical therapy was some what taxing but I took the pain meds half an hour before treatment and was reasonably comfortable. Shopping was another adventure! We went to Walmart to get groceries and I tried one of their electric carts and what a production I found that to be. Next time we tried a wheelchair and that was worse because hubby could not hear what I was telling him to get so I ended up pointing with my cane - not a good idea.
Four years down the road I can bend and kneel, do my garden and mow the lawn both on the tractor and with the push mower. I can't walk far without a cane or using a shopping cart but my main problem is the pain in my back from O/A
As far as the blood thinners were concerned I went to the Lab at the hospital on day 6 and weekly thereafter with no trouble for a month. I now have to continue on them for the rest of my life because I was recently diagnosed with A/fib.
My worst fear about the first surgery was having spinal anesthesia which terrified me. In the end the deep sedation had worked and I knew nothing about it. They put lots of morphine in the spine at the end so there was no pain for the first twenty four hours then pills after that but if there was pain before time was up a quick shot of morphine into the IV took care of that.
I am so glad I had both surgeries done and yes Marlis it is a big deal but I think you had a particularly bad time. I would say to anyone else, if you need it get it done but only if you need it not because it is fashionable.