Quote:
Originally Posted by Barefoot
I'd like to hear your stories about knee replacements. If your Orthepedic Surgeon has recommended one, and you've decided against it, I'd like to know if you've been successful with an alternative treatment.
If you've had a full knee replacement, I'd love to hear your story. I figure there is a wealth of information available from members.
Were you in pain prior to the surgery?
Did you try Celebrex or another Arthritis med?
Did you do exercises prior to the surgery to strengthen your knees?
Are you glad you had the surgery? Has your mobility greatly increased?
Did you have an epidural?
Did you require pain Meds after the surgery? What kind?
Did you take blood thinners before and after the surgery?
If so, what kind?
How long were you in the Hospital?
Did you do Physio starting on Day One?
Did you continue to do Physio after leaving the hospital?
If so, how often, and for how long?
Did you go home or to a Rehab facility?
Did you need crutches or a walker when you left the hospital?
How long did you have to take pain Meds?
How long before you could drive?
How long before your knee felt "normal'?
I've had arthroscopic surgery twice, cortisone shots, etc., and I'm running out of options. But a knee replacement sounds so major and invasive, yikes. I would be very appreciative if I could hear some experiences. Of course, if you don't want to share on TOTV, a PM is fine. Obviously I have some decisions to make, and I'm skeered.  (shaking from fear, not from cold!) |
1. Terrible pain...was using a cane.
2. Took maximum dose of celebrex for 2 years. Lessened pain, but did not alleviate it. Had Synvisc 3 times. First time lasted about 15 months. 2nd time lasted about 8 months. 3rd time lasted only 6 weeks or so.
3. Went to PT 3 times a week for 3 weeks before first surgery.
4. Glad that I had the first surgery on the left knee. Had it done in NJ by a great doc. Leg was placed in a passive motion machine immediately after surgery. Went home the 3rd day with the machine. Had PT at home for 1 week while using a walker. Then went to PT as an outpatient for 2 months.
5. Used the walker for a week, then went to a cane for 2 weeks. After that, I was able to ambulate on my own.
6. Took the pain meds for the first 3 weeks of PT, then no longer. Was able to drive after 3 weeks because it was my left knee.
7. Knee felt normal after about 10 weeks.
I had a great surgeon in NJ.
Then I moved to TV and needed a right knee replacement. Did a thorough search for an ortho and thought that I found the right one. WRONG! The butcher that did my knee here did a terrible job. It's been 2 years and the pain never has gone away. The PT here was done by a facility that he owns and it was nothing like I had in NJ. I kept going back to him because I knew what the process should have been, having been through it before. The timetable was off and I was miserable. Now, 2 years later, I need a revision. It's interesting that in the last 2 years, I have met 14 people who had a knee replacement done by the same ortho within a 2 month period of my surgery and ALL have had to have a revision. He apparently uses only one type of prosthesis. I begged him to use the same one that I had at first, but hew showed me all sorts of studies that this new one was gender based and would be better. Like an idiot, I listened to him. Now I suffer. He apparently did not use enough cement with this prosthesis which has caused it to move out of alignment.
I could tell you a lot more about him and the prosthesis that he uses, which consumer report rates at the lowest. If you would like the particulars, PM me.