[bkcunningham1]

Dr. Duke did my friend's double knee replacement.

[THE NEWCOMER]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

Dr. Duke did my friend's double knee replacement.

WOW! I couldn't imagine two at a time! I personally wouldn't be able to handle it! I did one a time plus my surgeon wouldn't do it!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

Dr. Duke did my friend's double knee replacement.

I find it really amazing when people have a double knee replacement. I had arthroscopic surgery on both knees at the same time, two years ago. I wasn't given blood thinners by the Surgeon and I ended up in Hospital for 8 days with blood clots in both lungs! I took Warfarin for six months. The thought of a double knee replacement makes me weak! I applaud the surgeon and the patient!

Originally Posted by maureenod

Barefoot, I am so sorry to hear of your pain. I experienced no pain with the surgery. Had femor block, which lasted 2 days. Only med I took was vicoden. Had PM machine imediately after surgery and had one at home. Used it for 2 hours 3 X day. Ice machine as much as possible. Walking without a cane after 2 weeks and driving (left knee). The PM machine makes it easier to do excercises, loosens everything up. The Flex is the only thing that was really painful. They will force it to around 125-130. Three months and I feel like a new woman. If you need the other knee done, I would look for another ortho. You should not be in that much pain. A excercice bike i think is a must, really loosens things up. Massaging the scar area is good. Too late for PM. I have a 5 inch, barely noticable scar. All stitches were disolivable and glued. Had nothing removed.

Maureen, I am quite amazed by your post. You must have been extremely fit prior to surgery to sail through the Recovery so quickly! And your scar is barely noticeable? After getting 30 staples removed, my right knee looks like a Frankenstein-designed railroad track!

To Mac9, EdV, The Newcomer, Tainsley and Schaumburger, thanks for the comments and good wishes.

I wonder if renting a Passive Motion Machine three weeks after surgery would be of any benefit?

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Maureen, I am quite amazed by your post. You must have been extremely fit prior to surgery to sail through the Recovery so quickly! And your scar is barely noticeable? After getting 30 staples removed, my right knee looks like a Frankenstein-designed railroad track!

Bare - my husband's knee must be a twin for yours. In fact, on the golf course some time ago, one of the foursome looked at his leg and said "amazing what they can do with prosthetics these days" - he was not amused. The scar will fade with time .......

I did a search on the PM machine for you and found that both Canada and the UK allow the knee to heal without the machine. I think you would have had to wake up in the machine to get the benefit, by now your scar tissue has started to form and it would be very difficult to use the PM machine. But, I am not a surgeon (even though I did stay at a Holiday Inn express last night ) ask yours what he thinks.

Is the pain easing up at all?

[maureenod]

Barefoot, I did not sail thru recovery. I did have Praxim Robotic Assisted surgery which has been around for about a year and a half. It is less invasive and gives perfect alignment, which is key to success. The PT was no walk in the park although I didnt mind it except for flexing the knee back. The PM machine only keeps the knee moving and loose for excercise. I only had it for a week at home and I wish it were longer because everything tighened up. I used to sit on kitchen table and swing my leg to loosen it up before exercise. The bike was a must and at before each session just working it back and forth for 5 minutes before I was able to get it full circle. I was weeks ahead of anyone in my PT and that was due to the Praxim not my pre surgery physical condition. I used to walk 3 miles 3 or4 X a week but was unable to do it for at least a year before surgery. One lady had a knee done 7 yrs ago and I couldnt tell which was the new or old surgery. Another had her knee done last Sept and she has to wear a brace because the knee cap wont stay in the correct position. Also, the PT would massage my leg to "get the knots out" of the muscles so the blood would flow. It was also uncomfortable but necessary. I did this myself at home.

[KathieI]

My husband (actually ex-) had 2 partial knees done about 6 months apart. He had the motion machine on him when he woke up in the hospital and it was delivered to the house when he came home. He was on it almost 24 hours a day and fell asleep with it in motion. He also has some sort of device on his feet that was an air pressure balloon type thingy that was supposed to avoid blood clots. He had that for about a week or so. The motion machine was on him for more than a month (if I remember correctly) and he had a therapist come to the house 3 x a week for quite a while and she measured each time the level of range in bending the knee. His pain was severe but the oxy and percoset took care of it.

The 2nd knee was different in that the surgeon glued the incision, he did not use staples. About 3 days after he got home, his leg swelled up twice or more its size and was red and very hot. The pain was extremely high and I rushed him to the ER where he actually went into shock. They admitted him for another week and the eventual outcome was he was allergic to the glue that was used. Who would have guessed???? So that recovery was longer and eventually both knees now are in good shape.

Its probably too late for the motion machine for you but I know it helped him a lot in keeping the leg from stiffening up.

Good luck, and I hope and pray you are 100% soon... xoxoxo

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Oh, dear Bare, I go on vacation and away from my computer and come home to find you had surgery and are hurting. I wish you a speedy recovery and an end to your pain. With so many stories and so many people having gone through this I don't know if it gives me encouragement to HAVE the replacement my doctor wants me to have or scares me away from it. I'm sorry you are hurting so much, Bare, but I too know a lot of people who are feeling much better months afterwards and I am sure you will be also. In fact, when we meet at the DDR you can chase after my dogs for me when I can't. FB is a very good man and you are lucky to have him helping you. Feel better and hugs til you are up and around!

[mainlander]

I had not realized Barefoot, that you had undergone this procedure. Wishing you a speedy recovery and hoping you cling to the thought that: "it is worth it",,, considering the alternative of not getting it done. Best.

[ewstanley]

I am hoping that your knee is feeling better. I have several friends and a former coworker who had the surgery. It is no walk in the park. I wish you health and hope that you are on the road to recovery!

[PaPaLarry]

Tomorrow, my Sally and I are going to Dr Dukes office for six week checkup, after she had knee surgery replacement on June 18nth. This past Friday, she finally graduated to a cane for some of her walking. Can really understand your pain, and hopefully you are getting through it, and feeling somewhat better. Sally still has pain, and will continue to have pain (according to therapist) for up to eight weeks or so. Her pain level is between 5-6 (after having for first 6 weeks a pain level 8-10. BUT, she's noticing a big change in both mobility and the comparison from before operation. You need to hang in there, because you really are over the hump, and it will only get better. Keep exercising as you were told to make your knee (leg) stronger. We hope you are feeling better, and stay strong. You will see it was worth it!!!!!! (:

[dotti105]

It seems that there is a huge range of post op pain and length of recovery from knee replacements.

I will need both of mine done, one of these day....I just get lots of cortisone injections and avoid stairs and hills at all costs. I am one of the lucky ones who can postpone and limit my activities and carry on, for now.

My 88 yr old mom had a total knee and we kids were afraid it would do her in. She lost the walker, then the cane and was totally mobile and pain free in 3-4 weeks.

I am a RN and talked to my Ortho about my mom's experience and I was amazed to find that:
The older patient does better. Less pain receptors=less pain=easier pt and rehab!!
who would have guessed.

Stay positive, do what your Dr says, (be a "compliant" patient) and over time you will heal. The source of your knee pain and mobility limitations should fade in memory and you should see much improvement over time. It's the present that is a hassle.

We wish you well and smooth sailing from here on out!!!

[Barefoot]

One thing I've learned from posts on this surgery is that almost everyone has had a knee or hip replacement, or they're considering it. Those with good knees have usually been called upon to be care givers, a tough task!

I think the average cost runs about $60,000. No wonder Our Health Care Systems are challenged!

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

The scar will fade with time ...

I had someone PM me and tell me to massage Vitamin E into the scar to help with healing and smooth it out. I also had the Physiotherapist tell me to massage around the wound to help break up scar tissue.

Kathie, thanks for the good wishes. If I could just go out dancing for hours every night like you, I'd be such a happy camper.

Dotti, that's very interesting that older people have less pain receptors and less pain.

To my Borzoi buddy, thanks for the good wishes, and we'll see you in the Fall at Doggie Doo Run Run!

To Mainlander, a fellow Canuck, thanks for the wishes for a speedy recovery.

EWStanley, I appreciate your good wishes. And you're right, it's no walk in the park. I understand that about 5% of patients sail through the surgery with little or no pain! Oh, lucky 5%.

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

Tomorrow, my Sally and I are going to Dr Dukes office for six week checkup, after she had knee surgery replacement on June 18nth. This past Friday, she finally graduated to a cane for some of her walking. Can really understand your pain, and hopefully you are getting through it, and feeling somewhat better. Sally still has pain, and will continue to have pain (according to therapist) for up to eight weeks or so. Her pain level is between 5-6 (after having for first 6 weeks a pain level 8-10. (:

I think I'm like your Sally with a pain level 8-10. If I could just get a handle on the pain thing, it would be a piece of cake. I know that taking the right pain medication makes Physio bearable and sleeping possible. Unfortunately, I've yet to find the winning combination. Like most wrinklies, I hate the idea of taking drugs. That's not right thinking I know, in this case, drugs help with Recovery. I thought I could handle pain pretty well. But I find I'm avoiding Physio even though I know it is critically important. I panic when I think about scar tissue forming.

I saw my Surgeon this week for my three-week anniversary. I can walk without a cane, but I'm slow and awkward. I prefer to use a cane, it's a bit of security. I thought I wasn't doing badly, but my Surgeon thinks I could be doing much better. He prescribed some stronger Meds and I'm hoping they'll help, because I definitely need to have more aggressive Physio more often. And to get some sleep.

I really appreciate the good wishes and good ideas and encouragement!

[Patty55]

Hope you're feeling better soon, I'd take as much pain killer as possible.

FWIW, I know people who had that surgery after putting it off and once they recovered said they wish they had done it sooner.

Have a speedy recovery.

[mainlander]

Barefoot,,, kudos to your partner for being there, kind and supportive. Regards.

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

One thing I've learned from posts on this surgery is that almost everyone has had a knee or hip replacement, or they're considering it. Those with good knees have usually been called upon to be care givers, a tough task!

I think the average cost runs about $60,000. No wonder Our Health Care Systems are challenged!



I had someone PM me and tell me to massage Vitamin E into the scar to help with healing and smooth it out. I also had the Physiotherapist tell me to massage around the wound to help break up scar tissue.

Kathie, thanks for the good wishes. If I could just go out dancing for hours every night like you, I'd be such a happy camper.

Dotti, that's very interesting that older people have less pain receptors and less pain.

To my Borzoi buddy, thanks for the good wishes, and we'll see you in the Fall at Doggie Doo Run Run!

To Mainlander, a fellow Canuck, thanks for the wishes for a speedy recovery.

EWStanley, I appreciate your good wishes. And you're right, it's no walk in the park. I understand that about 5% of patients sail through the surgery with little or no pain! Oh, lucky 5%.



I think I'm like your Sally with a pain level 8-10. If I could just get a handle on the pain thing, it would be a piece of cake. I know that taking the right pain medication makes Physio bearable and sleeping possible. Unfortunately, I've yet to find the winning combination. Like most wrinklies, I hate the idea of taking drugs. That's not right thinking I know, in this case, drugs help with Recovery. I thought I could handle pain pretty well. But I find I'm avoiding Physio even though I know it is critically important. I panic when I think about scar tissue forming.

I saw my Surgeon this week for my three-week anniversary. I can walk without a cane, but I'm slow and awkward. I prefer to use a cane, it's a bit of security. I thought I wasn't doing badly, but my Surgeon thinks I could be doing much better. He prescribed some stronger Meds and I'm hoping they'll help, because I definitely need to have more aggressive Physio more often. And to get some sleep.

I really appreciate the good wishes and good ideas and encouragement!

After visiting Dr Dukes office yesterday, Sally will be going to Rehabilitation, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks to get the stiffness out, which is causing some of the pain. Dr said this will help her, heal faster, and reduce some swelling. Otherwise , everything looks fine, x rays show everything in order, and more pain medicine was ordered in case she needs it. Was told to start taking 2 Aleves, twice a day to help swelling and imflamation faster etc. Pain can be with her for a long time, we were told. Exercising and stretching is so important they said. On 7nth week (who's counting) and things seem to get better each day