Having knee replacement: how to prepare and questions about PT

@riderwayne - I had a left TKR just about one year ago at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I too was nervous about the anesthesia. They set me up at my pre surgery meeting (one week prior) to meet with an anesthesiologist to go over my fears and my personal surgery drug plan. I felt really listened to and confident that I would have a successful experience.

While in pre op the anesthesia team came in to assure me that my concerns were addressed and that I would not be put under, but rather awake during the procedure. They also agreed to give me smaller doses (unless i needed more). I recall some diazepam type drug in an IV before they inject some anti pain drug into my leg guided via ultra sound. In the OR they gave me something that put me in an awake, yet not awake and not remembering state. When I got to post op the drug wore off quickly and I was alert and not in the least bit nauseated. I could not remember the procedure nor could I remember how I went in with one gown and came out with a different one. Yikes! I went to my room and a bit later someone came in and had me up and walking. I only took extra strength tylenol during my 24 hour hospital room stay and again never once felt groggy, confused or sick from the surgery.

Fair warning though.....they do inject some type of long lasting pain med right in to the knee area before you leave the OR. I thought I was a tough guy, but in about 48 hours it wears off so make sure you fill your pain med prescription. I ended up taking full doses of Tramodol for 2 days and 1/2 dose for 2 or 3 more and then just a 1/2 dose before bed for about a week with advil/tylanol during the day.

I strongly encourage you to be your own advocate and request to meet with the anethesia team.

Wishing you a life with out pain, Kajon

@riderwayne I too was apprehensive about having a general anesthesia since after my first TKR I was left in a very confused state. My orthopedic surgeon said that was not a problem. Whatever I had it put me to sleep but it did not bother me afterward at all.
As @kajon commented I would discuss either with the anesthesiologist or your orthopedic surgeon. He is really the one who determines what type of anesthesia is used I think unless there are unusual circumstances.
JK

I had a spinal, as I get sick under general. I did great and was up moving around the next morning and PT in the afternoon.

I guess I should have mentioned on top of HypertrophicCardiomyopathy I also have pacemaker defibrillator.

Physical Therapy starts with exercise immediately. The first two days of a total knee are not fun. It gets better after you are on your feet with a security belt and a physical therapist taking in a walker progressively. If you have done some general exercise before surgery, you will recover faster. They will give you pain medication . At home, you should have a Home Health Physical Therapist. When you complete home visits, go to out patient Physical therapist. Follow directions on pain medication. Do not increase yourself. Have instructions on how to get off hydrocordon to lesser pain medication. Avoid sleeping pills. Breathing techniques and eating early and exercising daily works the best. The most progress is 6 months. However, a full range and good fiunctional knee comes more at 1 year. I have two wonderful asymptomatic total knees. It is not a cake walk, but it is well worth it.

Thank-you! Its hard to know what to expect when you haven't been through this before-being isolated with all the 'what-ifs'. My second TKR will be much easier, knowing somewhat, what to expect.

Thanks for responding. 🙂 What seemed to make you think you should have done one 1 @ a time?

Hello- being told need revision for TLR done 3/2020. Blood aspirations and major pain. Allergy to heavy metals! Who knew. Live in Denver but would travel if no one close by. Not confident in surgeon #1- arrogant and said swelling was “fatty tissue”
Thank you

Hello @chris92069, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. I'm sorry to hear you need a revision for your TKR done in March 2020 due to heavy metal allergies.

Have you considered seeking help at a teaching hospital or major health facility like Mayo Clinic? If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, contact one of the appointment offices. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

I had PT before I could leave same day surgery. My PT started the next day, 3x a week. Good luck!