After knee replacement surgery

Hi. My knees are now 10 and 12 years old. And I had it back when they used the passive motion machine so that made it easy, but if you can get to a gym and sit on a stationary bike, and adjust the seat (low) so when you peddle is stretches (bends) the knee a wee bit, then keep lowing the seat as you can. That works as your passive machine. Do it several times a day if you can. for 10-15 minutes at a time. I ended up with 132 degrees of bend, !!!!!!!! , and walked without pain almost from the start. Best wishes. @gailfaith

Hi gailfaith, niazumbanut, ronnie3716,
Good luck to ronnie3716 on your upcoming knee replacement. Keep us up to date on your progress. Thanks to gailfaith and niazumbanut for your support and good suggestions. I'm now doing home health PT but want to start out patient PT next week. I'm trying to decrease pain meds but sleeping through the night is still challenging. I know I have to give it time. beatricefay

Hi ronnie3716,
The first two weeks are the hardest and most painful. Don't hesitate to use pain meds on a regular schedule to keep the pain in control. Very important to use a stool softener at the same time. Good luck and wish you a speedy and easy recovery. beatricefay

Meditation can help. Mayo Clinic has developed an app for your I-phone explained in link.. Also many free meditations specifically for pain available on line.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwieh-zP47bNAhXMKB4KHQ1TDyIQtwIIKjAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DNIjKfenNStA&usg=AFQjCNEs6x_2GGCEnF_l7t-oVUC_gfl5eQ&sig2=kiL-GmQTly401mirDQjLqw&bvm=bv.124817099,d.dmo

Ice, Ice, Ice. I had bilateral knee replacement. Started PT within 3 days. Yes swelling but it takes time. Was back at work 8 weeks after surgery. Dr said it will take a year to fully recover. At 9 months I awoke to no pain, didn't feel like I had something in my leg. All felt normal. 2 years later, broke my pella. DON'T do that! Worse than bilateral replacement ever could be. Just remember you have to give it time and do your PT! and again, ICE. And stay ahead of the pain with your meds. Don't wait until you hurt. Take as directed.

Hi @blswilliams,
I'm icing as I write this. It does make my knee feel better. Did you have both knees done at the same time? I can't imagine that. Sorry to read about the break. Are you okay now? I try to keep ahead of the pain with the meds but they cause so much tiredness. I'll just focus on the future benefits.
@beatricefay

I agree with you,can't imagine having two knees done at once. I wonder do they do two at a time at Mayo. Beatricefay be sure to move as much as possible, its painful but will help the healing.

Yes I did have both done at same time. Actually Bilateral was not so bad. I figured if I was going to have to have them both done and be out of work, so I'd see if it were possible. My doctor did extensive testing to be sure as he put it, "not going to be the one to put the nail in your coffin." But I was healthy otherwise with no problems so he agreed under the condition if there were any problems at all during the first leg then he stopped and didn't do the second. It also saved me with my co-pay (one, not two)! It hurt like, well you know how it hurts....But, it was a different pain and I knew it was going to go away. Sometimes it's your mind that can keep you up (or down) without even realizing it. I say this knowing I am not you and I don't know your circumstances. I did very well. I told my PT folks that I was going to have the best shaped legs in the county, I did so much PT. LOL. Hang in there. It will get better. It just takes time. Don't get discouraged. You will be so happy later when you walk with no pain in your knee.

Well we should never lie to anyone about the pain. It aint no picnic. BUT, mine was a completely different pain. It was from the actual surgery and you have to remember, that does get well. Good luck ronnie3716. You'll be on your feet again soon.

You're one tough person, hats off to you!