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After knee replacement surgery
Had left knee replaced 9 days ago. Right knee two years ago. Having a problem with inflammation so hard to bend knee and exercise. Trying to ice and raise knee above heart. Doctor suggested getting compression hose. Anybody have this experience and can offer suggestions. So tired all the time from pain interrupting my sleep and painkillers. My insurance refused to pay for the painkiller recommended by surgeon so have to take one with more opiates. That's frustrating. Two years ago it was covered but now too expensive for me to use. Seems the drug companies, not our doctors are determining what we use.
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gailfaith here...... Hi amberpep.....Happy for you. Where did you have the replacement done? By the original surgeon? Do you know why you fell and jarred the knee? Hope so, so that if it was a matter of balance, you can focus on balance in PT, or what ever caused the fall in the first place! And are you using the same therapist as you had originally also? If so, they will know more about you then if it is someone you are just starting with. They say our senior years are the Golden Years. I have a better name for them......same color...... the Rusting Years!
I HAD A VERY GOOD RECOVERY AFTER TKR ITS BEEN 4 YEARS AND IF I AM ACTIVE EVERYTHING IS PERFECT . FOR ME IT HAS BEEN A PLEASENT THING TO BE ABLE TO WALK AND DO THE EXERCISES THAT ARE GOOD FOR ME . MY SURGERY WAS IN MAYO ROCHESTER AND I CAME BACK TO MEXICO AND HAD MY PT IN MY HOUSE.
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1 ReactionLook at regenexx website for information on stem cells for knees. It's the best site I have found and I have looked for many. In my dealings they seem to be ethical and care for their patients. From them I have found what causes deterioration of stem cells. I did it all, taking ibuprofin, Lipitor, steroids etc. hopefully this will help.
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1 ReactionWow !!! I am so happy that you are at peace with Your decision !!! AND thank You for your quick response to my questions !!
Hi ronnie3716, Do you have access to a "Pain Management Doctor"? Some Neurologists also "treat" chronic pain.
Yes,My TKR was 2 1/2 years ago and I still have pain. I have Arthofibrosis which I bellieve was caused by very aggressive P.T for 4 months ! One suggestion is do not push yourself, Ice& elevate. For exercise, warm water arthritis classes helped burn calories. But did not relieve my pain or swelling.
I always joke that I'm a better forecaster than those on TV! From the minute I get out of bed in the morning, I can tell if it's going to rain or snow......ouch! I asked my doctor about that and he said that when the barometric pressure drops, the tissue swells, and presses on the joint; thus the pain. I think I'll hang a sign out "quack weather forecasting."
abby
Hi gailfaith ..... I had both replacements done in MD (I'm now living in VA, at least temporarily) and yes, the same surgeon did it. When I fell, my shoe got caught on the edge of the space between the hardwood and the tile in the kitchen. I had P.T. up there, and then when I moved here I had 3 months more P.T. for balance because I noticed it just was a bit unsteady, and I took a fall on my hind end .... that didn't feel very good! So, I visited an Ortho. down here and he set me up with a P.T. It has worked out beautifully. But, one thing I learned during all this was not to be so "schushlich" ..... that's a PA Dutch word for "in a hurry" ...... I would scurry around like a crazy woman like I used to when I was younger ..... no can do anymore!
How about "the titanium years?"
abby
Abby.....so glad to get your reply. I had both knees replaced 10 and 12 years ago respectively with great success. They were both done at the Rothman Institute in Philly by the same surgeon. They had me on the passive motion machine both times before I left the hospital and I got 124 and 132 degrees of bend without much work at it. In fact after my first one, when I went back in a week (or was it 2) the gal asked me where was my cane. I said I wasn't using one. She joked that they would put me on a pedestal in the waiting room! After the 2nd TKR, I went to a different rehab facility. That was 3 days post surgery and a Friday. They measured my degree of bend and it was 110 already but because I was having some pain in the calf of that leg, they suggested I do nothing in the way of therapy until they did an ultrasound to be sure there was no clots. When I returned to PT on Tuesday, I asked how much did i lose by just laying in bed for the 3 days. It was now up to 124 and the next time is was checked it was up to 132, which is about where it was before any surgery! A check last summer showed no wear of either replacements! I am 80, so I am hoping they will last me the rest of my life. However, I was Dx at Mayo in Dec '13 with Myotonic Dystrophy so to try to stay our a wheelchair as long as possible, I am doing A LOT of walking on the campus of the retirement community where I now live. I trust I am not wearing out my knees! (Sorry. I don't know that much about titanium....vs "rust" to comment !!!!) @gailfaith
Abby, Love your "Quack Weather Forecasting". gailfaith