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After knee replacement surgery

Posted by beatricefay @beatricefay, Jun 16, 2016

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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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Jul 11, 2017

Hi, @maryx1937--Thanks for making your first post to Connect. I moved your message from the Rehab group to this active discussion called "After knee replacement surgery" so that you can meet other members talking about recuperating from knee surgery. Please meet @gailfaith @contentandwell @cheris @cobweb @niazumbanut @beatricefay and others. Just click VIEW & REPLY to read through the discussion.

Mary, I see from your message that you are 80 years young and in good health, and that you are recovering at home with the help of home health. Do you have a physical therapist coming to your home to work on rehab with you? When was your surgery? How are you doing?

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3 replies
Marield65. Marie | @marield65 | Jul 20, 2017

My name isMarie and I had knee replacement in April and although it was painful it was bearable. I went to a rehab hospital and although they didn't give me as much rehab as they said they were, I was always ahead of the game, and that was with out any pain meds.
They took my pain medication away in the hospital the day after surgery because I was going into a delirium and they found out that I was allergic to DiLaudid and I was in a delirium for 4 days. I don't remember anything that happened other than i kept trying to get out of bed to leave the hospital. I don't know why. But they had to have a nurse stay with me all the time. Either that or they were going to tie me to the bed.
So by the time I got to the rehab nursing home, they were afraid to give me anything stronger than Tylenol.
But I am still in some pain but each day it gets better. Good luck.

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1 reply
Montanasue48 | @montanasue48 | Jul 22, 2017

I had a RTKR 24 days ago, I ice, walk, exercise, and use the machine for extension and retraction of the knee. I walk without walker or cane but I am still in a great deal of pain. My knee is draining along incision with a yellow fluid, about a cc per day. I have complained about the drainage until the doctor's office called to ask me did I want an antibiotic. I relied yes and he sent a script. I am allergic to some metals and I was given a replacement that had a covering over the metal part. Is drainage normal, if infected should I have a culture done, maybe it is normal for so much pain, swelling and drainage at this stage? Thank you

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3 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Jul 22, 2017
In reply to @marield65 "My name isMarie and I had knee replacement in April and although it was painful it..." + (show)
@marield65

My name isMarie and I had knee replacement in April and although it was painful it was bearable. I went to a rehab hospital and although they didn't give me as much rehab as they said they were, I was always ahead of the game, and that was with out any pain meds.
They took my pain medication away in the hospital the day after surgery because I was going into a delirium and they found out that I was allergic to DiLaudid and I was in a delirium for 4 days. I don't remember anything that happened other than i kept trying to get out of bed to leave the hospital. I don't know why. But they had to have a nurse stay with me all the time. Either that or they were going to tie me to the bed.
So by the time I got to the rehab nursing home, they were afraid to give me anything stronger than Tylenol.
But I am still in some pain but each day it gets better. Good luck.

Jump to this post

@marield65 Marie, I hope your pain continues to improve. I had terrible trouble with dilaudid too but not delirium, sleeplessness!
When I had my first knee replalcement I kept trying to get out of bed right after the surgery, I guess I was still being effected by the anesthesia. Thankfully I was fine the next day and was only in the hospital for two days. I too went to a rehab center but honestly do not know how much that helped. The surgeon I am using for a second replacement in October does not recommend rehab centers due to a higher risk of infection and now that I am on immunosuppressants that is even more of a potential problem so I will come right home.
JK

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maryx1937 | @maryx1937 | Jul 22, 2017
In reply to @montanasue48 "I had a RTKR 24 days ago, I ice, walk, exercise, and use the machine for..." + (show)
@montanasue48

I had a RTKR 24 days ago, I ice, walk, exercise, and use the machine for extension and retraction of the knee. I walk without walker or cane but I am still in a great deal of pain. My knee is draining along incision with a yellow fluid, about a cc per day. I have complained about the drainage until the doctor's office called to ask me did I want an antibiotic. I relied yes and he sent a script. I am allergic to some metals and I was given a replacement that had a covering over the metal part. Is drainage normal, if infected should I have a culture done, maybe it is normal for so much pain, swelling and drainage at this stage? Thank you

Jump to this post

Since I am allergic to nickel, the surgeon recommended a knee made of oxidized zirconium. As for the yellow secretions, I would ask to see the surgeon & be sure to take the antibiotic. Sorry you still have pain. Some may be normal and other because of infection - please check it out with doctor.

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mari | @mari | Jul 22, 2017

YIKES, hope you did not have to pay for zirconium? I have that in my implanted mouth $$$$$!

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JK | @contentandwell | Jul 22, 2017
In reply to @montanasue48 "I had a RTKR 24 days ago, I ice, walk, exercise, and use the machine for..." + (show)
@montanasue48

I had a RTKR 24 days ago, I ice, walk, exercise, and use the machine for extension and retraction of the knee. I walk without walker or cane but I am still in a great deal of pain. My knee is draining along incision with a yellow fluid, about a cc per day. I have complained about the drainage until the doctor's office called to ask me did I want an antibiotic. I relied yes and he sent a script. I am allergic to some metals and I was given a replacement that had a covering over the metal part. Is drainage normal, if infected should I have a culture done, maybe it is normal for so much pain, swelling and drainage at this stage? Thank you

Jump to this post

@maryx1937 Mary, I thought implants were made of titanium, I guess I am behind the times. I think I will check on that with my dentist and ask my ortho about it too. Based on problems with some jewelry I may have a reaction to nickel. I have dental implants, done in the early 2000s and I have always assumed they were titanium. I do know they do not react with magnetic imaging.
Thanks for the info.
JK

REPLY
maryx1937 | @maryx1937 | Jul 22, 2017
In reply to @montanasue48 "I had a RTKR 24 days ago, I ice, walk, exercise, and use the machine for..." + (show)
@montanasue48

I had a RTKR 24 days ago, I ice, walk, exercise, and use the machine for extension and retraction of the knee. I walk without walker or cane but I am still in a great deal of pain. My knee is draining along incision with a yellow fluid, about a cc per day. I have complained about the drainage until the doctor's office called to ask me did I want an antibiotic. I relied yes and he sent a script. I am allergic to some metals and I was given a replacement that had a covering over the metal part. Is drainage normal, if infected should I have a culture done, maybe it is normal for so much pain, swelling and drainage at this stage? Thank you

Jump to this post

Many are titanium. The oxidized zirconium is made by Smith & Nephew (or vice versa) & only some doctors are certified in their system. I knew how I responded to nickel & wanted to avoid complications.

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maryx1937 | @maryx1937 | Jul 22, 2017

I'm assuming Medicare & my gap policy will cover it since it is what was needed and recommended by the surgeon.

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maryx1937 | @maryx1937 | Jul 22, 2017
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @maryx1937--Thanks for making your first post to Connect. I moved your message from the Rehab..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @maryx1937--Thanks for making your first post to Connect. I moved your message from the Rehab group to this active discussion called "After knee replacement surgery" so that you can meet other members talking about recuperating from knee surgery. Please meet @gailfaith @contentandwell @cheris @cobweb @niazumbanut @beatricefay and others. Just click VIEW & REPLY to read through the discussion.

Mary, I see from your message that you are 80 years young and in good health, and that you are recovering at home with the help of home health. Do you have a physical therapist coming to your home to work on rehab with you? When was your surgery? How are you doing?

Jump to this post

Yes, I'm on my 3rd week of in home PT and then will move to out patient. I'm doing pretty well. though my endurance is slow in coming. Using a cane and trying to overcome the stiffness. Incision looks good. Thanks.

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