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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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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @gobigorgohome "I’ll be doing bilateral TKR April 18th. Your knees look great! I’m hoping for similar looking..." + (show)
@gobigorgohome

I’ll be doing bilateral TKR April 18th. Your knees look great! I’m hoping for similar looking results. John, right now your knees are frightening me a little bit. Too new I guess.
I found this Mayo site a few days ago and was looking for PT tips. Frankly, I think ignorance is bliss in some cases. I was assuming this procedure and recovery would be difficult and painful but hadn’t really talked with anyone who has had bilateral TKR. Now I realize I was unaware of all the complications that might occur. But, I’m going to try to keep a positive attitude and hope that I’m one of the lucky ones.
I’ve been cooking and freezing lots of dinners. My husband lowered our bed thanks to the suggestion made by (now I can’t find the name), I borrowed a walker, toilet riser with handles, a shower chair and a cane. Im rearranging furniture to make sure a walker can make it through the paths.
Any and all advice would be appreciated. As each day nears the TKR procedure I feel anxious and impatient. Afraid of the pain and hard work ahead and impatient to have it over with so I can go on long walks and possibly even hikes with my Husband again. Anyway, I’m sure I’ll be on this site after surgery. I’m glad I found it. Donna

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Hi @gobigorgohome - Love your member name! Kind of tells me you have some spirit and can deal with challenges. Don't let my yucky knees scare you. Think of it as a knee challenge - you will do great. I think the key to getting through the TKR is listening to your doctors and following their instructions after the TKR. I'm new to this game and on day 6 after my TKR and feeling fairly good as far as the pain goes but maybe that's just because I have neuropathy in my feet (numbness but no pain with it). I think controlling the pain is key for the initial recovery and rehab. Lots of great members here in this discussion on Connect just waiting to support you!

I wish you the best on your upcoming knee surgery. Here's a video that I found helpful for some of the questions I had going into my surgery.

Knee Replacement Rehab: Top 5 Mistakes People Make

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Apr 11, 2019

@johnbishop Your remarkable just 6days and your helping out again

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auntb1947 | @auntb1947 | Apr 11, 2019

I had inflammation build up in my knee after knee replacement. The on call Dr. order me steroids and a shot because bursitis had set up in my leg. I am not pain free yet but the medicine has helped. I also ice, use my tens unit, and he had me to double up on the Tramadol to 100 mg. I hope you will consult your Dr. and see if any of this would help you.

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annahanna | @annahanna | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @annahanna - I'm so sorry you are experiencing so much problems with your TKR recovery..." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @annahanna - I'm so sorry you are experiencing so much problems with your TKR recovery and other issues. I'm wondering if you've been able to get a second opinion? If someone is suggesting amputation, I would definitely look into other options even if it meant getting second or third opinions. Would you be able to find another orthopedic practice in your area?

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Debbra,
Thank you for your response! Within the last 14 years, I’ve scheduled appointments & had routine treatment from at least 15+ orthopedic surgeons.
Last year I was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for another evaluation of my failed knee surgeries. The diagnosis & suggestive treatment was another knee surgery which was a referred to as a “hinged knee replacement”. I did much research & learned that the longevity of this type of knee replacement is only 2-3 years, then amputation would be the next surgery. No great hopes from that orthopedic surgeon evaluation.
I am currently a patient of a new orthopedic surgeon & although he is amazing, my choices for any additional knee surgeries would be a hinged replacement, fuse my knee completely straight, or amputation.
Actually, all three of these choices will not improve my ambulation or overall pain - so I’m quite discouraged, to say the least.

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2 replies
gobigorgohome | @gobigorgohome | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @gobigorgohome - Love your member name! Kind of tells me you have some spirit and..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @gobigorgohome - Love your member name! Kind of tells me you have some spirit and can deal with challenges. Don't let my yucky knees scare you. Think of it as a knee challenge - you will do great. I think the key to getting through the TKR is listening to your doctors and following their instructions after the TKR. I'm new to this game and on day 6 after my TKR and feeling fairly good as far as the pain goes but maybe that's just because I have neuropathy in my feet (numbness but no pain with it). I think controlling the pain is key for the initial recovery and rehab. Lots of great members here in this discussion on Connect just waiting to support you!

I wish you the best on your upcoming knee surgery. Here's a video that I found helpful for some of the questions I had going into my surgery.

Knee Replacement Rehab: Top 5 Mistakes People Make

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John, Thank you for mentoring. I appreciate your positivity, And the link you provided was really good. I’ve been researching and had found these two and their videos before.
I hope your journey with your new knee goes well. Please update us periodically. I Expect mine to go well.

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @gobigorgohome "John, Thank you for mentoring. I appreciate your positivity, And the link you provided was really..." + (show)
@gobigorgohome

John, Thank you for mentoring. I appreciate your positivity, And the link you provided was really good. I’ve been researching and had found these two and their videos before.
I hope your journey with your new knee goes well. Please update us periodically. I Expect mine to go well.

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Thanks @gobigorgohome! I woke up this morning with some new bruising above the knee on the inside of my thigh and started to panic a little. Called the surgeon's office and the nurse gave my what I needed to hear - it's normal, elevate, ice, elevate, ice some more after doing your exercises. My definition of elevate was not quite right...I need to get the leg above the heart and I was doing it in a chair so it was just waist high. Hey, helped me with one of my life's daily goals - learn one new thing a day!

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Thanks @gobigorgohome! I woke up this morning with some new bruising above the knee on the..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Thanks @gobigorgohome! I woke up this morning with some new bruising above the knee on the inside of my thigh and started to panic a little. Called the surgeon's office and the nurse gave my what I needed to hear - it's normal, elevate, ice, elevate, ice some more after doing your exercises. My definition of elevate was not quite right...I need to get the leg above the heart and I was doing it in a chair so it was just waist high. Hey, helped me with one of my life's daily goals - learn one new thing a day!

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@johnbishop

Lifelong learning is just great, isn't it?

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@johnbishop Lifelong learning is just great, isn't it?" + (show)
@hopeful33250

@johnbishop

Lifelong learning is just great, isn't it?

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Morning Teresa, lifelong learning is indeed great. Keeps the spirits up and gets you ready for coffee with the guys (or girls) for answering the pop questions that always coming - have you heard or do you know? Why yes I do ☺

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gobigorgohome | @gobigorgohome | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Thanks @gobigorgohome! I woke up this morning with some new bruising above the knee on the..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Thanks @gobigorgohome! I woke up this morning with some new bruising above the knee on the inside of my thigh and started to panic a little. Called the surgeon's office and the nurse gave my what I needed to hear - it's normal, elevate, ice, elevate, ice some more after doing your exercises. My definition of elevate was not quite right...I need to get the leg above the heart and I was doing it in a chair so it was just waist high. Hey, helped me with one of my life's daily goals - learn one new thing a day!

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John, I recently saw a video that said to remember “Toes above the nose” when elevating. I liked the simplicity of the message. It will help me when the time comes. Donna

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @gobigorgohome "John, I recently saw a video that said to remember “Toes above the nose” when elevating...." + (show)
@gobigorgohome

John, I recently saw a video that said to remember “Toes above the nose” when elevating. I liked the simplicity of the message. It will help me when the time comes. Donna

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gobigorgohome Good to remember everything if your legs our tired do this When U worked I would do this when I came home fluid flows back up to ❤️

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