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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 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 that's an easier visual to remember when elevating the leg/knee. Got it now!
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JK | @contentandwell | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Warning! Graphic and yucky... I’m sure I will have a scar but already had 3 smaller..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Warning! Graphic and yucky... I’m sure I will have a scar but already had 3 smaller ones on the same knee when they removed cartilage in the 70s. They stapled the incision then put Dermabond (?) over the staples and put a super sticky thick surgical bandage over it.

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@johnbishop WOW, that's a lot of staples!
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @annahanna "Debbra, Thank you for your response! Within the last 14 years, I’ve scheduled appointments & had..." + (show)
@annahanna

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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@annahanna I can completely understand how discouraged you must be, there does not seem to be a great option there at all. Did the doctor who suggested the "hinged replacement" comment on how long that would be good for? Is it possible that what you found was worst case?
I hope you can find some satisfactory solution. As you research and talk to doctors please keep us updated.
JK

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1 reply
annahanna | @annahanna | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@annahanna I can completely understand how discouraged you must be, there does not seem to be..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@annahanna I can completely understand how discouraged you must be, there does not seem to be a great option there at all. Did the doctor who suggested the "hinged replacement" comment on how long that would be good for? Is it possible that what you found was worst case?
I hope you can find some satisfactory solution. As you research and talk to doctors please keep us updated.
JK

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JK, thank you for your response! The last three orthopedic private surgeons I’ve seen along with the Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon all had the same diagnosis of my future knee replacement revisions. 🙁

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JK | @contentandwell | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@johnbishop @jmjlove @debbraw and all others with a TKR scar! You folks are really brave to..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@johnbishop @jmjlove @debbraw and all others with a TKR scar! You folks are really brave to go through that. Do the scars fade after a while?

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@hopeful33250 These are my scars. The first one is from 2013, the second one is from 2017. They fade a lot, or maybe it's just my skin! My 25" liver transplant scar is almost invisible!
JK
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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @brianbat "Sorry to hear your going thru this! I had a tkr on my right knee 7..." + (show)
@brianbat

Sorry to hear your going thru this! I had a tkr on my right knee 7 weeks ago and sounds like i went through what your going through. I was so swollen i could only get 60° of flexion. I laid on my back with my leg elevated for 3-4 hours at a time with ice 20 minutes every hour. The swelling did end up going down. I was still super tight and ended up getting a manipulation at 5 weeks. I could only get to 90° with the therapist pushing on it. It has been 2 weeks since the procedure, tonight at therapy i was at 123° by myself. Still a bit swollen and tight. As for sleep, i feel lucky to get a solid 4 hours at a time. Not sure what happens at night, but my knee just starts throbbing. I can't wait to get a solid night sleep! Good luck!

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@brianbat Nighttime is the worst. After a short amount of time, with both TKRs, I only took medication before bed. I think as you lay there idle, the pain is more evident or something.
123° flex is great, particularly if you still have swelling. I wish I could get to that number with my last TKR but I don't think I will bother having a lysis, I can function fine at 115°.
JK

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "@jmjlove you are describing the kind of pain I felt with my first round of polymyalgia..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@jmjlove you are describing the kind of pain I felt with my first round of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I feel very fortunate not to have the pain others here have described after their TKR. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to get the swelling in my leg to go back to normal. I hate to stop working on the rehab and resting more but I think I may give the doc a call tomorrow and see what he says. My right foot ankle and leg are much bigger than the left foot. I'm sure it has something to do with my lymphedema but no way in you know what can I get a compression sock over that monster. Took off my one zippered open toe compression sock from the right leg this evening to take a shower and you could definitely see how the toes were much fatter and then the leg part above the sock below the knee was puffed up about a 1/2 inch fatter. Looked like the Pillsbury Dough Boy's foot. ☺ But it doesn't hurt 🙁

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@johnbishop It took a while for the swelling to go down for me. I know it was good by about six weeks because it was all happening at the time of my daughter's wedding ceremony, followed by her "reception" two weeks later -- she had a small ceremony in our home, and then a large reception in NYC. The reason I can remember is that I had no problem with shoes not fitting!
I do for some reason get puffy in one of my legs even now though. It can be either leg, but it will just be one. Right now it's my L foot and toes. I have no idea why. I had some swelling in my R a couple of months ago that coincided with a PCP appointment. He sent me for X-rays to make sure I didn't have a clot. I did not.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "@jmjlove I think the swelling is down a little from yesterday. My daughter kept telling me..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@jmjlove I think the swelling is down a little from yesterday. My daughter kept telling me elevate elevate elevate when she was with me Monday and Tuesday but I wanted to walk walk walk. Here’s the week 1 swelling. Hopefully the left leg will get me through without replacement.

April 17th - Added Week 2 swelling photo. Staples come out tomorrow! Still a lot of tightness in the right leg and have been unable to put on my compression socks for my lymphedema. Got a lot of walking done in the driveway yesterday - 2877 steps and 5 sets of the knee lifts and flexion stretches. I have also been able to work from home this week which is a plus for me. Bummed out today - it's Wednesday and my lunch day at the Old School House Cafe. Love their homemade soups. Hope all is going well for my new TKR friends. Taking it one step at a time ☺

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@johnbishop You are coming along nicely. That swelling really does not look very severe at all.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@johnbishop It looks like the swelling is coming down . My legs hurt all night it..." + (show)
@lioness

@johnbishop It looks like the swelling is coming down . My legs hurt all night it wasnt a nightmare, kept me up along with dry mouth and a new symptom I was so cold I had to put socks on winter p.j,s and heavy bathrobe now what caused this ?? I'm finally warmed up but don't know. I'm going to have a laundry list for this new Dr I'm going to see .Hope I get some answers .

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@lioness Make sure you mention EVERYTHING, even things that may seem totally unrelated. Our bodies are one big unit and effects can be felt in areas that are totally unexpected. If you mention everything, and your doctor is a good diagnostician, hopefully, he/she will figure something out and be able to put you the right path to relief.
I will be interested in hearing what your doctor has to say.
JK

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Apr 12, 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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@gobigorgohome I was looking forward to the improvement I would see after TKR. I have a doctor friend who tried to persuade me to not have it done though, and that cast doubt in my mind. Thankfully it turned out great. I was limited in how far I could walk before and now I can walk for miles.
Sure, initially there is pain and discomfort and you do have to work a lot at PT, but it will be worth it. Do make sure you do your PT at home on the days you don't have a session. That's important.
JK

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