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Knee Replacement - Getting Prepared

Posted by Fjkphx @fjkphx, Jun 27, 2018

I will soon have first knee replacement. I wonder what type of info the surgeon should be presenting regarding the new knee. He has not offered and I have not asked. Also wonder what level of care any of you required post surgery. I live alone and wonder what kind of challenges I will face. Thanks for the input.

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sunburned2020 | @sunburned2020 | May 21, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "Hi, @sunburned2020 I have had two TKRs and before the second one I asked my orthopedic..." + (show)
@contentandwell

Hi, @sunburned2020 I have had two TKRs and before the second one I asked my orthopedic surgeon about pre-surgery physical therapy. He asked if I was doing any exercises then. I was, both water exercises/jogging and riding my recumbent bike. He said that was perfect, that pre-PT would do no more than that, so if you have a bike, ride it, and if you can go to a pool which is probably not possible due to the current situation, then water jog. He likes both of these because there is no impact.

After the TKR he wanted me to do my bike for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, skipping two consecutive days for rest and recovery.

Every doctor does tend to have their own opinions and preferences though so you should check with your doctor to see if he feels those would be helpful for you. My doctor is very highly regarded but he does have some different opinions than some other orthopedists. He does not want the patient to ice after the TKR because ice prevents healing blood from getting to the wound to help heal it, and he only wants gentle PT.
JK

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Thank you for your feedback. I had been to PT to assist in a good recovery and stopped due to Covid-19. So, I actually just got a recumbent bike and have started with 15 min's a day for now. That's great about the pool water jog too. I will ask again to capture what is requested prior to my surgery scheduled for 6/25/2020.

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2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | May 21, 2020
In reply to @sunburned2020 "Thank you for your feedback. I had been to PT to assist in a good recovery..." + (show)
@sunburned2020

Thank you for your feedback. I had been to PT to assist in a good recovery and stopped due to Covid-19. So, I actually just got a recumbent bike and have started with 15 min's a day for now. That's great about the pool water jog too. I will ask again to capture what is requested prior to my surgery scheduled for 6/25/2020.

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@sunburned2020 My TKR had to be delayed by about 2.5 years due to other factors. While I was waiting I did exercise a lot and it got to the point where I was in much less pain than I had been because the supporting muscles were is such good shape.

I was great after the TKR but I have to admit, I did not do nearly as much PT at home between sessions as I should have. I suspect that is why my flex is only around 120, which is considered to be adequate but it does make some things impossible. I don't think it's worth having a procedure to improve the flex though.
JK

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1 reply
ret18 | @ret18 | May 28, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "@sunburned2020 My TKR had to be delayed by about 2.5 years due to other factors. While..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@sunburned2020 My TKR had to be delayed by about 2.5 years due to other factors. While I was waiting I did exercise a lot and it got to the point where I was in much less pain than I had been because the supporting muscles were is such good shape.

I was great after the TKR but I have to admit, I did not do nearly as much PT at home between sessions as I should have. I suspect that is why my flex is only around 120, which is considered to be adequate but it does make some things impossible. I don't think it's worth having a procedure to improve the flex though.
JK

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I had TKR in 2013 at Mayo Clinic. You are in great hands. I have so much faith in the Mayo docs. Do simple exercise, a healthy diet, get rid of bad habits (mine was smoking-last cigarette was Mother's day 2013) and you will do fine.

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1 reply
clbs | @clbs | May 28, 2020
In reply to @ret18 "I had TKR in 2013 at Mayo Clinic. You are in great hands. I have so..." + (show)
@ret18

I had TKR in 2013 at Mayo Clinic. You are in great hands. I have so much faith in the Mayo docs. Do simple exercise, a healthy diet, get rid of bad habits (mine was smoking-last cigarette was Mother's day 2013) and you will do fine.

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If only it were that simple! Maybe it is for some people?

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | May 28, 2020
In reply to @clbs "If only it were that simple! Maybe it is for some people?" + (show)
@clbs

If only it were that simple! Maybe it is for some people?

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@clbs Every person seems to have a different experience with TKRs. Stay positive, prepare and follow your doctor’s advice afterward. If you have chosen a great surgeon you are almost guaranteed to have a good outcome.
JK

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mom4twins4me | @mom4twins4me | May 29, 2020
In reply to @sunburned2020 "Thank you for your feedback. I had been to PT to assist in a good recovery..." + (show)
@sunburned2020

Thank you for your feedback. I had been to PT to assist in a good recovery and stopped due to Covid-19. So, I actually just got a recumbent bike and have started with 15 min's a day for now. That's great about the pool water jog too. I will ask again to capture what is requested prior to my surgery scheduled for 6/25/2020.

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Good for you! I had my bilateral knee replacements Mar 11, 2020.. I then went to another rehab hospital for a week for intensive therapy. They worked me hard. Before my surgery, I also bought a recumbent bike & so glad I did! I had a physical therapist coming to my home but had to let her go because of Covid-19. I am a caregiver & widow so.. I had to get both of them done @ the same time. I had a great doctor & lots of prayer & hard work.. do the physical therapy as soon as you can.!. The next day after surgery for me.. So glad to be out of that bone on bone arthritis!:) You will be fine.. you are doing your preparation.:)

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Jun 25, 2020

Good afternoon sunburned2020, I am just checking in on your surgery. Was it delayed or are you in recovery today. Just thinking about you and wishing you well.
May you be free of course suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

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123dianap | @123dianap | Jan 30, 2021

Recommendation fo knee replacement Drs. I need to make a apt but have no idea who to see

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2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Jan 30, 2021
In reply to @123dianap "Recommendation fo knee replacement Drs. I need to make a apt but have no idea who..." + (show)
@123dianap

Recommendation fo knee replacement Drs. I need to make a apt but have no idea who to see

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@123dianap you don’t say where you are looking for a doctor. If you are looking in the Boston area I have a really great one. His name is Dr. Wolfgang Fitz and he’s at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. When I was in an inner waiting room, waiting for an X-ray I spoke to a couple of other people there and he literally has people coming to him from all over the country, he’s that good.
JK

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3 replies
michaels1 | @michaels1 | Jan 30, 2021
In reply to @contentandwell "@123dianap you don’t say where you are looking for a doctor. If you are looking in..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@123dianap you don’t say where you are looking for a doctor. If you are looking in the Boston area I have a really great one. His name is Dr. Wolfgang Fitz and he’s at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. When I was in an inner waiting room, waiting for an X-ray I spoke to a couple of other people there and he literally has people coming to him from all over the country, he’s that good.
JK

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Can you contact me by a private message?

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