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Double Knee Replacement

Posted by Lawanna Bean @lawanna85, Jun 20 12:31pm

I am scheduled for double knee surgery July 1. I have had bone on bone for several years and at first had knee pain. But I started regular exercise 5 years ago and have had no pain to speak of, just stiffness. The biggest problem I have know is that because of the bone on bone I am knock kneed to the point that it affects my balance and my gait and my self confidence. I finally decided to go for it. I have an excellent Dr., the hospital I am going to is a Spine, Knee and Hip hospital so they specialize in those surgeries. My daughter had back surgery there and assures me the standard of care is excellent. I have read everything I can get my hands on and watched a ton of Youtubes and feel like I am not going into this blind. I have been in pre PT for 6 weeks and rented a recumbent bike to get my legs stronger. I am scheduled to be in the hospital for 4 days and 3 nights but after all my research I am beginning to wonder if because of my age I should ask to go to a rehab facility to be sure I get my range of motion back and have more care after surgery. My Dr. didn't suggest it but I am thinking about asking him about it. I assume Medicare will pay for it if it's necessary. The other option I am thinking about is to not do the surgery and continue with the PT exercises and build the strength in my legs and back and just live with it since I have no pain to speak of. But part of me wonders if it will get worse and I will regret not doing it. The decision is mine, but I wonder if anyone on this feed has had a similar situation. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

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johut | @johut | Jun 23 5:47am

In 2016, my husband had double knee replacement at age 69 and recovered beautifully. He, too, had severe knock-knees and it affected his gait, balance, and function. Our home at the time was ill-equipped for walkers and other care he might need, plus I was caring for my 95-year-old mother, so after 4 days in the hospital (he needed blood transfusions), he went to in-patient rehab for 10 days. When he came home, he could do all the self-care he needed and continued making progress with out-patient rehab. Both knees were so bad that he would not have had a good leg to stand on if only one was done. It was hard, but if mentally you prepare by making recovery your full-time job or awhile, it will be good!
My sister at age 70 also had both of her knees done in one surgery and received in-patient rehab for two weeks. Again, the mental determination and focus on making the rehab top priority made a difference.
Having nutritious meals provided, therapy several times a day and the camaraderie of others also recovering makes a difference after bilateral knee replacement.

REPLY
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lynnc75 | @lynnc75 | Jun 23 10:31am
In reply to @lawanna85 "I have decided to go to an inpatient rehab facility to make sure I have all..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lawanna Bean @lawanna85

I have decided to go to an inpatient rehab facility to make sure I have all the help I need for recovery. But I have to make sure Medicare will pay for it. But after reading all the comments, I am convinced that's what I need to do.

Jump to this post

Please, please reconsider. What if you are a scar tissue generator like me? If I had both knees done at the same time, I would have been in a wheelchair with Arthrofibrosis, for which there is no solution at this time in medicine. If you have any history of past adhesions, like frozen shoulder, endometriosis, etc. , you will end up with this nightmare scar tissue. I only had 30 degrees flexion. Thank goodness I still had one knee I could depend on. Please think about this again, from the point of view that not every surgery works out well. I'm sorry, just have to speak up here.

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Lawanna Bean | @lawanna85 | Jun 23 3:56pm
In reply to @xxx000 "I wish you luck. I only stumbled upon this information while searching on the internet. I..." + (show)
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I wish you luck. I only stumbled upon this information while searching on the internet. I had to do a lot of digging. It was kind of a stroke of luck to actually find out that my big hospital system nearby is actually an ACO and had a person whose title was Physician Liaison who was a resource person and handled relations with skilled nursing facilities. He was extremely helpful. I believe this offer of waiving the 3-day hospital stay required by medicare in order to be admitted directly to a rehab is only available for people having knee replacements (possibly hip too? not sure). Search for Accountable Care Organizations and go from there.

Jump to this post

Evidently my hospital has ACO because they are approving inpatient rehab therapy. Thanks for the information!

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sunflower | @xxx000 | Jun 23 5:17pm
In reply to @lawanna85 "Evidently my hospital has ACO because they are approving inpatient rehab therapy. Thanks for the information!" + (show)
Profile picture for Lawanna Bean @lawanna85

Evidently my hospital has ACO because they are approving inpatient rehab therapy. Thanks for the information!

Jump to this post

That is wonderful! I'm so happy for you. Good luck with your surgery!

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1 reply
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Lawanna Bean | @lawanna85 | Jun 23 6:09pm
In reply to @xxx000 "That is wonderful! I'm so happy for you. Good luck with your surgery!" + (show)
Profile picture for sunflower @xxx000

That is wonderful! I'm so happy for you. Good luck with your surgery!

Jump to this post

Thank you! It's getting real now and I am getting nervous. So I am making my lists and hoping I don't forget anything. It will be another adventure. I will post after surgery as soon as I am home.

REPLY
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legeke | @legeke | Jun 29 9:48am

Thank you all for the information too.My husband needs both knees replaced and he has no experience with any type of replacement surgery or surgery. He thinks he will have surgery and be ready to roll at 6 weeks. I have had both hips done, 2 yrs apart and know he is not being realistic and anticipate he will have a hard time. He is 61.
It is great that you are self aware and realistic in your expectations of the help needed and what your post op course may look like..which allows you to get the help you need up front.
Wishing you a steady recovery

REPLY
3 replies
Profile picture for legeke
legeke | @legeke | Jun 29 9:53am
In reply to @lynnc75 "Please, please reconsider. What if you are a scar tissue generator like me? If I had..." + (show)
Profile picture for lynnc75 @lynnc75

Please, please reconsider. What if you are a scar tissue generator like me? If I had both knees done at the same time, I would have been in a wheelchair with Arthrofibrosis, for which there is no solution at this time in medicine. If you have any history of past adhesions, like frozen shoulder, endometriosis, etc. , you will end up with this nightmare scar tissue. I only had 30 degrees flexion. Thank goodness I still had one knee I could depend on. Please think about this again, from the point of view that not every surgery works out well. I'm sorry, just have to speak up here.

Jump to this post

I developed the scarring after hip replacement and have very limited abduction/adduction. Although, for the most part I am pain free, I can't get on a bike, my horse, can only step up a limited amount when climbing on a trailer, hiking, etc. I was given no explanation but I did have endometriosis. THanks for that information and all the best to you. I was told, "well, that is life".

REPLY
1 reply
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Lawanna Bean | @lawanna85 | Jun 29 11:22am
In reply to @legeke "I developed the scarring after hip replacement and have very limited abduction/adduction. Although, for the most..." + (show)
Profile picture for legeke @legeke

I developed the scarring after hip replacement and have very limited abduction/adduction. Although, for the most part I am pain free, I can't get on a bike, my horse, can only step up a limited amount when climbing on a trailer, hiking, etc. I was given no explanation but I did have endometriosis. THanks for that information and all the best to you. I was told, "well, that is life".

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing your story. After next week I will have a story to share.

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

REPLY
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Lawanna Bean | @lawanna85 | Jun 29 11:26am
In reply to @legeke "Thank you all for the information too.My husband needs both knees replaced and he has no..." + (show)
Profile picture for legeke @legeke

Thank you all for the information too.My husband needs both knees replaced and he has no experience with any type of replacement surgery or surgery. He thinks he will have surgery and be ready to roll at 6 weeks. I have had both hips done, 2 yrs apart and know he is not being realistic and anticipate he will have a hard time. He is 61.
It is great that you are self aware and realistic in your expectations of the help needed and what your post op course may look like..which allows you to get the help you need up front.
Wishing you a steady recovery

Jump to this post

Thank you. I have asked tons of questions. I do realize this will be difficult but I hope I can take one day at a time and be patient. Everyone has a different journey and experience. Good luck to your husband. Feel free to reach out anytime.

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

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| Comment posted by @legeke on discussion "Double Knee Replacement".

Thank you all for the information too.My husband needs both knees replaced and he has no experience with any type of replacement surgery or surgery. He thinks he will have surgery and be ready to roll at 6 weeks. I have had both hips done, 2 yrs apart and know he is not being realistic and anticipate he will have a hard time. He is 61.
It is great that you are self aware and realistic in your expectations of the help needed and what your post op course may look like..which allows you to get the help you need up front.
Wishing you a steady recovery
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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 29 1:07pm
In reply to @legeke "Thank you all for the information too.My husband needs both knees replaced and he has no..." + (show)
Profile picture for legeke @legeke

Thank you all for the information too.My husband needs both knees replaced and he has no experience with any type of replacement surgery or surgery. He thinks he will have surgery and be ready to roll at 6 weeks. I have had both hips done, 2 yrs apart and know he is not being realistic and anticipate he will have a hard time. He is 61.
It is great that you are self aware and realistic in your expectations of the help needed and what your post op course may look like..which allows you to get the help you need up front.
Wishing you a steady recovery

Jump to this post

Has he had major surgery before? Do you expect him to be a cooperative patient? Has anyone showed him the PT protocol for pre-hab and rehab? How will he respond emotionally if things do not go according to plan?

I suggest that you and he have a frank talk with the orthopedic surgeon, their PA, or better yet, a PT about what to expect. You be present to ask your questions, since you will be the one caring for him AND taking the fallout, unless he is planning to go to a rehab facility for the duration of his convalescence.

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