Has anyone had a knee joint replacement?

Posted by suzzflwr1 @suzzflwr1, Jun 19 9:06am

I have osteoarthritis in both knees, I’m a 69 year old woman. I do water aerobics most days, garden and cut my grass.
The Dr. compared the knee joint replacement to having a crown put on your tooth. I was hoping to find someone who has had this done. Surgery is scheduled for August 22.

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connie609 | @connie609 | Jul 12 4:22pm

Ive just joined this group to share the “up-side”. If you’re like me, everyone has told you their horror stories or their friends’. I had my first TKR on May 7th and came home on the 8th. No problems on the porch stairs getting in. My friend(retired nurse) came to stay for the first couple of days and then my son came for the next few days. They kindly waited on me hand and foot and kept my ice machine going consistently. The home health PT came that first week and said I was amazing, especially with range of motion. She had me do the porch stairs, take a walk down the street with a cane. Gotta tell you, this went so well for me, I had the second knee done 6 weeks later. Same experience so I hope this can happen for you, too! BTW, I will be 70 next week and loving my PT.

ninaknowles | @ninaknowles | Jul 12 6:57pm

Love my TKR’s!!! I was 81 and healthy except for asthma.
I was walking without any type of assistance and without pain or knee problems 6 weeks after the TKR surgery.
I read above that some were only able to take Tylenol. HOW DID YOU DO IT!!! The first thing I would do if I were you is make sure you can take oxycodone for pain. (I can’t imagine having TKP without it 😩) You will probably need it for five or six weeks. All day and all night at the allowed times. Don’t wait until it hurts!!! Takes too long to get relief again.
I would try to be at a good weight.
Have dependable help with you around the clock. !!!
Note: My husband was my helper and he couldn’t get sleep with my loud leg compression massager on so he moved to another bed room. That is a great idea! Your help needs their rest!
You should have;
Ice machine (helps with swelling and pain)!!!
Lower leg compression massager (helps prevent blood clots)!!!
Shower chair
Toilet seat riser with support arms OR a potty chair (without the pot) over a toilet.
Do the physical therapy and take an oxycodone before going to appointments. It hurts as you will be stretching your knee ligaments. Work on stretching the ligaments at home, also, and get it over with.
Keep your chin up.
Be careful and DON’T FALL!
You should love the results but as my surgeon said, his work was only 20% and mine was 80%. Do the work and enjoy the results !!!

therealboz | @therealboz | Jul 13 8:53am

Has anyone had nerve damage after knee replacement? If so, what were your symptoms?

lmc | @lmc | Jul 14 8:48am

It has been 14 months since my TKR and the incision is still warm to the touch. Has anyone experienced this?

By the way, my surgeon has said that my TKR is unsuccessful. Having another MRI next week. Is revision the only answer? I am 82 years old.

lbarth | @lbarth | Jul 14 2:28pm

In reply to @suzzflwr1 "Thanks so much for answering my question. Was the crown as bad as the TKR, in..." + (show)

I had TKR last July and Tk revision in February. I took no opioids, they do nothing for pain for me. I took Tylenol and meloxicam. Had full ROM in a week in both knees. Was also doing stairs the first week. Don’t listen to any horror stories.

waltscsb | @waltscsb | Jul 14 5:07pm

In reply to @therealboz "Has anyone had nerve damage after knee replacement? If so, what were your symptoms?" + (show)

I had my TKR 5 weeks ago this coming Tuesday. From day one, I noticed half of my left leg was numb from my knee down to my ankle. It seems to have become more pronounced the past three weeks. I was told that this is not unusual and that feeling will gradually come back with time. I sure hope they are right !!!

sommerreign | @sommerreign | Jul 14 9:50pm

In reply to @srwolfe "My first knee was 2006 and still going good. Second knee 2016 going good. Knees are..." + (show)

I need to know where you all had these successful knee replacements done?
Mayo in Jacksonville or Rochester! And if you have it done, how long do you have to stay in town for post op care & PT ? I’m trying to get the best care possible

therealboz | @therealboz | Jul 15 8:04am

In reply to @waltscsb "I had my TKR 5 weeks ago this coming Tuesday. From day one, I noticed half..." + (show)

Thank you for responding. It is still early for you and I think it will get better. I am 3 months out and trying to figure out some sensations with left arm ( bit of numbness and a little tingling) and hypersentive feet and hands. It is not my heart. Has anyone had tendon impingement or nerve trapped in scar tissue after TKR? Thanks.

connie609 | @connie609 | Jul 15 8:35am

In reply to @sommerreign "I need to know where you all had these successful knee replacements done? Mayo in Jacksonville..." + (show)

I had mine done in Scarborough, Maine with an incredible Dr Rana! Close to home for me though. My PCP told me to have no one but Dr Rana and I’ll be forever grateful!

sgtmac | @sgtmac | Jul 21 10:18am

I am an exception. I have had 16 total surgeries. 4 on my knee. I destroyed 3 ligaments and medial meniscus in my knee in 1986 in the US Army. They "rebuilt" me with spare parts. I had 2 more surgeries to "fix issues" after that. They gave up in 1992 because I was too young (25) to have it replaced. I struggled with it until 2011. TKR at 45. Dr. David Camarratta. Phoenix.
"Like a crown", seriously? Ok, they cut bone away and cover it with something that is not bone. Please, understand, it will hurt. I took my pain pills 5 minutes farther apart everytime I took them. I took 1 pill 20 minutes prior to seeing my physical therapist because she was a sadist. Do all of your therapy! All of it. Then do 50% more at home. Muscle pain is OK. I worked 70 hour weeks on my feet until 2018. I retired then. I have had zero problems with that knee.