Knee Replacement

[Forrest747]

When it rains, it pours!

Saw the doc for the post surgery on the hip. Looks like I get a new knee as well due to the trauma.

So if anyone has had total knee replacement advice please and what manufacture and type did you go with. Thanks

[Otto13]

I've had bi-lateral knee replacements. I was injured and as a result I used to walk with two canes and now...except for the scars, you can't tell I have them. I was considered young (43) when I had the surgery. I can't tell you how happy I am with the new knees. I have no idea what product I've had installed but I am able to pivot and along with Teardrop camping...I can hike unaided...it is a painful recovery (rehab)...but so worth it in the long run. Best of luck to you!

[Forrest747]

going to be 39 this fall. nurses thought i was too young for hip. not looking forward to the knee but it needs to be done. how long did the pain last for? weeks months.

[Otto13]

The pain and suffering were based mostly on the physical therapist. I hated him at first but grew to appreciate what he did for me. In 6 weeks (based on two replacements at once) I drove (a stick) to Vegas. I did get acupuncture for the first week and ...yea, it eased the initial pain. What really helped me was my time in the pool. I don't have one in my backyard so I joined a gym with one and I went everyday after therapy. I walked the length of the pool for an hour a day and then squatted in the corner working flexibility. The entire process took 10 weeks. My biggest fear was what I could and couldn't do after the surgery. There are a few things that I can't do...but there are so many things I can.

What worried me prior to surgery was standing with in 24 hours...for some reason I thought that was going to be incredibly difficult. However, with the hospital beds that raise and lower, and a good core of nurses...there was nothing to fear. I stood and then walked with little difficulty. Just keep the knee bending and moving and before you know it...you'll be hiking!!!

[Mightydog]

Forrest747,

Rewind the tape a little bit. What happened that you have to have all of this body work done?

[Forrest747]

Left knee has been given me issues for years. a couple of weeks ago a piece of plywood slid off the truck bed and hit my hip. snapped the ball of the femur off. replaced with a new hip. now knee is gotten so bad that going to replace it now. so doing anything major on the build on hold.

[Mightydog]

..snapped the ball of the femur off...

Uhhhh okay. It was right about there that the room started to spin and get really dark. Cheese and crackers, Forrest747! That would throw a crimp in any one's building schedule!

Keep posting even if you're on the pain killers. Well, for entertainment's sake, post especially when you're on pain killers. The twinky thread is a classic.

[Forrest747]

it going the way of the twinkie had nothing to do with me being on painkillers. i just wanted to know how T@B is pronounced

[dh]

Sorry to hear about your misfurtunes.

I clipped a tree going down hill around 35mph on my mountain bike at Vail a few years back. I was up for a knee replacement, but the doc refuses to do it, as I'm only 29. So I'm living with cortizone injections and PT until it falls apart. I tried the biovisc (I think thats what its called) artificial viscuis fluid injections. Don't even waste your time with that crap. I did my research, and BioMet is my choice for when the time comes. More size options, and a better range of motion. And, if you happen to wear it out before it comes loose from the bone, it is rebuildable. Also, take a look at minimal surgical techniques. My mom had her right done traditionally, and her left done minimalistically. The left healed in half the time, and has a lot smaller scar.

Google "knee replacement" and everything else related you can think of. There is a wealth of information out there.

[campinwi]

I'm a nurse and have been working with post op knees and hips for 21 years now.

Not to scare you, but it has been my observation that knees are more painful than hips. Also, it seems the younger people are the more pain they have.

That being said, we have made tremendous strides in pain control. Our patients take oxycontin pre-op and for the first 24 hours. We also give them toradol which is like an IV form of ibuprofen. We also use acetaminophen scheduled around the clock, and oxycodone for breakthrough pain. Our patients also get femoral nerve blocks which are like a novacine that is infused into the leg for about 18 hours. This numbs up the front part of the leg.

Our patients are stood at the bedside the night of surgery, up walking the next day and home after afternoon therapy on day 2 (about 48 hours after surgery)

One really good piece of advice- do every thong you can to prevent infection. The surgeons are usually meticulous with they do, you need to also be careful. Shower with hibiclens the night before and the morning of surgery. Make sure all your bedding and clothing are clean when you go home. I had tendon surgery in December, I also made sure my husband kept everything very clean and showered every night before coming to bed until my incision was healed. Make sure everyone who comes to visit washes their hands or uses hand sanitizer. Make sure you do also.

This may sound a little fanatical to some, but I have seen what happens to people if they get infections in their new joints, and its not fun!

As far as parts, most surgeons have certain brands that they use, you want to go with the ones the surgeon is most familiar with. Most use a combination of metal and plastic.

There are some surgeons who do a procedure that have the patients out of the hospital the same day. We have a surgeon around here who does that, since his patients leave right away, not sure how their outcomes are.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

[Otto13]

My wife is also a nurse and Campinwi is absolutely right! (Most nurses are fanatical about aseptic fields!) Great advice! I have had no infections due to the precautionary steps. Nurses are awesome wonderful people...!!!

I also agree with dh...I was lucky that I am surrounded by medical people who guided me through the processes (Basically, I just showed up for most of it.). My father has had several replacements and he no longer has any options other than to fuse his leg (30 years of replacements). My knees were set with the understanding that later on I'd need another set...or more. Today there are options that weren't there 20-10 years ago.

The pain...yea, it hurt. But with each day I knew I was getting closer to walking and hiking pain free.

[Forrest747]

I started out in the army as a surgical tech and at one time an LPN. that being said never saw post op.

Found my calling in life as a farmer and engineer. i really dont want to do this but it needs to be done.

thinking a zimmer or depuy setup.

to bad madjack couldn't build me a new one.

[Mightydog]

The least we can do is keep an eye open for a discount coupon at Harbor Freight. They carry everything--maybe they have spare knees down one of those isles!

[Forrest747]

Mightydog that is a great idea, however i want this to last for a long time.

[dh]

Hmm... HF knee replacement kit, are you sure you arn't the one on painlillers MD?