Knee replacement

[AprilBaby]

I know most of you are very young but has anyone had a knee replacement? Someone you know had one? Wondering how long you were out of work?

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Oh no... you need a knee replacement?

 

[AprilBaby]

I do, feb 8. I had my first surgery at 26 and now at 53 I need a total replacement. Hate surgery but can't wait for the freedom from pain. I took 6 weeks off but wondering if that is reasonable?

 

[Skippy123]

I do, feb 8. I had my first surgery at 26 and now at 53 I need a total replacement. Hate surgery but can't wait for the freedom from pain. I took 6 weeks off but wondering if that is reasonable?

I am sorry; I hope you have a speedy recovery, prayers outgoing.

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

I do, feb 8. I had my first surgery at 26 and now at 53 I need a total replacement. Hate surgery but can't wait for the freedom from pain. I took 6 weeks off but wondering if that is reasonable?

Will this surgery fix everything for you? I really hope it does. Will you need physical therapy after? I'm not sure but 6 weeks sounds like good recovery/down time and then if you need physical therapy afterwards, you don't necessarily need to miss work for that.

I'm sorry about your knee. I really hope your surgery goes well. Do you mind telling us what the first surgery was for? I had an old boyfriend that had a torn ACL and got surgery.

 

[marcy]

Sorry to hear that AprilBaby. Good luck. I think 6 weeks is a reasonable time frame to take off work. My folks both had knee replacement surgery this year. My dad is generally healthy and strong and he didn't even have to go to rehab. He was in the hospital about 4 to 5 days. He went to therapy 2 times a week and faithfully did his exercises at home and was doing pretty well in a few weeks. My mom is pretty weak and has a lot of health problems. She actually did pretty well with the surgery too. She was home in about 2 weeks with a little over a week in rehab. They ordered another round of therapy for her but again it is because she is so weak.

Both of them said the pain wasn't too bad. The worst part of therapy is getting the knee to bend again. The hospital let them up the first day with the use of walkers.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hope all goes well with your surgery and recovery, Aprilbaby!

 

[zoebartlett]

I think a lot has to do with your level of pain tolerance and overall mental state (as in mind over matter). My mom had knee replacement surgery last year (a year ago this past August). I can't remember how long she was in the hospital for, maybe 5 days - 1 week, but instead of going to a rehab hospital afterwards, she was able to return home. She continued rehab with visiting nurses who came to her house often (daily I think but I'm not sure). It was very difficult for her to set aside the pain and gain confidence, complete the exercises, and try to walk, so her recovery was slow. She has a pretty low tolerance for pain though, so others may not have the same experience. I think it was a few months before she was able to begin to feel normal again. My mom had retired before surgery, so working wasn't really a factor. Actually though, she was writing a bit and as soon as she had a better handle on PT, she could focus on writing again. Taking 6 weeks off sounds good, but I'd be prepared to possibly take more time if needed. If there's work you could do from home, that could be a possibility, I'm assuming, so maybe you won't need additional time. Recovery varies so much from person to person.

 

[Missy]

My dad had a knee replacement last year and was in the hospital for a few days and in rehab for about 3 weeks and then he was good to go. Ofc it depends on a lot of things but being that he was in his late 70's at the time I would say your recovery should go even more smoothly!! Sending you lots of healing dust and good wishes for a speedy recovery!!!

 

[Kismet]

My mom (79) just had her second knee replaced. She had the surgery the day before Thanksgiving and was cleared to drive again on New Year's eve. She was in the hospital for about a week and in rehab for about another week and then the visiting physical therapists until she was cleared to drive. From my understanding, whether or not you go to rehab depends a lot on your living situation. In my mother's case, she lives alone and she has a split level house

 

[AprilBaby]

Thanks all! I have congenital turned kneecaps and in '86 I had the rt one uprighted. At the time they removed the meniscus thinking it would grow back. Guess what??? It doesn't! I have gotten 3 orthovisc shots in the knee every 6 mo for 7 years and last set stopped working, but hey, I got 7 good years out of it. I love to travel but am now unable to walk 1/2 mile. Thanks Dad for my knees, and 3 of my 4 kids have the same condition. I am a dental hygienist so no working from home. I appreciate your stories, I don't have any friends who have had this done. And btw, I have a great tolerance for pain.
Ps: skippy: how did I lose you on FB???? I can't think of your last name so can you please refriend me???

 

[makemepretty]

I just took my dad for his 2nd knee replacement. He had no cartilage left and it was the worst the doctor had seen all day. He was in the hospital 2 days, and walking around doing stairs on the 2nd day there. A week later, he's up to walking 2 miles! He hasn't really complained that much about pain and he doesn't have any rehabilitation other than exercising himself at home. They've made so many improvements over the years. He had the other one replaced 6 years ago and said this one was a breeze compared to that one. Hope this helps.

They did give him pain medication and cellebrex to help with the healing. Before this he was taking embrel. I'm not sure of the spellings on those medicines.

 

[JewelFreak]

20 yrs ago a knee replacement was an ordeal, but so much has improved about the procedure & equipment since then that it's much easier on you. 2 people I know said the pain from the surgery & pt was SO much less than the pain before it was done, they didn't find it a problem. Both were walking again -- one bicycling around NYC -- within a very short time & ecstatic. At your young age, it should be even better & quicker. Good luck! Keep us in the loop, ok?

Here's knee dust for you!

--- Laurie