Re: O/T Total Knee Replacement

Posted by Hal/WA on July 24, 2006 at 19:29:47 from (66.45.175.118):

In Reply to: O/T Total Knee Replacement posted by Cody N.E.TEX on July 23, 2006 at 22:13:59:

My wife had her left knee replaced 5 weeks ago today. She still is using a walker, but is getting around fairly well now. She drove for the first time yesterday, so now maybe I won't have to take her everywhere she wants to go. She is not one to be kept down very long! She is doing water physical therapy 2 or 3 times a week. It exhausts her, but probably is why she is progressing as well as she is. The first month is really tough, as it really hurts all the time. My wife cannot take much in the way of pain meds, so ice really helps her.

My wife's doctor will not do both knees at the same time, like some have done. Apparently he lost a patient that way and just will not do both at once. My wife had her other knee replaced a year ago, and it was the operation from He!!! After 5 weeks, her new knee would only bend 55 degrees, and only with much pain. She had to go under anesthesia again and have the knee manipulated while she was under, to break through the massive scar tissue. Once that was done, she progressed more normally and now has very little pain in that knee. She has had knee trouble all her life and these surgeries make her total knee surgeries about 20. It was really hard to talk her into doing the left knee after the bad experience with the right one, but with the replaced knee, her legs were different lengths, leading to back problems. Luckily this replacement has gone much better than the first--the first knee was in much worse shape.

I agree with the other posters: DO THE PHYSICAL THERAPY LIKE THEY TELL YOU TO! And don't be afraid to push yourself. You will progress faster.

My wife did not go to the rehabilitation center for a week like most patients do, since she had me to wait on her and take care of her every minute. This was not a good time for either of us, but that is how we do things... I am still catching up on lost sleep. We were often up and down 4 or 5 times a night that first couple of weeks we were at home. Thank God that time is over and now we are almost back to normal! If you do not have help that will do whatever you need to have done for that first couple of weeks, I would advise going to the nursing home/rehab center that is experienced in dealing with knee replacements.

Most people I have talked to that have had knee replacement are really glad they did it a year later. Most also agree that the first month after the surgery is a trial, though. Good luck, and take care!

Replies:

Add a Reply Name: E-Mail: Subject: Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]