Knee Replacement? Please share your experiences.

[csneill]

Absolutely- please keep us posted!

 

[donrae]

I can speak to the Physical Therapist coming to your home. It's through a Home Health agency. Different from in home care, which is caregiving and housekeeping, etc. Home Health is skilled nurses (RN and LPN) and Physical and Occupational therapists. Medicare covers it if you're homebound by their definition. Private insurance has different criteria, but most do cover it, for a few weeks at least until you're able to drive. It's usually a therapist out 2-3 times a week, but it's great cause they can work with you in your own home, and help you be safe with the things you need to do on a daily basis. PT in an outpatient setting is just on their machines, which don't always translate well to what you need to do at home. Especially us homesteader types.

I have a friend who just had an ortho surgery and was non-weight bearing on one leg for 12 weeks. We were talking about the difference between how it effected her lifestyle (also a crazy chicken lady/homesteader) and how it would be for an urban/apartment/suburbia dweller. There's a lot of difference in what we do on a day to day basis--hauling water, for example. A riding lawn mower turned out to be invaluable for her to get around her place, do you have something like that?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

After some contemplation I decided not to see about a PT coming here, between the dogs and us both being a bit private I think I will just harass people to drive me. My husband's job has some leeway as far as him being able to take me.

We do have a riding lawn mower, I will keep that in mind, thank you.

 

[csneill]

Just wondering oldhen if you saw the other knee surgeon you were considering?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sorry, meant to get back to you. Yes I saw him yesterday. He was easy to talk to and I was more comfortable with him. He agreed that there is no reason to wait, things only get worse from here. So I have a surgery date on October 11, pending insurance approval. I am trying not to think about it. I have lots to do and so little time. Gardens to close down, my pond as well. Trying to plan for stuff, but I know my husband will have to do everything again. I will have my left done first than my right as soon as I can handle it, probably next spring.

 

[csneill]

Glad you like the new surgeon. At least you have several weeks to get things ready- as ready as you can. Once you get over the initial few weeks you'll be glad you did it. We tell lots of patients they'll spend the first couple weeks wondering why they did it but by 6 weeks after surgery they're wondering why they didn't do it sooner. I'll be thinking about you & keep us posted. Also- fire away w any questions you think of beforehand (and after surgery for that matter)!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you very much. I certainly will keep you updated and am glad I have you for some advice if necessary. I'm sure I will be frustrated with my lack of mobility initially, hopefully I heal quickly. Though I will be terrified all winter about falling down. I might need cleats on my boots.

 

[csneill]

Absolutely!!

 

[lazy gardener]

Sorry, meant to get back to you. Yes I saw him yesterday. He was easy to talk to and I was more comfortable with him. He agreed that there is no reason to wait, things only get worse from here. So I have a surgery date on October 11, pending insurance approval. I am trying not to think about it. I have lots to do and so little time. Gardens to close down, my pond as well. Trying to plan for stuff, but I know my husband will have to do everything again. I will have my left done first than my right as soon as I can handle it, probably next spring.

YAY!!! I'm glad you've decided to go ahead with it. Also glad you went for the second opinion, and are comfortable with that surgeon.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks, I'm still freaked out about what's ahead. Hopefully I'm fairly mobile within the first week or two to help out somewhat around here and to be able to let the dogs in and out all day. I also have fish tanks that need water changes, my outside critters my husband can tend to for a while, way too much to wonder about. I'm also feeling out my options for rides to therapy, I hate having to ask for help.