Knee Replacement? Please share your experiences.

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I got a whole bunch of new exercises, that are thankfully easier than what I was doing. I did end up pretty swollen and sore, so elevating and icing. I found out I have been icing too much and walking too much. So 20 minutes and hour on the ice, and shorter walks.

 

[lazy gardener]

Always nice to hear that you're pushing too hard than to hear that you're not pushing hard enough.

 

[donrae]

That incision does look long, but it's otherwise very pretty for an incision lol. It's nice and clean and actually looks very good, from a nursing point of view.

Listen to the therapist, do your exercises, take you pain meds, don't make any important decisions. Walk when you can, and not to be TMI, but take some colace or other softeners with those pain pills or you'll regret it.

 

[tinakevin]

So glad everything went good. Yes ice is your friend. Also take your pain meds about a half HR before therapy. My incision looked like that too but it eventually fades. I agree with donrea. Pain meds r constipators so use something with them. I ended up using a laxative as well. Knee surgery is painfull but in the long run well worth it. Keep up the good attitude. It dies get better

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks both of you, we have successfully gotten the system working again today, and they have me on a daily laxative, so all that's been covered.

Throughout all the pain, today I realized there was none when I stepped down on the leg, that pain that had been my constant companion for 2 plus years is gone. Another bonus, not a single hot flash since Monday, I know they will be back, but it has been wonderful not going through those every hour or two for the last few days.

 

[lazy gardener]

No hot flashes? Perhaps I need to get a joint replaced.

 

[sourland]

No hot flashes? Perhaps I need to get a joint replaced.

I think the Princess may want to sign up.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I think the Princess may want to sign up.

It has been incredible, as well as a most wonderful relief to not be harassed every hour every day. I'm sure it will be short lived, but I am enjoying snuggling down in the blankets and being able to enjoy such a simple sensation again.

 

[tinakevin]

Oh yes when you finally realize the pain is gone from the arthritis it is such a great feeling. I still get sore if I'm on my legs all day but it's not a painful ache like I had. I wouldn't trade it for the world. So glad your doing well. I loved being pampered too lol

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sorry I haven't been updating. I have been in a mental funk, but am better now that I started taking my vitamin b complex again.

I went on Tuesday to see my regular doctor to have my rapid and erratic heartbeat checked out. It's pretty much the same as my last surgery, where my heart gets a little weird for a while than goes back to normal after a few weeks. I also had really low magnesium levels again after surgery which lead to the heart problems.

It's getting a lot easier to move around, a lot of the swelling is going down. I'm only using the walker for long distance stuff, but either use nothing in the house or I have also been cleared for using a cane.

There's still a lot of pain and stiffness but I am backing off on the pain pills and can go longer between them, which helps me have a clearer mind too.

My exercises are getting easier and I can finally lift my leg straight up when lying down. I came up with my own technique of using a exercise band to help me lift it which helped to get it going.

I'm starting to do some stuff like vacuuming and going upstairs and downstairs to feed my fish and parakeets. I also took my first shower yesterday and it was glorious. Now I am squeaky clean. I have a shower chair which I mostly use to get in and out and to sit down when I wash my hair.

So progress has been good. I would like to escape the tight stiff pain, but I'm thinking another week or two and there will be no stopping me. This has been one of the longest few weeks of my life, but now time seems to be moving forward again.