Having Knee Replacement Surgery In November, What Should I Expect After The Operation?
I’m in good physical shape, been running most of my life but simply wore out the right knee. I don’t plan to run again but hope to resume an active lifestyle as soon as possible after the operation. tell me about you experience.. I’ve had my right knee scoped 4 times, pain is really what pushed me to have the operation.
I’m a registered nurse in an orthopaedic ward and see many knee replacements. Your recovery time in my opinion has a lot to do with age and general fitness prior to the op. It sounds as though you will bounce back pretty quickly as long as you put the same effort into your post op physio- the earlier you are up and doing the (gentle) exercises, the quicker you recover. Knee replacements are more painful than hips that is why you must take the pain relief when you need it in order to get the best results from your physiotherapy. The only thing that may hold you back a little is younger people tend to get more nauseated after the surgery because of anaesthetic and pain relief so take the anti-sickness drugs they offer you!There are other small problems such as people tending to get constipated or blood clots- both can be avoided by moving around and drinking plenty of water. You should be walking around without a frame/crutches within a week or so if you are relatively young and healthy. Good luck!
After the operation, use it , use it, use it, the sooner you start using it the sooner it will be back to normal! I had one done nine years ago and after 6 days I through the crutches away and went back to work, I am self employed so I could do that. I do believe you have to bend it , use it, and make it hurt a little to get it back to normal. If you baby it and it gets stiff, you have lost the battle and VERY had to get full motion of the knee back. But follow doctors orders of course.
I know two people who have had knee replacement surgery plus my daughter is a nurse at the local hospital. They all tell me that knee replacement is very, very painful. Excruciatingly so.
My one friend had knee replacement surgery in Pennsylvania and when they released him to come home to Ohio he had to stop at another hospital in West Virginia to get a pain shot. I mean he was hurting.
I guess they put you on some serious meds after you wake up to keep you pain free.
BUT, do what ya gotta do bud. I’m gonna be there in a year or two myself.
Like most things in life, balance is important. It is great to mobilise early, it wakes the muscles up and gets everthing moving, including reducing the risks for coplications. However if you work too hard, your knee will swell and lose range and it will also be more painful. Emmy is correct, stay ahead of the pain, take what is offered, if they make you feel sick there is something else that you can take. If you cannot move, then it will stiffen up. Pain meds also constipate you so keep up the water and fibre post op.
Whilst knee replacements are painful, it is different for everyone. For many, the pain following the operation is less than what they put up with before. Every day will be an improvement, be patient, keep working at it and you will soon have a great new knee to enjoy life with
My elderly m-in-law has had 2 knee replacements. She can walk all day on her legs now, however getting up and down stairs is a bit awkward for her sometimes.
I had bilateral knee replacements in March of 07 and all I can say is that it is painful. I went to a rehab hospital on the third day after surgery and fir ne that was the key to my rehab. If I had gone home, I would have been in charge of my own rehab and might have slacked off when I felt the pain. If you can go to a hospital that specializes in orthopedic specialties you will be ahead of the curve.
My recovery took longer than I expected and I was in my mid 50″s when I had the surgery done. I worked out at least 4 days a week on the elliptocal and did some weights and I had the idea that in 6 weeks, I would be able to go back to my routine. That was not my experience.
I had specific stages of recovery and the skill of your surgeon is the most important, from there it is up to you and your physical therapist. I had a recommendation for the physical therapist and when I started with him, I walked at least a mile each day that I saw him. I continued going to physical therapy as long as my insurance would pay for it and saw other knee replacement clients who had some reald difficulties with getting enough range of motion. It is a process and it is different for each person.
There are a variety of things you need to do to properly prepare for your tkr before you have it so that you avoid frustration afterwards. I’ve been through it twice for the same surgery and have developed a supportive community for other patients.
My blog has over 70,000 readers and helps others learn about the tkr experience. Stop by….and…good luck on your journey.