Looking For People’s Experience With Knee Replacement Surgery?
Am trying to decide whether (or when) to have a knee replacement. Am a 58 year old woman with osteo-arthritis in both knees, gradually getting worse. Have had an arthroscopy on one knee, and now the other one is worse. Want to know about the hospital procedure, pain, physical therapy, etc.
As a physical therapist, I’ve literally helped hundreds of people recover from a knee replacement. I’ve worked with them in the hospital, rehab and outpatient setting.
As far as the hospital procedure, talk with your surgeon about possible anesthsiology procedures. It is often done under general anesthesia, but many are now opting for nerve block under sedation (especially for the minimally invasive procedures.) General anesthesia, of course is more risky, but assures you remain sedated throughout the procedure.
For post of pain control, there are many options including a “pain buster” which delivers a continuous dose of pain medicine directly into the knee for the first few days, an “ambulating epidural” usually with low dose marcaine or a non-paralytical drug (they used to give doses of meds that restricted the person from walking for the first 24-48 hours), then there is a PCA (pateint controlled analgesia) which allows you to deliver yourself a small dose of nartcotic at regular intervals…all of these are usually combined with traditional oral medication.
Expect to be up in a chair the first night or the next morning (depending on what time of day is your surgery) and taking a few steps the first day after surgery. Nausea, low blood pressure and other complications can sometimes interfere with this. Expect to be in the hospital about 4 days or less.
After hospitalization, you might be discharged home with home health for the first few weeks or go to a sub acute rehab (nursing home rehab) depending on your needs and support system at home (and environmental barriers).
You’ll most likely be in outpatient rehab by the third or fourth week. As far as function, expect to use a walker for the first few weeks and eventually a cane. People usually give up the cane by about week 6 or 8. Fatigued is generally a factor for the first few months. It’s not uncommon for people to loose sleep (pain tends to be worse at night) and be fatigued and a little foggy for 3 months.
Severe pain tends to diminsh after the first few weeks, but brief episodes of moderate to severe pain are common for the first 3 months.
Full recovery really takes about 6 months to a year, and your knee may continue to swell during this time. Physical therapy is typically required until 8-12 weeks post op.
It is typically a life changing experience and I hear more often than not that people wish they had “done it years ago” because their results are so much better than prior to surgery.
Good luck
Hi, I have never personally had a knee replacement, but I have watched my Grandma go through hers. She also has osteo-arthritis in both knees, and had had both knees previously replaced. This time the doctor told her that he wasn’t sure if the replacement would help her (she could barely walk and could not stand for any length of time whatsoever). She took the plunge anyways and had only one replaced. It has made a world of difference for her! I have never seen her so active; she now walks regular distances without the grimaces of pain that I saw on her face before. I’m not too certain about the hospital procedure, other than they will most likely keep you overnight. I’m not going to lie, she had pain, but it was well-managed with pain-killers. That is something you need to discuss with your doctor ahead of time, as some doctors are more stingy with those than others. She went through four months of physical therapy, which was intense but tolerable with the medicines. The main thing is to follow your doctor and physical therapist’s directions EXACTLY. Overall, the experience is not exactly pleasant but my Grandma says she would do it over in a heartbeat. She is now ready to go have the other one replaced. Best wishes to you.
Several years ago my Father had knee replacement surgery on both knees at the same time.
The Doctor didn’t recommend doing both at once, but my Father talked with several people who had the procedure. Many people who have one done, don’t go back for the 2nd, due to the pain involved.
The procedure was very painful and he was in physical therapy for six weeks.
He is fine now, and I believe he was happy that he got it over with in one shot.
Good luck.