My Total Knee Replacement Update

[jmasterj]

Good day family in the Forum, as I promised when I thanked you for your Birthday wishes I also said that I would be getting some work done. A total Knee Replacement for starters, and I would keep you posted. I didn't want to hijack the happy birthday well wishes so I decided to come to the Green room for this update. Family I am one week into my recovery, and if I knew what I know now, I might have reconsidered this operation. The surgery went fine they decided to keep me in the hospital over night because I have a heart condition. I kept the hospital staff busy because I wanted to get up to go to the bathroom rather than use to bottle. They got me up, disconnected me, and escorted me more times than I care to count. I was fully prepared to walk the corridors and learn how to climb the stairs. Two physical Therapist was assigned one to help me walk, one to help me get dressed they both had to give me a stamp of approval before I could go home. I left the hospital the next day feeling pretty good.

I have a great support system in place my sister, and my neighbors, who were waiting to help with anything I needed. I had a walker delivered to the hospital before I left, I had a physical therapist scheduled to arrive at my home the next day, and my sister had ordered the walker tray, basket, and a new shower head so I could shower sitting down. I woke up the next day and when asked by my neighbor about how I was feeling I told her I was singing. That was good! The next day I got up was not so good. By Saturday the Anistasia from the hospital had worn off and although I left the hospital with six different medications a cold reality set in. The pharmacist had labeled the medication as follows, three of the bottles were number 1, the first line of defense, then if necessary I would go to the bottle number 2, and if that didn't work then I could start the two bottles numbered 3 one being a laxative because the real pain medication would make me constipated. One of the pills I take every 4 hours, it's like a 500 mg Tylenol, I take that for the duration, some I took 3 times a day for three days, some I take at night before bedtime. Anyway, I'm going to take a break now. I'll continue with the update a little later for those who are interested.

[geebo]

Aug 29, 2024 18:50:00 GMT -5 jmasterj said:

Good day family in the Forum, as I promised when I thanked you for your Birthday wishes I also said that I would be getting some work done. A total Knee Replacement for starters, and I would keep you posted. I didn't want to hijack the happy birthday well wishes so I decided to come to the Green room for this update. Family I am one week into my recovery, and if I knew what I know now, I might have reconsidered this operation. The surgery went fine they decided to keep me in the hospital over night because I have a heart condition. I kept the hospital staff busy because I wanted to get up to go to the bathroom rather than use to bottle. They got me up, disconnected me, and escorted me more times than I care to count. I was fully prepared to walk the corridors and learn how to climb the stairs. Two physical Therapist was assigned one to help me walk, one to help me get dressed they both had to give me a stamp of approval before I could go home. I left the hospital the next day feeling pretty good.

I have a great support system in place my sister, and my neighbors, who were waiting to help with anything I needed. I had a walker delivered to the hospital before I left, I had a physical therapist scheduled to arrive at my home the next day, and my sister had ordered the walker tray, basket, and a new shower head so I could shower sitting down. I woke up the next day and when asked by my neighbor about how I was feeling I told her I was singing. That was good! The next day I got up was not so good. By Saturday the Anistasia from the hospital had worn off and although I left the hospital with six different medications a cold reality set in. The pharmacist had labeled the medication as follows, three of the bottles were number 1, the first line of defense, then if necessary I would go to the bottle number 2, and if that didn't work then I could start the two bottles numbered 3 one being a laxative because the real pain medication would make me constipated. One of the pills I take every 4 hours, it's like a 500 mg Tylenol, I take that for the duration, some I took 3 times a day for three days, some I take at night before bedtime. Anyway, I'm going to take a break now. I'll continue with the update a little later for those who are interested.

Good that you have the support to make things a bit easier. Here's to a speedy recovery.

[ttocs]

Hope your recovery takes a nice steady trajectory! And I'll second what George said about having good support from others, it really helps.

And I hope the laxative is working well, I had severe constipation from a surgery 8 months ago so I know how it can get if it goes wrong.

[jmasterj]

I'm back had to eat something, use it, and take some medication. While in the hospital the lovely staff ask you on a scale of 1-10 what your pain level is and if it's a 6 or higher they adjust your medication to accommodate the pian this is pain management. When you get home you're responsible for your pain management, and your recovery, I have 1 chair with arms on it this is important because you need these chairs in every room to assist you sitting and rising. In the hospital they have a hospital bed they can raise and lower it to assist you. My bed is not powered, and it's too high, so getting in and out is a challenge. In the hospital my leg was wrapped, this helped keeping the swelling down. I even had a machine on the other leg to assist with the circulation. I enjoyed that. Well now I'm home and I had to take the wrap off the leg because different areas were swelling at different rates, if you know what I mean, and I wanted it the entire leg to swell the same and that includes the foot. In the hospital the staff put the ice packs on and they change them out and replace them to keep the swelling down. Yesterday I was six days in and I asked the in home physical therapist how long the swelling would continue his response was at least another week or two and that I could expect some bruises, and discoloration, and guess what he's right. So I've been icing, and elevating my knee oh yea did I mention this leg is dead weight? It was working fine at the hospital I could move it easily now it's the enemy and I don't know how to convince it that we're on the same side. He's mad at me with good reason, I had him cut into, the knee cap was moved, the bones were scraped off, then some components were inserted and then he was stapled back together, wrapped in some waterproof tape and, we haven't even started bending him so I can reach full range of motion. I'm going to leave you with this. I use my left leg to lift up my right, I place him in bed, I get the ice pack on it and it settles down. Then I have to use the facilities, I have to pull off the covers, take off the ice packs, Place him on the other leg for the journey down to the floor, once he reaches the floor all the blood that had caused the swelling which had settled down by now rushes back into the leg causing incredible pain I have to just stand there sometimes up to a minuet before I can begin to walk. I have to go through this several times a night with trips to the refrigerator, to get new icebags, and water and then it starts over again. I have several appointments next week first to the surgeon, for post operation a meeting, then blood work for other doctors. This story is to be continued talk to you later J

[novisnick]

Hey buddy, thanks for sharing your journey! I’m sure sharing takes your mind off your leg for at least a few minutes. I’ll pray for you to have a rapid recovery with your pain easing daily. Every surgery is different for everyone. On a personal note, you are in charge of your health! If you have a doctors appointment remember to bring a list of question should you have any. I have plenty of doctors which I won’t get into but I know that the only person that cares the most about your healthcare is you. Hold yourself and your healthcare professionals accountable. Get well soon! ❤️🙏🙏🙏❤️

[markc]

If it is any consolation, I tell my patients I expect them to hate me for two weeks after surgery, not like me for a month but at 6 weeks we'll be on speaking terms again although they won't mean it when they say thank-you for 3 months.
Sadly, knee replacement remains a "hope for the best" procedure. There is, of course, variability in the speed of recovery for every knee and that is made more clear in the patients who have both knees replaced at the same time, in an identical manner 1 1/2 hours apart, when the rate of recovery of each is rarely symmetrical and the final end point is often different too.

Let's all hope your knee has a speedy recovery and a good final end point.

[Boomzilla]

Hi jmasterj - what you’re going through sounds exactly what I went through when I had a gout attack in my knees (using one leg to lift the other, etc.). My attack lasted for months before they ever diagnosed it correctly (a combination of gout and “pseudogout”).

You have my sympathy - get well soon!

Boom

[jmasterj]

Hello Emotiva Family, Thank you for your support, and encouragement. I can't tell you how much it means to me. I'm still here on this road to recovery, nothing seems to be getting better, or easier at this point, however I am watching the Paralympics, and nothing takes me out of my situation like watching these Olympians compete, it brings me tears of joy I'm so proud. Talk to you in a few days J

[jmasterj]

Hello Emotiva Family, It's Sunday morning and I guess for all practical purposes I'm getting use to the routine, and It's getting old. I can't hardly wait to see what's next. Novisnick, Mr. Presidente, and Boomzilla, I have to give you guys a shout out It's been a long time. Wonderful to see you guys still waving the Emotiva flag so to speak, Keep on keeping on. I see you lurking in the bushes Snacker hi old buddy.J

[klinemj]

I've been mostly offline a few days, but I'm sending positive healing vibes your way! Keep on pushing little by little...progress will come.

Mark