Total Knee Replacement, Anyone?

[The Iron Horse]

^^That is a pretty remarkable turnaround! I spoke to the office manager last week, and he told me that I should be in the OR about an hour, but we will see. I just hope they do not release me during rush hour. My dad had a TKR a few years ago and he was in the hospital for three days. Crazy how rapidly things change. Falling sounds awful. Controlled? Buster Keaton, I am not.

[ticketchecker]

^^FKNA, 45' in the OR seems speedy compared to an ACL procedure.

[garyfromterrace]

Iowa, there seems to be gaps in your timeline. Specifically a couple of 10 to 15 minute periods. Question - is there any evidence of extra terrestrial anal probing? You should ask the attending surgeon. I'm only here to help.

[plugboots]

Iowa, every time you get up from prone, sit, then stand up slow and put your hands on your knees. Take a deep breath, stand up straight, take another deep breath, then move. (I just went through this.)

[Iowagriz]

Thanks for the reminder Plug. I keep trying to remind myself to be slow and deliberate.

Gary - I did wake with purple goo on the small of my back. Coincidence?


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[Iowagriz]

BTW - not relaying horror stories as a negative, but somehow I thought this would be easier. Like other knee surgeries…it most definitely has not been easy for me. Maybe I wasn’t listening properly, maybe I’ve had problems other haven’t hit.


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[The Iron Horse]

I for one appreciate the info, even if some of it is negative and scaring the absolute hell out of me.

[plugboots]

BTW - not relaying horror stories as a negative, but somehow I thought this would be easier. Like other knee surgeries…it most definitely has not been easy for me. Maybe I wasn’t listening properly, maybe I’ve had problems other haven’t hit.


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The first week after my hip resurfacing was insane. I was completely out of it, pain, bizarre G.I. track issues, threw up, etc. etc. I think the ice machine helped me the most, frankly, in the first few weeks.

[garyfromterrace]

Purple goo... Small of back.. coincidence, I think not.

[rideit]

FWIW, I’m five years into the new knee (Jan. 2020), and hot damn, it’s still going great. Strong, I still jump, hit stupid tech lines, etc. It’s way better than my creaky old OEM one, that’s for sure!
Stick with it. As a result of that rehab, I am a life long gym rat now, three days a week, on average. It changed my life for the better.
You got this!

[ticketchecker]

I appreciate the surgery related info purple goop incident not withstanding.

@Rideit > Glad to hear aftermarket is the future, you talking about jumping on skis, wheels or both?

[Iowagriz]

Another learning or theory about my searing pain a few posts back. I now believe it was not lack of pain meds but a muscle spasm. The anesthesiologist told me about this just prior to surgery, and I remember asking if they will feel like a cramp (or what). It felt more like someone stabbing me in the leg.

The spasm pill is Methocarbamol 750mg. It does take 30-90 minutes to kick in. I'm fairly confident that was the problem/solution rather than pain meds. Both me and my wife didn't fully read the pain pill bottle (Hydromorphone 2mg, max of 5 a day). We skimmed right past the "max" and I took 2 every 4hrs yesterday. No wonder why I felt better....but I was wondering why I was burning through the prescription so quickly. Cutting back on those overnight.

I feel good now, first PT this afternoon.

[Iowagriz]

And yes, we feel like dumbasses. Heat of the Battle is the only excuse

[skaredshtles]

I appreciate the surgery related info purple goop incident not withstanding.

@Rideit > Glad to hear aftermarket is the future, you talking about jumping on skis, wheels or both?

Rideit doesn't ski. [emoji16]

[The Iron Horse]

Iowa, that makes sense. I was thinking about the pain you described last night and trying to put together the timeline. I would have thought (at least as I have heard it from others) that the first day or two you should have felt decent, at least until the nerve block wears off. Muscle pain is a very different animal.

I am going in for my pre op CT scan this coming Wednesday. If you think of anything I should ask the doc about, I am all ears.

[rideit]

Wheels, mostly. However, I am getting back on the single plank for the first time in five years or so as soon as conditions are smooth and soft. I busted out all of me gear, I’m ready. And stoked.

[Shredhead]

I had my right knee replacement 10/12/23. I have 220 days skiing and probably around 500 on a bike.

Just scheduled my left for this summer.

[ticketchecker]

How's it going Griz?

[Iowagriz]

I think I'm on the downhill side. But it's been rough...

I stopped pain pills Monday morning as I felt the knee was a low throb, but the pills were f'n with body and mind. The nurse moved me to 500mg Tylenol every 4 hours, and while pain is somewhat higher, overall, I'm headed to a better place.

I'm getting around the house for a few weight bearing laps every few hours and lots of naps (because long sleep is impossible). This is a much longer recovery than I imagined. I seem to be out of breath a lot as well. There are so many little things that add up to a shitty feeling.

I now know that I was listening to too many of the success stories, and people don't share more about the harder 2-3 weeks up front. I was just sure I'd be soft pedaling a bike or walking down to the end of the street (with aids) by now.

I know I'll feel better in time, and I know the knee will operate better, but for now this sucks...

Thanks for asking.

For those coming up next, get a good understanding of the meds and how to taper off them. What to do etc? Having to call and get doc advice seems silly, but that has been my recent routine. Also, make sure you have good help at home. It takes a lot to move, get comfortable, eat, etc. Way more than both my spouse and I imagined.

[bodywhomper]

My father had both knees replaced a few years apart. #1 was apparently smooth sailing. The second was not so much. At his first PT appt, there was weeping observed from multiple injection sites in his thigh. He was told by the surgical PA to delay additional PT for a few days and lay low to let those injection sites clot/heal more. He then restarted PT, which went well at first. He then developed DVT in both lower legs. He had an underlying problem that had never been detected/known unrelated to the DVT, but it allowed clots to enter his brain rather than lungs.

Personally, I foresee TKR in my future with torn acl, worsening meniscus tear(s), and possible mcl tear. I’m still skiing often, walking, tromping around, etc. Pain/discomfort is variable, which mostly seems related to what I do with my legs when I’m sleeping….

[plugboots]

I'm getting around the house for a few weight bearing laps every few hours and lots of naps (because long sleep is impossible). This is a much longer recovery than I imagined. I seem to be out of breath a lot as well. There are so many little things that add up to a shitty feeling.

Yup.
Like I said, the first week and then into the second week after my hip surgery were just stupid, pain, bizarre, etc.
I do think, though, that every day it got a little better every day. If I feel like there’s a setback, only because I worked out too hard and I’m a little sore.
Also looking back, I got so many conflicting opinions from the doctor, the doctor’s assistant, etc. and the best advice was my physical therapist, and I wish I would’ve seen him even before the surgery.

[The Iron Horse]

Yeah, I already have my PT appointments scheduled with the same fellow who worked with me post-ACL reconstruction. He is awesome. He promises me the TKR will be easier than the ACL. We will see.

[ticketchecker]

<p>
^^I had a similar convo with the PT I&#39;ve used for way too many recoveries, he says it will be easier than an ACL. Not necessarily in the beginning but once you get over the hump it is, mostly since you&#39;re not waiting for the ACL graft to mature past that 3-4 month point when it gets super weak and vulnerable before solidfying itself. My situation degraded in the past week, my guess is that a loose body has migrated into the joint in a way that creates pain at a 10+. Took two groomers last week and called it for the day, maybe the season. Current scheduling with the surgeon I met with is now late June/July which is fucked since I can&#39;t really walk comfortably now let alone ski or bike. So I find myself shopping for other Docs in hopes of finding one I trust that can get me in sooner. All the while knowing the importance of making the right choice for a best possible outcome, you only get one bite at the apple.</p>
<p>
Keep the faith Griz</p>

[The Iron Horse]

Heading in for my pre-op CT scan today. This is starting to feel real. Hope each day continues to get better, Iowa.

[Iowagriz]

Good luck to you, Iron

As for me, it's getting better. Knee pain is constant but low. After a few phone consults, I think we've determined that I'm coming off a short-lived opioid addiction. And I went cold turkey instead of weening off it. It's so obvious now... sweats, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargic, crying at the Hallmark movies. I'm 3 days off them now, so I'm hoping the good days are just ahead. I guess opioid alternatives need to be in my options in the future.