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Eight days into a total knee replacement and hoped to have posted before now. I plan on keeping a running log of events in order that the info may be of help to others if they decide to or are planning on having this procedure.

Note that the decision to have the replacement was an educated decision (I think) and not a Wheel-Gate or Z-Flop accident. I spoke to several different people about their procedures and received many different responses. One guy indicated he was playing golf within two weeks and another stated nothing to it and did not use any pain meds after leaving the hospital. I’m only eight days in, but would have to throw the “BS” flag on these two.

A little background: Had right knee arthroscopy in Jul 05 and Feb 12. Determined to be bone on bone during the 2012 procedure. As a result, took what is commonly referred to as Rooster Cone series injections. Had success with each of the three series of injections, but each series results were shorter in duration. Last series lasted approximately six months and the knee was locking on me at least a couple times a week. I am retired, active individual and try to play golf at least two times a week. Would be playing more but the knee has not allowed it up to this point.

The surgery was scheduled for Mon, Nov, 3 (New Knee – NK).

NK -3 (10/31/14): Received call and was advised surgery time had been moved up and was to be at the hospital at 0530 on NK day.

NK -2 (11/01/14): I’m not supposed to have any alcohol within 24 hours of surgery. Decided to have my last cigar and beverage today. During the afternoon, I smoked a Tat BL Corona Gorda and had a few adult beverages while watching UA edge by Ol Miss.

NK -1 (11/02/14): Normal day and ate a light evening meal around 1800 and had a BM that evening. The BM info is important and I will reference this later.

Time for in-home therapy ice time for the knee. Will post more later.

If you're taking oxycodone or hydrocodone, BM's are wicked important... I didn't have one for TWO days because of that crap, and I am a once a day pooper (at least).

I, too, have one of those electric coolers. But my cuff fits over a shoulder, not a knee.

Get well soon Burner !!

Listen to the docs and Macs is correct about the Hydrocodone,,



Best wishes

wheel,,

Be sure to keep us up to date on the BM status!!!!!! Good luck best wishes...

Nov 3, NK Day is finally here. Wife and I arrive at the hospital at 0525. Check in and quickly moved to the back for prep.

Pre op info indicated that the procedure would last an hour and would be in recovery for two hours.

Last thing I remember is someone doing the nerve block and asking how it felt.

First thing after surgery I remember is someone asking how the leg felt. I told them not good because I could feel everything. Guess this meant that the first block did not work and they began a femoral block immediately. Don’t remember a lot about recovery after that.

Arrived in the room around 1130 and shortly after arrival was hooked up the ice therapy machine referenced by Delta in #2. Damn, love that machine and more on that later.

Physical therapy folks paid a visit and advised they would see me the next day. They were very emphatic that I was not get out of bed without the assistance of a nurse. Also determined that I would not need a brace for the repaired knee as a result of the femoral block. Leg was not completely dead and would support weight.

Remainder of day was uneventful. Drugs were good and had water and ginger ale throughout the afternoon and evening.
Was able to rest but really could not sleep due to all of the nurse traffic doing their jobs.

Lifes gonna get better !

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I've had surgery on both shoulders and one thing for sure, don't slack on the home PT. It's very important and will help you get back to normal faster.

Hope all continues to go well with the new hardware. Stay with the PT and push it as hard as you can. You will be thankful in the future.

NK +1 (11/04/14)
Nurse parade continued throughout the night. Not able to really sleep.

Have appetite and one of the nurses brings me a sandwich plate at 0400. In addition, I was able to fully consume the three regular meals of the day.

Drugs still doing the job and appears that Oxycodone is the preferred drug. Also being pumped full of other drugs to include other pain meds, stool softeners, anti-inflammatories, and anti-nausea meds.

During the day, the staff arranges for the delivery of my own personnel walker and portable potty. Portable unit is for home use and is intended to be a seat extension for existing toilet and used as a shower seat.

Physical therapy (PT) staff pays me a visit mid-morning and takes me for walk down the hall and back. After this treat, they place me in a reclining chair in my room and indicated they would be back in a couple of hours. Nearing the two hour mark, another nurse comes in to check vitals and asked about any BM’s or fluid output. I replied negative to both and she indicated that if I didn’t urinate soon, a catheter would be used. (Note to self, you need to pee asap!) PT personnel finally return after three hours and rewarded me with another trip down the hall. Prior to going back in the bed, I was assisted to the rest room for the first time. The staff helps you onto and off of the toilet. I was able to pass fluids and loads of gas but no luck on the BM. Once back in bed, PT personnel hooked my leg up to a machine that keeps the leg in continuous slow motion. I was hooked up for approximately four hours.

Hang in there. Here's hoping your situation improves quickly.

Keep your head up Bro,,,

The worst days are almost past.

Btw,
The Nerve Block thing is a life saver. Mine lasted for about 3 days. And, removing it is no big deal..


Get well soon..

wheel,,

This is a good sign. Do the PT, ice and elevation. Walk as much as you can.

NK +4 (11/07/14)

I was unable to rest during the night. Due more to the nausea feeling and gas than knee pain. My stomach is hard as a rock.
Still cannot eat solid food, surviving on water, ginger ale and crackers.

Mid morning, in home nurse drops by to give me the once over. She indicates that everything looks good except I do have significant swelling in the knee. She will be by the house two – three time a week until I visit the surgeon on Nov 25.

A couple of hours later, in home PT rep pays a visit. She puts me through a light workout and sets my goals for a successful recovery. My mission is to achieve 0 degrees at full extension and 110 degrees at full bend. Currently at 3 degrees (not bad) and 81 degrees (got some work to do). PT rep will pay me a visit five days a week for the next three weeks. Glad to see her leave!

Both nurse and PT rep stressed keeping the leg elevated as much as possible. Nurse also made some recommendations to help with the nausea and NO BM. Rec included taking stool softeners and Milk of Magnesia both of which I added to my daily routine.

Back to bed for ice therapy with leg elevated.

I still have half a bottle of Milk of Magnesia in the medicine cabinet. That's all it took, after trying several stool softener suppositories and oral meds. Almost forgot about the blood thinner. Hated the first few self-injections. Looks like you're doing great, Burner.

+1

When they removed my drain tube from my brain surgery it wouldn't budge. So they yanked on it and when it finally came out it spewed a lot of the blood and other "drainage" all over me and the doctor. Did hurt too much but everyone was pretty grossed out. I envisioned my wife and mom "selling the Buick" after that wonderful event.

https://www.cigarbid.com...ow-many-cigars-you-have-

It will get better bro,,,
Feel fortunate that your's is a planned out scheme with the Docs knowing how it will likely end...


Take care,

wheel,,

I think you need a brand new husky puppy

Shhhhh

NK +5 - +6 (11/08 – 11/09/14)

During the night, reduced pain pills from two every 6 hours to one every 4 hours. Seems to be staying in front of the pain.

Woke up feeling awful, tons of gas and nausea. Still can’t eat and no BM.

Wife puts me through a couple of light PT sessions during the day. She seems to be enjoying the power and my pain just a bit much.

Finally, have BM on Sun morning. Now know why Wheel was so happy after having his first BM after his ankle/leg surgery.

Even after the BM, I still feel like crap. Gas and nausea still alive and well.

I do my PT twice during the day.

By late afternoon, really feeling awful. My wife contacts the in home nurse for recommendations. Before sending me to the ER, she had my wife go to Walgreen’s and purchase a bottle of Emetrol. Emetrol, which I had never heard of, is an over the counter product for nausea. Once I had the Emetrol in hand, I took three doses fairly quickly. Almost immediately, my stomach started to settle down.

It's amazing how when you go thru something like this you go from flat on your back and cant eat or schitt to DAMN I feel better!

NK +21 (11/25/14)

Visited the surgeon for my first post op visit. He advised that everything looked great and he would see me back on 12/23.
I'm currently at 101 degrees on the knee bend but that is with a lot of grunting and groaning. I will have supervised PT three times a week for the next four weeks. Will continue to use the cane until therapist indicates it is no longer needed.

I did get the surgeon to take me off of the Percocet and give me a scrip for Narco to use while doing PT. If needed I will supplement the Narco twice a day with Naproxen.

I have taken Percocet before for short periods but never for three continuous weeks. All I can say is that it is some nasty stuff.

Next day or so I will try and post some lessons learned for those that maybe facing knee replacement in the near future.

Thanks Bro,

I slept about 3 hours total last night and that is the most since surgery. Getting off of the Percocet should help.

My in-home therapist is/was a young man that I will call Tiny. He is approximately 6'4", and goes about 260 lb. Pretty sure he was paid by the amount of degrees gained per visit and not the patient. I finished with the in-home therapy yesterday and start at a B&M on Mon.

Thanks for asking and have a great Thanksgiving.

\__/)
(=’.’=)
(")_(") !

Lessons learned:

1. Do your research and select an orthopedic surgeon with a great reputation. Not all surgeons are created equal. I know of more than one case that had to have a do over.

2. Create and use a pre-surgery checklist. Include all items (medical as well as non-medical related) that must be accomplished prior to surgery.

3. If possible, plan to have the surgery when you can kick back for two to three months. This may not be possible unless you are retired.

4. Go into the surgery with the mindset that you will go above and beyond on your PT. Too many individuals back off on the PT and end results are that they are really no better off after replacement than before.

5. More than likely, your surgeon will require you to attend a joint recovery class or session prior to your surgery. This is a great time to ask questions about your hospital stay and recovery. Also, during this class you will be advised that you will need continuous care for up to two weeks after discharge. You will need to plan on going to a care facility for two weeks unless you have someone that can be by your side 24-7 for the two weeks.

6. Probably a good idea to have someone stay with you while in the hospital. In my case I was admitted on Mon and discharged on Thur. While in the hospital you will not be allowed to get out of the bed unless hospital staff are assisting. My wife stayed with me and was a great help. She did everything for me that I could not, which was just about everything. The attending nursing staff was great but was not always readily available due to other patient needs.

7. Prior to discharge, ask for any and all prescriptions that you think you will need. It may not be offered if you don’t ask for it. Include anti-constipation and anti-nausea meds. Trust me, a BM is a must, sooner than later.

8. After discharge, I was assigned in-home nursing and therapy for a three week period. These folks were great. The nursing service became my POC between me and the surgeon. In many cases they could answer my question without contacting the surgeon’s office due to having the surgeon’s protocols on file. The nurse would visit a couple of times a week and more if needed. They also could be reached easily after hours.

9. ENSURE that you do your PT at least two to three times a day. This should also apply on days that you have supervised therapy. In addition, elevate and ice as much as possible. I have been instructed to elevate and ice after each therapy session for the next month. This is a great time to mention the ice therapy machine that was provided by the hospital. This little jewel is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I would recommend keeping twenty to thirty pounds of ice on hand because you will fill it up at least three times a day. Your fridge ice maker will not be able to keep up with the ice demand.

10. If you are prescribed Percocet, get off of it ASAP. It handles the pain but is very addictive. Another side effect of the Percocet is that it will alter your sleeping pattern. In other words you will not sleep. Once you are off of blood thinners, you can reduce the daily amount of Percocet and supplement with ibuprofen. I would also recommend at some point replace Percocet with Norco and supplement with naproxen. The naproxen will handle the residual pain better than the ibuprofen.

11. DVR plenty of shows and have plenty of reading material. You will have plenty of down time and you will need something to pass the time. Also recommend purchasing a back scratcher and shoe horn with telescoping handle. Both will come in handy.

12. Good info in Delta’s #2, MACS #’s 3 & 12, and Palama’s #13. Disregard T’s #33, this only applies to broken ankles.

This concludes knee replacement 101.

Thanks for the kind words and holiday wishes. I’m doing well and each day is better than the last and I hope to be on the golf course within a month and a half. I do hope my posting will help others that are facing joint replacement.

Oldefuzz, best wishes to you and your family during this holiday season.