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Member since 5/8/03
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Posted on: 1/6/09 0:34 AM ET
I am scheduled for knee replacement surgery at the end of the month. I need replacement for both knees, so this will be the first of two surgeries. I am VERY pleased with my surgeon, and my Mom has had her knees replaced so I know some things about what to expect. I'm pretty young to have them replaced (52), but I've run out of other options and it doesn't do the rest of my body any good to be as sedentary as I am. Hopefully I can lose some weight once I can move around more. I will not only use more calories, and build more muscle, I won't be sitting around thinking of food!!

I'm wondering if people who have first hand experience have any tips or suggestions that will make recovery faster and easier. Sometimes the littles things can make a huge difference! I think I will be ordering a raised toilet seat for instance - with my knees the way they are I could actually use one now

Right now I consider myself "in training" for the surgery. I've been riding my exercise bike, swimming and doing pilates. I'm pretty excited about getting this done. I am SOOOO tired of being in constant pain and being so limited I sometimes can't even go grocery shopping. Hopefully it will go smoothly, and I won't be one of those small percentages that run into problems.

Susan
  
Member since 4/16/04
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Posted on: 1/6/09 0:52 AM ET
I'm so envious. I'm in that gray area where I can barely walk but still I'm not quite "bone on bone" yet. Very close, but not yet. Did you try the series of injections in your knees?

Instead of snoop-shopping for spring clothes, I was snoop-shopping for a tall ADA approved toilet, lol.

It sounds like you are doing everything you can. How soon is your surgery?
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 1/6/09 2:50 AM ET
In reply to Mandolin82
I have not had any surgery, but worked at a physio clinic for a decade. Make sure you have a great physio therapist lined up.
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Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
  
Member since 4/23/02
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Posted on: 1/6/09 5:48 AM ET
In reply to Mandolin82
Susan,
I had my left knee replaced 4 Plus years ago, I probably need to right one done just have made that leap to have it replaced yet. I was 52 when I had to knee replacement.
The best advice I can give you at this point it to do all the excerises the Doc gives you to aid in your recovery. I assume you Doc will schedule PT after the surgery. I am also assuming he will have you use a CPM machine to get the movement and use back in your knee. The swimingand exercise bike now will help in your recovery it did me.

The Physical Therapy my insurance set up for me was at home twice a week. I also had a CPM machine for 3 weeks following the surgery and daily exercises. My DH was a godsend he set up the CPM machine 3 times a day and help me with the exercises he worked from home for 3 weeks.

Some other information my Doc had me on Coumdin for about 2-4 weeks I don't remember for sure I had to have weekly blood drawn to check clotting levels.

Do you know what brand of knee he/she is using for your replacement.?

You will set off detectors at airports afterwards it is always fun to have to be wanded.


-- Edited on 1/6/09 6:27 AM --
  
Member since 1/26/03
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Posted on: 1/6/09 7:47 AM ET
Make sure your rehab includes an occupational therapist to show you how to dress your lower body, get around the house and do routine chores more efficiently. She will also recommend which toilet seat and other equipment to get.
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Member since 4/23/02
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Posted on: 1/6/09 7:51 AM ET
Stitcholgy is correct there is a somethings that you will need to aid you in using the toliet and showering. Also one of those grabber things to pick up things off the floor and the such.

Edit to added you will also be using a walker or crutches for a few weeks and maybe a cane afterwards for some weeks.

I heard of a couple of people who had both knees replaced at the same time but the recovery does take a longtime afterwords and is hard. My Doctor told me he won't consider both at the sametime
-- Edited on 1/6/09 7:55 AM --
  
Member since 3/27/08
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Posted on: 1/6/09 8:52 AM ET
My dad, age 66, just had his knee replaced 3 weeks ago. He should have had it done 5-8 years ago but was his typical stubborn self and didn't.

He is doing wonderfully. His PT says he's weeks ahead of a normal recovery and says it's do to all the prep and exercises he did ahead of time.

My dad probably has a "Real Age" of about 55 or younger due to his phyisical fitness.

The only issue he's had is nagging nausea post surgery. They are attributing it to all the medicine he's been taking, Vicodin, Augmentin, etc. They also had him giving himself the Coumidin shots which he said were nothing. He's on the knee machine, and just got the go ahead to drive again last week.

I'm sure he's wishing he would have done it sooner. He was up and around with only a cane less than a week after surgery.

It sounds like you are in great shape already and I think that's the biggest part. A coworker of mine had one done and was out for 3 months, but she's in horrible shape, smokes like a chimney, and in all around poor health. It makes a difference.

I'm sure you will be up and around in no time!
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Member since 4/16/04
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Posted on: 1/6/09 10:50 AM ET
Oh, a shower chair would probably be a good idea too.
  
Member since 9/23/07
Posts: 199
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Posted on: 1/6/09 7:34 PM ET
I would ask your doctor for therapist recommendations. I worked for an orthopod for 10 years. One thing that we found is when patients went to the hospital for PT, they had the therapist of the day. So every time a patient went to therapy, they were starting over with a new therapist. Also, so many times, the patients were dealing with PTA's, not therapists. You pay the same money, you might as well have a therapist and make it consistent. Your physician should be able to give you names of who they think are great knee therapist.
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Ellen
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Member since 2/14/03
Posts: 342
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Posted on: 1/6/09 9:10 PM ET
Re the shower chair. Start scouting Goodwill for a used one ahead of time. I had surgery today (gastroc slide) for my posterior tibial tendonitis and I picked up a shower chair for $10 at Goodwill. Of course I gave it a thorough (bleach) cleaning. I'm sure if you buy one of these things new they cost a lot more than $10. Also since I'm on crutches I've made the wonderful discovery that you can't carry anything with crutches. I'm kicking myself for not making some kind of snap on bag for at least one of the crutches. You might think about what you might want to carry and use that to make your design decisions. My husband is home (unemployed unfortunately) so he's doing the carrying for me.

Jan
  
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