1st (R) TKR on March 25th. 2nd (L) on May 13th

[Jamie]

My personal situation was that my first knee went bad rather suddenly after an arthroscopic surgery. Once that knee was replaced, the second knee went more gradually. As it went and my leg became increasingly knock-kneed, my gait was affected and I got plantar fasciitis as a result. Once the pain in that knee got noticeable, I saw my surgeon who said it was bad enough for surgery. He was not so strong in the feeling that replacing that second knee would help my foot and gait problems. But I'm here to tell you, straightening that leg a year ago made all the difference in the world! My plantar fasciitis went away. So did the callouses on my foot and toe pads. And my gait is normal. Today me and my short legs (I'm only 5'2") fast walked on the treadmill at 3 miles per hour for 15 minutes and I had NO problems other than some sore calves.

I hope you find similar positive results from your surgery!

 

[referee54]

I can't use it at the moment because my legs are so bowed.

Once you get those knees taken care of, you will have straight legs and will probably gain a 1/2" to an 1" of height!

 

[Foxmyster1967]

Morning Ben I'm Foxy,
And 8 days post op, I've been getting on really well the normal aches and pains but apart from that alls good. I was in hospital for 3 days then came home I was up and walking and was able to do stairs my wife has had the first week off to be with me. But really I don't need her ( if you no what I mean) I can do 99% of things I need to.
Things I would say to you for pre op is start taking some sort of laxative a couple of days before ( I wish I did)!!!.
As all pain meds make you constipated and that's one thing that has driven me mad. I'm on a heavy fruit and veg diet + liquid lax' and powder lax but still it's like giving birth if your lucky to go that is. I'm 46 years old and I'm a carpenter so I'm quite active so recovery has been easier then a 70 year old, but it is a long journey as you well no that ice is your best friend and elevation too.

1. I hope I'm putting this thread in the right place. I just wanted to pass on areally amazing icing solution that I learned from my physical therapist. This is, by far, the best method I've ever used for at home icing! To be effective you probably should make two of these so I'm going to write these instructions as if you are making two.
   
   What you will need: 1 bottle of 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol (enough for 4 cups), 4-1 gallon sized Ziploc freezer bags and tap water.
   
   The basic steps are: take a gallon sized Ziploc freezer bag and into it pour 8 cups of tap water and 2 cups of rubbing alcohol. Try to get all the air out of it then seal it. Then place the filled and sealed bag inside another gallon sized freezer bag and seal that one, just in case it leaks. Then repeat these steps once more, so that you have two made. Then stick them in the freezer. It takes about 8 hours or so to fully get mushy. The brilliance of this is that it never fully freezes (Like a Margarita). So it makes them extremely easy to wrap around your knee; or anything else for that matter. I like to use two; that way I can have one under my knee and one on top.
   
   Here is a step by step with pictures:
   
   For making two (2) ice packs you'll need 4 Ziploc freezer bags and approximately 4 cups of 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
   
   
   
   The mixture is 1 to 4; so 1 cup of rubbing alcohol to 4 cups of water
   
   
   
   Into the gallon sized freezer bag pour in 8 cups of tap water
   
   
   
   Next pour in 2 cups of rubbing alcohol
   
   
   For a total of 10 cups of fluid
   
   
   
   Then make sure to get as much of the air out of the bag as possible while you seal it
   
   
   
   Then to stop any chances for leaks and for durability, slip the sealed first bag into another gallon sized Ziploc freezer bag.
   
   
   
   Then seal the second one as air tight as possible
   
   
   
   This is what is looks like after 8 hours in the freezer. The one in my left hand is the before and the white one is after
   
   
   
   Now on to trying them out. Don't put these directly on your skin! I've found that the best barrier for these are old pillow cases. If you are wearing sweats then the pants leg of the sweats should be adequate.
   
   
   
   See? Still pliable
   
   
   
   Bendable and floppy
   
   
   
   Perfect!
   
   
   
   Foxmyster1967, Sunday at 8:38 AMReport
   Quote This Message
2. This is a great way of icing as they don't freeze solid more like a slush and you can mould them to your knee hope this helps let me no how you get on. If you fancy popping over to the other side ( recovery page) I've written down most of my ups and downs you may find more help, best wishes Ben. Foxy.

 

[benbro87]

I'm getting the Smith & Nephew Journey knee implant. Has anyone received one of these?

 

[1ELISEA]

Yes, many of us.
And it is the go-to implant for those the nickel sensitivities/allergies.