I would like to thank everyone on this forum for posting all the many recovery journeys. I had a hard time deciding to finally have surgery after 8 plus years of bone on bone arthritis in my right knee. I used this forum to get a good idea of what the surgery and recovery entailed. After much research, I had Maco robotic total knee replacement surgery on July 30, 2020.
I hesitated in writing here because my experience certainly seems like an outlier. When I was researching this forum, I was looking for the best case healing scenarios along with the worst. I was hoping to be on the faster side of things but wasn’t able to find that many people who recovered quickly with minimal complications. So, I thought I would share my experience for other’s who might be trying to decide on whether to have the surgery or not. Cliff Note version: Do it!
Some things that worked in my favor: I am quite healthy and have always been very active and athletic. Prior to the surgery I was walking and cycling a lot, taking yoga and barre classes and weightlifting. I guess I consider myself pretty high energy. I have a high pain tolerance (4 unmedicated births are my main credentials here). I have healed quickly after other injuries and surgeries (meniscus repair, rotator cuff repair and torn hamstrings), needing minimal opiate pain medicines.
Here is a quick overview of my experience:
Surgery Day - I had a spinal block (highly recommend). I was able to get up very soon after the surgery, use the bathroom and “pass” the PT tests (steps, stairs, etc). Headed home.
Post Op
Week One:
My spinal lasted about 3 days and during this time I was taking Tylenol and Ibuprofen only. I slept 2-3 hour chunks of time. I used my ice machine around the clock which helped a ton. Overall, feeling WAY better than I thought I would. I started taking Oxycodone at 4 days post op which helped me to sleep. During the day, I got up frequently using crutches and would walk around and do simple quick tasks around my house such as laundry or making simple meals.
Week Two:
I got my stitches out at a week post-op and had my first PT session. ROM +1/90. I have a great PT who I have used for other injuries and she follows the Bonesmart philosophies for post surgery PT.
Had quite a bit of bruising. Still using Ibuprofen/Tylenol and extending time between doses of Oxy during the day. With Covid, I am working from home so I did a few hours of computer work everyday from my bed (ice machine on).
Moved to using only one crutch for stability.
Week Three:
PT two times per week now. ROM 1/106
Worked full time from home. Driving to/from PT (very close to home). Increased walking without crutches and gait is almost back to normal. Decreased pain at night, sleeping longer periods of time. Off of Oxy but still taking Tylenol and Ibuprofen regularly.
Went to a cabin on a river for a change of pace. Able to walk to and from the beach on my own. Walking about 3000-4000 steps per day. This level of activity didn’t cause swelling or pain. Still using ice machine many times per day.
Week Four:
ROM .5/120
Pedaled on stationary bike, did squats and leg press in PT. No additional swelling or pain at night from these. Occasional Tylenols. Walking around 6000-8000 steps mostly from activities of daily living.
Week Five:
Pretty much back to normal life. Added in taking one half hour to 45 minute walks 3-4 times per week. Able to pick up my little meatball of a grandson without any pain.
Week Six:
Follow up with OS. Everything was looking great. ROM: 0/126. Won’t need to see him for a long time! Knee mildly swollen if I sit at my desk too much. Icing a few times each day. Occasional Tylenol at night time.
Week Seven and Beyond:
Exiting PT at ROM -1/132
Back on my bike! Started out with a flat, slow 45 minute ride. It felt great. My knee felt a little tight to start but once warmed up, quickly felt like normal. No pain clipping in and out (before surgery this was a very painful event). No increased swelling or pain from current activity level but occasional “zings” at night. My knee feels a little wonky when I kneel on it during yoga but this is improving each week.
Conclusion: I think I had about as quick and easy of a recovery process as possible. At almost 4 months post op, I am thrilled with the outcome. It still shocks me that I don’t have pain in my knee. I am back to doing everything I loved doing without the modifications I had subconsciously made over the years. I look forward to trying out the knee skiing this winter.
Recommendations: Get in the best possible shape you can before surgery. It will make post op life so much easier. Buy/rent an ice machine. I didn’t have one with my other surgeries and as a result, I iced way less. I think the ice machine is a game changer. Move around a little each day (whatever level works for you). Find a surgeon who does a ton of these surgeries. I think the robotic surgery made a big difference as far as tissue disruption, implant fit, etc.
I hesitated in writing here because my experience certainly seems like an outlier. When I was researching this forum, I was looking for the best case healing scenarios along with the worst. I was hoping to be on the faster side of things but wasn’t able to find that many people who recovered quickly with minimal complications. So, I thought I would share my experience for other’s who might be trying to decide on whether to have the surgery or not. Cliff Note version: Do it!
Some things that worked in my favor: I am quite healthy and have always been very active and athletic. Prior to the surgery I was walking and cycling a lot, taking yoga and barre classes and weightlifting. I guess I consider myself pretty high energy. I have a high pain tolerance (4 unmedicated births are my main credentials here). I have healed quickly after other injuries and surgeries (meniscus repair, rotator cuff repair and torn hamstrings), needing minimal opiate pain medicines.
Here is a quick overview of my experience:
Surgery Day - I had a spinal block (highly recommend). I was able to get up very soon after the surgery, use the bathroom and “pass” the PT tests (steps, stairs, etc). Headed home.
Post Op
Week One:
My spinal lasted about 3 days and during this time I was taking Tylenol and Ibuprofen only. I slept 2-3 hour chunks of time. I used my ice machine around the clock which helped a ton. Overall, feeling WAY better than I thought I would. I started taking Oxycodone at 4 days post op which helped me to sleep. During the day, I got up frequently using crutches and would walk around and do simple quick tasks around my house such as laundry or making simple meals.
Week Two:
I got my stitches out at a week post-op and had my first PT session. ROM +1/90. I have a great PT who I have used for other injuries and she follows the Bonesmart philosophies for post surgery PT.
Had quite a bit of bruising. Still using Ibuprofen/Tylenol and extending time between doses of Oxy during the day. With Covid, I am working from home so I did a few hours of computer work everyday from my bed (ice machine on).
Moved to using only one crutch for stability.
Week Three:
PT two times per week now. ROM 1/106
Worked full time from home. Driving to/from PT (very close to home). Increased walking without crutches and gait is almost back to normal. Decreased pain at night, sleeping longer periods of time. Off of Oxy but still taking Tylenol and Ibuprofen regularly.
Went to a cabin on a river for a change of pace. Able to walk to and from the beach on my own. Walking about 3000-4000 steps per day. This level of activity didn’t cause swelling or pain. Still using ice machine many times per day.
Week Four:
ROM .5/120
Pedaled on stationary bike, did squats and leg press in PT. No additional swelling or pain at night from these. Occasional Tylenols. Walking around 6000-8000 steps mostly from activities of daily living.
Week Five:
Pretty much back to normal life. Added in taking one half hour to 45 minute walks 3-4 times per week. Able to pick up my little meatball of a grandson without any pain.
Week Six:
Follow up with OS. Everything was looking great. ROM: 0/126. Won’t need to see him for a long time! Knee mildly swollen if I sit at my desk too much. Icing a few times each day. Occasional Tylenol at night time.
Week Seven and Beyond:
Exiting PT at ROM -1/132
Back on my bike! Started out with a flat, slow 45 minute ride. It felt great. My knee felt a little tight to start but once warmed up, quickly felt like normal. No pain clipping in and out (before surgery this was a very painful event). No increased swelling or pain from current activity level but occasional “zings” at night. My knee feels a little wonky when I kneel on it during yoga but this is improving each week.
Conclusion: I think I had about as quick and easy of a recovery process as possible. At almost 4 months post op, I am thrilled with the outcome. It still shocks me that I don’t have pain in my knee. I am back to doing everything I loved doing without the modifications I had subconsciously made over the years. I look forward to trying out the knee skiing this winter.
Recommendations: Get in the best possible shape you can before surgery. It will make post op life so much easier. Buy/rent an ice machine. I didn’t have one with my other surgeries and as a result, I iced way less. I think the ice machine is a game changer. Move around a little each day (whatever level works for you). Find a surgeon who does a ton of these surgeries. I think the robotic surgery made a big difference as far as tissue disruption, implant fit, etc.