Hi Everyone!
I was here 8 years ago when I had my ltkr done. I learned so much valuable information which helped my recovery immensely. I'm so grateful. I'm back having had my rtkr done last Friday, and wow, things have changed a lot in joint replacement surgery and recovery techniques.
Firstly, I was tested for MRSA a couple of weeks before the operation, that didn't happen the first time.
The morning of the surgery, I met with the Anesthesiologist and my surgeon and we decided not to use general anesthesia. Waking up from the surgery was a breeze compared to the first time. I had no pain or nausea.
When the spinal block wore off I had some moderate pain, nothing crazy. Most of the discomfort has been due to the super-tight tape they put over my surgical dressing. It pulled my bruised skin something awful with each movement.
I was amazed to find out that I had no sutures, actually there are sutures under the skin but not on the surface of the incision. A zipper closure is being used which keeps the edges of the incision tight up against each other. There is no incision pain or suture pain in my case. Wow!
There is also a Pico negative pressure pump attached to the dressing.
Another major change for me is that I am not injecting myself with blood thinners. Instead, the doctor has me on 81mg aspirin twice a day.
The OS also ordered a CPM machine and an ice water compression/cooling device for use at home. I am blown away with how well they work.
So far I am up, walking with my cane at home. I can handle stairs very well. No wobbling, the knee feels strong and stable.
I take oxycodone 5/325 every 6 hours, Tylenol 500 every 6 hours between the oxy doses, and Gabapentin 400 every 8 hours.
My pain is moderate to none, mainly on the bruised areas on the sides and back of the knee. Now that the dressing has been changed and the Pico device has been removed, it feels even better.
I hope my post gives a little relief to those who may be experiencing anxiety over their impending knee replacement.
Good luck!
Boogaloo
I was here 8 years ago when I had my ltkr done. I learned so much valuable information which helped my recovery immensely. I'm so grateful. I'm back having had my rtkr done last Friday, and wow, things have changed a lot in joint replacement surgery and recovery techniques.
Firstly, I was tested for MRSA a couple of weeks before the operation, that didn't happen the first time.
The morning of the surgery, I met with the Anesthesiologist and my surgeon and we decided not to use general anesthesia. Waking up from the surgery was a breeze compared to the first time. I had no pain or nausea.
When the spinal block wore off I had some moderate pain, nothing crazy. Most of the discomfort has been due to the super-tight tape they put over my surgical dressing. It pulled my bruised skin something awful with each movement.
I was amazed to find out that I had no sutures, actually there are sutures under the skin but not on the surface of the incision. A zipper closure is being used which keeps the edges of the incision tight up against each other. There is no incision pain or suture pain in my case. Wow!
There is also a Pico negative pressure pump attached to the dressing.
Another major change for me is that I am not injecting myself with blood thinners. Instead, the doctor has me on 81mg aspirin twice a day.
The OS also ordered a CPM machine and an ice water compression/cooling device for use at home. I am blown away with how well they work.
So far I am up, walking with my cane at home. I can handle stairs very well. No wobbling, the knee feels strong and stable.
I take oxycodone 5/325 every 6 hours, Tylenol 500 every 6 hours between the oxy doses, and Gabapentin 400 every 8 hours.
My pain is moderate to none, mainly on the bruised areas on the sides and back of the knee. Now that the dressing has been changed and the Pico device has been removed, it feels even better.
I hope my post gives a little relief to those who may be experiencing anxiety over their impending knee replacement.
Good luck!
Boogaloo