BTKR done!

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Manesailfarms

junior member
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Oct 14, 2009
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Location
Pickering, Canada
Hi Everyone,
Well, surgery went well on October 16, 2009, I was in surgery for 4 hours and have two brand new knees. The left one required more work and some screws than the right one, but today I have no pain in the actual knees. Just the swelling and pain due to bruising.

I spend 3 days in the recovery area of the hospital and then 5 days in Rehab. I left the hospital last Friday the 23rd.

My knees had the same flexion - 110 degrees and 3 degrees straight. I had my staples removed on Thursday, Oct. 29th, 13 days after the surgery. That's when I decided to get off the percocet. And today, 2 days later, I am totally off them.

I live in a 3 story townhouse so I decided to rent a hospital bed to sleep on the main floor. This is something I would recommend. I have been well cared for by my mom who got here last Sunday and she has had lots of experience with this as she also has two new knees (3 years old and done 5 months apart) She's been very encouraging and makes certain I do my rehab exercises every day.

I have been able to go for short walks (very short) with Mom and our dog outside with two canes. I stopped using the walker after my staples were removed. I would probably use the walker for uneven ground like when we go to the farm. I have to go up one flight of stairs for a shower so make that journey every 2 days. I have a seat for the bath tub and sit under the shower on it. That works pretty well. I didn't require the extended wash sponge I bought. I can get dressed easily on my own. Sock and shoes - no problem.

I do seem to get pretty tired at times so I just sleep quite a bit still. Still, I am pretty pleased with how things are going. Two weeks after surgery and progressing a little every day. Oh --and my legs are completely straight!!! It's awesome, no more knocked knees. I'll keep in touch.
 
Re: This is it -- BTKR tomorrow morning

Wow! Thanks for checking back in. You sound like you are doing very well, coming from another Bilateral here. Take care, and hoping and praying your continue to have a good recovery.
 
Re: This is it -- BTKR tomorrow morning

you have the perfect care giver. no one is better than a loving mom and she has new knees herself. How perfect. Glad you have no horror stories. Thanks for letting us know. Keep posting when you feel awake enough!!
judy
 
Re: This is it -- BTKR tomorrow morning

So Great to hear from you Mane, Glad to know that you have your Mother there with you during your recovery!!! Mom's are Wonderful!! Please keep us updated on your recovery.
 
Re: This is it -- BTKR tomorrow morning

Hi Christine, Glad your back and doing great! 3rd floor huh? LOL! I hear ya' Me
too, I HIGHLY recommend The first floor as well! ( I wish I could have slept on the
first floor landing sometimes! LOL!!:hehe:) I hope your feeling good, and have a great weekend! Best Wishes,
 
Re: This is it -- BTKR tomorrow morning

Wow, you are doing so well. Thank you to your fantastic mother for her care of you. She certainly has been there/done that!

I am so glad you have such a positive outcome. I can't believe you are off of your Percocets. What are you doing for pain management?

Take care of yourself, be careful on your stairs, and don't get tangled up with the dog at your feet.

Sincerely, Kimberly
 
That's when I decided to get off the percocet. And today, 2 days later, I am totally off them.

Please tell me you are taking something else instead! I can't bear the thought of you gritting your teeth through this pain!

Though the rest of your report is awesome!
 
Thanks foar the update! Sounds like you are doing well.
 
Hello,. I am so glad you are doing so well. great idea on the bed.........your ROM sounds terrific keep up the good work...........tell your mom she rocks its not easy taking care of one of us......hehe..........keep us posted and congrats im very happy for you..........
 
Thanks everyone for your kindness and support. I am now day three without narcotics to ease the pain. I am using tylenol extra strength. 2 pills every 6 hours or so. It seems to do the trick. I still have pain and stiffness but it's bareable. Since being off the percocets I have my appetite back and can enjoy the taste of food. I do notice that I feel very cold during the high pain times, but once the tylenol takes hold I warm up. Today we went shopping at Walmart and I used one of those electric carts. Quite nice be not very comfy. After that we went groceries shopping and I decided to use the canes and walk around the store, but I had to let Mom finish the job while I found a chair to rest in. When I got home I was pretty sore and exhausted. I had to take a couple of tylenol and laid down for about an hour before I started to feel better. Seems like such a simple day but it's big for me. I am hoping that Tylenol will continue to hold my pain at bay. I'll keep you posted.
 
What a great report! Sounds like you are doing fantastic!! Keep it up! So proud of you!!!
 
Hi Mane, Glad to hear you are doing so well. I still take 1 -2 percosets daily as I have tailbone issues (first RTKR on Apr 30) and am awaiting my second TKR on Nov 19th. Are you able to do outside PT without any meds? That's when I usually needed them the most or when I go to the gym.

Like Josephine said I hope you are taking something and don't let the pain get ahead of you. Thank God you have your Mom around who has gone thru the same thing. I know it helped me to talk to my friends that had gone thru the same thing so I kind of knew what to expect but no one can tell you until you experience it yourself. Ice, ice, baby!

 
Great recup, Mane! Now just don't overdo it!! :evil::thmb:
 
I am now day three without narcotics to ease the pain. I am using tylenol extra strength. 2 pills every 6 hours or so. It seems to do the trick. I still have pain and stiffness but it's bareable. Since being off the percocets I have my appetite back and can enjoy the taste of food. I do notice that I feel very cold during the high pain times, but once the tylenol takes hold I warm up. Today we went shopping at Walmart and I used one of those electric carts. Quite nice be not very comfy. After that we went groceries shopping and I decided to use the canes and walk around the store, but I had to let Mom finish the job while I found a chair to rest in. When I got home I was pretty sore and exhausted. I had to take a couple of tylenol and laid down for about an hour before I started to feel better. Seems like such a simple day but it's big for me. I am hoping that Tylenol will continue to hold my pain at bay. I'll keep you posted.

Less than three weeks after bilateral and you've cut yourself down to 2 Tylenol every 6 hrs? That is NOT enough!

You also said that you still have pain and stiffness, that you get cold during "high pain" times and it took an hour for the Tylenol to make your pain bearable. That tells me you do not have adequate pain control - not in any way, shape or form.

You are not going to make good headway like this. You need something stronger than Tylenol, my dear. I would suggest at least co-codamol if not Tramadol. Please go have a talk with your primary care physician and get some proper pain management. Stiffness is pain and pain will cause swelling. Pain and swelling will hinder your recovery. It's good you got off the Percs but there are other things you can use. Don't try to be a hero.
 
Hi, Josephine, Thanks for the pep talk. I have been to see my G.P. for some sort of additional pain relief. He was quite firm in the notion that no additional drugs should be required, in fact he is adamant that I stay off the percocets as there is a huge issue here with them. He told me that if I do get hooked on them (and he told me it takes very little time to become addicted), that he would not renew the prescription and there are no clinics or doctors around that will give any narcotic prescriptions to anyone. He did give me celebrex for inflammation so I think that will help. He told me that my major pain is now gone due to the fact that I have replaced the painful part with my new knees. I do find that moving around, just walking around the house, helps when I get soreness. And I use ice, ice, ice and elevate my legs. Guess I'll just have to see how it goes, I'll let you know. I started walking up and down the stairs today one step after another instead of one at a time - that made me very happy!! It's just one more of those things you take for granted before surgery.
 
Manesail....so sorry to say this, but I don't think much of your GP. It's pretty obvious he has not had a knee replacement!! I guess you can try to wait out the pain. Do you have the ability to go to a pain management clinic?

There are many, many choices for prescription pain medication. It doesn't have to be Percoset. Addiction does NOT happen when you are in serious pain. In my opinion, your doctor is misinformed.

Please continue to let us know how you're getting along. We care about you!!
 
Indeed! My thoughts exactly. :doh:
 
Thanks, I'm going to look into the pain management clinic idea. See - that's what I like about this forum. Lots of good info and encouragement and new ideas, suggestions, keeps us up to date and informed. Thanks alot.
 
Good for you!!!! Assertive....proactive....good attitude for an informed BoneSmartie!!!
 
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