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Just got my new knee!

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Dixie

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Oct 16, 2007
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I had my TKR surgery done on the 13th. I came home the afternoon of the 15th!
I have to say that over all, I feel great! The pain is manageable and I am able to walk around with a walker quite easiy! I know that the PT will be rough, but, I've gotta say....I am very encouraged! Just wanted to share my good news!
 
Wahaaay! Great news there, Dixie! I'm really pleased for you!
 
Good news so far Dixie. Thank you for such a quick positive update. I am talking to two other DePuy rotating knee dr.'s but so far the dr. of choice is one that uses MIS Zimmer. He also is the closest. Today I crutched to the pool and swam for a while. Someone said that one should be in good shape before this surgery.

We all wish you a good recovery. You are an inspiration for all of us nervous about the task at hand. Look forward to hearing your progress.
 
Hey All!
Yes! I definitely want to be a voice of ENCOURAGEMENT for those of you who still have TKR looming ahead of you.
It's Sunday evening now, 5 days post-op, and I am amazed at how well I am doing! I can walk without a walker, but am using one crutch to help control my gait. I can completely straighten my leg and can do straight leg lifts as well. Still having trouble with my flexion, but I'm doing 90 on the CPM machine without pain. My home visiting PT has said that I am far ahead of the game and can begin with outpatient PT whenever I want. Don't want to drive yet though so I'll take advantage of the home visits while I can!
My pain is bearable....I take 10 mg of oxycodone every 4-6 hours, but I'm thinking I'll be able to cut back on that within the next couple of days. The Dr. has left it up to me and I'm sleeping with a leg brace because it gives my knee support, stability, and keeps it straight....vert important!

Here's what I want to say about my experience thus far:
First, although I know that studies have shown that it makes no difference, I DO think it was important and helpful that I did lots of leg and knee exercises for months before this surgery. I spent my TV watching time, hanging out time, etc, doing quad and ankle flexes, leg lifts, leg straightening, etc. Even at work, I was constantly stretching and working it, through the knee "crunching" and all! I really think this is a big reason I am doing so well. Let me tell you, I'm not by any means an athelete and have a few extra pounds on me, but I am healthy and I DID do alot of prep exercises. I do not think it's a waste of time.

Aside from that, I really have no idea which is the best knee. I know that the Zimmer has great reports as do the DePuy and Stryker. I still think it's the SURGEON. I had a great surgeon who is well respected and considered to be extremely capable and experienced in the type of knee he prefers to implant. As long as you have a great doctor with a great track record, you are way ahead of the game! And, if you have not yet done so, find out about the exercises that will prepare you and your leg for the change ahead and do them.

I am so pleasantly surprised with my progress thus far. I already KNOW I made the right decision and actually am considering when I'll have the next one done! Crazy, huh?

I'll post more as my rehab continues. In the meantime, take heart! They are not all horror stories! I hope to continue to give only positive news!
 
Hi Dixie good to here you are having good recovery, all the best just keep your positive chin up. Hope mine goes as well as yours has fingers crossed hey. By for now Dette 9153.
 
I am so glad to hear about your recovery. I am having my rt tkr on November 27th. I am scared but also excited knowing I am going to get my life back.

Debbi
 
JuneBug, Good luck on Nov 27th. I too, am excited at the prospect of getting my life back! The Great Wall of China, anyone? Or pehaps an African Safari???? Or even just a walk in the woods! The future is beginning to look very good!
 
Dixie: I was glad to read your post, as I am getting my "new knee" November 27th! I led an active life and hope to get back to my hiking adventures and photography. You have given me hope that I too can make it through this surgery!
 
10 day Update on my new wonderful new knee!

Things are still going very well for me! I am walking without assistance and I have to say that although there is certainly still pain, there is less than before my surgery! I still sleep with a brace at night to keep my knee straight, and my flexion has gotten to 105 (with pushing and pain!). My straightening capacity is at about 4 which is not bad....gotta keep working on these things though! I've been able to cut back on my Oxycodone. I was taking 10 mg every 4 hours....doing about half of that now.

My main complaints are: I HATE THE LOVENOX INJECTIONS I have to do 2x daily. Normally the regimen is for 14 days, but I have a DVT history so my doctor doubled the duration to be on the safe side. It's not really terrible, just an inconvenience with a little uncontrollable "shudder" each time I give it to myself. But if that's the main complaint, well....not too bad! Believe me, if I can do it, ANYONE can! Just stay focused on the prize!

The other thing is that my right (operative) knee definitely is straighter that my left now...nothing obvious to an onlooker. I'll bet my right leg is a "smidgen" longer than my left...again, nothing obvious at all, but I'm not yet used to how it feels. I'm not sure how normal this is, but I think it is typical. I will be getting the other knee done as well so I imagine that I'll eventually have two straight knees! Maybe I'll become taller! (always a nice prospect for a 5'3 1/2" woman!)

All in all...I am very pleased with my bionic knee! My advice to those awaiting the procedure: Don't get too freaked out about it. Just keep a positive attitude with the understanding that recovery and rehab will take alot of patience and determination. It is working for me!!!

Josephine, thanks for making my post a "sticky!" Don't really know what that means, but I think it's good!
 
It means it will stay at the top of the list with a 5 star rating so people will always see it. And I shall refer people to it as well!!
 
Hi Dixie,
SO happy to hear that you are still positive about working throught he first 2 months. I was told by one gentleman to do what the PT?DR> tells you and to think of it as temporarily being in jail. By the way he is doing great 6 months out saw him on the side of his house on a ladder. No limp for him.
Since my bad knee is a new, trauma induced reality for me (10 weeks now on crutches) I am still deliberating type and surgeon. I wish you more improvement everyday.
I googled a man who got his stryker scorpio knee in 2001 and 4 months later he got back on his surfboard. He now works construction and surfs. Being a surfer myself and only 52 I hope to do it again, possibly.
I been thinking DePuy rotating platform LCS. Hang in there.
 
For surfing as for skiing, that's an excellent choice.
 
!5 days Post-Op .... getting stronger and more independent!

Hey Everyone! I'm still doing well....but now comes the hard part! I am working on my fexion but I still don't feel that I'm doing much better that 95 degree. With a painful push I got it to 105. This PT stuff definitely hurts! I'm not going to let it get me down though and am trying to incorporate through the day various exercises as well as elevation and ice.

Mike, that's kind of a good analogy....The jail thing! It's really just unpleasant time, and that passes. Also, my doc sewears by the rotating platform design...I will admit that I can turn and pivot the knee without pain or discomfort. I don't know why I am having such success. I still think it's all in the surgeon you use, but my modest doctor says it's the knee...and the patient that makes the difference! :) (maybe he was flirting????)

On the positive side, I drove to the gym yesterday! I did fine! My knee bends adequately enough for driving but I tried to use the stationary bicycle, and I cannot yet do a full rotation on the cycle! So I just did this back and forth kind of thing on there which probably helped with the stretching. I did a couple of other errands and went back home and collapsed with my knee beneath a very cold ice pack!

Onward ho!

P.S. Josephine, thank you for all of your support to all of us....
Hope to hear about Junebug soon!
 
You sound like you are doing just great! And you are both right, you and your doctor - it's six of one and half a dozen of the other! No doubt about it - good old fashioned team work!

And thank you for your kind words. Much appreciated.
 
Hi Dixie,
I was just researching and came on the leg length discrepancy:

broken link removed: https://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rid=20791

Hope your flexion gets slowly better each week.
Mike
 
Thanks for that, Mike, that's an excellent site. I have registered!
 
Your Welcome. They do have some good studies, indeed. Today my cousin, a tennis pro, wrote a very positive e-mail. In a way it kind of contradicts most of the limitation lists I've seen, post TKR ? Here's his e-mail:

"Hi Mike,
I've had a couple guys who I teach tennis to who have had a knee replacement and they both said it was the best thing ever. They are back playing better than ever with no pain.

Take care and let me know how your health goes.
John"

I have since asked him to contact them and find out who and what brand.
Hope everyone's healing is smooth, Mike

Here's another good site, if you will:

broken link removed: https://www.hieran.com/knee/updates.html
 
Thanks for those links Mike!
I'm still doing well. A little more pain at night, but I am doing alot of exercises, stretching, etc, so I guess it's to be expected! Today I went down some stairs the normal way (albeit holding on) and I had no pain in my knee as I descended on the operative one. Amazing! I've not been able to do that for at least 6 years! I definitely feel that it was a great decision! What have you decided?
 
Hi Dixie, Good progress it seems with the pain episodes. Even though you have some discomfort keep up your good work getting the new flexion and strength back.

Today my cousin gave me a phone # for a TKR surgeon that remade his tennis students knee. I will call him tomorrow and hopefully get a good referral. Even though there are 10 TKR surgeons in town the 20 to 30 people, doctors and Physical therapists that I have talked with do not draw much concensus. The DePuy and Stryker sound like they could be the manufacturer I need.

Thank you for your update on your stair climbs. My place is a small 2 story that necessitates climbing.

Did you use crutches or a walker? How often do you do PT? Keep up the good work!
 
I started out with a walker when I got home from the hospital. I was using one crutch by about day 5. I stopped using any assistance by my 10th day post op. When I tried the stairs the other day I held onto the railing for support. At this point (18 days post op), I am going out for lunch, driving, running errands, walking the dog, etc!

Yesterday and today have been lazy, no exercises as such, just alot of stretching and the CPM machine... also very little pain! I know once I crank up the workout the pain will increase as well. That's what is so hard. It would be so easy to take the easier route, but I know I've got to perservere to get the most I can out of this surgery.

I've been having a PT come to the house 3 times per week but this week I'll start doing outpatient....I think 3 times per week as well! Okay, I've just talked myself into doing some exercises....LATER!
 
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