Partial Knee Replacement

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4him - 17 Jun 2007 04:11 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this discussion group which I came across while searching
for info regarding knee surgery.

I had a partial knee replacement 9 days ago. I'm still pretty darn
immobile (on crutches, and still experiencing significant pain. Does
anyone know if this is normal or even within the normal range of
expectation? Everything I'm reading on-line says I should be much
further along than I am. I'm not a stranger to surgery or the pain
that follows, having had 5 of them over the past 4 years, but this one
is quite painful. I'm still taking narcotics around the clock and as
it stands, I'm going to have to call my doc for my 2nd refill before I
even have my first post op appt. With past surgeries, I was off all
pain medications 3 days after coming home from the hospital. Not this
one!

If any of you have prior experience with this surgery and can tell
me of your experience, I would be so appreciative. At this point, I'm
just discouraged...

Thank you...cheryl

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RoseB - 17 Jun 2007 07:06 GMT

>Hi everyone,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>anyone know if this is normal or even within the normal range of
>expectation?

It all depends on the extent of your procedure. The docs may have
needed to remove more bone, have a larger incision, or any number of
factors.Your age and general condition prior to surgery are also
factors that impact healing. What I think you should do is talk to
your doctor and see what s/he feels. The other thing that I would be
very vigilant about is checking for signs of infection.

On-line information, even that you receive here, can not replace the
information that you can get from your health care provider who knows
your specific case.
Rose @}>->--
Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

Please remove "Ima" to reply.

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4him - 17 Jun 2007 18:20 GMT

> >Hi everyone,
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> Please remove "Ima" to reply.

Thank you so much Rose. You are correct on all accounts. I am 45 and
in good health. I am 5'8" and weigh 135 lbs. I injured my knee 28
years ago (dislocation of knee cap) and it's been giving me trouble
since. I was significantly over weight most of those years which of
course, added to the problem. I've done all the non-surgical
treatments, some with success but as of last month, realized I would
have to have surgery if I wanted to live a somewhat pain free life.
Pre-surgery my knee was full of arthritis, bone on bone, and in the
words of my surgeon, "a real mess". <G>

I am absolutely going to call my doc on Monday, but did want to hear
the from others who have had similar surgeries. This is my 5th
surgery in 4 years, all of which are un-related. I know that no two
people have the same experience from any given proceedure. Because of
that, I've learned a lot just by asking questions and listening. I
think that's one of the best things about support groups such as these
(assuming you're not substituting the advice/opinions offered here,
for that of your doctors). I find it comforting to hear from others
who are experiencing, or have experienced, similar situations and many
times it's helped me put things into the right perspective, taking the
focus off of self. That, I believe, is great 'medicine'!

Blessings, Cheryl

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RoseB - 17 Jun 2007 23:19 GMT

Wow!! You must have lost a great deal of weight if you are 138 pounds
at 5'8". How did you do it?? (LOL)
Welcome to the group. I feel thawt you have not been welcomed properly
probably as a result of most people not having an experience to share
regarding the partial TKR.
I have had both knees replaced, and one of those revised- but that was
many years ago now. My last surgery was in 1985. I was 24 with my
first tkr.

I had total knees done, and in those days the protocol was for a
lengthy hospital stay with intensive on-site rehab. I was in hospital
for a total of 6 weeks with each of my surgeries. What is missing in
today's model of rapid discharge is the post-op care. As part of my
post-op regimen I had exercise class, walking re-education, physio
treatment (ice packs), and other such sessions. The day was full, but
the results were well worth it. I think walking re-education was most
helpful to improve gait issues cause by long term problems associated
with flexion contractures. Anyway enough about me.

My point in all that was that postop care included pain management.
From what I recall, having pain at 9 days post-op does not seem
unusual.

Do you ice the area? Do you elevate the leg? Are you careful not to
weight bear, or to not overdo?

Icing is helpful, as is using pain management prophylactically-before
the pain becomes too intense.

Please keep us updated on your progress.
Rose @}>->--
Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

Please remove "Ima" to reply.

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4him - 18 Jun 2007 03:00 GMT

> Wow!! You must have lost a great deal of weight if you are 138 pounds
> at 5'8". How did you do it?? (LOL)
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> Rose @}>->--
> Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

Thanks for the welcome Rose. Yes, I have lost a lot of weight; 160
lbs to be exact. As I mentioned, this my 5th surgery in 4 years; the
first was a gastric bypass for weight loss. Out of the 4 that
followed, only 1 was related to the bypass; a panniculectomy (sp?) or
tummy tuck.

I do ice my knee several times a day, and always following PT. I'm
most comfortable in bed with a pillow under my knees but I'm not sure
that qualifies as 'elevating my leg'. I admit to 'sucking it up' in
an attempt to use less pain medication, mostly because I seem to be
going through it so fast (about 2 percocet every 5-6 hours). I don't
think I'm over doing it and I'm still relying pretty heavily on my
crutches. Hmmm...maybe I'm expecting too much and am progressing just
as I should be. That would be fine with me ;)

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions. I hope to speak with my
doctor tomorrow and will keep you posted.

Blessings, Cheryl

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Kelly - 18 Jun 2007 04:28 GMT

Cheryl,
Sounds like you are progressing quite well - it sure hasn't been too long
and relying on your crutches seems to me to be reasonable. Talk to your
doctor and your physio.

Oh and welcome! It is a little quiet here right now and could be our "knee"
people are offline and gardening at the moment.

kelly

>> Wow!! You must have lost a great deal of weight if you are 138 pounds
>> at 5'8". How did you do it?? (LOL)
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
>
> Blessings, Cheryl

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Tin Lizzie - 18 Jun 2007 11:15 GMT

Glad your surgery went well. Do ask your Dr. about the pillow under the
knee. In the hospital when I had both mine replaced they would definitely
not allow a pillow under the knee because it can cause constricters of the
muscle. It takes a while for the pain to go away because they have moved
all the muscles and tendons around. Maybe you are expecting too much too
soon? Hope you are doing your exercizes as ordered . Good wishes for a
good recovery.
Sincerely
Lorrie F

> > Wow!! You must have lost a great deal of weight if you are 138 pounds
> > at 5'8". How did you do it?? (LOL)
[quoted text clipped - 48 lines]
>
> Blessings, Cheryl

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