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OT - Knee Arthritis Followup

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Comments

  • Misippi Egger
    Misippi Egger Posts: 5,095
    Leroy,

    I didn't read all the replies, but I'm sad and glad. Sad that your knees are worn down to bone-on-bone and things like the glucosamine won't work if the cartilage is gone.

    Glad because knee replacement has come a long way in recent years, with computer-assisted surgery, partial knee replacements, etc.

    That being said, this is a big surgery with considerable risk of blood loss (usually post op oozing) and pretty good rehab. - a little strain on the old ticker!
    Not sure I agree with the suggestions for both at the same sitting - you will have to go on your surgeon's advice since he knows your overall medical condition, etc.

    I will say though, that I do nerve blocks for these total knee procedures (the blocks - femoral and sciatic nerves - are done with IV sedation prior to the general anesthesia). I am totally amazed how well these patients look and feel 24 hours after the surgery - little to no pain, since the blocks last that long.

    Make sure your surgeon uses anesthesiologists who perform these pain blocks. If not, I would certainly consider looking elsewhere - it is that dramatic of a difference.
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  • Spring Chicken
    Spring Chicken Posts: 10,255
    Thanks Hoss.

    Yea, I wish I had went sooner but didn't. But I'm not waiting any longer than I need to. As soon as Spring Hen is retired and can take care of me and the Chicken Ranch, including the 'Girls,' I'm ready for the cut'n.

    Then maybe I can stop hobbling in the store.

    Spring "Step, Hobble, Wobble, Bobble Step" Chicken
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  • Spring Chicken
    Spring Chicken Posts: 10,255
    Yea Jay, right now is certainly better that a year from now or five years from now. You could come down with something in the meantime that disqualifies you from knee replacement surgery. That would not be good.

    Hope yours turns out good like everyone is saying it is.

    Spring "Cut On Dotted Line" Chicken
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  • Spring Chicken
    Spring Chicken Posts: 10,255
    Thanks for the suggestion. I'll bring it up along with lots of other questions on my next visit. The doctor who will perform the surgery has cut on me before seven years ago for a torn meniscus and told me then that I had some serious arthritis in the knee and that one day we would have to address that problem. So today I smiled at him and said, "I'm back."

    I think the reason he wants to do one knee at a time is because I've had a heart attack. I don't have any complications from the heart attack but I do take blood thinners. He said I'm active so I'm a good candidate for the procedure. Apparently, a lot of people who have the surgery are not nearly in as good 'a shape as me.

    Plus, I know how important the therapy is so I will be doing it just like they tell me to.

    With some creative scheduling I should be able to make all the important Eggfests we wanted to attend.

    Thanks again.

    Spring "Two More Parts Will Soon Be Miss'n" Chicken
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  • Hungry in Lilburn
    Hungry in Lilburn Posts: 756
    I will tell my two knee patients this morning that they have a new convert to the operation. They are both up out of bed and running around the halls with glee with their new braces!
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  • Spring Chicken
    Spring Chicken Posts: 10,255
    So if I understand this picture, you have elderly patients in their bottomless/backless smocks gleefully running amuck about the premises like children at Christmas because they have recaptured their youth after having undergone knee replacement surgery... Or something like that.

    I'm game.

    Spring "Shoot The Juice To Me Bruce, Pour The Crimson In Me Jimson, Put Some Glee In My Knee Doctor Sawbones" Chicken
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  • FlaMike
    FlaMike Posts: 648
    I haven't read all the responses, so this might be duplication. Please try to talk with either your surgeon and/or your physical therapist-to-be BEFORE the surgery, and ask them to explain their post-op program, and their expectations for your progress .. It will really help you to know what to expect, before the rehab process begins. Feel free to email for any info you may need throughout your rehab. Best of luck.
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  • Spring Chicken
    Spring Chicken Posts: 10,255
    There are a lot of posts with 'best wishes' and 'I'm doing the right thing' but Boatman posted that I should purchase the book, "Total Knee Replacement and Rehabilitation: The Knee Owner's Manual" by Daniel J. Brugioni.

    He also recommended 'in-house rehab' if my insurance will pay for it.

    Here's the link to his post:

    http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=844188&catid=1

    I know that rehab and therapy is vital to the success of the surgery so I'll be doing exactly as they say do.

    I wasn't surprised that there are a lot of Eggheads who are either experienced with or have actually undergone knee replacement surgery. I truly believe that my original question and the subsequent responses enlightened a lot of people about a subject that most of will have to deal with at some point in our lives. I know I learned a lot. One more reason to love this Forum.

    Spring "Nobody Knows The Knees I Need" Chicken
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