Total Knee Replacement - Your Experience

[Snowysmom]

I had both knees replaced at the same time in 2014. One thing I made sure to do is keep up with the pain meds and ice every 2 hours for 15-20 minutes. Ice is a great pain reliever and helps with swelling. I did shower about 7 days after surgery using a shower chair in my tub. I did the PT exercises I was given 3 times a day. At 4 weeks I did PT at the PT office and part of the program was treadmill and exercise bike. I used a walker for 2 weeks, went to crutches, then one crutch, and by 5 weeks used one cane. I was done using anything to assist with walking by 8 weeks. At 12 weeks I went away for a weekend and walked up and down stairs as well as hills with no pain. I do agree with what others have said and do exercises before surgery. I went to the gym for a few months before surgery and did the treadmill and other machines that built up leg and hip muscles. I also did arm machines to build up my arm strength a bit. The recovery was alot of work but so worth it as it was the best thing I did for myself. I have traveled all over the place now including WDW and can walk with no pain. Good luck with the surgery.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

@Pea-n-Me Did that happen to that patient despite being put on a blood thinner following surgery? That is scary.

Yes

 

[Jennasis]

Getting my L knee replaced in a few weeks (yikes). Some questions for those who've had the surgery:

How long before you could walk without a walker or cane?
Someone told me you can't walk on a treadmill while recovering...did you?
How long before you felt "good"?
How long before you could go up steps without looking like a toddler?
Could you shower after? I bought one of those contraptions to keep water out.

Thanks!

DH says:

2-3 weeks for him before he was cane-free...
He didn't use a treadmill while recovering but he did walk about a mile each day.
He didn't feel good (like good enough) for 3 months, and then normal started around 6months.
2 months to be able to use stairs normal (when he got his bend back.)
He could shower after the first week.

The recovery was indeed a bear. Sleep was elusive. PT was critical (straightening took longer than bending). He regrets nothing. He did do pre-surgery PT and lost 20lbs. That helped a lot.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I had a TKR in late 2019. Post surgery pain was awful as they couldn't get my pain down and then I was sick for two days getting rid of all the meds. I stayed two nights. Pack a bag with shorts and t-shirt as they will make you walk the halls and go to PT before they release you. Bring baby wipes as they don't supply them.

I used a walker for at least six weeks and still use a cane. My son is a dPT and an ortho specialist. I had a hard recovery despite having the best of care. Intense pain was more than I imagined and lasted longer than I thought it would. PT is painful and you have to do the work, but it pays off. DH was a saint and was home for two weeks to care for me. I no longer have pain but still have issues with stairs.

A couple tips: have a trash bag on the car seat so you can turn easily; have a strap or cane (with a clean, new tip) to help you get in/out of bed; practice getting in/out of bed with your device; get your bathroom ready with baby wipes, trash bags and duct tape (once you can shower - at least a week); have all necessities near your chair (tissues, pen, paper, phone charger, water bottle, etc); clean the house thoroughly, have extra sheets ready, freeze small portion meals. Anything you may need should be in easy reach. Good luck!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I had a knee replacement 8 years ago. And I am pretty old. I will echo what every person I talked to for I think the 10 years prior to my replacement when asking others their experiences as I kept postponing getting anything done (nobody wants surgery). All said, and now so do I, the surgery was tough, the physical therapy afterward was real tough, I feel great now (at least my knee) and I should have done it much sooner.

After my surgery, hospital overnights for 3 days (Medicare rule for nursing home rehab). I did 15 days in nursing home rehab, 3 PT sessions a day, 1 on Sundays. Then outpatient PT, 3 days a week for a month, then 2 days a week for a month. I do have to admit it was tough. therapist brought me to tears a few times. She was very apologetic but I knew it had to be done and told her not to worry, do what is necessary, I remember, 'extension' and 'flexion'. Extension was the toughest. But I was feeling so much better as time went on. Like others here, I would say one year before I never gave it a thought again, just part of me, not thinking about it at all.

Follow the directions the doctors and PT folks give you. You'll do great! Best wishes for you. Come back later and tell us how great you feel!

 

[Dan Murphy]

A couple tips: have a trash bag on the car seat so you can turn easily; have a strap or cane (with a clean, new tip) to help you get in/out of bed; practice getting in/out of bed with your device; get your bathroom ready with baby wipes, trash bags and duct tape (once you can shower - at least a week); have all necessities near your chair (tissues, pen, paper, phone charger, water bottle, etc); clean the house thoroughly, have extra sheets ready, freeze small portion meals. Anything you may need should be in easy reach. Good luck!

All excellent ideas. i recall those ideas. Also, a grabber might be a good idea. It was for us (Marie got a new hip 2 years after my knee)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BXPMSYM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[cvjw]

Did they do the newer procedure where the muscles are not cut? I had the old-fashioned one.

Not sure. But, he does use a younger surgeon who is up to date on all the new procedures. The same surgeon did both of his hip replacements the new way where his muscles were not cut. He was back to work in 2 weeks after both hip replacements. The knee was more painful than the hips, but he bounced right back after all the surgeries.

 

[GreatLakes]

I have no personal experience and can't answer your question but good luck. One of my best friend's dad got both knees replaced a few years ago and raves about how much it improved his life. He just wishes he had done it much earlier. I hope you have the same good outcome.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I had double knee replacement (Mako assisted) in July 2020 at 54 years old. Before surgery, I lost about 30 lbs and rode my bike for several months. Even though I was strong and healthy, I’m not going to lie - having them both done at the same time was brutal. Pain was very intense, and I wasn’t given enough pain meds to deal with it due to the opioid crisis. My sleep cycle was destroyed for at least 7 months. I could shower right away using a bath chair because my surgeon covered the incisions with waterproof bandages. I used a walker for 1 day, then moved to 2 arm canes. I eventually dropped to one arm cane, and by 7-8 weeks walked unaided. I started outpatient PT 1 week post op and continued PT for 12 weeks. I worked my butt off in PT and did EVERYTHING they told me to do at the clinic and at home. Stairs took a long time to do normally - almost a year. The left knee went better than the right knee. With the right one I had terrible behind the knee pain due to a super tight hamstring tendon. Pain meds didn’t touch it. It took 3-4 months for that pain to totally resolve. I went back to work as a teacher with modified duties after 12 weeks, and I was released from the surgeon in early November 2020.

But....
By February 2021, I knew something was wrong with the right knee. My leg would not straighten out; I started limping, and I had a sore, red, peeling spot on my shin below the implant. I went back to the surgeon because I was worried about a DVT. Turns out it wasn’t a blood cot. I had an slow growing infection in my tibia bone where the implant stem went in, which they believe I contracted during surgery. The bone was turning to mush, so the implant had come loose. The whole thing had to be taken out. This was the beginning of a 6 month long ordeal - 3 more hospitalizations, 2 more surgeries, 8 weeks with a picc line and IV antibiotics, a life threatening reaction to the first antibiotic, home nursing visits, home PT visits, 12 weeks of sponge baths, 6 months out of work.

I had to have what is called a 2 stage revision. The final surgery was in June 2021. The right knee now has no pain, but the scar is unsightly - very thick, lumpy and dimpled. And I have a terrible shin splint in the right shin. I’m really paranoid now, so I’m getting the shin splint checked out to be sure the infection hasn’t returned. Extension in my right knee is great, flexion isn’t where I want it to be. It might still be somewhat swollen. My left knee is better. The flexion and extension are great, but I still get pain in the lower outside area. Don’t know why. They say it takes a whole year to heal from knee replacement surgery. And it really does!

Going forward, I am also getting a Peleton. I want these knees to last!

There is a forum, much like Disboards, dedicated to joint replacement. It’s called Bonesmart. I suggest you join it and read, read, read. It was invaluable to me when I had my surgeries.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Oh, sleep. Someone mentioned sleep. With my first one that was something that was a bit of a struggle at first. Mainly because I slept on my right side and that was tough after right knee replacement. It didn't hurt I just couldn't get comfortable, if that makes sense. I opted to sleep in the recliner for a bit. I transitioned to sleeping on my back finally. So when I had the 2nd one done I was ready and was able to sleep on my back right away. Side sleeping did take a while. Speaking to my PT she said sleeping was always a struggle for most everyone

As for bending, straightening, I was able to straighten both pretty much right away. Bending took longer but I was at 90 degrees by my 2 week follow up with both knees.

One thing that was really different between my 2, I couldn't let my first one dangle at all. I had to have support under my foot for the first week or so. With my 2nd one that was not an issue at all. I knew they were not going to be the same but that was one area that surprised me a lot. I was glad though, it made things easier to not need any help getting in and out of places. Especially since I was able to drive right away.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I agree on the sleep issues. So does Marie. We both had issues with trying to sleep for the first couple months. As said, just could not get comfortable. I would be on my left side with 3 pillows positioned around my legs one way. Then on my back, another pillow configuration. Then on my right side, change the pillows again. Then get up for 30 minutes to clear my head. It was tough for a bit.

But for both of us, well worth it in the end. Putting up with several weeks of discomfort was worth it.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Things keep coming to mind that I think are good to mention and to discuss prior to surgery, if they don't bring it up

Wraps/compression following surgery to keep swelling down. Combined with elevation and ice of course. Ice in my case, frozen veggies. Cheap and molds to the knee perfectly. Buy several and rotate them, tossing out when done, don't cook with them!
My surgeon no longer uses TED hose. He just used what is basically a long ace bandage type of thing. Which I hated after a week or so. I found a pair of leggings with just the right compression, and were old enough to sacrifice and cut the leg off so I could wear just the one and it was a huge help. Gave me 2 out of one pair of pants too. It wasn't ideal since it didn't stay up great but I still loved it so much more than the wrap. I ordered some different weight compression stockings to test out and took them with me to the hospital for my next one. They put them on me instead of the wrap when I left the hospital. Personally, the lower weight felt good for me buy your mileage, and doctor's opinion, may vary.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I have no personal experience and can't answer your question but good luck. One of my best friend's dad got both knees replaced a few years ago and raves about how much it improved his life. He just wishes he had done it much earlier. I hope you have the same good outcome.

Thank you!!! I'm very nervous, but I've been living with severe knee/leg pain for years now. I no longer walk normally, so it's time. My doctor is great, so I'm optimistic!

 

[MICKIMINI]

I agree on the sleep issues. So does Marie. We both had issues with trying to sleep for the first couple months. As said, just could not get comfortable. I would be on my left side with 3 pillows positioned around my legs one way. Then on my back, another pillow configuration. Then on my right side, change the pillows again. Then get up for 30 minutes to clear my head. It was tough for a bit.

But for both of us, well worth it in the end. Putting up with several weeks of discomfort was worth it.

You just get comfortable...and then you have to get up to use the bathroom!!

 

[MICKIMINI]

Thank you!!! I'm very nervous, but I've been living with severe knee/leg pain for years now. I no longer walk normally, so it's time. My doctor is great, so I'm optimistic!

The time you waste worrying about it now is well...a waste of time! Get it done and move on with your life! Best of luck!

 

[Mrs.AMC]

From reading others reports guess I was really lucky in the pain dept. I'm a huge wimp so I can say for certain I didn't just buck up and take it. I just didn't need more than Tylenol. They gave me both Tramadol and Oxy, they called it Level 1 and Level 2 pain meds. I think I took 1 level 1 prior to my first PT but didn't need it. I did come home with a nerve block that lasted 36 hours. That probably took care of a lot of the immediate pain following surgery. By the time that wore off there wasn't as much pain. PT never hurt in a bad way, only in a good way. If that makes sense. The facility I was sent to did a massage treatment prior to start of therapy and it seemed to really help loosen up the muscles before we got going.

I had both knees replaced at the same time in 2014. One thing I made sure to do is keep up with the pain meds and ice every 2 hours for 15-20 minutes. Ice is a great pain reliever and helps with swelling. I did shower about 7 days after surgery using a shower chair in my tub. I did the PT exercises I was given 3 times a day. At 4 weeks I did PT at the PT office and part of the program was treadmill and exercise bike. I used a walker for 2 weeks, went to crutches, then one crutch, and by 5 weeks used one cane. I was done using anything to assist with walking by 8 weeks. At 12 weeks I went away for a weekend and walked up and down stairs as well as hills with no pain. I do agree with what others have said and do exercises before surgery. I went to the gym for a few months before surgery and did the treadmill and other machines that built up leg and hip muscles. I also did arm machines to build up my arm strength a bit. The recovery was alot of work but so worth it as it was the best thing I did for myself. I have traveled all over the place now including WDW and can walk with no pain. Good luck with the surgery.

Having had both done but 2 months apart I have remarked several times that I don't know how anyone got through both at once. I know folks do it and usually that's how they wanted to do it but personally, I'm glad I waited a bit between mine. I learned a few things that made the recovery go easier/faster with the 2nd one, plus it's just plane different each time. And I liked having one "normal" side, if that makes sense. I could see a few advantages to having it all out of the way at once but where it was inconvenient, like dressing or going to the bathroom, showering, etc, I was glad to have a working side. Interesting to hear your perspective

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Thank you!!! I'm very nervous, but I've been living with severe knee/leg pain for years now. I no longer walk normally, so it's time. My doctor is great, so I'm optimistic!

It was so great to go to Disney and finally be pain free. Interestingly enough, I was at Disney in October right up till the day before my first surgery. Got home Oct 6th, had surgery Oct 7th. My knees were really hurting on that trip. Fast Forward to last month while I was there and neither one hurt, even the one that was just 2 months post op. Huge difference.

 

[MICKIMINI]

It was so great to go to Disney and finally be pain free. Interestingly enough, I was at Disney in October right up till the day before my first surgery. Got home Oct 6th, had surgery Oct 7th. My knees were really hurting on that trip. Fast Forward to last month while I was there and neither one hurt, even the one that was just 2 months post op. Huge difference.

Your story is amazing and you are not the only one who did so well. I had a friend who did both at once and I was horrified but she did great. She was applying red lipstick when I visited her on day two of rehab LOL!

 

[Snowysmom]

Having had both done but 2 months apart I have remarked several times that I don't know how anyone got through both at once. I know folks do it and usually that's how they wanted to do it but personally, I'm glad I waited a bit between mine. I learned a few things that made the recovery go easier/faster with the 2nd one, plus it's just plane different each time. And I liked having one "normal" side, if that makes sense. I could see a few advantages to having it all out of the way at once but where it was inconvenient, like dressing or going to the bathroom, showering, etc, I was glad to have a working side. Interesting to hear your perspective

I can understand where one at a time would work for alot of people and I was going to do it that way too. But, when the surgeon offered to do both at the same time I went for it. For me I found that having them done at the same time worked well. I had a great surgeon and PTs. I found a PT who did work with patients who had both knees replaced at the same time so he was great with the exercises and tips on how to do things. I kept up with the pain meds and ice, religiously did my PT exercises, and was able to have a great recovery. I went to back to work from home at 6 weeks and then to the office at 9 weeks postop. I walked at lunch time and had ice packs with me. I found ways to work with getting dressed and showering. I did find it hard to sleep in bed so slept in my recliner for the first few weeks until I could gradually work up to a full night in bed. It was interesting that each side had its' own schedule for recovery so one time my right knee would be the strong one and then the left knee would catch up and go ahead. They finally decided to be as normal as they can be.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Getting my L knee replaced in a few weeks (yikes).

Wondering how you are doing, K&C. Hope all is going well.