Had the left knee replaced one week ago today. I wanted to share my experience, so far, for those of you that are staring at one or two over the next months to years. And would love feedback, positive and negative, from those that have had one over the last decade. A couple quick notes of interest. First unfortunately found out I am allergic to agent used in nerve blocking so I had to tackle pain head on with no nerve block. Second I’ve got one kidney so I have always had to be judicious with IV pump narcotic pain drugs. So I wake up last Tuesday at around noon and felt like Weaver, Jones and Ford met me at midfield for tackling drills. So keep in mind you’ll probably feel differently than I did without the nerve block.
Pre Op:
Annoying appointments covering Replacement consultation, PCP Physical, education/PT and another thing or two.
Strangely COVID test was only required if surgeon requests it. Mine did not.
Personally I was not nervous. I was just ready to move on without a wrecked knee ruining every day.
Nothing to eat or drink after Midnight.
OP:
Fortunately I was in the one hole so got to hospital at 5:15am was ready to go at 5:45am-6am.
Doc saw me around 6:20am about the time I last remember.
Shortly after that apparently my face blew up when they started nerve block attempt
The procedure from start to finish was about 90 minutes. Clean and measurements good on first crack.
Post Op:
Like I said I woke up to 7 to 9 level pain in my room.
Not stressful crying pain just can’t find any comfort or body positions to fight it. Moving and wiggling constantly.
Again throw a nerve block in equation and your 1st day post op should be manageable.
Sleeping in a hospital sucks. You‘re on an OR table for two or three hrs so your back hurts badly. Mine still is sore.
Then the staff wakes you up every couple of hours for vitals and drugs. That went on until I left hospital on Friday.
My dads a doc and told me to do liquid/soft diet. Big time helpful because drugs make you very constipated.
Wednesday was a day of rest. I got in a chair once and after 20 minutes said fvck it put me back in bed and give me drugs haha.
Thursday was good and bad. I was on the other side so body and mind got use to 7-9 level pain but hello PT
So a session at 8:30am and a more intense one at 2pm. Baby steps with walker in morning then about 50-75 steps in afternoon.
The exercises aren’t too painful until they hit ya with the bending exercises. They go slow so pain is manageable but not fun.
Friday PT was intense in morning. STAIRS. You’ll get through it. We all do. Afternoon PT. Just exercises.
Left hospital for home around 3pm.
Home:
Make it friendly. Least amount of stairs the better if your going home next day. My doc is old school protocol. He’s sports medicine doc. Penguin doc for 25 years and Jim Bradley’s partner. The total Joint guys are new school so they get you out of hospital next day. So my day of rest in hospital may be your first night at home. There’s a huge difference in protocols. Make sure you’re aware.
In Home nurse came day after I got home, Saturday.
In Home PT came Sunday. On my own PT twice per day. You will need help with bending exercises. Your thigh is useless for awhile. Mine still is.
I’m switching off sleeping between bed and recliner. Depends on how back feels. Usually both in the same night.
HUGE......get a raised seat for bathroom. Critical mistake if you don’t IMO. I’ve moved biles last two days. Wasn’t easy but happened.
I have 24 staple on incision that in home nurse takes out in about 10-12 days.
So I’m on the other side with manageable pain and progress I can see one week out. Don’t hesitate to private me if you have any questions.
Pre Op:
Annoying appointments covering Replacement consultation, PCP Physical, education/PT and another thing or two.
Strangely COVID test was only required if surgeon requests it. Mine did not.
Personally I was not nervous. I was just ready to move on without a wrecked knee ruining every day.
Nothing to eat or drink after Midnight.
OP:
Fortunately I was in the one hole so got to hospital at 5:15am was ready to go at 5:45am-6am.
Doc saw me around 6:20am about the time I last remember.
Shortly after that apparently my face blew up when they started nerve block attempt
The procedure from start to finish was about 90 minutes. Clean and measurements good on first crack.
Post Op:
Like I said I woke up to 7 to 9 level pain in my room.
Not stressful crying pain just can’t find any comfort or body positions to fight it. Moving and wiggling constantly.
Again throw a nerve block in equation and your 1st day post op should be manageable.
Sleeping in a hospital sucks. You‘re on an OR table for two or three hrs so your back hurts badly. Mine still is sore.
Then the staff wakes you up every couple of hours for vitals and drugs. That went on until I left hospital on Friday.
My dads a doc and told me to do liquid/soft diet. Big time helpful because drugs make you very constipated.
Wednesday was a day of rest. I got in a chair once and after 20 minutes said fvck it put me back in bed and give me drugs haha.
Thursday was good and bad. I was on the other side so body and mind got use to 7-9 level pain but hello PT
So a session at 8:30am and a more intense one at 2pm. Baby steps with walker in morning then about 50-75 steps in afternoon.
The exercises aren’t too painful until they hit ya with the bending exercises. They go slow so pain is manageable but not fun.
Friday PT was intense in morning. STAIRS. You’ll get through it. We all do. Afternoon PT. Just exercises.
Left hospital for home around 3pm.
Home:
Make it friendly. Least amount of stairs the better if your going home next day. My doc is old school protocol. He’s sports medicine doc. Penguin doc for 25 years and Jim Bradley’s partner. The total Joint guys are new school so they get you out of hospital next day. So my day of rest in hospital may be your first night at home. There’s a huge difference in protocols. Make sure you’re aware.
In Home nurse came day after I got home, Saturday.
In Home PT came Sunday. On my own PT twice per day. You will need help with bending exercises. Your thigh is useless for awhile. Mine still is.
I’m switching off sleeping between bed and recliner. Depends on how back feels. Usually both in the same night.
HUGE......get a raised seat for bathroom. Critical mistake if you don’t IMO. I’ve moved biles last two days. Wasn’t easy but happened.
I have 24 staple on incision that in home nurse takes out in about 10-12 days.
So I’m on the other side with manageable pain and progress I can see one week out. Don’t hesitate to private me if you have any questions.
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