knee replacement

Re: knee replacement

• Atalanta0214 member

  July 2009

  My MIL went through it 2 years ago... She had both replaced at the same time.  To be perfectly honest, she was in A LOT of pain right after the surgery.  (Which is to be expected.)  She went to a facility and stayed there for 3 weeks.  At home we put in some temporary handicapped facilities to ease the transition- raised toilet seat, railing to get up the stairs and into the house, higher set recliner that was in the basement.  It really seemed to help.  It took about 6 months until she was doing much better.  GL!
  

  

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• canthardlywait426

  July 2009

  sarahandeddiejune212008:

  I just took DHs g-ma to the doc today and it turns out she needs a full knee replacement.  She hasn't been able to get up on her own for 2-3 days now.  Has anyone had experience with this?  I'm just wondering what recovery will be like.  The doc said she would stay in the hospital for 3-4 weeks and will be going through extensive physical therapy.  We are the closest family members to her (and the most likely to help her) so I'm just wondering what we should be preparing for.

  Im so sorry that you guys have to go through this. My grandmother literally just posted on facebook (yes, my grandma is on facebook!) that she just found out she has to have the same surgery. She was asking us what to expect and we dont know what to tell her.

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• *chris-erin*

  July 2009

  part of my job requires me to work in a physical therapy (TP) clinic and i see lots of TKR (total knee replacement).  the doctor is right she will have extensive PT and unfortunately it can be very painful at times.  but if she can get the move movement possible before she even leaves the hospital she will be good to go.  the goal would be completely straight and then to bend it 90 degrees or more.  it can be a full 6 months until she feels back to her old self again.  i can go on about this more, so if you have more questions just send a PM!  HTH

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• MrsCarroll.6-10-07 member

  July 2009

  Everyone I know that has had knee replacement admits the physical therapy part of it was hard and painful at times....but the result was so much better than the pain they went through before the replacement. GL to your grandmother!

  
  

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• sarahandeddiejune212008 member

  July 2009

  Thanks for all the info.  She is in so much pain right now that I'm sure the surgery will be worth it.  She was in tears when the doc was moving her leg around.  She literally cannot get out of a chair or her bed on her own right now.  She's using a bed pain and I know that it bothers her to depend on others.  I just hope she heals quickly.  She's 78 so I know that may prolong the healing process.

  

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• futurebabymama

  July 2009

  My mom had this done a few years ago. She wasn't in the hospital more than 3-4 days but my dad was home to care for her. She's had friends that have gone to a rehab center for a few weeks after. She started with the home physical therapy but didn't feel like it was helping. Once she started going to an out-patient PT clinic, she did really well. She walks better than ever now. It's such a common?procedure?- just make her keep up with the physical therapy so her knee doesn't get locked or she doesn't regain full range of motion.?

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• Ashley&Dean

  July 2009

  Nothing to be scared of. I am a physical therapist so I can answer many of your questions. She will probably be in the acute part of the hospital only a few days. She will begin PT probably day of surgery, with some mild exercises and possible CPM machine (it moves the knee to increase the range of motion). Then she may need to go the the rehab floor of the hospital or a skilled nursing facility for some intense rehab. This will depend on how much she can do for herself or how much family is willing to be there for her. Then from there she can get home health PT or go to an outpatient clinic. So it is quite a long time before full recovery with physical therapy, I would say 6 months. And of course family support is very helpful! If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
  

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