I know this is a very late reply, but for what it is worth . . . I had a partial knee replacement - Avon - on my right knee on March 26, 2009. It was the best thing I did! I had severe arthritis and bone on bone. So at 47 years of age, my doctor suggested the Avon partial replacement. Before my surgery I was very limited to what I could do. I was to minimize the amount of walking and avoid stairs. The only exercise I was permitted was swimming and golf if I took a cart. I was in constant pain. When I woke from surgery, my knee ached. But within a few hours after the surgery, I literally had no pain at all. The nurses would not believe me so I had to lie and tell them that my pain level was around 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. That seemed to make them happy and they would leave me alone and not try to force pain meds on me. My surgery was at 1:00 PM on Thursday and I spent the day in bed. On friday morning, they removed my catheter and I used the walker twice, once to get to washroom to wash up and the second time to actually use the washroom. After that I was on crutches. Because of the 14 surgeries I had on my right knee prior to the partial replacement, I had a great deal of scar tissue which hampered my mobility. I relied on my crutches for 10 weeks and then went to a cane for almost 4 weeks. I have full mobility and aside from a "squeek" I have absolutely no pain. Best thing I ever did. Margaret
To: patticoole...@gmail.com; rp...@neillsupply.com; tmic-list@eskimo.com Subject: Re: [TMIC] question - knee replacement From: balmat...@aol.com Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 18:16:19 -0500 Hi Patti, I'm not sure if he is right or wrong, but my physical therapist told me that I probably have hypersensitivity. I am not sure if that had anything to do with the pain issue, but I don't think so. I think it's due to the fact that I don't walk well and that I wouldn't be able to do the rehab as well or in the same manner as somebody who is walking much better. I know that they keep you comfortable with pain meds, but I went through plenty with my shoulder, needing to put pressure on it just to be able to ambulate about a little. I still needed to get back and forth to the bathroom, on and off a toilet, etc and that's just the minimum. Wow, it seems like a double replacement is rather common. Although I cannot imagine doing 2 at once, it may be nice if you need to do them. to get the pain and rehab over with all at once. And.....then on with your life! Hugs, Barbara A in Auburn CA -----Original Message----- From: Patricia Cooley <patticoole...@gmail.com> To: 'Barbara Alma' <balmat...@aol.com>; RPall <rp...@neillsupply.com>; tmic-list <tmic-list@eskimo.com> Sent: Wed, Dec 8, 2010 7:04 am Subject: RE: [TMIC] question Barbara my husband had double knee replacement in 2006. Whatever pain he had must not have been too bad as he didn’t complain. I think the one thing that made it easier for him is doing your pre-surgery exercised to strengthen leg muscles. A month before surgery he a given a 3-ring binder with all the excises listed. He did them faithfully all day so his body was ready for the demand surgery would put on his legs. In fact, he only went to P.T. for about 3-4 weeks, as they said they couldn’t do any more for him and Medicare wouldn’t pay for it any more. He was driving again in less than 4 weeks. Of course, he didn’t have any other health problems, which might make a big difference. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Patti - Wisconsin From: Barbara Alma [mailto:balmat...@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 2:04 AM To: rp...@neillsupply.com; tmic-list@eskimo.com Subject: Re: [TMIC] question Hi Rob, After having trouble with what I thought was my leg due to 2 DVT's and poor circulation, I found out that I am not totally bone on bone yet, but there is a lot of arthritis, which means I could get the replacement. I'm only 59, so figure if I can put it off for awhile, I will. As much as I walk, I'll probably never wear it out. I was actually on schedule for a knee replacement last year when I asked to see a physical therapist in order to best improve the strength in my body so I could get through the rehab in the best way possible. The therapist told me that the knee is no walk in the park. It is extremely painful, after the surgery, but especially the rehab. I don't understand what you mean about rehab differently. From what I understand, and I really didn't go into it all the way, you have exercises and walking. He told me that a very painful part is straightening the knee, as it will want to be bent to be in less pain, but not good since you develop scar tissue very quickly and if not careful, you will not be able to straighten it fully. I had a couple of visits and from the exercises that I was doing for my legs I no longer had the pain that I was having. At the time I also was having a lot of pain with my shoulder over for a year and a half at that point, so knew it would be extra painful on the shoulder. I use canadian crutches or a rolling walker to get around, and the orthopedic surgeon says that "I walk on my shoulders", lol. I had rotator cuff surgery and a bone spur removed two months ago and am no longer in pain there, so when I really need the knee, I'll hopefully be in better shape. Good luck Rob, just thought I'd share my small bit of knowledge. Hugs, Barbara A in Auburn CA -----Original Message----- From: Robert Pall <rp...@neillsupply.com> To: tmic-list <tmic-list@eskimo.com> Sent: Tue, Dec 7, 2010 8:43 am Subject: [TMIC] question Have any of you gotten replacement hips or knees…..I think I may need a new knee and I was wondering….. if you have no feeling (other than pain) how do you rehab…surely you cannot do it the normal rehab way? Thanks Rob in New Jersey
