I gave my doctor the OK to set up knee surgery around the 1st of next year and I want to know how you prepared for the surgery, how you dealt with the pain after surgery, and what rehab was like for you!
I know I should be asking my doctor these questions but I'm looking for first hand experience and I can only get that from someone who has gone through this procedure!
Thanks a bunch for your input...it will help me get through my anxiety of my pending surgery because I just can't live with the pain any more!
2006-09-20 03:48:40 · 7 answers · asked by ♥ Susan §@¿@§ ♥ 5 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Thank you for your concern, the choice of having the surgery done after the 1st of next year is my choice. I don't want to be in surgery or on crutches during the holidays!
The doctor said it will be either a partial replacement or a total replacement depending on the deterioration of my knee. Orthroscopy was already considered but my doctor said it would be a waste of time...it would be easier to replace than remove.
2006-09-20 04:32:01 · update #1
I can certainly answer your ?But what exactly are you having repaired?Is it cartilage,such as a medial meniscus? This can be done arthroscopically with just a 2 small incisions with local anethetic.Minimally invasive,very little pain and you'll be back on your feet in a matter of days.Or a ligament, like an anterior cruciate?Which requires a long incision,usually 4-6 inches a replacement of the ligament(YOU can choose a cadaver,bovine synthetic material or have a strip of your patella tendon fashioned into a ligament.This type of surgery,usually requires general or spinal anethesia,I would recommend a spinal,In which you cant feel anything from your waste down,You will not actually be put to sleep,but the medicine will let you rest on your own.It is important to start rehabbing the knee as so as most of the pain subsides to prevent your muscles from atrophy.If you follow your therapists instuctions and do excercise,even when it causes discomfort,You should be walking pretty good after about 4 weeks.A stationary bike is invaluable in this process.
Good Luck!
2006-09-20 04:08:44 · answer #1 · answered by grandeweso1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like nimo22 said, the best thing you can do is to keep as healthy and fit as you can before the surgery. The better the shape your leg is in before the surgery, the easier the recovery will be. I had my ACL replaced at the start of June and my recovery has gone quite well. The brace I wore for the first 6 weeks was the worst part of the entire ordeal. My knee aches, but it hurts a heck of a lot less than it did before the surgery. In fact, the day after the surgery, I hobbled a couple of blocks on my crutches to watch our local festival parade. So, do what the doctor tells you and especially do what the physiotherapist says. A little bit of pain in rehab is much better than not rehabilitating properly and having to go through the whole thing again.
Good luck!
2006-09-20 11:03:05 · answer #2 · answered by puhpaul 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm glad you asked this question b/c i want to know myself. I have a pending total hip replacement but my knee is all messed up so my dr. said.......i want an MRI of this knee before we go any further.....what an A...H......!!!!! So i went and had the MRI done and we go over the results on Oct. 11th....you think you're scared!!!! I have to have this THR AND probably KNEE surgery too.........but i can relate to the knee pain..they have drained it twice and it helps for a few days then it gets all swollen again????? OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All i know is that after surgery they will be taking me directly to a rehab hospital???? This will be done in Houston where they have the BEST doctors and hospitals..............so i feel a little better knowing that....good luck!!!! I will be checking on your ???? every day so i may find out some info also.....
2006-09-20 10:58:03 · answer #3 · answered by VICTORIA L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should stay as active as possible up to the surgery so you have good circulation in both legs. Make sure you are at a healthy weight beforehand too, it's hard enough getting around on a bum knee, it's even harder when you are also carrying extra weight. Follow all of your Dr.'s instructions, that is key. I really didn't have much pain at all with my knee surgery or afterwards. Of course it hurts some but it's bearable. Therapy can hurt some, but it's important to do it anyway. Sometimes after knee surgery you can develop water on your knee, I did and so did my sister. It's nothing bad, but you will have to go in and have it drained as it can hinder movement. Good Luck.
2006-09-20 10:53:52 · answer #4 · answered by nimo22 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It should be a breeze, I've been reconstructed 26 times, just make sure you don't eat or drink anything 12 hrs. before the surgery. As for the pain, you'll get pills for that, but for the most part, keep your leg elevated when your lying down,your doctor, and you will know when to start putting your weight on it again. The physical therapy is the important part, you must start moving your leg as soon as your doctor says to, scare tissue can seize up a tendon like glue, so do all the therapy you can to keep your flexibility you can.
2006-09-20 11:04:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The cost of knee joint replacement surgery is very low in India as compared to USA, UK and Canada. You can get the surgery done there in a fraction of cost of what would you pay in USA or private UK
There is one company that is very famous in India that arranges orthopaedic surgery for foreigners in India. They are called the Forerunners Healthcare. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and about their patient stories.
I have also read that they arrange financing for American and Canadian patients as all surgery is not covered by insurance or by NHS in the UK.They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. The cost savings are incredible. As a doctor I personally believe that your joint surgery can be easily handled in India as the quality of healthcare available here is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.
My cousin also got her hip replacement surgery for in India through the forerunners healthcare .She is more than very happy with the results. She is totally pain free now. She just paid 25% of the amount she was quoted in USA and is all praise for this forerunners healthcare company. Hope this helps.
http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
2006-09-21 03:16:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
And the doctor is making you wait till after January 1 ??? That's 3 more months? Never heard of such a thing.
What are you having done? ACL, arthritis removal or ???
2006-09-20 10:51:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋