Knee Replacements

Hi G.,
I am an OT and treat folks who have had knee replacements.

Julie and TF are correct: keeping the surgical knee mobile; doing daily stretches and exercises and prescribed by your PT is the most important thing you can do.

Also, avoid propping up your legs when in bed or reclining on a sofa or chair: you should be sleeping with your legs flat every night.

Having said that, I can tell you most of my clients still have at least *some* swelling for 6 months or longer. You can use ice packs; massage therapy; and a PTA I work with is an herbalist, and made a massage oil for the other PTs to use on all the client's with knee replacements that is supposed to help with swelling. I also suggest you keep wearing anti-embolism stockings for as long as you can after surgery to help with swelling throughout your daily activities.

Good luck!
t

I second the advice to be VERY DISCIPLINED and vigilant with your physical therapy. Do EVERYTHING you are instructed to do, no matter how much it hurts! Both of my parents have had knees replaced and came through with flying colors, but we have friends who ignored some of the PT and instructions and have had real messes on their hands. You'll get through it and then you'll be delighted with your new knee!

Hi G., Although I have not had knee replacement both my MIL and my hubby's aunt (they are sisters) have as well as our next-door neighbor. Our Aunt and neighbor worked through the pain and did all the PT they were told to do and had a good, solid recovery and no longer suffer from any pain or swelling. My MIL on the other hand does not believe in PT and refused to do more than the bare mimium...and ended up misserable in a nursing home for about 6 weeks after she was released from the hospital. It has been more than a year since all three of them went through their procedures...in fact Aunt went back and had her other knee done just a few months after having knee #1 done! Currently my MIL is still suffering from pain, swelling of her knees and ankles and Aunt and neighbor are doing great! I think it's easy to see that if you have to have this surgery you have to listen to your PT folks and do the work to get the great results you want. If you don't, you will continue to suffer! I have gone through PT for my back and my knees a number of times over the years (I suffer from miss-alligned knee caps and a bulging disk)....and have always been pleased with the results and I would much rather go through tons of PT than have any kind of surgery! Having a positive attitude about PT is key...if you believe it will help you and you do the work it will help. And frankly you will gain fitness, flexibility and a general feeling of well-being as you continue with your PT. Good luck and Best wishes.

Hi G.---I would agree with Barb. I have not had replacements, but my FIL has---both knees within a short period of time. As an example of making sure you do everything they suggest in therapy, my MIL had rotator cuff surgery and recovered completely...and quickly. They both followed PT orders like their religion...and they are very devout Christians.

Be sure that your diet supports proper healing. In fact, this diet will promote optimal health of the rest of your joints, your heart...everything! Eat mostly fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Eat animal protein sparingly...too much creates inflammation in the body AND increases your risk of cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Increasing fruits and veggies to AT LEAST 10 servings a day will help you heal faster. You can find some great info on why 10 at http://www.med.umich.edu/UMIM/food-pyramid/index.htm. Enjoy the exploration.

If you would like to know how my family has added nutrients from 17 different fruits, veggies and grains to our diets every day...outside of the food we eat...call me. I can offer research driven info that shares how more fruits and veggies aid in faster wound repair.

I wish you good luck with your new knee(s). In health, D. ###-###-####

Keep moving and embrace exercise. If we don't move, we will 'get rusty'.

I have not had knee replacements but my mom has had both replaced. She did 1 at a time.

The key is to be viligent with your PT, home exercise and following Dr. orders. She was and she has not had any issues. She has a neighbor, however, younger than her and she is still using a walker or cane. It is simple.....the neighbor hated PT (NO IT IS NOT FUN), the neighbor did not do the home exercise plan to help herself and she is paying a steep price for that now.

My mom, rides a bike daily, walks, golfs 2 times a week with a ladies group, shops and is enjoying her newfound no pain.

It's all about attitude and how you work with your progress.

how far out are you from surgery. Use ice often, once every hour for 15 minutes, do the excercises. I have had both knees replaced and for 3 weeks it was rough then it got better, at 3 months I was glad I replaced them.
I know it is painful but it does get better.
Ice, ice and more ice