Total Knee Surgery

Hi Gang, I am 54 years old & still currently working full time as an RN. In August I'm going to have a knee replacement done. Since I haven't worked in Orthopedics in many years I'd appreciate any info about total knee surgery & recovery that you could send me. You may e-mail me .

Thanks in advance, also my doc said that since I'm on my feet alot that I would probably be off for 3 months.

I work in a rehab facility where the majority of our pt's are knee or hip replacements. The majority of hip/knee replacement pt's are there from anywhere's from 2weeks up to 6 weeks. Some are in a lot of pain at 1st. edema is very common & may need assist with some ADL's, and physical therapy is tough! but i have only heard positive feedback from pt's afterward. My mother had both knee's done & she says it is very painful, long physical therapy & hard work, but is was definetly worth it. She experiences no more joint pain to this area, finds it easier to walk up stairs, and can tolerate standing on her feet a lot more. Good luck! And remember after the surgery to be non weight bearing to the surgical leg. Leg out & up when sitting down(no bending), try to obtain a high toilet seat(or attachment for the seat), & monitor surgical site-keep it sterile/dry, apply ice every 1-2 hours for 10-20 minutes on/off. Elevate the extremtity for swelling.

lifer, you listen to sunny, rehab is critical!

I'm a OR nurse, so I really only see the surgical side.

A couple of suggestions, talk to the anes. guys, and see what they can do for you. Like your pilot and hairdresser, keep your anesthesiology guys happy with you!!! Some of our guys to an epidural for a couple of days post op, to help with pain. We have recently also been doing like a femoral nerve block and epidural combined. We put an epidural cath in the femoral nerve sheath, then hook up to a Stryker pain pump, with a continuous drip of local.

Does not take it all out, but seems to help.

Our ortho guys also put our pt's on a CPM right in recovery. Start that PT as soon as possible.

After I had knee scopes done, I lost a bit of extension. I sat around with my foot on a foot stool, but way out, and hung my exercise ankle weights on it of different weights. Helped me.

Those that I talked to, say that it's a tough road, but most were glad they did it.

Good luck,,,,keep in touch let us know how you are doin'

Remember it's your knee, not your typing fingers that will be laid up!!! :chuckle Mike

Hi Gang, I am 54 years old & still currently working full time as an RN. In August I'm going to have a knee replacement done. Since I haven't worked in Orthopedics in many years I'd appreciate any info about total knee surgery & recovery that you could send me. You may e-mail me .

Thanks in advance, also my doc said that since I'm on my feet alot that I would probably be off for 3 months.

Dont for get to keep your feet moving in the first 24 hrs, to keep away the DVT's! Also icepacks are great! I know in our ward we dont access icepacks enough but they really do make a difference. Also just remember it can take up to 18 mths to get the knee back to normal (size and strength!) Take care and be kind to the busy ortho nurses (hehehe)

I'm med surg nurse and here's what will happen. When you come back from surgery to the floor you will either A) be relatively pain free for a while or B) yu will be in alot of pain and doc will either order pain meds such as darvocet, vicodin or demerol/vistaril IM shots or you will get a PCA of either demerol or morphine depending on which works best for you. All depends on the physician so you might want to ask the Doc. They might use IVP meds. Our ortho doc sometimes uses drains also, sometimes not, just depends. Almost all of our knees use a cpm machine three x's daily, sometimes nursing will apply this and sometimes physical therapy will, just depends on place and doc. You will have it on for about 2 hours each time. It slowly exercises your knee until you get to 90 degrees with it. We use a polar care ice machine. Your knee will be wrapped with it and it circulates cold water through it, all our patients say this really helps. Physical therapy will get you up first time usually and teach you what to do. Most of our knees say its pretty painful at first but gets better with each day. Some are up and going within a couple of days some take longer just depends on person. Dont be afraid to ask for something if you are hurting. There is no need for you to be in alot of pain. I wish you all the best. Most say it was worth it!!!! I know this is past but thought others might like info on knee surgery