Knee replacement

[nina3]

Has anyone with Parkinson went through knee replacement? I am scheduled to have knee replacement surgery and need advice on how to get meds in hospital. Need to know how u survived the surgery. I am having surgery due to the breaking of knee. Thanks

[powerfemale]

Re knee surgery. I had shoulder surgery. I shook more than usual on the day after, had mild symptoms that went away. I was warned by the doc that this could happen. I'm back to normal parki living.

[Lindylooloo]

Hi Janie, if you are in the UK it might be best to have a word with your Parkinson's nurse as they will contact the hospital and help you to self medicate whilst you are in hospital. Good luck with the operation!

[cabbagecottage]

john has had knee surgery no trouble with operation . He was quite bad with Parkinsons at the time , I wrote all instructions down and told them its was very important to have the mess at the correct times , took some leaflets in with me .

they were very grateful for all the input and told me it made their job so much easier . also said I know him better than anyone .

unfortunately in Johns case the operation didn't even him anymore mobility but was less pain .

[Beckey]

I'm all ears! It's so hard to exercise since my knees hurt so badly. I'm afraid I abused them terribly in my first career, in dance. I know people who have had knee replacement surgeries and say they wish they'd done it sooner. I'm thinking I could then take brisk walks which my neuro is always urging me to do. But I've been afraid to explore knee replacement.

I'm so sorry you broke your knee! That can't be very comfortable. After you recover you will no doubt feel much better. Incidentally, does your neuro work out of the same hospital?

[Fenian5]

I've had both knees replaced within 6 months of each other. The Hospital had me bring my Parkinson's Meds with me and they dispensed them. I took them even the day of surgery. (Azilect and Mirapex ER) The surgeries were problem free. The recoveries were tough the first 3 days. I opted to have Physical Therpy come to my house for the first two weeks; then the last four, I went to the hospital to receive outpatient PT. By then I was on a cane instead of a walker. By the fifth week I didn't even need a cane. The key to recovery is to do the exercises they recommend, not just once a day, but 2 or 3 times. The first knee healed quicker than the second. As the Surgeon told me, no two will be the same. My right foot turns in as a result of the second replacement, which throws my gait off, which throws my back out, etc.

I am going to try Acupucture to relieve some of the back pain. It's been two years and I've gone the route of anti-inflamatories, cortisone shots, PT. It's time for something else. Good luck with your surgery, I am so glad I did it! I am now able to ride my bike 3-5 miles every day!!

[nina3 in reply to Fenian5]

I hope my surgery has the same outcome. I use to ride my bike and I miss it. Thank u for the well wishes.

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[NanCyclist]

Another thing is to be in the best shape possible before the surgery. Start pt right away and follow their directions exactly. Don't overdo or underdo. My husband (no PD) had his done in February and used a walker one day, a cane less than a week and is back to going up and down long (388) flights of stairs and cycling easily.

[Anthonyian]

Hi janie3 I had hip operation and I did not have any complications I wrote a list of meds I take times strength and how many. I also took 2 days supply with me. I was given my meds on time and i was in hospital 5 weeks hope everything goes well for you kind regards.

[si-simary]

i recommend taking your own meds in case your DR forgets to order yours. That happened with me so. I was lucky I had my own. Only you know how important it is to have your meds on time,so I felt comfortable just in case !!!!!!!!. Good luck with your knee surgery.

[fenbadger]

There are some interesting comments here. My hospital requires surgical admissions to bring their own meds. I'm type 2 diabetes and despite this I didn't see the diabetes nurse I was supposed to. Harangue them before, during and after.

[nina3]

Thanks for all the replies. I am so glad I found this website so we can talk to people who actually have been through these things.

[wifeofparky]

Make sure you speak with the anesthesiologist BEFORE surgery so he is aware of your Parkinson's. My husband had a terrible reaction to the anesthesia and was paranoid and combatative after

[fenbadger in reply to wifeofparky]

That was something I half experienced. Beforehand we had a group meeting with surgeon, anaesthetist and physio. When they say any questions I now know this is one of the times to ask. It may be much too late later. Medical care is excellent. It's the practical logistics that fall apart. When I took my meds in I was supposed to have one with food. So when they came round at 10 pm they said, no food, no meds. If I'd known that was the reaction I'd have saved some of my supper. Anyway, that being the case, why didn't they bring meds at supper time? D'oh.

[wifeofparky in reply to fenbadger]

make sure you carry a list of the meds you should never take also.

[fenbadger in reply to wifeofparky]

good point

[Lincpolio]

Not knee surgery but other... We take all our meds with us. I stay with my husband 24 hours regardless of having to sleep in an armchair... We insist on self administrating his Parkinsons Drugs at the right times and so far this has been allowed. We carry info on Parkinsons and the need for meds on time with us.

Check with the staff ahead of time if you can and ask to self manage.. Carry any info on you that is relevant to your condition/s. Plus info from your local Parkinsons organisation about going into hospital and having an operation. We usually have more than one copy as often student nurses, sometimes higher grade staff are grateful for copies. Good luck

[Jenette]

I had full knee replacement October 6, followed by 2wks of in house rehab. Honestly, that was not enough. My request fou additional inpatient rehab was denied by my insurance company (I'm only age (52), and I have begun the appeal process. Inpatient rehab proves you with 3 hrs of therapy a day,whereas at home or outpatient therapy provides 3 hrs a week. I also strongly believe some parkinson therapy should be included This damn knee has me in a wheelchair! And no one tells you how painful it really is.