Does anyone have any top tips regarding recovery? I am on 7.5 mg pred. I have physio sessions booked for the first 4 weeks post op. My other knee will be replaced in the autumn. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
total knee replacement surgery today : Does anyone... - PMRGCAuk
total knee replacement surgery today
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Horsewhisper
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The very,very best of luck today with your op,and a speedy recovery to you!Did you have to up your dose for the op?Take it easy afterwards eh,but guess you won’t have too much choice.,!xxx💐💐💐💐😜
Thank you - they didn’t say to up the dose but they did say I would be receiving steroids during the op. Looking forward to taking it easy - have husband and son at home geared up to do stuff on the domestic front! And if they don’t, will have to learn fast to just to let it go! 😁
Yes you will get IV dose during op.. and they might suggest upping Pred for a few days afterwards.. all depends on surgeon-some are very twitchy about them slowdown healing.. but no harm in mentioning to them - and anaesthetist..
Ok great, I’ll bear that in mind.
Helpful to me as I have THR soon .thanks
Hope it goes well💐 and you make a speedy recovery x
Thank you for your wishes
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer
Good luck for today ..
Plenty of related posts and this from the FAQs [but some of that info you probably could have done with earlier] -
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
Yes you do need to do the exercises, and it might be painful early days but it’s short-term [tell yourself that]. But take it sensibly and in your own time…I got told off by the district nurse for pushing myself too hard in the first few weeks - and I was GCA/Pred free when I had mine done… 🤦🏻♀️
best wishes for good recovery..
Thanks DL - I’ll have a good read and take it easy.
My friend had this op recently. She is 83 and also has sciatica. She found she needed a loo seat raiser. I think you can get them online. Just a thought. But I don't think everyone needs one. Her friends were very anxious about her having this op because of her other health issues but I'm pleased to say she is recovering well! I hope this will encourage you.
Thanks Almostaweed - good to hear that your friend is recovering well. I am 57 and in good shape fitness wise so here’s hoping! 🤞I have got a raised loo seat and a shower stool so those should help.
Good luck . Im due 2nd THR soon . Knees are more complicated though. Best wishes
A neighbour had a knee replacement last year. She is now fully mobile and pain free as I am sure that you will soon be.
Thanks InTheMoors - I’m definitely looking forward to increased mobility and reduced pain!
You will get both…in time. I rarely even think about mine nowadays…
Thanks DL - surgery went well, have had a couple of walks with the zimmer frame and sleeping loads too
Good to hear - fingers crossed all continues in same vein 😊
Having had 2 knee replacements whilst on Pred, my best advice is this:Look up Game Ready. This is really useful for pain relief. I dismissed it for the first knee as it seemed expensive, but used it for the second knee and it made a huge difference, both for pain relief and for reduction of inflammation. You can rent it for the time you need it. Also, do the exercises even though it hurts!
Thanks Suzy - my husband has bought me something similar as my left knee is being replaced at the end of the year, so will get to use it again. I’ve heard positive stories about these cryotherapy gadgets so looking forward to using mine.
You sound like you are well prepared!
Thanks Suzy - my OH had a hip replacement a few years ago so we still have equipment from that and we have an excellent physio locally who knows her stuff.
Hope things go well. Do your exercises afterwards!
Okeedokee! Motion is the lotion as they say!
Hope all goes. Have never regretted having mine done in 2000 and it's still going strong. Learn to totally trust it and I can't add anything to the advice already given by DL.
Thanks Bcol, that’s good to hear and very encouraging 👍
Guess one difference maybe your time in hospital. I was in for ten days and not allowed out until I could walk up and down the hospital stairs unaided. I suspect you will be out a lot sooner than that, you do need to walk every day but do take care those first few days at home.
Thanks Bcol - I was up and about today and they said it’s a 3 night stay but can’t leave until I can manage the stairs.
Brilliant.
Best of luck, for a great surgery, and a safe positive recovery to you. Suggestion, My hubby had a hip replacement two years ago, a game changer for him was an ice machine on and off. It was an Othomed brand, we are in Canada, but there are many on the market. We have shared the machine with several people who also say it helped immensely. Hubby will to do a double knee replacement next spring also. He has been a stone mason for nearly 50 years, thus the worn joints. Callie
Hi Tuffymason - I’m plugged into a cryotherapy machine as I type - certainly helps with the pain and swelling. I’ve got one ready to plug in at home. What a skill your husband has - I always admire the accuracy of their craft!
My sister had her knee done last year.She said it was painful but she did therapy and walked with a cane til she healed.Now she's walking on her own.
That’s good to hear - yes the pain is something else! Just about keeping on top of it, Day 1 completed!
Just wishing you luck for op. My husband's knee replacement was six years ago, he still says it's the best thing he's ever done (apart from marrying me if course!)
😂 of course! Good to hear it was a success - so far so good for me - taking it nice and steady
I had both knees replaced in 2019 having had PMR since 2015- there were no problems, I was on 5mg prednisone, as ever rest is important & poss follow ‘sick day rules’ which I didn’t know about then. Good luck.
Thank you for your kind wishes - glad to hear you didn’t encounter any problems. I’m looking forward to getting back to “normal” next year after the left one is done in the autumn.
I am now 4 weeks post TKR. I was given IV hydro cortisone during surgery and didn't need to increase my pred ( I'm on 4.5mg ). The first 48 hours were the most difficult, I came home on day 2. My best advice would be to take all the analgesia offered and do the exercises. The physios were great, i almost had to relearn how to walk again i had been so long walking with my knee bent. ! My knee is now pretty much pain free, and I'm fully mobile. I make sure I rest for a couple of hours in the afternoon, mainly to help the swelling. I'm so happy with the result. Good luck, today.
That’s great news and so encouraging to read! I’m on 7.5 mg pred and the surgeon said I had IV steroids during the operation. it’s end of Day 1 for me and I’ve slowly taken a few trips to the loo on my zimmer frame. Like you, I’ve had to re-learn how to use my right leg correctly as I was walking from the hip straight legged to avoid bending my sore knee!
Wishing you a good recovery.Keep doing the exercises to get a good bend.I used a bag frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel on knee several times a day.It helps with swelling.Take pain relief to help cope.I've had both knees replaced around thirteen years ago.Both hips replaced around three years ago.It is good that you have help when you come home.
Thanks Bella, you’ve certainly been under the knife to stay mobile - well done for enduring! Yes I’ve being doing my exercises steadily and already I’ve got some good mobility back. Just need to keep resting up, something I find hard to do!
Very important to do the exercises before & after the op, as you have probably lost a lot of muscle previously. I didn’t change my Pred intake, but important to let the anaesthetist know your steroid intake & they will give you a boost. Although there will be pain after the op do try to get moving ASAP & as I have said most important to do the exercises before & afterwards. I didn’t have a general but a epidural with a sedative, so none of those post op hangovers. I’m sure it will all go well, a very standard op these days.
Thanks for your message - some good advice. I am fairly young for a TKR (57) so managed to stay reasonably active and help the leg muscles by using the recumbent bike and walking on the flat whenever I could. I had a general so still feeling a little groggy from that, but getting there!
hope all goes well with the surgery
Thank you Doraflora, all went well and I’m taking the advice from all the lovely people here!
My OH has had both knees replaced, first one 5yrs ago. He's now 72, plays football and on Saturday we're back to Austria for our 3rd ski trip this winter.Icing or using the cryopack is an absolute must. Also, he was told to raise the leg to help drainage. We thought this meant raise it on a couple of pillows. NO NO NO!
What the surgeon wanted was vertical, up the wall or headboard of the bed with hips bent at 70 to 90 degrees. Made a massive difference.
Also really bend it. I mean bend it , more than 90deg. Your physio will explain I'm sure but if you can get full mobility it will stand you in good stead. Our only worry is that T will wear his knees out to fast!
Fab that both you and OH are off skiing soon! That’s one thing I have missed the last couple of years. Sounds like he’s enjoying his new knees whilst he can! And why not?! I’ll try the legs up the wall trick when I get home and see how that goes. Thanks for replying, so very much appreciated
I had both mine replaced 15 & 13 years ago.. My best tip is get in the pool and gently swimming - bot NOT breastroke .. as soon as you can . I used to stand by the side of the pool and exercise gently bending the knee.. good luck persevere it will be worth it! X
Good idea to get in the pool - I haven’t swum for a few years due to PMR pain, so this is a good excuse to go for a dip!
Very best of luck. Expect you are over it by now. Hope all went well 🙏It is ahead for me too I'm afraid but I'm procrastinating as usual.
Thanks for your good wishes - I’ll post on here in a few weeks to update! It seems that most people don’t regret it - just need to get through the pain and mobility in the early stages by the sound of it.
Yes, most people seem to be happy after they have had it done 👏
My very best wishes for a speedy recovery. Lots of excellent advice already but as a nurse of over fifty years I would add to balance the exercise with lots of rest and pampering. If you rest you will be doing great at six weeks. If you push yourself it will be 6 months. I have seen it over and over again. You may well need extra Pred as your body perceives surgery as an assault. Good luck. Enjoy your new knee!
Lots of excellent advice already but as a nurse of over fifty years I would add to balance the exercise with lots of rest and pampering. If you rest you will be doing great at six weeks. If you push yourself it will be 6 months.
As a recipient of three replacement, I so agree with that statement… if only more of those involved in procedures sang from the same song sheet… 😊
Love this advice - will definitely follow the rule of 6!
Hope all goes well. Not had one myself but several friends have - they say it is the only time you have to do as you're told! All the best for recovery.
Great thanks - I need to get used to being told what to do. - and just have to let my OH and 17 year old son to sort out the domestic stuff when I get home!
Hope all went well with surgery today. I have just had lower lumbar spine surgery. Surgeon didn't change my dose or administer any in theatre. I had been in terrible pain for 9 months with PMR and herniated disc (they kept telling me it was PMR). Surgery brought instant relief for the back, hip and leg...knee pain is still present due to PMR and arthritis.I hired raised toilet seat, absolutely best thing along with a gripper tool for everything I dropped.
Hubby had TKR and had PMR - best thing was a knee compression cuff that has a gel pack that can go in freezer. This should have a pump so you can control pressure. His surgeon recommended the knee compression cuff. He was super fit and has a high pain tolerance, said the worst pain was the nerve pain from regeneration...but is all healed and back on with life.
Sorry to hear that you had to go through spinal surgery and to be told it was your PMR! Hopefully things are feeling better for you now and for your husband. I’ve got the cryotherapy machine strapped to my knee and that is providing a great source of relief. I’ve got the raise toilet seat already installed at home to help make life easier. My knee surgery went well, just need to do all that I can to optimise recovery!
So happy all went well.You ll be moving around after a few weeks with physio❤️
👍😁 that’s the plan!
Forgot to say use belt of dressing gown under your foot to help liftyour leg up onto your bed.Glad to hear op went well.
Brilliant idea! I had been struggling to lift my leg back onto the bed, so I used my dressing gown belt this morning and it worked a treat! Thank you!
Just wanted to wish you the very best~! New 'parts' are great after you get them primed for motion~!💞
Thanks Grammy! Priming process has started, just taking it steady!
So glad to hear it....slow and steady wins the race.💞
Hiya, picked this up in the Digest. I posted in the NY about having smashed my femur. There was a split into the knee and the kneecap has a surgical scar on each side I thought I might input here. I'm just back from Orthopaedics OPD and been declared to be doing brilliantly.
In rehab home for 2 weeks with daily physio. Got home on 21 Jan and Community Physio have somewhat of a backlog so only caught up with me this week, March 25, so two months in which I had to work things out for myself, pacing and so on. I had exercise sheets but things are different when you're also doing the laundry and some (very elementary) cooking, not being looked after. I decided little and often, which I later found advised on the Web. That meant walking 20 minutes a day in 4 five minute chunks, then 5, then 8, then going for fewer and longer e.g. 8, 5, 10 and 7 mins. I can walk for 15 minutes non-stop but at a 10 minute or longer session stiffness sets in which I'm still not sure about. It's not fully resolved by paracetamol but having put my dose right up to cope with trauma I don't want to put it up again for something non critical.
Diet: emphasis on protein and vitamin C
Thanks Bitsi for sharing your story, how awful for you to smash your femur and split your knee cap. It’s great to know you are rehabbing well and that you do little and often. That is what the physio lady said to me about little and often and she said that the first 2 weeks are crucial regarding getting moving and doing the exercises regularly. Thanks for the tip about protein and Vit C too! All the best wishes for your continued recovery ❤️🩹
Hope everything is going well. The only tip I have is not to rush on with decreasing your prednisolone too soon after the op. I had my hip replaced a few years ago and after a few months I was feeling great and wanted to push on with my reduction but in hindsight it was probably a bit fast as your inflammation levels can be a bit unstable for a while after an op, so I had a flare up. I hope your recovery goes really well
Good advice for sure! I’ll stay on my current level of 7.5 mg until I start to feel back to normal, so maybe a couple of months.
I don’t have any tips regarding Pred etc as I had my knee replacement prior to vasculitis but I guess you may need to pace yourself more. From my experience of wanting to be crutch free and enjoying walking as soon as possible … What I would say is from the start get out and walk every day, whatever the weather, even if starting off slowly with 50 yards and building up as you gather strength and confidence. If you can get to a pool ( usually after 6 weeks sign off) the water is great for weight bearing exercises. Just walk up and down but also you will be able to stretch and bend your knee more easily whilst exercising in the water to help with increasing flexibility. If you have easy access to an exercise bike building up from just a few turns a day to 5 or 10 mins will definitely help. Obviously it depends on the level of fitness and energy your illness normal affords you so, above all, regularly rest and elevate your leg but make sure you do the exercises prescribed several times a day and keep going for a month or two even after you are walking around more normally. Good Luck
Thanks Obscureclouds for this useful info - I’m managing to do a tiny bit more exercise each day than the day before and sticking to the exercise plan set by the physio. I’ll definitely get into a pool at some stage once the wound has healed properly I’ll have a go on the recumbent bike. I used this pre-op to strengthen my legs in preparation! Thanks again!
sorry Horsewhisper for my long and late response above for some reason I thought it was a new post and apart from one didn’t see all the responses/advice already given ( wonders of technology or me not paying attention) I do hope it is all going well for you
👍😁
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