I went back to my surgeon after 4months. I'm still in alot of pain, still have swelling, still using cane,still doing PT. 32 times. And was told that I needed to start going to my family doctor. I should be complete fixed and go back to work. I said your kidding???? He said nothing more I can do. What to do ??? I said have a merry Christmas because I wont.
Four months is still kinda early...Most of the pain is usually gone in the 3-6 month range so you should be approaching that threshhold. If your PT has given you your full ROM back (0 / +120), then it's gym time to rebuild those atrophied quads, glutes and core. You are not done by a long shot. I thought I was at 9 months and got smacked back down. This thing takes a year...period. There are some lucky ones that get away cheap but that's definitely not the norm.
Stay strong, eat healthy, lose weight, HYDRATE, take your meds, do PT then the gym, do NOT get angry or depressed (useless...the knee doesn't care how you feel), work hard to get your strength and life back. This is not easy...I know it's the most challenging thing I've ever done. Set some realistic short and mid-term goals. Achieve them and move on. Don't concentrate on the pain...focus on the work and your goals. Anyone gives you crap, whack 'em with the cane!!!
"Never give up. Never surrender." - Tim Allen, Galaxy Quest
Thank you Chico Marx
Hang in there...it does get better. Stay strong!!!!
First time my knee was scoped, I went in for 2 week follow up. Still on crutches. Doc said stop using them and go back to work. I couldn't walk it hurt do bad. Barely made it out if his office. 17 years later I had it redone twice. First time was out 6 weeks. Second time 9 weeks. To this day I still wonder if he even paid any attention to what I told him. Or if he knew how early he sent me back to work.
No kidding. My family doctor took over. He said surgeon don't or won't confess they screw up....
He took the merry out of Christmas for me....
Im so sorry you are going through this. Keep your chin up and never give up!
Do your excercises every day, even check with your doctor and ask what else
You can do. MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU
They will never admit it. That's a law suit. It's almost impossible to get a doc to say another doc screwed up either.
That may be true but you can put it right back in again...just have to choose to do it. Give it a try...you can still have a great Christmas...
What a jerk he is! Omg. It boggles my mind the way these surgeons provide no aftercare. Now he's sending you to your family doctor who's not a knee specialist. What is he supposed to do? I wish there was somewhere to report these guys to. You have legitimate concerns and he just blows you off! It just makes my blood boil. I got the same runaround with my knee. I left a bad review on the surgeon. Prayers and hugs. I hope you find someone who can help you.
Hi Shari,
Four months feels like an eternity especially when you hurt and are working hard. But it is not much time when you replace a joint.
It took me about 9-12 months to be able to walk all day with minimal swelling and more like 15 months to have no more swelling.
Hang in there, we will all be here for you. Rest, elevate to about shoulder height and ice, lots of ice.
Perhaps a neoprene knee compression sleeve, I prefer the Safe-T-Sport knee brace which is available on Amazon...it is specifically made to cradle to patella, knee cap. You will need to measure the circumference of your knee in order to determine the correct size.
It is best to elevate your knee above your heart while placing a frozen gel ice pack beneath the knee as well as on top of the knee for an hour while you read, telly, chat, knit or whatever.
Then extend your leg straight up and hold it up for 30 seconds. Now slip the sleeve on. Be sure to properly allow the sleeve to cradle your patella, the knee cap. Flex your knee a couple of times to ensure that your patella is able to properly glide without impingment.
In about another hour you should have much less discomfort and pain. You may sleep in the sleeve. You may walk in the sleeve.
You will be pleasantly surprised at how much easier walking and range of motion exercises will become because the swelling will come way down.
Hi there,
i read one of the best posts on here the other day and it was from your goodself! I wish I had read that before as it was the most honest and informative post, brilliant in fact!
i had both my knees replaced with about 8 months or so between them and being totally honest just wanted to take an overdose and escape my dreadful life! No one tells or warns you just how brutal the whole operation and recovery is going to be, a good year for most people. I used to feel so useless reading how some folk had been walking everyday, doing the shopping and going back to work. I started to think there was something very wrong with me as I can't even walk without a stick!
so now after many gym sessions and getting strong I have ditched the stick, lost 30 pounds using my Fitbit and common sense making me feel new knees are the best! No more crippling pain every time I stand up etc.
thanks to this amazing website and of course the wonderful people who contribute to it I thank God I am alive.
i paticalry wanted to thank you for putting together such an honest post that does not contain scaremongering only good honest help and advice!
the other person among many I haste, to add ,is the old guy, sorry but have forgotten his nickname, but he also had very wise and helpful words.
so I would like to wish every single one of you a very happy Christmas and a massive thank you from the bottom of my heart, makes me believe in mankind again. Love and best wishes to you all XXXX
Hello there, I looked on Amazon before for the safe t sport neoprene knee brace. They do sell them but come straight from America & are priced at over a £100 will try to research on the net to find cheaper or another brand. Are there any other salient facts I need to find a similar brand? I know absolutely nothing about these things & the knee supports you get in the chemist over here do not seem to be in the same league!!
Happy Christmas to you 🎄🎄
Marilyn
XX
Hi, if you enable private messaging I will send you a link to one I found in the uk, same make, half the price, and you could get it quickly.
I can't post a link on here, it's no allowed.
I know what you mean about the surgeons, mine came in for my post op and i thought he would explane everything he did on my revision, but just looked at the scar, which the PA thought was infected, but he said no looks good and walked out of the room. We are like cattle to them get them in and out.
I went to my gp's office 9 times last year. Had to see someone else cause she had no time. At the end of November I got a letter saying I had to come see her or she would not write me any more scripts. That appointment they had no problem getting me right in. She asked why I was there I said I have no clue. Told her about the letter and being there 9 times the last being less than a month ago. Then told her I didn't need to see her. She needed to see me so I was NOT going to pay for it. They waived the fee. Lol
I had my THIRD 😷 on my left knee 4 weeks ago. The first time in 2010 was a normal total knee. Back to wirk as a high school teacher. The second time was in 2014 due to sepsis from a dental issue. I had a debridment and poly swap. I left the hospital with a picline and IV antibiotics and I was back at work with IV in 5 weeks. This last knee revision was due to the infection ans loosened my hardware. I plan, come hell or high water I will go back to wor on January 3rd.
There will be swelling and pain but I have learned that a positive attitude and hard work is worth it. Have faith and fight through the pain.
Hi Marilyn,
Ouch! Perhaps eBay.
The Safe-T-Sport has metal hinges, covered, on either side to keep the knee tracking evenly.
It also has a cut out, a well padded cut out for the patella lnee cap so that it can glide properly.
And lastly, it has a wide strap both top and bottpm to minimize sliding down the leg. I have one for each knee...I even put it on when it is cold and damp and the barometric pressure is dropping to kerp it nice abd warm and protected.
hugs
judith
Excellent Laura!!!
Thank you for helping out...how is your knee?
hugs
judith