Knee Replacement

Can anyone give me all the gorey details about what to expect after knee replacement surgery.  How painful is it?  Did you have to go to a rehab facility and for how long? What was your recovery time? How long before you could go back to work?  Any negative long term effects? 

Would appreciate any information you can give me.  Thanks.

I'm probably the wrong one to answer this because I have not had good luck with my knee replacement and revision. But to answer your questions:

1. You will be in pain after, but you'll get good pain meds. My docs gave me the option of a nerve blocks ... I'd recommend it, because you will have less pain after the surgery.

2. I didn't go to a rehab facility; I went home, but I know some who do go to a rehab.

3. I was out of work 6 weeks. It was a good 3-4 weeks before I started to feel really normal again. And even when I did go back to work, I was really tired.

4. Long-term negative effects ... hmmm ... I still have a lot of pain, but I do have good range of motion. I just haven't been able to get rid of the pain, and my ortho doc doesn't know why, there's no apparent reason he can see and all he'll say is "See you in a year." He says it can take up to two years to heal completely. I still think something is wrong but can't prove it. And now that I'm in a smaller city than Grand Rapids, I don't think I'm going to find any better doctors to look at this. I guess I'm just going to have to learn to live with it.

Thanks for your input Eileen. I know you've had trouble with your knee and I know others who have not had good luck but I also know of many more who think it's the best thing since peanut butter. It's a hard decision but I'm at the point where I can't go up and down stairs or walk more than a block. The doctor says if I can't find someone to stay with me for a few days after the hospital then I'll have to do inpatient rehab. I don't know what could be causing continued knee pain with you. I would think the doctors could see something on an xray or mri. I hope it gets better for you.

Barbara,

I've had both knees replaced and had a better result than Eileen. I weighed 320 lbs when I had them replaced: one in January of 2001 and the other in September. Might be off by a year there but it doesn't matter. My doctor said at 55 I was young but both knees were bone on bone. I hurt 24/7. That was the deciding factor. 

He expects these to last 20 years and if I wear them out he'll replace them. I give them a good workout. Go everywhere, work out on an eliptical at a gym 4-6 miles several times a week. Most of all I don't hurt at night time. If I overdue I will have some swelling but nothing like before surgery. I know they have some new replacements since I had mine done.  As heavy as I was I didn't want to do both at the same time.The first rehab went well enough that I was ready for the 2nd one in less than a year.

Expect about 3-4 weeks of pretty tough, often painful rehab but that's  what gets you the most benefit. I took a pain pill before I went. Don't know if you are alone or live with someone. Most people that I know who have had "in patient" rehab live alone and have stairs to deal with. My husband was at work so I had a temporary handicap permit that allowed me to ride the "dial a ride" which is a service provided by our transit service for disabled people. It worked out great for me. After about 3 weeks on a walker I graduated to a 4 leg cane, then by 6 weeks post op I was driving and using a lightweight cane just if out for a long period of time. The hardest part was that first 3 to 4 weeks.

In making the decision to have this done at age 55 my doctor called at a "quality of life" issue and that I was the one to decide. He said I would "know" by the pain involved when it was time and that was true. I've heard really good things about the inpatient rehab so I sure wouldn't be afraid of it. Good luck with whatever you decide. Ask any more questions that you have!

It can be painful.  If you can go to a rehab facility it's best because you get intensive treatment that quickens your recovery time.  It's better to go to a regular rehab facility than an nursing home rehab if you can because the workouts are much more intensive.  Don't worry.  They give you enough pain meds to make it tolerable.

Thank you all so much for responding.  I have lost 125 pounds since wls so I know that will help in my recovery from knee surgery. I still need to lose at least another 60 though.  I am not looking forward to this surgery but it must be done. I even have knee pain at night when I'm sleeping, or trying to sleep. I'm sure I'll be glad once it's over. Thanks again.   

I had both of my knees replaced last year.  One in June and the other in September.  The hospital I went to inserted a femoral nerve catheter (it is like an IV) into the femoral nerve in my thigh prior to surgery and left it in place for two days.  This continually bathed the knee in anesthetic and made those days more comfortable.  There was pain but also enough medication to keep it bearable.  Each time my operation was done on a Thursday and I went home on crutches the following Monday.  I did exercises three times a day and had PT at home for two weeks and then out patient PT for six weeks.  I am retired so returning to work was not an issue.  I was able to drive four weeks after my first surgery and six weeks after my second.  I am now pain free and able to walk, stand, climb stairs, etc with ease.  I hope your surgery and recovery go well.