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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 02-19-2006, 12:15 PM (1 of 10)
I had my left knee joint replaced on the 9th of Feb. Anyone else out there that's had this done? Any tips for bending and getting the swelling down fast (outside of a pack of peas)?The discoloration is almost all gone. I start physio on Tuesday (3 times a week) for 6weeks. Suggestions?????
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003
Total posts: 242
From: Debby215
Date: 02-19-2006, 01:43 PM (2 of 10)
Hi there and good luck. 2 years ago this May I had a partial knee replacement. I had PT at home for a few weeks, then went to PT for another month or so. Just be sure to do the exercises they give you, that is very important. For weeks, I went up and down the stairs like a 2 year old, up or down first with the good, then last the leg with the replacement. Does that make sense? I used crutches for the stairs for about a week, it helped. I would put them both under one arm, and hold on a railing with the other, that way when you get to the bottom you have the crutches...Hmmmmmm that is IF YOU HAVE stairs..If I can answer anything else, please ask. I used lots of ice packs. The hospital gave me a knee wrap that had a compartment that an ice pack would slip right into. that was wonderful. I actually didnt use much in the way of pain pills after about 3 or 4 days, just tylenol. HOPE this helps some!!
Debby
So much fabric....... So little time!!
User: Debby215
Member since: 11-14-2001
Total posts: 611
From: swartzrn
Date: 02-19-2006, 06:57 PM (3 of 10)
Hi, I haven't had this done but I have taken care of patients who have had this done and similar ortho type surgeries. Of course this isn't "official medical advice" but the best thing I can tell you is to do just what your doc's tell you. You don't want to overdo it and cause more problems in your healing and recovery process and it's easy to do. Personally, I would drive everyone nuts if I was down for the count so I would probably be the worst patient as far as following the above advice--BUT it's very important to take baby steps. Believe me, I have seen patients who have recovered very nicely and you'd never know they had the surgery in the first place. It sounds like you are doing pretty good if the discoloration is fading so quickly! Take care of yourself and remember those baby steps. Julie
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes."
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006
Total posts: 436
From: Almajanesattic
Date: 03-09-2006, 05:44 PM (4 of 10)
HI woodywoodpecker! I had my knee replaced Nov. 10 and am doing just fine. Still some discomfort but each day gets a little easier. The main thing is to do the rehab.....get as much help with that as you can and then be sure to follow up at home. As for getting the swelling down.....it will go down but takes time. I was told to use cold and then heat.....10 minutes each for a period of time and always end with cold. I did find that the cold made my knee ache but used it anyway. :up:

Almajanesattic
aka Sharon
User: Almajanesattic
Member since: 01-20-2006
Total posts: 42
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 03-10-2006, 10:52 AM (5 of 10)
The rehab dapartment only gave me 2 weeks instead of the 6 that was booked. Said I had reached the minimum that was required, and that was all that they required. Actually they wanted the knee to be able to bend 90 degrees and I'm at 122. I noticed this morning that when you tap on the knee cap that it will make a tapping sound. Does yours do this? I don't see the surgeon again until the 29 of March. Have to go for an ultra sound on Monday morn as the G.P. thinks I may have a blood clot in the calf of the leg. Did you have this also? Not to sure, what I should be watching for as I don't know anyone else that had this done. Thoughts anyone?
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003
Total posts: 242
From: Almajanesattic
Date: 03-12-2006, 05:42 PM (6 of 10)
Woody......if you are at 122 degrees then you are in great shape! Are you having pain in the calf? Just wondered what alerted the Doc to a blood clot.
Some days my knee feels like hornets are stinging it but I think weather has something to do with that or it means some of the numbness is wearing off and nerves are waking up. I don't get tapping sound when I tap the kneecap so can't tell you what that is! Interesting, though! And good luck with the ultra sound..........Almajanesattic (aka Sharon)
User: Almajanesattic
Member since: 01-20-2006
Total posts: 42
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 03-22-2006, 04:42 PM (7 of 10)
Yes, it was the pain in the calf. It hurt way more than the knee did. However the ultra sound showed up nothing so I still don't know why it should hurt like that, but it doesn't hurt as much as it did.Everything else seems to be doing great and will see the surgeon on March 29 for a check up.
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003
Total posts: 242
From: Almajanesattic
Date: 03-22-2006, 04:51 PM (8 of 10)
Hi Woody........glad to hear that you don't have a blood clot.....that can be scarey. I'm sure you'll have a good checkup and will soon be doing a tap dance. Told my doc I would tap dance down his hall when it was over but first I would have to learn how to tap! Actually what I really wanted to do was be able to bend the knee far enough to be able to get in and out of a canoe......when the weather gets warmer here.....and the ice is off the lake......I'll see how close I am to doing that.
Good luck March 29!! :up:

Sharon
User: Almajanesattic
Member since: 01-20-2006
Total posts: 42
From: Sancin
Date: 03-22-2006, 11:07 PM (9 of 10)
Sometimes people have pain in soft tissue areas (muscles) due to position they lay in during sleep (or in the operating room, or even sitting in a new chair. Or walking or lifting in such a way to put more pressure on one area or another. Unfortuntely most of these pulls occur when we are not aware of them and don't notice them until after the fact. Usually, unless contraindicated heat or cold will provide relief but check with your doctor or physio.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005
Total posts: 895
From: MariLynntex
Date: 03-23-2006, 03:05 PM (10 of 10)
I had a knee replacement in May 6 years ago. It HURT really bad for a month and a half, but at 3 months I was walking all over the place like I had never had anything! Then I was in a car accident--a van hit my medium-sized car and demolished it--and almost demolished me, the doctors said. But I didn't have a scratch or drop of blood on me! However, one ankle was broken and the other one was smashed, and my wrist has a 7" plate in it and several pins. The smashed ankle they put back together with plates and pins all around it. I have walked with a cane ever since, partly because it also did something to my equilibrium, as well as aching from time to time pretty uncomfortably. But I know I am lucky to be alive, and I can still sing, and sew, and cook (on the rare occasions I still want to!). That was in the same year that my eldest son (have 4 sons and 3 daughters) died of leukemia in Australia around Thanksgiving (November) and the following January my husband died of his 5th heart attack and cancer...and my dear daughter-in-law had her tiny son (this was after 3 miscarriages) stillborn...the worst year of my life! But they have since adopted 3 adorable children, so I reckon God knows what he is doing. And a London publisher wrote and asked for one of my poems for a poetry book they are compiling; a poem of mine (about the death of my son) was featured in a book of Best Poets of 2005; and this week I 've had 3 orders for my freemotion embroidery book! :coffee2: MariLynntex
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006
Total posts: 107
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