Knee replacement surgery (pain, recover, leg, surgeon)

[Woof Woof Woof!]

My friend is having her knees replace, one at a time.

Has anyone had this done? Can you tell me what the results were? How long did it take you to recover? When did you go home from the hospital?

Thanks,

W

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by Woof Woof Woof!

My friend is having her knees replace, one at a time.

Has anyone had this done? Can you tell me what the results were? How long did it take you to recover? When did you go home from the hospital?

Thanks,

W

I have assisted on many of these.

The results tend to be very good, the surgery involves a lot more cutting of bone than hip replacements so there tends to be more pain immediately after surgery.

The surgery itself usually takes anywhere from 90 mins to 2 1/2 hours. We try to get the knee moving right after surgery so often place the patient directly into a CPM--continuous passive motion machine right after surgery.

Typically the patient gets out of bed the very next day and begins therapy. Usually the surgeon will allow full weightbearing on day one.

The average length of stay for this surgery is about 3 days.

Most patients take anywhere from 3-6 months to completely recover from the surgery and it may take up to one year to completely stop favoring the leg and stop "thinking about it"

Based on the many patients I have seen through this, your friend will likely be very glad they had the procedure and will want to have the other one done ASAP.

[jimboburnsy]

Just an aside that probably does not apply to your friend, total knee replacements do eventually wear out and the breakdown can be much quicker for people over 230 lbs. Bluedevils would know better, but I think they are good for about 15 years give or take.

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

Just an aside that probably does not apply to your friend, total knee replacements do eventually wear out and the breakdown can be much quicker for people over 230 lbs. Bluedevils would know better, but I think they are good for about 15 years give or take.

True on both counts...

15 years is about average..

Revision surgery can be as simple as just switching out the polyethylene liner that sits on top of the tibia. If this is the case, its a pretty quick fix.