Knee Replacement

United States
November 17, 2006 10:35am CST
My mother just had her knee replaced yesterday afternoon. I was wondering what the recovery time line looks like. I ask because she tends to push herself too hard and I want to know when I should step in and tell her to take it easy (because she actually does listen since I don't do it that often). I'm just concerned she'll try to overdo it too early. At the same time, I don't want to be the over-protective not-let-her-do-ANYTHING daughter.
3 responses
sanell
@sanell (2112)
• United States
17 Nov 06
actually the recovery time is not so bad, for knee replacement they get them up and walking around within a few hours if not at least within 24 to 48 hours after the surgery, The pain, if she has an average pain tolerance will keep her where she should be, and she should Definitely keep up with physical therapy, my step mom mother had both knees replaced, and her recovery time was I believe 3 months per knee...so not too bad, I had ACL reconstruction to my knee and my recovery time was 9 months but that is because they took a hamstring tendon, now that they use the patellar tendon to reconstruct on a knee the recovery time is cut down to 3 to 6 months....
1 person likes this
helpful_ideas
@helpful_ideas (1620)
• United States
17 Nov 06
I think for her replacement they are using a special kid of knee with a screw that goes into the top and the bottom bone. She has weak bones and they want to make sure it stays attached. This morning, they have her in physical therapy (or occupational therapy, not sure which, her speech was a bit slurred). They gave her too heavy of pain killer last night and she was having a hard time waking up this morning.
sbeauty
@sbeauty (5865)
• United States
17 Nov 06
I've known people who have had either a knee replacement or a hip replacement. Their doctors encouraged them to get up and move as much as they wanted. I have an elderly friend who had knee replacement in February and liked it so much that he chose to have the 2nd replacement done last month. I know they had him up and walking within a couple of days and only kept him in therapy for about a week. I think if your mom wants to be up and doing, you should let her. She'll know when she's had enough.
1 person likes this
helpful_ideas
@helpful_ideas (1620)
• United States
17 Nov 06
My mother, as much as I love her, doesn't know her own limits and will hurt herself by trying to "get better all at once" from ANY sickness. It has resulted in serious injury in the past. I guess since she is supposed to exercise it a lot, I'll just watch her to make sure she doesn't wear herself out.
cjrindia
@cjrindia (1)
•
31 May 08
for more information about knee replacement, shoulder replacement and resurfacing visit www.cjrindia.com Wockhardt Hospital