I Have A New Knee

Canada
March 29, 2018 9:02am CST
On the 21's of March I was in the hospital at the crack of dawn. It was a fast moving morning, getting out of my clothes and into surgery clothes, hurry up and wait for the next step. We (my husband and I) had a private cubby to relax in and be checked by a dozen nurses and doctors. Soon I was pushed away with a kiss from my hubby and into surgery. They had me sitting on a metal table, a handsome young man was holding me and telling me how to behave, rounding my back and getting ready to have a spinal. It didn't hurt and I was out like a light in a matter of seconds. My last memory of the morning was a lot of people in the same color covers talking to me and each other for a few seconds and I was gone... When I woke up I was in a new room with dozens of others waking up. The nurse next to me, watching my numbers asked a few questions and I realized my legs were flat ahead of me. I mentioned it to the nurse, asking why it felt like my knees were bent? The spinal was done while I was sitting on the table and my body remembered that so I felt like my legs were bent when in real time, the legs were flat. In an hours or so I was moved to my room, I had a roommate that I said hello to and she left that afternoon. It took a long time to get the feeling back into my legs, about 6 hours and when it did happen....it hurt like HELL. The day came to an end – a very painful evening, the nurses had me on drugs and covered in ice. The ice packs were wonderful – more in the next chapter...
23 people like this
25 responses
@FourWalls (61329)
• United States
29 Mar 18
My aunt had a knee replacement because her knees hurt so bad. The first couple of days after the surgery she wondered if she'd made a mistake, because the post-op pain was worse than what she'd been experiencing!
4 people like this
• Canada
29 Mar 18
Lucky for me I had the other knee done 8 years ago, I was younger and yes it hurt like hell but soon the pain is forgotten knowing that walking will no longer hurt.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129132)
• Israel
30 Mar 18
@FourWalls I am so so sorry that she is suffering more after the surgery and sorry I thought it was you and not your Aunt.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (61329)
• United States
30 Mar 18
@Hannihar -- that was nearly 11 years ago. She eventually got over the pain, but it made the first couple of days of PT a nightmare. And my aunt isn't a complainer!
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (455008)
• Switzerland
29 Mar 18
Did you had surgery last year in April? This kind of surgery sounds really painful.
3 people like this
• Canada
31 Mar 18
Just had the replacement a week ago, I had the other leg done 8 years ago. So far all is good, I see my surgeon this coming week to remove the staples and bandages...
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (455008)
• Switzerland
1 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate I am glad that you feel fine now. I heard it's a painful surgery.
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
29 Mar 18
you had this done last year?
2 people like this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
1 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate It will go by fast.Hang in there.
• Canada
1 Apr 18
I had it done a few days ago. I am home and recovering. I had the other knee 8 years ago, and that one is fabulous, I know the new one will be fabulously great too, but it will take three months...
• Midland, Michigan
3 Apr 18
I didn't experience any of that from the spinal, and the shots I got DID hurt. I don't remember what I felt after waking up, although my insurance paid for the ice machine which I took home with me three days later. Other patients did better with the exercises than I, but Im hoping this round will be easier for that part. Thanks to shaggin I saw this post.
2 people like this
• Midland, Michigan
15 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate Here they keep you in the hospital for just under three days so they know we can get around and do the exercises. For those with steps in their house they also practice on the ramp with steps too. For those without insurance, it's possible they leave earlier than the three days, I don't know. I also took an ice machine home with me which I till take back for my next surgery. I'm hoping the knee I still need to get done won't take as long to recuperate from although I would still like my three months off from work This knee isn't as bad as the other one was.
1 person likes this
• Canada
15 Apr 18
@MarshaMusselman our hospitals and doctors are free for us in Canada, i’m Going to write about why I left after one sleep, and some other stuff today. When did you have your done?
1 person likes this
• Canada
14 Apr 18
I felt the needles but I was out like a light...I was home the day after the surgery, after meeting the Physio and did all my moves and she said I could go home if I wanted. I wanted to go so did. I have done my exercises three times a day from the day we came home. My pain level is low, if I ‘m uncomfortable or can’t sleep I use Tylenol, my heavy duty meds lasted two weeks and the doctor said no more fun pills...I see my Physio Tuesday and I know she will say lose the walker and just use your cane...looking forward to that freedom.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129132)
• Israel
30 Mar 18
@PainsOnSlate How long were you in the hospital? How are you feeling now?
2 people like this
• Canada
31 Mar 18
I need to write more now that I’m feeling better. I went to hospital at 7 in the morning, surgery was 10: 30, I was in recovery around one, and in my room around 5 PM. I left the next day after my physio said I could leave, . I had the option to stay another day but the noise drove me crazy so happily left a day early.
1 person likes this
• Canada
1 Apr 18
@Hannihar it’s healing, it’s often painful, but my husband ices it down and the cold feels good. I do walk off and on all day and the meds that hides the pain is nice to have. I expect I will be walking normally in two months.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129132)
• Israel
1 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate I understand about hospital noise. I got very sick on a plane while traveling from Israel to Minneapolis and ended up in Queens hospital and it was very noisy. I do not blame you for wanting to leave. How is your knee?
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29901)
• Manila, Philippines
29 Mar 18
Hello. I was left hanging for the next chapter. Hope all are okay on your side. Take care.
2 people like this
• Canada
29 Mar 18
Thanks for being patient, my husband limits the time I can sit by the computer, I am not supposed to be sitting up with feet below so it will be short stories...
1 person likes this
• Canada
31 Mar 18
@mlgen1037 I will be wfriting more soon, I am stronger day after day.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29901)
• Manila, Philippines
29 Mar 18
@PainsOnSlate No worries. I can wait but I am excited to read the new one.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71572)
• United States
31 Mar 18
I was going to ask if you meant March but then at the end I assume it was last year you got the new knee? Did they explain what caused it to feel like your knees were bent when they were flat? I'm curious about that it's interesting.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71572)
• United States
3 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate Oh okay so this was recent and you are healing now from this surgery. There is another mylot member here who had her knee replaced and wrote about it often. Maybe she can give you some good tips. I believe it was @MarshaMusselman That is really interesting about the brain remembering what you heard so you feeling they were bent when they were not!
1 person likes this
• Canada
2 Apr 18
I did make a mistake and changed from April to March. The surgery was March 21...I go to therapy tomorrow and on Thursday, I see my surgeon and he will take off my bandage remove the staples. The explanttion for the bent knees was the last thing my brain heard before I was out of it. The nusrses said it was the last thing my brain saw is what my brain rememberedand when I woke up, my brain was telling me what it remembered...wired but fun too...
2 people like this
• Canada
3 Apr 18
@shaggin thanks, I will look up knee replacement I’m mytot. And I am in recovery and will be at least three months.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
14 Jun 18
Well this part doesn't sound like a lot of fun!!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
18 Jun 18
@PainsOnSlate That sounds very encouraging
1 person likes this
• Canada
18 Jun 18
it wasn't fun at that point, then in the middle of night while trying to sleep a machine feeding me meds went crazy. When my husband showed up the next morning I said I want to go home and we did that, we didn't just walk out we got permission and I could walk up the stairs and they let us go. Soooooo good to sleep in my bed, now in mid-June, I am walking normal and it feels like I've not had surgery... life is back to normal/.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
29 Mar 18
It sounds very painful. How are you doing now
2 people like this
• Canada
3 Apr 18
Most days I am calmed with meds, rarely do I need more meds to hide the pain. I exercise a lot and that makes me stronger, after the first few weeks, it gets better. I am looking forward to having my staples and bandages off this week.
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
20 Apr 18
I'm glad that you've had this done at last. When you said 'spinal' I thought that must be similar to an epidural, but when you said you were out of it, I realised it couldn't be. A friend of mine had her hip replaced with an epidural, but I wouldn't fancy that at all.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
25 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate Having an epidural wasn't an option when I had my children - I'd have had it like a shot - the pain of childbirth is horrendous, isn't it?
1 person likes this
• Canada
25 Apr 18
@jaboUK My first came before the shot was in and i had her natural and yes, I have never had such pain. Horrendous is the right word.
1 person likes this
• Canada
24 Apr 18
I just looked up both and they are similar but different, mine was called a spinal, and yes I was out for several hours. I think I had an epidural with my last child...not sure but I have heard the word before.. I was awake for the birth and didn't feel a thing...
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12541)
• Ireland
29 Mar 18
@painsonslate I don’t mean to be rude, but what to they do with the old knee?
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12541)
• Ireland
31 Mar 18
@PainsOnSlate You didn’t get it home with you for the dog to chew on?
1 person likes this
• Canada
31 Mar 18
@xFiacre actually I wondered if the surgeon took it home or maybe a nurse for their dog, or to make a soup.....
1 person likes this
• Canada
31 Mar 18
Funny that you asked that...I have no idea what they do with it, all I know is it wasn’t working so I was happy it was gone....
• United States
29 Mar 18
I probably need a knee replacement but the pain keeps me from pursuing it
2 people like this
• Canada
1 Apr 18
I was afraid of the new knee the first time and I know how easy it is to put it off...but trust me, it hurts for a while but not forever. I put off this surgery until I couldn’t stand the pain anywhere...why did I wait for long? Because I know it will take around 4 months to recovery. So once I realized I needed to give up 4 months to be pain free. I did it...by July I will be pain free.
@sallypup (57307)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Mar 18
I love the photo though it makes me cold. Your surgery makes me even colder. My left knee cap has been out of place for years but I don't have the grit to have surgery. I admire you.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (57307)
• Centralia, Washington
15 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate I'm glad you are getting better. One month out and almost pain free. That sounds wonderful. Hugs from me.
1 person likes this
• Canada
15 Apr 18
@sallypup thank you!.
1 person likes this
• Canada
15 Apr 18
I can’t stand to be in pain with every step I take, the first was the worst because I had no idea what it was going to be like and I babied myself and it took a long time to recover. This time I knew what was going to happen and how it would feel so I pushed myself, and after one month I am almost pain free.... I don’t think I will be 100 % until another month, but it certainly is faster when I push myself, compaired to baby myself.
1 person likes this
@YrNemo (20272)
29 Mar 18
Oh My God! and I thought it was a simple process, the knee replacement. Thanks for this post.
1 person likes this
• Canada
16 Apr 18
@YrNemo I keep up my exercises until all my mobility is back to normal. That means, I can walk comfortability with no pain at all, my knee moves like it’s supposed, and it feels normal, I am guessing by June I will be back to normal. I have met people who stop too soon and are uncomfortable and stiff. My goal is normal.
• Canada
15 Apr 18
It’s major surgery but easy on the body, the important things is to do what they tell you and exercise, exercise and exercise. It hurts to excersize but I do it pain or not.
1 person likes this
@YrNemo (20272)
16 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate How long do you have to keep up with the exercise after the operation? I have an acquaintance, close to 80. She got a similar operation half a year ago.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157049)
• United States
10 Apr 18
I realized I had not heard from you in a while. I honestly was trying to remember if you were someone's sister here then thought to come check up on you. This is why you are not around much. Good luck in the healing.
1 person likes this
• Canada
13 Apr 18
I hope to add a story or two soon, recovering is easier than when I had the other leg done years ago. Easier only because I know what will happen, I am feeling good, by next week I will be off the walker and on a cane. By June I should be back to normal, a healthy knee, a fake one, but by then there should be no more pain.
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
2 May 18
It sounds painful but I am sure it will get much better.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110771)
• El Paso, Texas
29 Mar 18
How long did it take for the pain to subside enough to walk? Your annual anniversary for this surgery is coming up next month. I love that photo, it would be perfect as a Christmas card.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110771)
• El Paso, Texas
14 Apr 18
I'm glad things are going so well @PainsOnSlate Wow, what a way to save an old building.
1 person likes this
• Canada
14 Apr 18
That barn is no longer there, it was removed board by board and the old wood was sold for new buildings to look old. Made me happy. The house by the barn was torn down but the barn was saved....piece by piece. To answer your question about my leg, I was walking on it the day I had the surgery. It hurt for a while but I was on really strong pills and I popped them in my mouth to hide some pain and help to sleep. I had exercises to do three times a day and still do but now it doesn't hurt to move, or exercise. I will be off the walker on Tuesday when I see my physio, and then I will use a cane for a while until I am fullly recovered. I'm also off the strong meds, that ended when the bottles empty, we ask for more and the Doctor said no more, use Tylenol extra strength and that is what I do... but rarely do I need them now.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19706)
• India
30 Mar 18
Was the surgery done on March 21 this year? Waiting for the next chapter.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19706)
• India
18 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate Okay.Good to know you are getting better.
1 person likes this
• Canada
14 Apr 18
Yes, I put the wrong date, it was in March this year, I am doing well and getting stronger every day, I will try to add a new post tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21617)
• Canada
8 Apr 18
I hadn't realized you were having surgery. I missed this post and because I hadn't seen you around in a while I decided it was time to search for you. Hope all is well.
1 person likes this
• Canada
14 Apr 18
All is well, I am recovering and now have very little pain. I need to write more about this and will try to get that done tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323744)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Apr 18
I missed this back when and have just read your next post saying you're home again and doing well so that's really good.
1 person likes this
• Canada
17 Apr 18
Thanks, I am feeling great and looking to be camping in July. I planned the surgery so it will not get in the way of camping...silly but true..
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323744)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate That's what I'd be doing too. I don't think it is silly at all. I understand completely.
1 person likes this