Knee Replacement......What the hell have I done!??

[Beardedbuck]

Well, after more than three years of hurting and having the knee scoped 2yrs ago, I was still in a lot of pain in my right knee and arthritis had set up really bad in the knee. So, I took the doctor's advice and we done a total knee replacement on the right knee. It was done on Monday and I've made it this far. Physical Therapy 3 days a week w/home exercises too. Good gosh this hurts like hell! I'm hoping things will start to progress and get better, but man I don't know what I was thinking!

I'm sure there are many of you fellas or gals that have gone through this, was there any one thing that helped you the most to cope w/the pain (other than the meds)?

[youngbuck1]

Mom has had both done. Hurts for a bit but gets better. Hope ya heal up fast!

[Pineywoods]

My Dad did it about 10 years ago and after you heal, you'll be glad you did it. He wants to do his other one now.

[HoustonHunter94]

Not knee replacement but ACL and meniscus replaced with cadaver parts. Stick with the rehab all the way through and it will get better quickly. Best of luck!!

[bklem]

I wasn't prepared for the length of the pain either. Thought I'd be fine in a couple of days or so. Nope. Just make sure you stay ahead of the pain with the medicine and also make sure you are taking a stool softener. Some of the worst pain I've had post-op is from a Volkswagen trying to escape my body! I've learned to basically overdose on stool softener!

[ThisLadyHunts]

No knee replacement (yet) but had surgery for a torn meniscus. I’ve been told knee surgery is the most painful surgery from which to heal (it’s not, but it does seem to take the longest).

Like others here have said, it’s painful at first, but getting up and walking on it, as well as strict adherence to PT will help it heal faster.

Oh, and I made good use of pain meds for the first week or two following surgery. Pain is debilitating, and if you can’t sleep at night, even more so. Don’t be an afraid to take the meds. They’re there to help you, not hurt you.

[Stuck]

Have you seen a video of how the knee is replaced? Amazing it's not a 5 year recovery, you're on day 5. My dad had both replaced replaced a year apart. 10yrs ago never saw him without a cane. Today at 83 the only thing slowing him down is age, and he's not what I would call slow, not as fast as 40 years ago.

[Walker]

I'm glad I don't need one and hope I never do. Had medial meniscus removed in 1972. Before scoping was a thing. Remember the pain like it was yesterday. I feel for all of you going thru this. Good luck with recovery.

[rebelbow]

my uncle had both knees done at the same time at age 70!! tough as a boot!

[tpack]

I wasn't prepared for the length of the pain either. Thought I'd be fine in a couple of days or so. Nope. Just make sure you stay ahead of the pain with the medicine and also make sure you are taking a stool softener. Some of the worst pain I've had post-op is from a Volkswagen trying to escape my body! I've learned to basically overdose on stool softener!

This right here. My wife has had both in the past 6 years and is doing great. Doing the rehab is important. Repeat....Doing the rehab is important. I knew a person who didn`t do the rehab because it hurt and had to have another surgery because of it.

[Preacher Man]

My Dad and father in-law have both had both knees replaced. The mistake my father in-law made was getting behind on his pain meds. He doesn’t like taking opioids and was trying to take as few as possible. Bad move. That guy was in serious pain and he’s one tough hombre with a high pain tolerance.

[60 Deluxe]

My wife had both done on the same day. She can't use any drug that is derived from narcotics or opioids, so it was Tylenol for pain relief. It was rough, but she was a trooper and pushed through the pain. She was ready to go back to work in five weeks but the doctor made her stay home for six.

[ThisLadyHunts]

My wife had both done on the same day. She can't use any drug that is derived from narcotics or opioids, so it was Tylenol for pain relief. It was rough, but she was a trooper and pushed through the pain. She was ready to go back to work in five weeks but the doctor made her stay home for six.

Wow, she sounds like one tough cookie!

[E.TX.BOWHUNTER]

You had it done 5 days ago? Therapy should have started with moving and stretching. You should be just going to a bike now. I was walking fine without a cane or walker at day 13. If you have a home bike for the home exercises 3-5 times a day not to include your PT, that part can hurt but after 2 weeks you will for sure see a lite at the end of the tunnel. Take pain meds 1 hour before PT too. Do all you can in PT. Push it. Yes it hurts but you will be thankful in a couple of weeks.

[White Falcon]

I had both done at different times. Sorry you are in pain. I was told to really exercise and do a lot of stretching before surgery. Did therapy 3 times on both knees, Never went back, no pain, no meds, no walker.
Guess I was lucky. You will find things will get better. You will notice some clicking when you walk, no biggie. Hope things look up for you!