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If you've seen ILJ over the last 5 months, you'll know that she has been hobbling w/pain on bum knees. One of them is now terribly arthritic, and she can't truly walk with it, unless she has a cane. The early fear was for total knee replacement surgery, and given all the busy aspect of day-to-day life, she delayed seeing the doctor. Her reaction early on was to grin and bear it, but it has just become too painful for her... and for me to watch.

We found the right doctor, and ILJ is due on Thursday to have her left knee completely replaced. And after she returns home, it will be an extended period of rehab. I hear tell that she will have some beautiful pain meds (none available for EarlJam), but she will effectively be walking with assistance for the next two months. Hopefully she will have full use of the knee again in the next four months or so.

And then there will be another knee to be worked on sometime in the next few years.

Although vibes are ALWAYS appreciated, one of the main reasons for posting this is to ask all of you not to avoid your medical professionals when it comes to pain in the joints. It's better to get treatment at an early stage than it is to wait. The other reason is to ask those of you who have gone through this procedure to pass along any advice.

As always,
Cheers,
Lavabe

Vibes for ILJ's surgery!

Would she want to get her other knee done this year and take advantage of already having paid the deductible? My friend did that. Knee replacement in July, hip replacement in November.

lawgrad91 wrote:Vibes for ILJ's surgery!

Would she want to get her other knee done this year and take advantage of already having paid the deductible? My friend did that. Knee replacement in July, hip replacement in November.

It's in the back of our minds right now. It all depends on how she recovers from surgery 1.

I have not yet had surgery for my knees, but two significant injuries last year aggravated problems from numerous injuries and overuse over the years. I know the sort of pain and reduced mobility you're talking about. I've also experienced the difference it can make to seek medical attention early rather than late. You're right on the money with that advice.

Please keep us posted as the process progresses. There's already been plenty of advice regarding pain meds and PT, so I'll refrain from additional comments for now!

My Mum had both of her knees replaced due to arthritis and it certainly helped. Hers aren't perfect, but are better than they were.

My knees are an absolute mess right now as well and I am having difficulty walking. They also lock up on me after being bent (like while sitting) for a few minutes and my left knee regularly gives out on me when standing. Actually, they have been bad for years but arthritis has now set into them so I am finally doing something about it. I am due to see the specialist in October (my doctor wants me to see the same guy who replaced my Mum's knees and who recently replaced my doctor's hip but he is out of the country on holiday and then I am unavailable for a while so I can't see him until October) and will have to have both of my knees operated on shortly after that. Thankfully, I am still too young for full replacement surgery so they will do something else to relieve the pain.

Plenty of vibes for ILJ!

Vibes for a successful surgery and as painless and swift a recovery for all of you as possible.
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Love, prayers and gentle hugs for a successful knee replacement for ILJ!

Knee replacement vibes for ILJ! Do I need to take a trip to Ted Drewes and have a concrete on her behalf?

ArkieDukie wrote:Knee replacement vibes for ILJ! Do I need to take a trip to Ted Drewes and have a concrete on her behalf?

I think you do. Way to take one for the team, AD .

I have now belatedly dedicated the Wendy's chocolate frosty I slurped on earlier, late this afternoon, to ILJ, Lavabe and bad knees.
I lost the ACL in my right knee back in '95 and suffered some torn cartilage along the way. Arthoscopy at WF Baptist hospital was great. But, I should have demanded for the ACL replacement. I was 39, and it was 6 months recovery for me. I have nothing of total replacement experience to relate, personally. My 96 yr old next door neighbor had his replaced nearly 20 years ago and had very quick recovery. He's mobile now with a walker and a scooter but it's more due to his age and balance rather than any structural issues.

Believe in a good Physical Therapist.

Vibes, vibes and more vibes for ILJ! The OP has so many fake parts he's afraid of being hit by lightening! Since he first began knee repairs years ago and finally ended up with a replacement, the technology has improved at a rapid rate! It used to be a "one size fits all" sort of thing. Now they custom fit various knees to various people! It's probably good that she waited as long as she could. Replacement knees don't last forever and so far can only be replaced once. In the meantime the surgery got better and better. It's not uncommon now for folks to do both at once. The OP does everything he always did .... except jog, which is what got him into trouble in the first place.

She's gonna do great. Just a word to the wise, being faithful to the therapy afterwards is the real key. It's a bummer but critical to the success of the whole deal.

If you are to be her nurse, lavabe, you will be the recipient of twice as many vibes as I even send out to her. (Been there, done that.) Roll up your sleeves, buddy. I know you'll do a great and loving job !!!


Love, Ima

Mad vibes

And this:

Ima Facultiwyfe wrote: Just a word to the wise, being faithful to the therapy afterwards is the real key. It's a bummer but critical to the success of the whole deal.

I had hip surgery at 26. The skill of the surgeon is out of one's hands, but being faithful about therapy is a choice one can make. It makes a world of difference. Hopefully, she can get a therapist she trusts and then encourage your wife to trust him/her. I despaired at times when I was struggling to lift my leg an inch and having outside perspective on the healing process was so helpful.

Praying that with time this period of pain is but a distant memory.

I had my knee replaced, I think 4 years ago. As others have said, the PT is most important. I chose to have PT at home the first 3 weeks after surgery. I had choices, PT at home, go to rehab for a week or go to a PT center. Bud was home with me. I drove to PT (Duke Center for Living) when the time came. Of course, it was my left knee. Bud got a new knee 2 years ago. I took care of him. Ima is correct, if you are ILJ's caretaker, you need a bunch of vibes. I did have the replacement before it got really bad. My right knee doesn't give me much trouble now that the left knee has taken a lot of pressure off the right one. As far as pain, it was painful. The ice gizmo put on my knee right after surgery really did help. I continued using for about 6 months. I didn't take the strong drugs past my second week. I used ibuprofen for the pain. I made sure I took it 30 min. before PT. I would recommend any one having trouble with their knees to consider a replacement. I would however find out how many knees the surgeon has done. IMO, the more the better.

I hope ILJ and you do well.. I'm sending vibes to both of you.

This is surgery day for ILJ. I'm sure she will do fine.

The surgeon called it a routine knee replacement; no sudden surprises were found. ILJ is resting comfortably now, and should be okay with pain medication. She's making up for lost sleep last night. PT starts tomorrow.

Lavabe wrote:The surgeon called it a routine knee replacement; no sudden surprises were found. ILJ is resting comfortably now, and should be okay with pain medication. She's making up for lost sleep last night. PT starts tomorrow.

Excellent report! I hope that tomorrow will be even better!

Glad to hear such a good report. Tell her Jimmy called to ask about her! ;)

Give her my best wishes too.

Glad to hear the surgery went well. Vibes for pain management and successful PT!


(and vibes to you, Lavabe, as your job is just beginning )

Yay for no surprises


Vibes for the whole house!

Great new!! I feel sure ILJ is going to do great!