Things that you rate!

[gadj1976]

Total Knee Replacement Surgery

6 week update

Well it's 6 weeks tomorrow since the op. Again, my knee is feeling really good. It's strong, I feel like I've increased my height by an inch as I'm walking more upright. My back issues have ceased. The other day, I accidentally did 13000 steps, just pottering around the house.

Sleep.... that's an ongoing issue. I've tried just about every combination of sleeping on my back, on my side, knee brace on, knee brace off, pillow under the knee, no pillow. The most sleep I've got straight is 2 hours since I've been home. Thankfully most of the time I've fallen back to sleep but last night I was sitting at my computer from 1.30 - 3am icing my knee again.

I sent a message out of desperation to the clinician to ask for advice and they told me that unfortunately some patients suffer from pain (I quoted a 7 or 8 to the clinician) for many months.

I'm back at work tomorrow which presents many issues for me. My role is generally behind a desk all day so physically it should be ok but I've had to nap during the day about 90% of the time. I'm also icing many times daily which I won't be able to do at work.

Would I do this again? The jury is definitely out.

Sorry that you’re having some regrets.

My missus is having her hip replaced today, in surgery now. She’s been through a lot over the last 5 years so hopefully this will go smoothly. Can’t be any worse than the pain and restricted movement she’s had in the last few months.

That's horrible for her Dedja but from my understanding hips are a breeze in comparison. My mum just had her hip done in August and is 100%. Her knees, done many years earlier weren't as straight forward.

Are they going through the front, or side to do your wife's hip? Front apparently is easier as there is no muscle being cut. The surgeon's can work around the muscles and tendons and hence you can be walking pretty much pain free straight away.

[dedja]

Total Knee Replacement Surgery

6 week update

Well it's 6 weeks tomorrow since the op. Again, my knee is feeling really good. It's strong, I feel like I've increased my height by an inch as I'm walking more upright. My back issues have ceased. The other day, I accidentally did 13000 steps, just pottering around the house.

Sleep.... that's an ongoing issue. I've tried just about every combination of sleeping on my back, on my side, knee brace on, knee brace off, pillow under the knee, no pillow. The most sleep I've got straight is 2 hours since I've been home. Thankfully most of the time I've fallen back to sleep but last night I was sitting at my computer from 1.30 - 3am icing my knee again.

I sent a message out of desperation to the clinician to ask for advice and they told me that unfortunately some patients suffer from pain (I quoted a 7 or 8 to the clinician) for many months.

I'm back at work tomorrow which presents many issues for me. My role is generally behind a desk all day so physically it should be ok but I've had to nap during the day about 90% of the time. I'm also icing many times daily which I won't be able to do at work.

Would I do this again? The jury is definitely out.

Sorry that you’re having some regrets.

My missus is having her hip replaced today, in surgery now. She’s been through a lot over the last 5 years so hopefully this will go smoothly. Can’t be any worse than the pain and restricted movement she’s had in the last few months.

That's horrible for her Dedja but from my understanding hips are a breeze in comparison. My mum just had her hip done in August and is 100%. Her knees, done many years earlier weren't as straight forward.

Are they going through the front, or side to do your wife's hip? Front apparently is easier as there is no muscle being cut. The surgeon's can work around the muscles and tendons and hence you can be walking pretty much pain free straight away.

Yes, anterior, for the precise reasons you mention. After 24 hours, recovery so far has been great. She went for a short walk this morning, is able to get in and out of bed by herself, and pain is fine for now. She has more mobility now, even during the initial ‘bedding in/take it easy’ period than she’s had for months.

She’s a Physio, so did a fair bit of prep before the op which has helped. The Physio who saw her this morning to start the mobility process had it easy.

[Brodlach]

How did your wife go Dedja?

All the best to her and a speedy recovery

[dedja]

How did your wife go Dedja?

All the best to her and a speedy recovery

Cheers … she’s doing really well, should be out of hospital by Thursday, and is already walking around a bit, so probably will only need a walking stick when she comes home.

[gadj1976]

Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Week 7

From a recovery perspective, my knee has been pretty swollen this week which has inhibited me in doing the physio. At worst, I'm trying to do the flexibility component but other exercises have suffered. I have done some stationary bike work this week - periods of 5 & 6 minutes which has been great to roll the legs over.

Sleep is still ordinary. It's better but still a long way from good. I've had stints of 4.5 and 3.5 hours solid over the course of the last week after getting the medication slightly modified from Endone which gave 2 hours relief to Palexia which gives a longer lasting relief. I've moved from the bedroom to a recliner to see if I can get better sleep. So far, not much progress.

Side note: My GP looked at my knee and was worried about the size of it, and the heat in it. I saw the physio the same day and he said "it's normal". It'd be good if they were on the same page!

I've also purchased a gel 'sleeve' which slips over my knee and keeps both sides cold at the same time. I put it in the freezer for a couple of hours and then put it over my knee. At least it negates the need for ice cubes which is a pain.

[gadj1976]

How did your wife go Dedja?

All the best to her and a speedy recovery

Cheers … she’s doing really well, should be out of hospital by Thursday, and is already walking around a bit, so probably will only need a walking stick when she comes home.

How old is she Dedja? What caused it?

[dedja]

Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Week 7

From a recovery perspective, my knee has been pretty swollen this week which has inhibited me in doing the physio. At worst, I'm trying to do the flexibility component but other exercises have suffered. I have done some stationary bike work this week - periods of 5 & 6 minutes which has been great to roll the legs over.

Sleep is still ordinary. It's better but still a long way from good. I've had stints of 4.5 and 3.5 hours solid over the course of the last week after getting the medication slightly modified from Endone which gave 2 hours relief to Palexia which gives a longer lasting relief. I've moved from the bedroom to a recliner to see if I can get better sleep. So far, not much progress.

I've also purchased a gel 'sleeve' which slips over my knee and keeps both sides cold at the same time. I put it in the freezer for a couple of hours and then put it over my knee. At least it negates the need for ice cubes which is a pain.

I hope you can get on top of your pain and swelling issues soon, must be doing your head in a bit.

[gadj1976]

Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Week 7

From a recovery perspective, my knee has been pretty swollen this week which has inhibited me in doing the physio. At worst, I'm trying to do the flexibility component but other exercises have suffered. I have done some stationary bike work this week - periods of 5 & 6 minutes which has been great to roll the legs over.

Sleep is still ordinary. It's better but still a long way from good. I've had stints of 4.5 and 3.5 hours solid over the course of the last week after getting the medication slightly modified from Endone which gave 2 hours relief to Palexia which gives a longer lasting relief. I've moved from the bedroom to a recliner to see if I can get better sleep. So far, not much progress.

I've also purchased a gel 'sleeve' which slips over my knee and keeps both sides cold at the same time. I put it in the freezer for a couple of hours and then put it over my knee. At least it negates the need for ice cubes which is a pain.

I hope you can get on top of your pain and swelling issues soon, must be doing your head in a bit.

A lot! Several times I've wandered the house at 1.30/2 in the morning thinking about taking myself to hospital and asking for them to lop the leg off. Thankfully in my more lucid moments, I realise that that might be a little over zealous.

To add to that, at functions I'm leaving early cos I'm stuffed. I didn't go away for NY because I'm stuffed. Working is difficult because I'm constantly tired. Just existing is tough at the moment.

[dedja]

Sorry to say this, but you’ve solidified my thinking to delay getting mine done as much as I can.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m somewhat fortunate that I can manage to some extent and I’m not in enough constant pain for surgery to be urgent.

[Dutchy]

Yeah Gadj you aren't making me feel very confident about having mine done now!

Ideally I want/need to get mine done and recovered before July when we go OS

[gadj1976]

Yeah Gadj you aren't making me feel very confident about having mine done now!

Ideally I want/need to get mine done and recovered before July when we go OS

Sorry to say this, but you’ve solidified my thinking to delay getting mine done as much as I can.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m somewhat fortunate that I can manage to some extent and I’m not in enough constant pain for surgery to be urgent.

Please remember (as I type this at 3.40am!), I'm one of thousands getting this op done daily and some/most are back sleeping normally after 2 weeks. I spoke to Kahuna recently and he was one of those who was back to normal after a fortnight.

Going back right to the start of my experience, walking for me is completely different and 'new' in many facets - every single one of them positive. My back is feeling brilliant - better than it has for at least 15 years and I'm not walking on the outside of my left foot any more as I was.

I haven't been able to see my surgeon but I suspect that I've had a 'realignment' which has and is causing stress on my Medial ligament which is where I'm waking in pain. Your experience will more than likely be very different. And you also should be aware that going into this I wasn't a good sleeper because of the arthritis in my knee. This has just exacerbated things. But as soon as the injury heals I'm hoping my sleep improves several times over.

Also note that I started this in the 'things I rate' thread because of the short term benefits. I realise that long term I'm going to be way ahead of where I am today - its this interim stage that's just plain hard work.

NB my flexibility is at about 120 degrees - quite advanced for 7 weeks.

[wenchbarwer]

We're riding that rollercoaster with you, it seems!

[gadj1976]

We're riding that rollercoaster with you, it seems!

It is exactly that. It's not a linear path to full recovery that's for certain. But I have realised in the past week or so that this (what I'm going through now) is temporary and I have to keep looking to the horizon to see the full benefit.

Like I've said, that's hard to do when you're not sleeping, but you have to keep focused on the reason why you got your knee done in the first place.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Dolphin pod about 30m offshore at christies

[whufc]

The bloke winning a million dollars in the one point slam.

Fun, harmless way to promote the sport. Was great seeing amateurs get to compete against the world's best even if only for one point.

[gadj1976]

We're riding that rollercoaster with you, it seems!

It is exactly that. It's not a linear path to full recovery that's for certain. But I have realised in the past week or so that this (what I'm going through now) is temporary and I have to keep looking to the horizon to see the full benefit.

Like I've said, that's hard to do when you're not sleeping, but you have to keep focused on the reason why you got your knee done in the first place.

Update: I decided last night to go back to basics. Back to bed! Slept fairly solid from 9.45 till 5.15, 5.20 to 6.20, 6.30 to 7.30, 7.35 to 8.20 when the dog woke me up. When I did wake, I was in pain/discomfort, but not anything that I couldn't get back under control by laying on my back with my knee horizontal.

So last night was a step in the right direction. Hopefully it continues.

[Lightning McQueen]

We're riding that rollercoaster with you, it seems!

It is exactly that. It's not a linear path to full recovery that's for certain. But I have realised in the past week or so that this (what I'm going through now) is temporary and I have to keep looking to the horizon to see the full benefit.

Like I've said, that's hard to do when you're not sleeping, but you have to keep focused on the reason why you got your knee done in the first place.

Update: I decided last night to go back to basics. Back to bed! Slept fairly solid from 9.45 till 5.15, 5.20 to 6.20, 6.30 to 7.30, 7.35 to 8.20 when the dog woke me up. When I did wake, I was in pain/discomfort, but not anything that I couldn't get back under control by laying on my back with my knee horizontal.

So last night was a step in the right direction. Hopefully it continues.

Did you take it for a test run?

[dedja]

Dryer has been getting noisier over time, so decided to investigate.

Pulled the sides apart, checked everything over, couldn’t see anything obvious.

Next step was pulling the back off, anyway 20 screws later, the blower fan is attached to the back panel.

Turn it on with the back panel off, noise is gone.

Pull apart the fan blower, bearing assembly and spindle, seemed to be some play there, so bought a replacement bearing assembly and spindle.

Tried the bearing assembly first, no change, then replaced the spindle. Noise is gone.

Put it back together, $70 in parts and some (haphazard) problem solving, job done.

If I was cleverer, would have only spent $21 as I didn’t need a new bearing assembly.

[gadj1976]

Dryer has been getting noisier over time, so decided to investigate.

Pulled the sides apart, checked everything over, couldn’t see anything obvious.

Next step was pulling the back off, anyway 20 screws later, the blower fan is attached to the back panel.

Turn it on with the back panel off, noise is gone.

Pull apart the fan blower, bearing assembly and spindle, seemed to be some play there, so bought a replacement bearing assembly and spindle.

Tried the bearing assembly first, no change, then replaced the spindle. Noise is gone.

Put it back together, $70 in parts and some (haphazard) problem solving, job done.

If I was cleverer, would have only spent $21 as I didn’t need a new bearing assembly.

What's your call out fee Dedja?

[dedja]

Sliding scale, depending on who it is.