Surfacing After Knee Surgery

Thanks for all of you who prayed for me. My Total Knee Replacement went well. I'm really more sore than in pain. Just tired and healing now. I have one problem: numbness and tingling on the bottom of my foot. My net research tells me my peroneal nerve is being constricted by swelling in my leg. I'll talk to my surgeon more about it tomorrow. It seems most cases resolve by themselves and most of the rest need some therapy. A very few need surgery. I also made the mistake of weighing myself this morning, thinking about the fact that I'd eaten almost nothing for 5 days. Well, I'm 6 pounds heavier, undoubtedly all the water retention around my knee. I should have known better. All in all, I'm so glad I went in 77 pounds lighter and having exercised and lifted weights. I was pretty agile in that hospital bed. Donna

Glad things are going ok with you. My right knee stays swollen and I have to have fluid drawn off every month. I am due this friday again. I weighed last friday and had a gain of 8 lbs but the dr said it was probably due to my foot and both knees swollen to the point that my pants are so tight I have to wear joggers and it looks like I have double knees that hit against one another. I hate to walk when I am like this cause it is so tiredsome. I have to use a cane daily. Irish

Hi Irish, Things are still going well. I'm walking without a cane like a normal person for the first time in years. No pain, just some stiffness and, of course, I want to scream every time I have physical therapy. Here's my take on knee replacement surgery. It's great. It has changed my ability to function in a wonderful way, BUT it's not for the faint of heart. Sort of like WLS, but not exactly. It takes a similar big commitment to changing your lifestyle. The surgery takes care of the pain. That bone on bone feeling disappears immediately, but the surgery doesn't take care of range of motion. That takes work with physical therapy. And it's not comfortable. Sometimes I want to hit my PT, but I know he's doing good things for me. It was definitely more painful than WLS, but they've improved a lot on pain management since I had my other knee done 6 years ago. All in all, it's really been worthwhile. Think about it seriously. I'm sorry you're so uncomfortable right now. That swelling sounds awful. Here's some prayers going out for you to get some relief. Donna

Hi Donna and Irish, Total knee replacement is not for sissies. IT HURTS LIKE HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've had both of my knees replaced (not at the same time) and am glad I did so, but for the first 3 months each it was pure misery. I hated my therapist, but because he didn't give up on me I now walk normally. A friend who had hers done the same day has had nothing but trouble with hers. She refused to move at the begining and didn't do her exercises!!!!!!!! She now has a bad limp and stiff leg. Do you have the ice thing that looks like a cooler with a hose and a pad attached? It holds ice water and works with gravity. You put it on the knee for 20 min at a time especially after therapy and exercising. It's fantastic. Way later(4 months out) I used it with ho****er, or I'd soak .Taking your pain meds 30 min before therapy helps. Just don't try to drive after taking them. Tomanip