05/23/2013 04:18 PM
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johnteylor
Posts: 94
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Hello,
kneereplacement surgery is recommended for older people, although adults or teenagers of any age can be candidates for the procedure, since they are physically active and will more rapidly wear the joint out. The weight, gender, or age of the person is never a factor when considering kneereplacement surgery. Whether or not to perform surgery is nearly always based on the severity of pain and degree of disability of the patient.
If should be noted that kneereplacement surgery that occurs earlier in life usually means further surgery later on. However, several studies have proven that kneereplacement surgery performed before severe stiffness and pain set in is associated with better outcomes.
When considering the option of kneereplacement surgery, doctors take into account a number of symptoms:
Severe knee pain or stiffness: Do symptoms seriously undermine the patient's ability to carry out everyday tasks and activities, such as walking, going upstairs, getting in and out of cars, getting up from a chair, etc?
Moderate but continuous knee pain: Is pain present while sleeping or resting?
Chronic knee inflammation and swelling: Does the swelling not improve after taking medications or resting? Do drugs cause unpleasant side effects?
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kneereplacement
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04/22/2013 02:05 PM
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johnteylor
Posts: 94
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Hi Friends, Previously, kneereplacement surgeries were reserved for very old patients who were severely crippled by osteoarthritis. "Now patients in their 40s and 50s are experiencing an earlier onset of osteoarthritis that affects their daily lives. ............................................................................................. kneereplacement
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08/30/2011 10:05 PM
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prarie3071
Posts: 1
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I had a total knee replacement (TKR) on July 18, 2011. I had some complications due to the anesthesia, and ended up in the hospital longer then expected. I came home on oxygen and catheter for approx. 2 more weeks. I had in home nurse and PT twice a week. Needless to say, I got off to a slow start. I saw my OS at the 4 week point, and he was not pleased with my progress thus far. I am now scheduled for aggresive PT for poor (ROM) range of motion. He has already spoken the "M" word to me, and said that if he did not see significant change by the 8 week mark, then he would be recommending manipulation. Needless to say, I'm scared to death, as I listened to someone who told me nothing but horror stories. Even tho I am still scare, it has helped to read the comments that many of you have freely shared. I'm 54, single, and recently lost my son. Between trying to recoup my health and experiencing over whelming grief, this has been an up hill struggle. I pray that I will continue to heal as needed and if manipulation is required, that I will embrace the help to move forward with my life. Once again thank-you for sharing the positive words, and experiences. I will keep you up to date with the process and progress. God Bless.
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11/15/2007 07:52 AM
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Heaven216
Posts: 135
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Hello subzero,
I copy and pasted a post I put on back in November after my manipulation, hope it helps. There are so many other experiences on this forum for information in the search that may be able to assist you.
Please keep us posted...
Evelyn
11/08/2006 09:07 AM
Heaven216
Posts: 99
Joined: 09/24/2006
Hello everyone,
Thank you all for your prayers and especially to Vic and Morko, I guess God was listening.....lol
Well, I went in on Monday and because they had to give me a shot in my main nerve on each of my legs, and it would take some time for them to wake up.......... my OS had me stay overnight.
The procedure was FANTASTIC........ (because I did not feel a thing, lol)
when I woke up in the recovery room, they had my legs in this iceman machine, which is great, becasue you just wrap it, put ice in the bucket and plug it in.... you can leave it all night long....
Anyway, I was so scared of the pain I was going to encounter, especially with everyone warning me about it. In which my OS suggest I go to PT right from the hospital so they could work on my legs while they were numb.
Due to traffice and the discharge from the hospitol I could not make the time they gave me but had to go later that night ..... so, being in a panic about the pain, I decided to take my morphen pill, (just in case) but, to my shocking surprise, I have not had any "MAJOR" pain.......... I do not know if my nerves are still numb, but thepain I feel is the norm. I still have the stiffness, but not like everyone has stated....
I went in with ROM 65 & 68, my OS said he got me at 120..... and when I went to PT I was 85 & 90
I asked my PT that how could I have gone that low from one day.... and she indicates that now there is swellen again and scar tissue grows very fast...... that is why we must CONSTANTLY BE MOVING our legs, not to allow the scar tissue to grow...... she said not to worry, that we will increase those numbers...
Today, for the first time, I was able to get on my stationary bike and go all around on the foot pedal.... not smoothly, but I did it... yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
For one thing, I am not going to allow my legs to get that stiff again, The minute I feel the stiffness, what I do is excerise, nothing major, but I have these steps my hubby made me and I go up and down on those for a while.
I think that when you get still, it is the joint, muscle, etc, letting you know that it went back to the oriningal state. Because I know that when I excerise, and I stop it feel like a rubber band in it pulling back again................
Well guys, nice being back and once again thank you for your prayers.
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08/09/2007 04:25 AM
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subzero
Posts: 4
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snowwbuni,
Our circumstances are indeed very similiar. Although, your infection certainly seems much more severe than mine.
I only suffered one more small set-back following the infection. After the infection, and the scabbing (ewww!) really got into full swing, I noticed one day that one scab seemed "different" than the others. After some poking and prodding at it myself, I decided that the doctor should probably have a look. And wouldn't you know it...it wasn't a "scab" at all. It was a tendon stitch sticking out of the wound. The doctor had to attach a clamp and pull on it, then cut a small length off and tuck it back inside the incision so it could then scab over. That scab has yet to fully heal.
On a better note. It appears that I have been able to avoid a manipulation. With more intensive PT, I am now at 128degrees and still progressing. I saw the doctor this past monday, and he is pleased with my progress. Whew!
snowwbuni,
Even with your set-backs and your bout with anger at the doctors and such, and losing your job, you seem to have a very hopeful and optimistic attitude. A very important thing to have on the road to recovery.
I sincerely wish you the very best, and hope all your goals are realized! You are in my thoughts.
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08/08/2007 10:52 AM
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snowwbuni
Posts: 2
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Hi Subzero & All Knee Manipulation Post-ers: I want to say thanks because I don't know that I could have walked in there to that surgery center one week ago this morning for my manipulation had I not found a real people forum on knee manipulation on the internet at 5 a.m. that day. I had an ACL reconstruction (cadaver method) March 29 after I tore my ACL at a grade 2 and my MCL at a grade 1 in a skiing accident on the moguls on Feb. 11. To make a long story short, while the operation was successful, the aftermath was not. I was wrapped too tightly, recovery room nurses told me to keep the dressings wrapped the way they were too long (7 days instead of the 2 it should have been), I bled internally, I caught celluliitis (a life threatening skin infection) and my skin ruptured into blood blisters. Needless to say, that meant I couldn't get to physical therapy until three weeks after. Which put me WAY behind in bending and rehab. While PT made it possible to get off crutches in seven weeks, to drive again, stand up in my best friend's wedding, and enjoy a summer Michael Buble concert, I was still bending at meerly 70 degrees. This from a girl whose old yoga knees probably bent to at least 140 if not more (more than the average girl). In those first three months, I had lost my job due to such complications. But I had to move forward knowing that, I can always get a job, but I won't ever be on this road again with my knee - or have this opportunity to work on it. I can get another job. But can I get another leg? No. In the first two months of PT, I got to exercising five hours a day with the physical therapists exercises. I made myself sick trying. My blood blisters did not even close up until the four month mark so this made the situation for the PT very difficult. I took exercise down to two on advice of many second opinions once the three month mark hit and manipulation really seemed iminent. I suffered extreme emotional and physical difficulties as a result and the idea of manipulation sounded absolutely absurd! Subzero, I completely understand when you say manipulations sounds like too much to bear!! Because I felt this way too!! I was angry at all doctors, nurses, etc. But the nurse neighbor who lives next door, I told her about it and she said "manipulation is very very minor in comparison to what you've already had done." And yes, she's right. While manipulation is not the optimal choice (you always hope your exercises can do the trick in those first three critical, critical months), if you're at three to six months and it's not past 90 and/or seems just like it's not budging, it's definitely a big consideration. I asked my doctor, will I have long term problems as a result of manipulation. He said it was more likely I would have them without manipulation. It's an uphill battle I would say for sure after the four-month mark out from surgery. And six months is chancing it but I think anyone looking at that needs to crack down on at least two hours of exercise a day. I read something that said the three month mark is where the knee should at least be getting past 90 degrees. And a doctor described scar tissue to me as like concrete - it starts to set at the three month mark like glue. I had heard some with six months out from surgery can't get the manipulation worked out successfully. I think in all situations, please please do any pt exercises you have for at least two hours a day. I did this and at my 4-month mark out from my acl surgery, I walked into manipulation and the doctor was done in 5 minutes without having to open me up. I'm on a CPM machine bending to 120 right now. On my own, I start out at 110 which is miles above where I was but still 30 degrees below where I was before. Subzero, I particularly empathize with your story because at the moment of my injury, I was sure, sure I'd broke at the knee. I think by chance or miracle, it was only an acl. But I know, know what you mean when you are describing your injury. Because that is what I had been certain I'd done. I hope you did opt manipulation if the doctor recommended it in your last appointment in July. For whatever reason that late March/early April surgery time wasn't quite lined up in the stars as a fortunate time. I'm more of a religious person and believe that somehow, whatever suffering I have here on earth will put me closer to eternal life. And that God wouldn't give this to me if I couldn't take it. "Why me" should be replaced by, why not me. I can handle this, get through this, and be better for it in the end. While I don't have my yoga knees back yet, I am a ton more hopeful. I got back on the bike yesterday which is so important after acl surgery or manipulation. A friend of mine got back on her bike the two days after her 2nd acl surgery. No way could I have done that with my infection. But you're all blessed if you escape surgery as one of the 80 percent nothing happens to with infections. You're blessed if you can climb onto that bike. it's important to "get it going" a lot right after on bikes or nustep or step machines. I'm hopeful to get my knees both back to 140. I think I can do it  quote:
Originally posted by: subzero
I'm also looking at knee manipulation (well...the doctor is looking at it). I can't say I'm real thrilled with the idea.
I broke my leg (at the knee) in early April, and had reconstuctive surgery about 1.5 weeks later. I now have 2 metal plates, and 18 screws holding my leg together. Due to the severity of the injury and a subsequent infection of one of the incisions, my pt was delayed longer than it should have been.
As of yesterday, my flexion was a steady 57 degrees, with a one time (very painful) max of 64 degrees. Now I have 4 weeks til my next dr appt to improve or he's going to recommend manipulation.
The thought of being knocked out, and having my leg forcefully bent is almost more than I can bear to imagine. It has helped to read some of your success stories, and I wish you all the very best and speedy recoveries.
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10/13/2006 11:09 PM
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laxkate22
Posts: 6
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I had the manipulation done on Tuesday and was originally supposed to stay over only one night for pain management. The only reason I ended up staying another night was because I the hospital I had the procedure in (Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC) is located across the street from where that Yankee player crashed his plane. I was unable to leave the hospital because no one was allowed to get close to the hospital to pick me up. It was so sad and tragic, but looking on the bright side, I was happy that I could stay another night and let the pain subside! I definitely DO NOT recommend leaving right after this procedure. I think the pain would be tough to handle on only painkillers. I am still sore and I must say that PT is still really hard. I had a bit of a rude awakening today but I knew it wouldnt be easy! It is still very painful to do the stretching exercises but at least I am at 112 and not 75. One more week of therapy everyday and I am hoping to be home free...I think I can I think I can.... Good luck with PT and again, if you end up going in for the procedure and end up having any more questions, you know where to find me! Kate
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10/12/2006 05:57 PM
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laxkate22
Posts: 6
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Hi! So, I had a successful knee manipulation on Tuesday morning. I was really nervous going into it and I must say that I am so happy that I went ahead and did it. I was in absolute shock and awe to see my knee bend at 120 degrees on the CPM afterwards! I had an epidural and was awake during the procedure. My ortho actually did it in the recovery room and it only took about 5 minutes...thats it! I had an epidural and a little bit of twilight gas to ease my nerves during the procedure. Although I really did not want to watch it, my ortho thought it was a good idea to see the fact that my leg was bending with my own eyes! It was the strangest sensation because you dont even feel like you are looking at your own leg! Once it was all done, they inserted a painkiller drip in my epidural line that continuously flowed into me and I was also allowed to push a button to self-administer it as well...it was basically the same thing as a morphine drip. I must say that if I did not have the option to stay overnight, I would have been miserable. You really need to stay just for pain management but compared to the pain I went through after my surgery, this was nothing. 2 days later, my range of motion is about 112 but they said that is normal and I will still have to work to get the rest. It is a completely different pain though. It feels more like stretching after you have pulled a muscle whereas before it felt like I was gettig stabbed in the knee! So all in all, I HIGHLY reccommend this procedure! You still have to work hard afterwards but the hard work is much more rewarding! This post was a bit all over the place, so I apologize. I have a bit of a hard time focusing due to the percocet I am on! Any questions, just ask and I will reply! I hope you are all well! Kate
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