Really positive TNR experience!
glitterbug
Member Posts: 20
Hey guys!
Well after many cancelled dates and postponements I am finally back to report on my knee replacement experience!
I wanted to let you all know what a positive experince it has been for me and that I think this has helped hugely with the recover (so far).
I had it done last Thursday (26th March). I went in absolutely decided on having a normal GA even tho I am a very "risky" case and knew that I would feel pretty rubbish for a few days afterwards. When we got to the hospital, they treat you a little like cattle, with loading bays & changing areas but this actually made you have less time to worry. The lovely anaesthetists came in to go through the GA and started chatting about the Epidural option. Straight away I was like, "oh no, I don't want to risk being anywhere near concious incase I hear noises and also didn't want the time to feel like it was dragging etc." She was so lovely and explained the whole thing saying it was her job to make me feel 100% comfortable and that if I did become concious she would give me a hefty dose of vallium. Anyway before I knew it, I had decided to just go for it and try to stay positive.
Wow, i think this was the BEST desicion I have ever made! They gave me some vallium in my veins and that's literally ALL i remember. I was completely out of it for everything, even the epidural! Amazing stuff! I woke up feeling fantastic afterwards, had no sickness, no memory of anything horrible. The knee was very "tight" but no real pain at all. I was straight up in the bed, eating and drinking (so no need for lengthy drips etc) I managed for 10hrs with the PCA, which worked great for me and also had a catheter which sounds awful but I found it a life saver with the amount I normally go, ha ha!!!
Anyway to cut a huge story down a little. The next morning the physio had me up out of bed standing on it. This was uncomfortable but bearable! I then had lack of physio over the weekend which annoyed the heck out of me but from doing all the prep and research I took it upon myself to keep at it all weekend. I managed to start walking with the frame by saturday, and by sunday I was zooming off round the ward!
The surgeons did their ward round on Monday and were literally shocked with my progress. My background is 30yrs with very severe RA, arms and hands very deformed and not a great deal of strength etc. So after a chat with the physio (finally) I was discharged yesterday morning! Woo hoo! It's so lovely to be back at home and I am realling pushing myself to get moving. left the hospital with almost 90 degrees of bend which is what I had before so anything past there will be fantastic.
Pain-wise, it is sore (the knee cap area in particular and the actual scar) and very stiff & tight. But you have to keep pushing at it.
My top tips.....
* Do loads of muscle building before, this I really think helped me
* Try and stay positive, you will have bad times where it feels like
too much BUT keep at it!!!
* And even if the physio's aren't doing a great job, take it upon
yourself to keep working on the leg lifts and muscles. This will
help so much and you'll be amazed at how quickly you will get the
strength back.
* And finally....arnica tablets...I really believe these help with
recovery and wound healing!
I hope this report will help put some minds at ease a bit.
Anyway...back to some excercises for me!
Josie x
Well after many cancelled dates and postponements I am finally back to report on my knee replacement experience!
I wanted to let you all know what a positive experince it has been for me and that I think this has helped hugely with the recover (so far).
I had it done last Thursday (26th March). I went in absolutely decided on having a normal GA even tho I am a very "risky" case and knew that I would feel pretty rubbish for a few days afterwards. When we got to the hospital, they treat you a little like cattle, with loading bays & changing areas but this actually made you have less time to worry. The lovely anaesthetists came in to go through the GA and started chatting about the Epidural option. Straight away I was like, "oh no, I don't want to risk being anywhere near concious incase I hear noises and also didn't want the time to feel like it was dragging etc." She was so lovely and explained the whole thing saying it was her job to make me feel 100% comfortable and that if I did become concious she would give me a hefty dose of vallium. Anyway before I knew it, I had decided to just go for it and try to stay positive.
Wow, i think this was the BEST desicion I have ever made! They gave me some vallium in my veins and that's literally ALL i remember. I was completely out of it for everything, even the epidural! Amazing stuff! I woke up feeling fantastic afterwards, had no sickness, no memory of anything horrible. The knee was very "tight" but no real pain at all. I was straight up in the bed, eating and drinking (so no need for lengthy drips etc) I managed for 10hrs with the PCA, which worked great for me and also had a catheter which sounds awful but I found it a life saver with the amount I normally go, ha ha!!!
Anyway to cut a huge story down a little. The next morning the physio had me up out of bed standing on it. This was uncomfortable but bearable! I then had lack of physio over the weekend which annoyed the heck out of me but from doing all the prep and research I took it upon myself to keep at it all weekend. I managed to start walking with the frame by saturday, and by sunday I was zooming off round the ward!
The surgeons did their ward round on Monday and were literally shocked with my progress. My background is 30yrs with very severe RA, arms and hands very deformed and not a great deal of strength etc. So after a chat with the physio (finally) I was discharged yesterday morning! Woo hoo! It's so lovely to be back at home and I am realling pushing myself to get moving. left the hospital with almost 90 degrees of bend which is what I had before so anything past there will be fantastic.
Pain-wise, it is sore (the knee cap area in particular and the actual scar) and very stiff & tight. But you have to keep pushing at it.
My top tips.....
* Do loads of muscle building before, this I really think helped me
* Try and stay positive, you will have bad times where it feels like
too much BUT keep at it!!!
* And even if the physio's aren't doing a great job, take it upon
yourself to keep working on the leg lifts and muscles. This will
help so much and you'll be amazed at how quickly you will get the
strength back.
* And finally....arnica tablets...I really believe these help with
recovery and wound healing!
I hope this report will help put some minds at ease a bit.
Anyway...back to some excercises for me!
Josie x
0
Comments
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Hi Josie
Great News! So pleased it all went even better than you thought it would. Brilliant! I have a new knee since last January and it is wonderful! Keep up the good work, but I know you will. You are determined, like I was too. Best way to be
All excellent advice to others going in for a TKR.
Love and very best wishes,
Luv
Elna xThe happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.
If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.0 -
Wow so glad it worked out well for you, happy recovery
Mandy0 -
Hi Josie
Congrats on your new knee! I am really please that everything went well for you and you have given me the confidence to go for it now, thank you.
I send you lots of love and good wishes for your recovery.
Take care
Heather0 -
Hi Josie
Well done you!!
You have done really well.
Just goes to show what a positive attutude can do
Here's to a speedy recovery
Toni x0 -
Hi, Glad everything is going so well for you. Love Sue 0
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Hi
Glad that your op went well and you are home again. Take things slowly, and don`t push yourself too much, too soon. I tried to rush through things and have been reprimanded by the physio!! :oops:
Take care
NB0 -
Hi Josie
So glad everything went so well, thanks for sharing. Sounds like you are getting lots better
Love
Vonski x0 -
Hi Josie
Well done :!: :!: You sound to be making a fantastic recovery,and your advice is very helpful. I have been told that I need a TKN but have asked for a bit of time to think it over.It is very encouraging to hear about the experiences of other people, as it will help me to decide.
I am so pleased for you , and hope you continue to make good progress.
Joan 
0 -
Hi Josie,
So glad to hear all went well!
from the other Josie!! 0 -
Hi, thanks for sharing your positive experience, Im off next week for a THR and feeling very nervous, so its great to hear what to expect on a similar theme. Enjoy your new knee, free of pain jk 0
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Hi Josie
WELL DONE!! you are doing great, but be careful not to overdo it!!
My brother had a hip/ankle replacement (cant remember which one it was) done with a epidural and they gave him his earphones with the music playing and guess what they played to him "The first cut is the deepest" ha ha how funny is that. He said to them are you having a laugh do you know what this music is. Oh it could only happen in a NHS Hospital.
Keep up the good work and take care
Denise.0 -
Congratulation on your new knee! What a great posting to read!
Jackie x0 -
Hi Josie
Well done and congratulations on the new knee, how lovely to hear some good news. Hope you have a speedy recovery
debs0 -
Josie - great to read your experience! Keep up the good work but, as other people have said, don't overdo it - take it from one who knows!
Wendy0 -
Pleased yours went OK! My left TKR was 2 weeks ago on 30 March. I was in hospital 6 nights, partly my fault for overdoing it on eating and visitors on the first day! Then my sodium level was found to be low so could not go home until it was rising. Also picked up a nasty urinary infection from the catheter, which can only be treated in hospital. Hopefully the tests tomorrow will be OK.
My follow-up by the Outreach team has been fantastic. Phone call an hour after getting home, then visits for blood tests, physio and clips out which will be followed up this week.
I do feel an improvement each day but the knee is quite swollen making it difficult to do the exercises. An ice pack helps and I intend getting some arnica which the nurse suggested.
I have no hesitation in recommending this procedure if your OA warrants it.
Thanks to all at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and the Orthopaedic Outreach Team at the Community Hospital0
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