Knee Replacement

[obedb]

Betty had her left knee replaced yesterday by a well known and respected Orthopedic Surgeon that she knew from her career as an RN. All he does now are knees and hips. Last ten years she was on an orthopedic floor that looked after his and fellow surgeons patients. Dr. Frank Ebert is the name and he is one of the " go to guys" at Med Star Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. If you know anyone that is within reasonable distance of said Hospital, give him a look. I put her up in a nearby hotel ( 4 miles or so ) so she would not have to negotiate our steep entry stairs into our old home.

She is a tough lady ( have to be to put up with me ), and though uncomfortable after a little over  24 hours from surgery, I am impressed with the way she is doing.  I would probably be whining. 

Have an old high school buddy, turned lineman for local utility company, that lost both knees to replacement and one hip. . He said knees were the toughest for him. 

[manholt]

Knees are also a harder operation...full hip is less than 2 hours.  

[hermanmullins]

6 hours ago, obedb said:

Betty had her left knee replaced yesterday by a well known and respected Orthopedic Surgeon that she knew from her career as an RN.

Our prayer are with Betty and you. Hope she continues to get better.

Herman

[wayne77590]

Wishing Betty a fast physical therapy recovery. Because of her background I won't go into doing what the PT's say and nothing more.

I have had two ACL reconstructions, two rotator cuff repaired and my right knee replaced. When it was all over each time, it was worth it. ACL is the same PT as knee replacement.

Wishing her the best.

 

 

[wildebill308]

I to am wishing her the best. Speedy recovery so you can travel.

Bill

[obedb]

Thanks to all. We would like to get back to traveling again also..Today my love was a little down, but hopefully physical therapy begins in earnest this week.

[manholt]

Byron.  It takes time to heal...especially at our age!  She will be fine.  It will just take a little longer!  I wish her a complete recovery!  She can tell me all about it, since I also am due, for the same, later this year! 

Wayne, Jim S. & WBll.  Can come and tell me jokes!

[obedb]

I noticed that Wayne will be on your entertainment Commitee . All of the stuff that has happened to him that needed therapy  and he still has a sense of humor👍.  Good for him!  Hope it did not all happen while on active duty? 

[manholt]

After all that Betty has been through in the past 4 years, I bet she has one also! 

[hermanmullins]

Byron,

It has been since Friday that Betty had her knee replaced, how is she doing? 

We are all keeping you both in our prayers.

Herman

[obedb]

Herman/ She still has her sense of humor, but she is very uncomfortable. The surgeons office told her to increase the use of the prescribed pain medicine from 4 times daily to 6 times  a day.  Tomorrow will be day one with physical therapy.  Wayne says that is all important and Bety agrees. Wil be on my knees tonight before bed. Knew nothing about this operation, but I am learning quickly.

Thanks,. Herman

[pawoodtx]

Byron,

i will be on my knees tonight lifting up both you and Betty! Stand strong. 🙏

Paul

[obedb]

Thanks Paul. 

[manholt]

I generally have to do that in the morning!  

She's in my prayers also!  Keep the faith strong..

Have been told, Red Wine helps! 

Pain meds are habit forming, see how she does on IP800 or 4 IP200!  I do not want Vicodin or any opiods in my body!  I had IP 800's, 5X a day for 6 days, then 4 for 6, then an advil as needed for my whole mouth implant teeth!  Pain, makes you know, your alive and it will go away, with physical exercise and time! IMHO.

 

 

[jleamont]

Obedb, tell her we were asking for her! Hang in there.

Guessing you put the coach away for the year?

[rfsod48]

Carl, short term use of opioids is not dangerous and for most patients after joint replacement it is necessary. I have had both of my knees and both of my hips replaced as well as lumbar and cervical fusion. As a doctor I can tell you that short term usage was necessary. The most important thing is doing physical therapy and giving the therapy a full effort. That will determine your mobility afterwards. 

Good luck and best wishes to Betty, after the first few days it will get better.

Roland

[wayne77590]

With both my ACL, right knee replaced and two rotator cuff repaired the only time I took the hydrocodone was about an hour before physical therapy and that was only for a few weeks, then nothing. My pain threshold is high. To explain that, I don't take novacain or gas when I get a tooth filled. I also had a root canal without anything. Last colonoscopy I did not take anything and I can tell you this - next dang time I will,

[manholt]

Wayne.  Glad to know you don't like that thing up your's!  My mind/body rejects anything, I don't have control off.  It's not hard to put me under, but hard to keep me there...per the last Doctor.  I was put into a 17 day coma, in the early 60's and things have been strange ever since!

Roland.  I totally agree with you on the PT.  You do what they say, no more, no less!  they do, know what their doing!

[obedb]

These comments are helping me to remind Betty how important PT is. Probably sound like a nag to her because I am certain that her experience on an orthopedic floor reminds her of the  need.  Just gets a little down at times. Her  surgeon called this AM for a chat and he found the time in spite of getting ready to leave for Italy today

She was tickled at the attention, I am pretty sure.

[wayne77590]

The operation is only about two hours and PT is 6 to 8 weeks. My bet is on PT being extremely important. Don't be a nurse, Betty, just do as the PT person says to do - no more. It's not going to get better faster by doing more.

[five]

On 8/7/2018 at 9:23 PM, wayne77590 said:

....Last colonoscopy I did not take anything and I can tell you this - next dang time I will...

I guess...can't imagine a colonoscopy with nothing!  My doc likes to put me to sleep, and be sure I stay asleep for my C's.  My Dad died of colon cancer, so I had my ninth in March of this year.

[obedb]

Five/Every three years?  Same thing with Betty. Father-in-law was a Baltimore City Firefighter and rose to rank of Captain, but still entered burning buildings with his engine company when needed. Did not have the breathing apparatus in the late thirties, forties, and thru his career, plus he smoked. Died late 60's. Betty's c's have been negative and no polyps. Me? Every ten, and I am put under.

Always thought that I had a high pain threshold, but nothing like Wayne's.

EDIT/ Forgot to mention, smokers are at greater risk of colon cancer and more likely to die from it. That is why Betty's father was mentioned in this post.

[five]

On 8/9/2018 at 6:45 PM, obedb said:

....Five/Every three years?... 

He did one at one year....found a big black precancerous polyp...then went to two years...then went to three years.  Last one I had he said come back in five years.  It's pretty bad when you know the pre-procedure nurses, and they recognize you!

[obedb]

Two weeks today, the knee replacement happened. She has been walking with a cane when needed for the last few days. Can't go up or down stairs with a walker!  In home rehab was good. As Wayne and others said, do what the specialist says. Today was day two of rehab not inhome. So far they are impressive but she really feels like a workout has happened when the visit is done. So far so good.

[pawoodtx]

Byron,

That’s good news! Thanks for the update. 

Paul