The Miracles of Modern Medicine (Knee Replacement) (1 Viewer)

pltrgyst

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In case anyone finds this sort of stuff interesting:

Surgery done, new speed record! :cool

My knee replacement began at 7:50 am, and I was walking in the recovery room at 10:15 am! Grabbed McDonalds on the way, and home by 12:15. The real test begins tonight, when the main nerve block wears off and the pain pills begin...

And of course, the problem secondary to the pain pills is constipation. I started those meds two days ago, so we shall see.

They cut you open, push all the garbage (ligaments, muscle, etc.) out of the way. Grind all the stalactites and stalagmites (bone spurs -- mine were big boys) off the tibia, fibula, knee cap, polish all three. Drill holes in all the bones, insert and cement into the holes the rods holding everything together, button up with three layers of sutures, apply a waterproof bandage good for a week. And do all that in 45 minutes! Simple, right? ;)

These people are really good. :tup:

And now, for a few days, I get highly personal service at home, and can eat all the desserts I want. :tdown::tdown::tdown:

With gory details:

I had a problem with their antiseptic cleaning wipes at home -- I must have an allergy, 'cuz after wiping my entire body except for my head, I had nasty itching all over the torso for an hour, which made it impossible to get to sleep right away.

I was first in this morning -- got to the private surgery center at 6:25, scheduled for 7:30. Nancy wasn't allowed past the waiting room (COVID). A slight hitch in the schedule due to Dr.V dealing with an emergency, but I went in to pre-op at 7:50. They put the IV port in my hand (that was the only tiny bit of pain in the entire morning), pumped me full of goodies. The anesthesiologist gave me the run-down of his procedure, and then did the main nerve block above the knee. I not only didn't feel a thing,I didn't even know he had done it until the nurse told me it was done! :tup:

Then into the operating room about 8:30. They asked me the usual questions while they knocked me out. Dr.V called Nancy at 9:16 to tell her it had gone very well. I woke up in the recovery room about 9:45, completely comfortable. No pain, no nausea. They gave me snacks and drinks, then got me up at 10:15 to walk with my walker, and use the men's room to pee. I could already put my full weight on the right leg. The block works for ~ 24 hrs, so all this was painless -- actually felt better than it was before today. They called Nancy to come get me at 10:44.

When she arrived, they gave us the post-op instructions. We were out of there before noon. I already had almost 90 degrees of bend in the knee, so I was able to get into the front seat of the Ford no sweat. We stopped at the McD drive-through for lunch, and were home by 12:15.

First PT is day after tomorrow -- they don't dawdle! Apparently the bigger challenge for many people is getting the knee absolutely straight. Continued resting at a slight bend is not a good thing, I'm advised.
 
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Dang McDonalds twice in one day?! Lol
Kidding :p glad to hear everything went well, hope you have a speedy full recovery!
 
Knee replacement or reconstruction?

Either way that's crazy fast. Good luck with the recovery.
 
Knee replacement or reconstruction?
Either way that's crazy fast. Good luck with the recovery.

Thanks.

Apparently to us lay people that distinction is not generally understood. I don't know if it's based on re-usability of the kneecap, or what.

Anyway, this was specified as a "total knee arthroplasty," with a Zimmer knee, which seems to be the knee of choice for us old tennis-playing farts in FL. My doc is a knee and hip specialist who has done over 10,000 joints in the past 20 years, and my second-opinion surgeon does even more in recent years.

Edit: Corrected "full" to "total" for TKA.
 
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It won't be many years before @BarrieJ3 owns that title too...
And what damn fine company I’d be in sir. Do all members who share that title share chip sets :whistle: :whistling:

B81E25FA-8F92-4424-9151-369CCAF2FD2F.jpeg
 
Thanks, all.

As to McD, it was right around the corner from the surgery center, we hadn't been to one in years, and I'd been fasting and was desperate. :cool The crispy chicken sandwich was decent, but the fries seem to have gone downhill a bit. :(
 
Thanks.

Apparently to us lay people that distinction is not generally understood. I don't know if it's based on re-usability of the kneecap, or what.

Anyway, this was specified as a "full knee arthroplasty," with a Zimmer knee, which seems to be the knee of choice for us old tennis-playing farts in FL. My doc is a knee and hip specialist who has done over 10,000 joints in the past 20 years, and my second-opinion surgeon does even more in recent years.
Lol I wasn't sure if you were still high on meds, because over here you aren't in and out like that for a knee replacement. I guess private American healthcare is pretty top notch though.
 
Good luck with your recovery. I am also an old tennis playing fart in Florida. May I suggest a tennis division for SQM 2021. Not to be outdone, I was discharged today from the hospital, after a 3 night stay. Best regards
 

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My mom had hers done 4 months ago, probably in the same hospital as you (they are in Engelwood). She has worked hard and it was definitely the right thing to do. You won’t regret it Larry!

Our mechanic at work had both his done, one at a time. He was bowlegged due to the bad knees and after his first one the repaired leg was about 1/2” longer than the other!
 
I stopped back here to wish you luck and a speedy recovery.

Also to let you know that big brother is watching us all. I'm now getting targeted ads for knee replacement gear. There's a coupon code - I know old folks love coupons.

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My mom had hers done 4 months ago, probably in the same hospital as you (they are in Engelwood). She has worked hard and it was definitely the right thing to do. You won’t regret it Larry!

People have been telling me that for over ten years now -- and you know what, they're probably right. In 2014, the ortho doc said I'd tell him when I was ready...

But with the current COVID situation in Florida, I really didn't want to get anywhere near a hospital or to stay overnight. I chose a surgeon from a group that has their own surgical center. -- glad I did, especially seeing this week's numbers!
 
I pray all is well. I thought I saw something about this in another place but was not able to respond. Glad all is well. It sounded like you were up on it real soon after surgery. Here's to a speedy and full recovery! Tell your beautiful wife, the Queen, hello.

YES, PCF, Larry married WAY UP!
 
They cut you open, push all the garbage (ligaments, muscle, etc.) out of the way. Grind all the stalactites and stalagmites (bone spurs -- mine were big boys) off the tibia, fibula, knee cap, polish all three. Drill holes in all the bones, insert and cement into the holes the rods holding everything together, button up with three layers of sutures, apply a waterproof bandage good for a week. And do all that in 45 minutes! Simple, right?
Straight forward "frame off" restoration
GL with recovery. Do everything you're supposed to do
 

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