My knee-replacement thread; comments and suggestions welcome.
- Thread starter Larry Fine
- Start date
OP
OP
Thank you all again for the well-wishes, kudos, and advice. My ride picked me up and we went to Costco so I could get some more chocolate protein shake. I walked the store with a shopping cart, sometimes walking upright, sometimes leaning on the cart with my elbows, and I can take several steps not holding anything.
I got home around 1:00, put things away, laid down on the sofa, kitty laid down on me, and we took naps. I woke up around 3:30 when a friend called, and I took my first dosage of Tramadol since getting home. Walking around the house is okay. The knee doesn't really hurt, but the front of my thigh is hard, warm, and sore.
I got home around 1:00, put things away, laid down on the sofa, kitty laid down on me, and we took naps. I woke up around 3:30 when a friend called, and I took my first dosage of Tramadol since getting home. Walking around the house is okay. The knee doesn't really hurt, but the front of my thigh is hard, warm, and sore.
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wjbertrand
Ventura Highway
If you’re at 90° already that’s excellent! It took me almost 2 weeks to reach that. The PT says that’s normal, so you’re ahead of the curve. Today at 3 weeks post op I’ve reached 98°.
Also know that tramadol is also an opiate like hydrocodone.
Also know that tramadol is also an opiate like hydrocodone.
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OP
OP
It is, but as a synthetic, there are differences.
Excellent. Good luck on the recovery and getting back at it.
Hello Larry,I decided to start my own thread instead of (or in addition to) continuing to comment in other members' threads.
I'll try to keep you updated until that morning, and try to check in on my phone when I'm awake enough to remember.
I am to arrive at the hospital 8:30 am Tuesday. I won't know until after surgery whether I will come home the same day.
I set up a sofa to sleep on on the kitchen and bath level, and I'll bring my laptop down Monday night and sleep there.
I already have both a walker and cane from my previous hip replacements, and I bought a cold-water therapy system.
I plan on taking nothing stronger than Tramadol as I did with both hips. The surgeon said he will prescribe four a day.
I am doing daily showers with the antiseptic scrub, and they said five times instead of twice. I guess I'm extra germy.
So, the main thing I have to look forward to is getting those first steps out of the way while I'm still on pain-blockers.
I fell and broke my left hip one year ago Saturday. I have osteoporosis and got away with a lot, but getting off my
bicycle at the condo mail kiosk my right leg caught on the seat and down I went. Only my 2nd 911 call (glad I had my phone)
... had my new hip 20 hours after the fall. Walked up steps that day. In Rehab they were not really on the ball - lucky to get
one 45 minute PT or Occupational Therapy a day. So I got a "green card" which gave me freedom to use the walker without
supervision - I was up to 2000 feet a day by the time I left (2 weeks) and walking a mile a day after that. Well, turns out I'm not
that crazy about walking a mile - kind of dull. So looking forward to some time in Ft Myers south of me where it's a bit warmer. You'll
do fine - just don't push it. And don't let a therapist push you too hard - you're allowed to stop - all therapists are hooked on the number 30
... when I did PT after the rehab this woman sends me home to essentially do 90 repetitions of an exercise I'd never done before.
I did not hesitate to stop before that. Good luck. Peter
OP
OP
Update: nothing new to report. I'm a bit sore, possibly because I pushed myself yesterday.
I'm mostly lying on the sofa, alternating between lying on my back and on my left side.
The front of my thigh is still the most sore and tender, especially when my cat walks on it.
I'm mostly lying on the sofa, alternating between lying on my back and on my left side.
The front of my thigh is still the most sore and tender, especially when my cat walks on it.
OP
OP
Well, I got up and moved around. I went upstairs to my bedroom and watched a couple of episodes of Cash Cab on the DVR, and brought a few things downstairs. Moving around is getting a little easier, and I can walk around with just the cane or with nothing by leaning on walls or furniture.
While the pain in the knee joint itself is a little more acute than with a hip, I mostly feel weakness on that side, like I did with both hips. I can support my weight on it, and I can take several steps without leaning on anything, like when repositioning the walker. I wouldn't try walking freely just yet.
I made dinner for myself, too. The hardest part is pulling myself up from the sofa. My piano is where I can grab it and pull. I have a raised toilet over my toilet, and getting down and back up is no problem. The nurses said that day three is typically the worst, but I feel like the worst is already past me.
I hope I still think so in the morning. I obviously haven't been cleared to drive yet, but I have practiced driving with my left foot in the past, so if I really had to drive myself, I think I could. My first PT session is next Thursday, so I might try driving there. I'm not even thinking of getting on a bike yet.
While the pain in the knee joint itself is a little more acute than with a hip, I mostly feel weakness on that side, like I did with both hips. I can support my weight on it, and I can take several steps without leaning on anything, like when repositioning the walker. I wouldn't try walking freely just yet.
I made dinner for myself, too. The hardest part is pulling myself up from the sofa. My piano is where I can grab it and pull. I have a raised toilet over my toilet, and getting down and back up is no problem. The nurses said that day three is typically the worst, but I feel like the worst is already past me.
I hope I still think so in the morning. I obviously haven't been cleared to drive yet, but I have practiced driving with my left foot in the past, so if I really had to drive myself, I think I could. My first PT session is next Thursday, so I might try driving there. I'm not even thinking of getting on a bike yet.
OP
OP
Okay, I lied. I have been thinking about riding, but not actually doing it any time soon. But then, that's why I chose to have the surgery now. I'd rather miss winter riding than spring riding.
That was my thoughts too for mine.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
I have driven using a walking stick to operate the foot controls ... 
OP
OP
Good morning. This is day three, not including surgery day. I just woke up, did some stretching, then I got up and went to the bathroom. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to stand up.
Walking is noticeably easier. I can take several steps without support, and it really doesn't hurt more than walking with the walker does. I think I'm going to try using just the cane today.
As I mentioned earlier I have practiced driving with only my left leg. Is it "illegal" to drive without doctor's approval? I can see it being brought up if I was in an accident.
Walking is noticeably easier. I can take several steps without support, and it really doesn't hurt more than walking with the walker does. I think I'm going to try using just the cane today.
As I mentioned earlier I have practiced driving with only my left leg. Is it "illegal" to drive without doctor's approval? I can see it being brought up if I was in an accident.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
Here's what my doctor told me about the 'illegal' when I asked after one of my surgeries -
In Tennessee (could be different in other states), there is no law forbidding a patient to drive after surgery.
However, if you were involved in an accident of any sort that went to court, the opposition would use the fact that you were not released by a doctor to drive.
You would probably lose your case even if it were not your 'fault'.
And your insurance could refuse to cover you.
Hi Larry: it sounds like you are doing very well indeed!
A couple of thoughts:
- Its great that you are walking unaided - but I would not switch from walker to the cane until you are off the drugs. You never know when a dizzy spell might happen and it would be a shame to go down and hurt yourself or bash your head on something valuable - safety first!
- Therefore, I would NOT drive until specifically authorized to do so. If you got into a crash, you could be ruined financially.
Pete
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
In my jurisdiction even if my privileges to drive have not been suspended/removed by a formal process the law still makes me responsible to not drive when I am not in a condition to do so. That can be due to illness, fatigue, injury, whatever. This responsibility exists for everyone at all times regardless of the status of their driving license. Trying to justify in court that I was in condition to drive safely when most medical experts and society in general would most likely disagree would be an uphill battle I would not enjoy having.
I am sure that there are similar personal responsibility requirements baked in to the law in your area. It is worth considering waiting until the doctors agree so that there is no doubt about it- Just in case.
I am sure that there are similar personal responsibility requirements baked in to the law in your area. It is worth considering waiting until the doctors agree so that there is no doubt about it- Just in case.
Someone mentioned using his cane to operate the foot controls. How well does that work when a kid pops out from between parked cars to chase his ball? You're as likely to hit the gas pedal as the brake pedal in a panic stop. And hit the kid.
I didn't ask my doctor or physical therapist for permission to start riding my motorcycle to PT. But I was off drugs and in full control of my limbs when I did it.
Vehicular manslaughter will get you 3 squares and a cot to sleep on for years.
Chris
Generally (emphasis on generally, there are always outliers) if you were to drive and injure someone else while recuperating from knee surgery, your insurer would have to pay for any third party damages that you cause though it may alter the limits of policy available to cover such damages downward. There are very tight exceptions to this which I don't believe that would apply in this case. Driving while your ability to do so is limited by an injury or surgery is going to make it a lot easier for the person who sues you to prove negligence.
For example, if you drive drunk and hurt someone, your insurance will have to pay though the company can reduce the amount they have to pay if they can prove a violation of the policy which drunk driving would be. The kicker is that the insurer can then come back after you for any amount they pay out. The government has set it up this way so that innocent third parties who are injured have a pocket to access.
Where it's also going to hurt you, in addition to the money your insurer will come after you for, is in the benefits that your insurer provides you; certain ones are unavailable if there is a policy breach. Additionally, they likely will not have to pay for any damages to your vehicle.
The question is whether driving while your ability to do so is impaired by injury is a violation of the policy. You'll have to look at its terms - coverage language, exclusions, statutory conditions - as well as the legislation.
Additionally, you may face Traffic Act offences or even criminal charges depending upon the seriousness of the accident, e.g., criminal negligence.
These are just general guidelines and will vary depending upon jurisdiction and the particular facts of your case. It's also off the top of my head and I have been known to be wrong about things. Just ask my wife and kids.....they'll tell you.....cause they sure tell me.....
For example, if you drive drunk and hurt someone, your insurance will have to pay though the company can reduce the amount they have to pay if they can prove a violation of the policy which drunk driving would be. The kicker is that the insurer can then come back after you for any amount they pay out. The government has set it up this way so that innocent third parties who are injured have a pocket to access.
Where it's also going to hurt you, in addition to the money your insurer will come after you for, is in the benefits that your insurer provides you; certain ones are unavailable if there is a policy breach. Additionally, they likely will not have to pay for any damages to your vehicle.
The question is whether driving while your ability to do so is impaired by injury is a violation of the policy. You'll have to look at its terms - coverage language, exclusions, statutory conditions - as well as the legislation.
Additionally, you may face Traffic Act offences or even criminal charges depending upon the seriousness of the accident, e.g., criminal negligence.
These are just general guidelines and will vary depending upon jurisdiction and the particular facts of your case. It's also off the top of my head and I have been known to be wrong about things. Just ask my wife and kids.....they'll tell you.....cause they sure tell me.....
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
I was the someone ...Someone mentioned using his cane to operate the foot controls. How well does that work when a kid pops out from between parked cars to chase his ball? You're as likely to hit the gas pedal as the brake pedal in a panic stop. And hit the kid.
I didn't ask my doctor or physical therapist for permission to start riding my motorcycle to PT. But I was off drugs and in full control of my limbs when I did it.
Vehicular manslaughter will get you 3 squares and a cot to sleep on for years.
Chris
but you don't do it in metro areas or busy traffic and you don't do it as an everyday thing.You do it when there are no other options available.
Out in the country you might hit a stray cow but that's about it and stray cows usually don't have very good lawyers ...
My thoughts just jumped to our several year old battle with my now 97 yr old FIL. Driving for him was an inalienable right. Getting into the car meant he had to lift each leg in with his hands. Sure he could drive...as long as nothing happened that he couldn't see and plan for blocks ahead. I had all that going through my mind as I considered anyone driving after surgery with their cane.I was the someone ...
You do it when there are no other options available.
Out in the country you might hit a stray cow but that's about it and stray cows usually don't have very good lawyers ...
My FIL gets incredibly frustrating at times...but I'll miss him when he's gone.
Oh, and he lives in an extremely built up metro area. FWIW, we took his keys away.
Chris