Knee Replacement :(

[large_diver]

Sorry....I keep reviving this thread.....

I am having a hard time getting some sort of reasonable estimate as to how long people are out of work following this surgery. I know there are many variables affecting this = type of job (I work at a desk job), age, person's pre-surgery fitness, post surgery mental game, overall motivation to return to work (vs. goal of maximizing time off of work), past experience with major ortho surgery, infection/drug reactions, etc......but general reading on the web and on some of the KR groups on Facebook are tough to wade through. What did the folks on this thread experience?

Thanks.

Chris

 

[Basscat]

I tried to go back at a day short of 3 weeks, and it was pretty rough (I am a teacher, so a mix of desk and some walking), but 4 would have been better. I did a couple half days after the first full one.

 

[boulderjohn]

I was working from home at a desk--the same one I am using now, in fact. I was back at it pretty quickly, almost right away. In fact, I found it helpful for some improvised therapy during my months of rehabilitation. As I sat in my rolling chair, I would inch forward, with my knee gradually bending a little more each time, helping to facilitate my ability to bend the knee.

If I had been working away from him, my biggest problem would have been driving. (It was my right leg.) I had had another surgery on that knee years before when I was working away from home, and I had to find someone who would go fairly far out of his way to pick me up until I could drive again.

 

[KevinNM]

A coworker of mine was out for close to 8 weeks. He developed a PE, which is part of what stretched it out. The surgeon felt he wasn't doing the rehab enough, which was likely connected to the PE.

 

[Rocketman3]

My wife was out for just under a month - probably should have been another week. But there was an important conference that she was presenting...

Do PT. 7 months after surgery we did a backpacking trip 18 miles in three days!!!

 

[FishCity]

You will not be cleared (by your doctor, might affect car insurance?) to drive until you are off all narcotic pain meds and can move the leg quickly and decisively. I know some people are off pain meds fast or never use them (more power to you!). I still take Tylenol for the muscle aches I get from rehab (I am now 6 weeks out).

So you need a way to get to work at first. You will need a place to put that leg UP intermittently during the day and a way to ice it. Trust me, you will be wanting to ice it. It swells, even with a compression stocking. You will be very glad to get it UP and iced. There are instant cold packs you can get and use, got some on Amazon in case I need them when I travel this fall. Who knows, but I can always use them next time

Surgery and being in bed is surprisingly taxing. You might want partial days or partial weeks if oyu can telecommute.
You are younger than I, but I thought I was vigorous for my age and cannot imagine wanting to go to work the first month, given commuting. I have just started going out via Uber/Lyft without a cane or companion. It's fine but I sure am glad to get home and put that leg up (way UP with it above my heart level). I get my hair done tomorrow, YAY!!!!

My unoperated left leg was very very happy when I got enough strength and flexion in the right one to walk stairs "normally" so you need to be careful with the other one (until you go get the next TKR). My new knee is stronger than the other one.

You also need to block out time for your PT. The way it works here is you go home, you get at-home health services for 2-3 weeks for PT and some nurses to look at the wound, check your meds and BP, etc.

Sorry to ramble.

 

[large_diver]

All great and helpful comments. Some things/experiences that will help me:
- My wife is a PT, although I will certainly not rely on her for my rehab (recipe for divorce)
- Definitely understand about not driving to work for an extended time and wife is prepared for this. One of my biggest fears is that this may require me to finally give up my beloved manual transmission...fortunately we have 2 cars, one manual, one auto
- I love ice and elevation. I think this goes back to ACL reconstruction surgery I had in in 1985 (college basketball injury), where after 2x/day PT they had me fully immerse the leg in an ice whirlpool....
- Past surgery experience with ACL (patella tendon graft, drilling, screws, etc.)...not the same surgery of course, but I do understand to some degree the pain and rehab that will be coming

I really appreciate all of you sharing your experiences

 

[Basscat]

I was cleared to drive at 2 weeks after each knee, after being off narcotics and showing acceptable range of motion. I have a very short commute, so spending a long time sitting in the car on the way to work wasn't an issue for me.

 

[FishCity]

Wow!

 

[large_diver]

So I went to see another knee specialist yesterday for a second opinion on my knee replacements. This doc echoed my severe OA and need for dual replacements. Both docs came highly recommended. Both use the same joint (Stryker Triathlon). One interesting difference is that doc #1 said he recommends 1 knee at a time. Doc #2 said doing both at once is an option, but only if the patient is "all in", with a strong mental game and being REALLY dedicated to post surgery rehab. Both docs do a high volume of replacement surgeries. Tough choice.

Has anyone here done both at the same time?