They say if fall down, could tear something loose an would have to start over, infection sounds nasty if happens

Dave, focusing on the negatives is the worst thing you can do right now. I'm 7 weeks post op from a full knee replacement. Wish I had all this advice going in. I had a spinal block never felt it, I remember the mask getting pulled over my head and then I was waking up. Take the meds as directed for the first week. Then you can reevaluate how much and how often. My oxy dose was one every four hours, at four days I pushed it to 6 hours then stopped the oxy at 7 days and could manage with Tylenol and Celebrex after that but I always took one 2 hours before PT just to be safe. Look into renting an ice machine, it's a bladder that has cold water circulating through it. wear it all the time you're sitting and especially when sleeping. Make sure you have a compression sock also preferably a full leg one. A recliner for the first 5 nights is a big plus. PT is a must and do what they tell you when your home. You don't have to overdo it, walking with a walker around the house for the first week will do a lot for you. Most of all be patient things will take time, Don't put yourself in a position to fall watch where you step stay on the flat and level. I was beaver trapping at 6 weeks, but had to really pay attention.

I have a friend who had two bad knees. He said it went so well with the surgery and the recovery on the first knee, he decided to do the other knee a month later. He said he wished he had waited a little longer on having the second knee done, as it slowed down the healing a little on the first knee. But, now all the pain is gone and he's glad he did it.

They give u a ice machine an a walker, u would think wetness on the skin is bad by incision but I guess not, does the sedation put u to sleep during surgery?

Had one done a year ago. I'm 74 and it wasn't that bad. Sleep was a little uncomfortable for a month. Not really painful, but enough to make it hard to sleep for more than an hour at a time. Get an ice machine, a walker, an elevated toilet seat, a reaching tool, It's going to be a little tougher without someone to help you. I watched nearly every youtube video on total knee replacement, and I think I had a pretty good idea what to expect. It's nothing to fear. I trapped last season, I'm gardening and golfing. You'll be happy you did it.

As far as the ice machine goes its a wrap that goes around your knee with plastic hose going thru it.when you turn the machine on it circulates the cold water thru the lines around your leg.you should have or going to have a consultation with someone before the day of surgery(or at least they did in platteville when my wife had hers done)that tells you what to expect after going home all of the do's and dont's.if you haven't had that consultation yet write all of your questions down on a piece of paper and take with you they can answer them better then most of the people on here.there were around 10 people in my wife's meeting and there were all kinds of questions asked there's no such thing as a stupid question if you dont know the answer.

I wonder if u got pay for ice machine, like a prescription u do, the nurse that answers questions is out for this week , hopefully it billed to insurance like the walker is, hospital is expensive

When is your surgery, Dave?

I think you'll sure be glad you did this when you get healed up, Dave.

June 1st

I don't have any information to give you but yes, they will put you to sleep before they operate. When you wake up it will be all over. As others have said, I am sure you will be very glad you did it once its all over. Will keep you in my thoughts on Monday!

We're u breathing on your own during operation?

I didn't have an ice machine, just rotated out chem ice packs, and don't leave them on all the time...stay ahead of the pain, oxy, then 2 hours later Tylenol, rinse and repeat...you don't take aspirin or ibuprofen cause they're a blood thinner, because they'll give that to you after the surgery.
sleep in a recliner first week, it's just easier,

and stop worrying, I had both done at the same time, tough but doable,.. one knee?, piece of cake

Coonman, many surgeons now offer the option of allowing you to be awake during knee surgery. If you're given that option, you may be best to pass on that.

Shortly after my dad died, my mom needed a knee replacement. She was 86 years old and living alone. It was during the onset of the COVID garbage and they sent her through as the last elective surgery at the hospital near her before they stopped doing those procedures, but couldn't offer her access to their rehab center for physical therapy. She went home without any follow-up therapy and did great. Weeks later, they made a visiting therapist available to see her at home and check her progress. She was in great shape and recovered beautifully. One contributing factor is that she lived in a house full of staircases which she had to go up and down all day. She used the knee constantly and healed up quickly.

Good luck with your surgery. You will probably be very happy to have it done!
Patrice

Coonman,

A ton of good advice here. Ice! Can't stress it enough. Get you about a dozen 20oz pop bottles fill them 3\4 full put the lid on and freeze them. With my wife's knee replacement the ice machine we used would hold four of these frozen bottles chilling the circulating water. Change out bottles every few hours and keep refreezing them.

2. Do the rehab. Its going to hurt but soon, you will feel best when you're doing the exercises. After a week or so she was doing the exercises between PT appointments.

3. Be smart and stay ahead of the pain. Early on there's no point in being tough. And move!

Good luck!

My funny horror story. First knee surgery Dr. told my wife and the nurse told me in recovery. Under sedation, when they turned the saw on, " your head snapped to the right and you asked, are we building tree stands?" Dr said get him under. I do not remember it but it happened.

Yes, you're breathing on your own but with a O2 cannule in your nose...You're thinking too much.

We've got a ice machine sitting here you can use if you have to pay for 1.

So how did it go, Dave?

Had it done Monday, not real bad pain after but some, yesterday and today no pain, I was only plan on be at hospital hospital 2 days at most an since no one at home they sent me to physical therapy dept at hospital, it is boring an sucks, almost got into it with lazy nurse before that had to call my room to get up an go to restroom, Monday I plan on going, it can't come to soon