I had my total knee replacement surgery on my right knee on April 8, 2014. I had bone on bone osteoarthritis due to traumatic sports injuries dating back to my late teens that resulted in two prior surgeries that removed my entire medial meniscus.
The pain in my knee continued to become very painful over the past few years and it was time to replace the joint.
My surgery was fine. I sat up on the edge of the bed a few hours after recovery and I dressed myself the next morning and started physical therapy early the next morning. I was walking with the walker very easily.
I returned home the next day (only two nights in the hospital). One day later I began in-home physical therapy.
My therapist was a knee replacement recipient himself so he understood the issue. The most important thing to do in the first week following surgery is to break through the scar tissue. Although this is very painful, it is the most important part of recovery. Note that I did not take any narcotics and relied on Extra Strength Tylenol as my primary medication.
I practiced the exercises from the therapist each day plus went through the therapy sessions three times per week for the first two weeks. My progress was so rapid that instead of continuing with the home physical therapy, I was sent to therapy at my doctor's therapy office.
I was able to drive after one and a half weeks after surgery because I was not taking narcotics.
I began out of home therapy and my doctor released me to return to work one day less than four weeks from when I had the surgery. This was fast , but I was ready.
Now at six weeks post surgery I will be released from physical therapy and will have no restrictions. I am very pleased with the results and I am very happy that I had the surgery in order to regain my mobility.
The pain in my knee continued to become very painful over the past few years and it was time to replace the joint.
My surgery was fine. I sat up on the edge of the bed a few hours after recovery and I dressed myself the next morning and started physical therapy early the next morning. I was walking with the walker very easily.
I returned home the next day (only two nights in the hospital). One day later I began in-home physical therapy.
My therapist was a knee replacement recipient himself so he understood the issue. The most important thing to do in the first week following surgery is to break through the scar tissue. Although this is very painful, it is the most important part of recovery. Note that I did not take any narcotics and relied on Extra Strength Tylenol as my primary medication.
I practiced the exercises from the therapist each day plus went through the therapy sessions three times per week for the first two weeks. My progress was so rapid that instead of continuing with the home physical therapy, I was sent to therapy at my doctor's therapy office.
I was able to drive after one and a half weeks after surgery because I was not taking narcotics.
I began out of home therapy and my doctor released me to return to work one day less than four weeks from when I had the surgery. This was fast , but I was ready.
Now at six weeks post surgery I will be released from physical therapy and will have no restrictions. I am very pleased with the results and I am very happy that I had the surgery in order to regain my mobility.
Story List
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I will send in my story in a week or so...wish me luck!