Knee Replacement -Things they lie to you about.

Things they lie to you about? Well, maybe they are half truths. They tell you there will be alot of pain. However, they are not specific. The knee hurts. Of course it hurts, they cut your leg off... twice... and then mend you all back together again. It has to hurt. But that first week they drug you up quite a bit and you hardly notice it unless you are walking or they are trying to make you do some insane thing for a minute or two. The pain comes from other sources. Do you have, or have you ever had sciatic in the same leg? That may cause you some trouble. I have tips below. Pain meds. Sounds lovely, right? Well, you may be allergic or they may make you sick. I have tips below. Then there is the hospital and skilled nursing facility and how they operate. I have tips below. Talk to anyone and everyone who has had a knee replacement BUT remember your experience will not be the same as theirs, but it could give you some ideas about how to handle a situation that could arise. So listen carefully. Regarding my hospital experience - perfection. They all functioned like a well-oiled machine. It was a beautiful ballet. I loved the people, the doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, everyone. I felt safe. I sensed that they did this so much that it was old hat, but they had perfected their craft and I had nothing to worry about. They explained everything to me and when I had a need or question it was answered immediately. It was a university hospital in Portland Oregon and I cannot say enough wonderful things about them. Then I was sent to a five star skilled nursing facility. More about that later. Just a few things to consider: Regarding sciatic pain. At the first sign of it being aggravated by the surgery, have the nurse tell the doctor. There are specific nerve block meds ( that is not a medical term - I'm not a doctor) that will help you a lot. Why they don't offer these to you when you are suffering for seven years with sciatic pain, I'll never know? They started me on gabapentin. The lowest dose is 300 mg. It didn't work. I was in the skilled nursing facility when I finally demanded help for the pain. It took a couple of days to get the house doctor to order it and longer to have the house pharmacy to prescribe it and get it to my floor. The following day I went to my two week visit with the surgeon's office. The doctor I saw told me I was not on a high enough dose. He said "You just had a knee replacement, not a skinned knee." I also told them the day before I wanted to stop taking Delaudid as it made me so very sick. I was taking two anti-nausea meds to combat the sickness. I had the same problem with delay at the nursing home getting that changed. They put me on Vicodin 5/500 one tab as needed. Well, I NEEDED PAIN RELIEF!!!! This wasn't doing the job. My surgeon wrote a note recommending doubling the amount. Then there was the bed. It was old and worn, not on the outside of the plastic - ahem - but inside it was a huge hole. As I sat down on it to get into bed I sank into it. When I lay down I slid into it. Even after getting a new bed, it was uncomfortable and I lay awake at night not being comfortable. On my seventeenth day, I advised the nurse that I was going home. Lots of staff tried to talk me out of it, though they were very kind and were only doing their duty. I don't think I'm the typical patient that they deal with. I made the decision after physical therapy that morning. My sweet physical therapist did an amazing job with me considering I had a bunch of extenuating circumstances. But that morning she put the stim on my back along with a heating pad (only the contractor physical therapy department had them, not the nursing facility itself) and I walked the halls with her. My surgeon told me the day before that I needed to be up walking, doing things, strengthening my legs. I knew I'd be better at home. There's only so much one can do in a hospital setting. So in summary, know if you are allergic to any meds if possible. Be prepared having done strengthening exercizes, choose wisely your skilled nursing facility or one that will come to your home when you get home. Have a great surgeon. Your relationship with that office should be perfect and easy. You can get more done through them than any house doctor can do. Do your homework. Listen to anyone who will talk to you about having this done. Your experience will not be the same, but you will learn and be prepared. I send you my best. I would do it all over again. Not having that nagging pain that pierces you to your core when your knee is bad is a relief. Now I love to walk. And I want you to be prepared so that you are ready to advocate for yourself when you do this. Get out there and get ready.