Barb,

I also enjoyed your story of your tkr experience. But, since my experience was so different, I wanted to remind people that each experience is different.

I got to the hospital at about noon---also nothing by mouth since midnight, which is a long time. I did drink some clear liquids about 5 am---apple juice, I think. Even so, I was very dehydrated--have small veins, so no IV until the anesthesiologist came by to see me. He wanted me to have a femoral block--but, I had had one for acl surgery and it made my leg numb for two days. I did not want my leg to be numb, so I said no. He wanted to do a spinal, but I did not want a urinary catheter and my doc told me that I would not need one if I had general anesthesia--so, that is what I ordered. The anesthesiologist was not totally happy, but the patient gets to pick what she wants!!

I also found the operating room to look like a wood shop---drills, bolts, screws everywhere!!! they draped my leg, put my arm on a board type of thing--the or table is pretty narrow--then, off to sleep for me. I don't remember the recovery room at all--just being wheeled into my room and having them ask me to get into my bed. That seemed like a big task to me at the time, they did help me to move!! I was sleepy but happy!!
to be continued . . .

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LTKA 5/13/2009

Kelly

An hour or so later, I had to go to the bathroom and my husband helped me up and into the bathroom, I went. I am pretty athletic and I did have Minimally Invasive Surgery, so I could move my leg just fine. My knee felt like a block of wood, but I could put my full weight on it right away and I walked (very slowly) to the bathroom.

When I woke up later, my husband had gone home and, of course, I had to go the the bathroom again. so, I just got up and went across the room to the bathroom. While I was there, i looked in the mirror---a mistake!! My hair was a mess and I looked like I had just had major surgery!!!

So, I walked over to the wardrobe to get my hairbrush from my bag---and then thought, gosh, I guess I will put on these capri pants and a shirt so that I don't have a hospital gown. I was completely exhausted by the time I got my clothing changed and got back into bed. when the nurse came in, she was really irritated with me---apparently I was supposed to push the call button when I went to the bathroom so that she would come in and help me---but it never occurred to me to ask for help.

When she saw that I had changed my clothing, she was extra mad---I was supposed to wait until the next day and have an aide help me do that---but, hey, how was I supposed to know these things? also, she told me that I had to use a walker from now on---but, there was no walker in my room. When I pointed that out, she disappeared.

I fell asleep, happily in my own clothing, and when I woke up the next time it was 6 am and I was in PAIN!!!! I did not know what to do, it was horrible--worse than having a baby---I know you will think that I am a nut case--but I did not think of calling the nurse--I am not used to asking anyone for any help at all. So, I called my husband at home and asked hm to come to the hospital. When he got there, (he is also a doc--a psychiatrist) he was mad that I was in pain and I was feeling desperate--I actually cried!!

The nurse came in and asked me why I did not push her button---yikes, I never even thought of it. It took hours to get the pain under control--they were supposed to wake me up every four hours, but did not. So, keep your pain under control. It might have been nice to have someone with me so that the pain meds were given on time, but Bob has heart disease--cannot sit up all night--and, of course, I could not bring myself to ask anyone else to stay with me.

It took hours to get the pain under control---DO NOT LET THE PAIN GET OUT OF CONTROL!!!! Also, the nurse asked me what I use at home for pain---what is she talking about--I don't have this kind of pain at home. Be sure to ask your doc in advance, what type of pain control he is ordering and when you should get it. Write that down and then have someone to make sure it happens.

When the pt people came by, I got out of bed and went with them to pt. I heard my name being shouted and turned around--there was the nurse running down the hall with the walker!!! So, I had to drag it with me to pt. (She also told me that I was a problem patient!!! Gosh, I was trying not to bother anyone)

When I got back to my room, I was exhausted. They told me to be sure to do the exercises some more and I faithfully promised to do them---then, I fell asleep for hours!!! When I woke up---PAIN!!! Same old problem---since I was asleep I did not ask for pain meds---and they did not wake me up to ask. So, out of control pain again. My doctor came by in the midst of this, called for demerol and in no time at all, I was back in my happy place.

I feel asleep and this time, the nurses woke me up every four hours to take my pills. Yes.

to be continued

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LTKA 5/13/2009

Kelly

My surgery was on Wed. thursday was a blur of pain. Friday I woke up and was relieved to have a mild ache in my knee. The pt came by and off I went to pt again--still dragging the walker behind me.

I had to confess that I had not done any exercises!!! So, we had a longer session. Walking up and down stairs---I was happy to see that I could actually go up and down without the railing--although I did hold on since i was a little dizzy from the pain meds. I walked back to my room and the pt was nice enough to drag the walker for me!!!!

Then, that wonderful event--the first shower!!! What a relief. Clean hair, clean body, wash the operating room off my body. when I finished, the occupational therapist helped me get dressed. I felt great---sat down and fell asleep instantly!!! Everything is so much more work--I felt like I was underwater, so fatigued.

When I woke up, I ate lunch and Bob was there to take me home. Now, I had become known as a "problem patient"---like Barb, I was always nice--but, since I had not pushed the call button once during my stay, the nurses were angry with me. So, I guess you should make sure that you ask for something at least once per day. I had been walking down the hall to fill my own ice bag, water glass, etc. which is apparently a big no-no. I really have a lot of trouble asking for help---but, in retrospect---I should have let them help me.

So, when it came time to leave, no nurse came by to help. No one brought along my discharge papers or took out my IV. Finally after an hour or so, Bob took out my IV and I walked down the hall to the outside door. We were both a little put out by this cold shoulder. We have a mini van, so I was able to get in the front seat fairly easily. I could bend my knee 90 degrees by then. We only live 5 minutes from the hospital (the joys of small town life), so the car trip was no problem.

It was such a relief to be home!!! I crawled into my own bed and felt peaceful for the first time since the surgery. I was so happy to be home!!! I have a cryo cuff ice thingey===so my knee was propped up, ice was on it, my husband woke me up for pain meds and all was well with the world.

I started outpatient pt on Monday morning--bob drove me for the first week and by week two, I drove myself. (We only live five minutes from the pt too!!)

I think that everyone's surgical experience is different. Here are some things I would do differently. One, I would try to go home on the second day--home is better. Two, I would have someone along to be an advocate so that I don't have to deal with the nurses by myself. three: I would know clearly what my pain med options were--so if the nurse asks me what I want--I will know next time.

Four, I found it confusing in the hospital--no one ever introduced themselves as a nurse. I was never sure who was the nurse, who was the adie, who was the dietary aide. Again, I think you need someone along to help you with this stuff. Bob is not the kind of guy to sit in a hospital room all day--=I don't really blame him for that---but I think someone has to help you know who is who. I was so tired and confused all the time.

Five: I guess you should ring the silly bell occasionally so that the nurses feel needed. A nurse friend said that most nurses hate really independent patients who do everything for themselves. she also pointed out that I could have fainted on my trips to the bathroom and should have had someone with me. So, ring the bell and tell the nurse when you are going to the bathroom.

Six: I am not sure why I had to drag that walker around with me. I shold have brought my own crutches. There is no way that I would use a walker--so bring along your own crutches if you prefer to use them. I actually never used anything to walk around, but plenty of folks prefer to have a crutch when they are not at home, just for security. And my pt told me that it was okay to walk without them as long as I did not limp. If he saw me limping, he would make me use the crutches.

This is a difficult recovery---it was 12 weeks before I felt like myself again. Be easy on yourself. I never really needed rehab--but, I am in pretty good shape and exercise in the gym three or four times a week. I am average size (really, I can't lie--I could loose 10 pounds!!!) and have been the same weight for the last 20 years, so I think it was easier for me than for Barb post surgery. I am an antsy person and cannot stand the idea of being in bed all day. I had to be able to get up--so, no catheter for me---I did not want anything holding me back from moving around.

Each of us is different---decide what type of person YOU are and make the hospital experience work for you. If you do not have help at home--for whatever reason--rehab might work for you. I needed to get out of the house right away, so pt in a gym was best for me. I love to be outside, so I walked outside a lot---but, if it is winter or you don't like to be outside---home pt might be better.

Each of us will have a different experience. Make sure you know yourself and what you want and need. Kelly

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LTKA 5/13/2009

Kelly

Good story telling, Kelly! I remember all this!

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Left arthroscopic menisectomy 4th October 09
RTKR 17th March 09
Right arthroscopy June 06

Please post in forums; PMs and emails for personalized help are not community oriented and will not be answered. Also search the Library and other threads for information. Thanks.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.

Administrator is an orthopaedic nurse of 50+ years experience in joint replacement.

Good story Kelly. I can't believe your nursing staff was so unprofessional as to not introduce themselves, know what the surgeon had prescribed for pain relief, tell you when to call them, what to expect, and so forth! I wonder why they didn't provide you with crutches or a cane when it was obvious you were well past the need for a walker.

Fortunately, my nursing staff was very professional through all three of my joint replacements. Again, another experience, huh?

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Karen - right ankle will be next
LHR - Posterior, MoM cementless December 14, 2009 / Incision washout January 13, 2010
RTKR Oct 1, 2007 & MUA June 9, 2008 / LTKR June 9, 2008

Thanks for telling the details of your story, Kelly. Your suggestions are excellent for anyone going into surgery.

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RTKR - February 29, 2008

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.

Jamie, I remember when I was first lookiing at tka, I was desperate to read some stories. The stories on the zimmer and dupuy sites are all so happy and wonderful. I think we shold post some of these real life stories somewhere here so that folks can get a more realistic view of knee replacement. Kelly

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LTKA 5/13/2009

Kelly

Good story. I was proactive (otherwise known as a bit*h) for myself as the nurse who spoke with me when I awakened was downright nasty to me. I had not been in a hospital since 1982 and had questions regarding how to make the bed move, where my phone was located, how did the TV work, and more. She basically told me to shove it! So, when the next nurse came in, who was like a ray of sunshine, nice, asked me if I needed anything and did answer all my questions. When she asked if there was anything else she could do for me, I told to to be I was requesting for her to make sure the nurse who was on shift prior to her was on NOT enter my room again during my stay! The director of nursing came to visit me and wanted to know why.... I explained and said she was totally unacceptable.
That nurse even told me I was not paying for my stay my insurance was..... not the right thing to say when I pay for my own health insurance.
The result? She was not my nurse and they had to shift patients around because of her..... but I did not see her again.
You need to be proactive for yourself. If they view you as a complainer, that is OK in my book.
I had progressed in the rehab hospital to ambulatory within my room , and a cleaning lady cleaned the floors and moved my shoes to the other side of the room! I could not walk in slippery socks, so what did I do? I called the hospital I was staying in and asked for the nursing station on my floor because I needed to use the bathroom. The buzzers were ringing all the time and I was not a high priority room for them to respond so calling the desk and telling them I needed someone to bring me my shoes right now worked for me! Again I was proactive! LOL

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BTKR 6/18/08

I agree with you, Kelly, that the positive stories are VERY important for folks to read when they first learn they must have joint replacement surgery. Jo does try to put at least some of them in stickies at the top of the hip and knee forums. That's the place a newbie might look if they were just starting to read threads.

But we've had such a good round of them here lately from our members, maybe Jo and I need to take another look at how they are presented. Thanks so much for the suggestion!

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RTKR - February 29, 2008

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.

How strange - I was looking at all the stickies and thinking 'many more and the entire 1st page will be stickies'!! I can't think how else to manage them except to have a separate forum and then they might not get seen. Quite a lot of our new members are not used to forums so don't realise there are many 'rooms' in here. I have some thoughts but it's not an easy problem to solve.

However, I do agree with what you've all said and it has always been my mandate here to have all sides of the story available "warts and all"!!

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Left arthroscopic menisectomy 4th October 09
RTKR 17th March 09
Right arthroscopy June 06

Please post in forums; PMs and emails for personalized help are not community oriented and will not be answered. Also search the Library and other threads for information. Thanks.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.

Administrator is an orthopaedic nurse of 50+ years experience in joint replacement.

It is so interesting how different hospitals can be. Here in Vermont all the hospitals are small community hospitals which are pretty connected with the local medical personnel and you don't get that I am too busy, I don't care attitude. I had my bilateral surgery at the second largest hospital in the state with 180 beds and had wonderful care. On the surgery floor, the nurse and LVN introduced them self when I got to the room and explained everything. The LVN stopped by every hour to check on me and to see if I needed anything. Never had to ask for pain meds as the nurses gave them on schedule and the LVN just kept reminding me that the femoral blocks had a pump and I just need to push the button. The first day after surgery (they would have probably been there on the day of surgery but even though the surgery was at 7am, I did not get up to my room till 7:30 pm as I had a horrible time with nausea and vomiting and spent about 7 hours in the recovery room) the occupational therapist came in with all this equipment -- leg lifter, extra long shoe horn, elastic shoelaces so that I didn't have to tie and untie my shoes, something to help get those TEDs on and a reacher. I meet the PT before surgery so that I knew him. My doctor also has his own nurse at the hospital who also checked in frequently and told me to call her if there was a problem. I then transferred upstairs to rehab. The staff up there was also excellent. They work in teams (doctor, pt, ot, nurses) so you get people and do get to know them. Again, you had a nurse and an LVN assigned to you and they were always coming by to check on you, make sure you had water, ice and anything else you needed. It was a small unit with only 12 and was well staffed. They responded very quickly if you rang the bell and you were not allowed to get out of bed alone until PT cleared you. What I thought was really nice, is that when you pressed the button they just came, none of those PA systems asking you what you needed. I asked about that and they said, they have alot of older patients (many with a bit of dementia) and that type of system irritated them. Also on the wall directly across from your bed was a white board and every morning they posted your schedule on it along with the names of the people that would be working with you that day (nurse, OT, PT, LVN etc).

They also had a patient refrigerator that they kept stock with drinks and fruit so you could help yourself (once you were cleared).

They were also on top of pain. In fact it was the physical therapists that noticed the PT schedule and med schedule were not working together so she notified the nurses to change the meds to the 12 hour kind and to make sure I had something extra before PT.

Never had the problem with things being moved and put in the wrong place. Seems like the whole unit was very well organized and well trained.

I also ended up being there longer than I had planned so they even got my clothes washed for me when I ran out.

It sure makes things easier when you don't have to fight with people. The only problem I had was with the hospital general doctor (I was 3 hours from home so my GP wasn't available) but they changed him and the next one was very good.

I do agree with what Crystal and the others have said in case you run into a more typical situation.

Simon

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Simon
BTKR June 3 2008

Wow!!! I'm moving to Vermont!!!

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RTKR - February 29, 2008

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.

My response to you is in the middle of your message...tried to cut and paste it here...didn't work. It'll be your Valentine puzzle...find the paragragh you didn't write! Cheers and hope your recovery is going along well!

(Josephine: Here it is!)

Yeah, the operating room was amazing! I'd never seen so many mirrors, shining metal shelves, walls, and oh lordy all the metal nuts and bolts glimmering on the table...I had the spinal..so he sat me up on the table, since he's told me to expect a sort of pinch ..I winced and waited..but only felt a sort of push..then I was off..think I fell forward into his arms..

My hospital experience was wonderful!!! I did have one Nurse Tech that was not professional but only had her for 20 minutes due to me complaining to the charge nurse about her. The hospital I was at is an 18 bed facility and all rooms are private rooms....very large rooms with a couch, 3 chairs and a small table and plenty of room to walk around. They also have a snack frige that is stocked with soda, flavored water, jello, pudding, cheese, and ice cream cups in the freezer. In the cupboards were pop tarts, cookies, snack bars and crackers. All there for us to help ourselves!

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Cindy BTKR 7/20/09
Cupcake Queen