Cool Idea for Your Pain Management Toolbox

One of the things my husband has needed to do is ice his knee before and after using the CPM (continuous passive motion) machine or having the physical therapist work with his post op knee. This is what we were told to do:

Take paper cups and fill with water. Place in freezer. When needed, take a totally frozen paper cup and peel around the cup edge exposing the ice surface. While holding the paper cup, rub the ice around the knee area. You can either put the rest of the frozen ice back in the freezer to use later or toss away.

This tool can be used on many parts of the body that need icing. Use any size paper cup you want. The larger sizes are great for low back and large areas. For headaches, perhaps a smaller cup would be fine. It is an easy tool to create and inexpensive as well. Give it a try!

Part 1: Total Knee Replacement - One Man's Journey
Part II: Total Knee Replacement - The Big Event
Part III: Coming Home!
Part IV: Healing Continues

Related Topics:

• WebMD Video: Stopping Post Operative Orthopedic Pain
• WebMD Message Board: Joint Replacement with Ira H. Kirschenbaum, MD

Technorati Tags: pain management, ice, knee replacement, recovery

Part IV: Healing Continues

It has been roughly 4 weeks since my husband's total knee replacement. He remains on crutches and finds challenges getting into and out of vehicles and managing stairs, but he has improved significantly. He is tired at times, yet his attitude remains positive. There are times when he feels extreme pain, but he sees the value in the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine and he continues his exercise regimen faithfully.

I am thrilled when he is blessed by his efforts. He finally walked around the house with his crutches feeling no pain which is something he has not experienced in years. And he is bending his knee further and further each day. Outpatient rehab comes next for further strengthening we are told. I bet it will be a short course.

My husband will be going for his post-op visit to see the surgeon soon. I hope he is as pleased at my husband's progress as we are. I will keep you posted!

Part 1: Total Knee Replacement - One Man's Journey
Part II: Total Knee Replacement - The Big Event
Part III: Coming Home!

Related Topics:

• WebMD Video: Tantalum Knees
• WebMD Video: Joint Camp - Preparing for Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery

Technorati Tags: pain management, knee replacement, recovery

Part III: Coming Home!

After three days in the hospital, we learned insurance wouldn't cover the level of care my husband needed following his knee replacement surgery. They decided to send him home and set him up for home care and home PT (physical therapy). At first I panicked because I knew he was going to be home alone about 12 hours a day and they seemed a little too eager to discharge him. So I went with him to PT and watched him walk with walker and crutches and manage stairs, etc.

I was literally trembling as I got into the truck to swing by the front of the hospital where they were bringing him. His pain levels were through the roof and getting him into the truck with the knee immobilizer on and the crutches was an ordeal. With sheets of exercise regimens in hand we headed home.

We got home and made it up the steps. He was a little off balance when the dog ran to greet him and I was glad to be there to support him and help him regain his balance. Just the ordeal of getting home tired him, so he settled into bed to rest. It is very difficult to sleep in a hospital and he was exhausted period.

From the start my husband had a very determined and motivated attitude. He was warned it was going to be painful, but he was not going to let it keep him from doing what he needed to do so he could get back to the business of living a "normal" life.

The first few days he slept a lot partly due to the pain meds and also because of the exercises he was doing throughout the day. He used the crutches and walked short distances around the house. He didn't push himself, but he exercised regularly.

Many nights my husband wakens with stabbing jabbing pains down his leg; and yet with so little restful sleep, he doesn't complain. He accepts it as part of the healing process. His visiting nurse and therapist feel he is really doing above the average in speed of healing in spite of the mess the surgeon found when he started his work. He did a wonderful job on the inside and out. We feel very thankful and blessed.

Part 1: Total Knee Replacement - One Man's Journey
Part II: Total Knee Replacement - The Big Event

Related Topics:

• WebMD Video: Recovering with the Help of Canine Friends
• Is There a Gender Bias in Knee Replacement?

Technorati Tags: pain management, knee replacement, recovery

Part II: Total Knee Replacement - The Big Event

The big day of the knee replacement finally came. Emotions were high and included apprehension and relief. For someone who suffered with this chronic pain as long as my husband had, it was a relief to know there was a light at the end of this tunnel. Apprehension came from the concern about any issues that might arise from having such a surgery.

We arrived at the hospital and went through all of the necessary paperwork. Our wait in the same day surgery area seemed endless, but finally my husband's name was called. He was escorted back to be prepped before I was able to re-join him. Soon my name was called and I went in to join my husband who by now had surgical gown on along with an IV line and multiple ID bracelets. Shortly after, he was whisked away to a holding area where I was unable to follow. My wait had just begun.

For the next four hours, I sat in a surgical waiting room while others came and went. Family were told when loved ones went into the OR, went to recovery, and when they were going to their room or preparing for discharge. I already knew my husband would be staying, so it was going to be a while before I would get to see him. I prayed often for him hoping everything was going as planned but after two hours and then three, I began to be concerned. Why I was not receiving notice of his going to recovery?

Four hours later, my husband's doctor came out to see me. He told me his condition was much worst than the x-rays revealed. He had a lot more work to do before he could replace the joint. He said there were also some issues with anesthesia; they had to switch to general anesthesia during the procedure. I was shocked that a spinal would have been considered when it was already confirmed my husband had a serious problem.

My husband remained in the post-op recovery room for four hours before he was assigned to a room and arrived there. That wait was endless. I couldn't concentrate on any reading. I went down for a bite to eat and quickly returned, eager to hear that I could see my husband.

The call finally came and I was directed to the orthopedic floor. My husband was awake and talkative. I figured that was due to the meds he received. He described the experience of inefficient sedation and remembered feeing severe pain and seeing his knee opened and bones exposed. He remembered people pulling his arms away from the surgical site before he "passed out"... I guess this is what the doctor was referring to when he described the need to use general anesthesia during the procedure.

Photo Credit: José Goulão

Before long, the nurses came in and gave my husband a pain med IV. He began to relax and get drowsy. He enjoyed some jello before dozing off. I quickly got his supplies taken care of and I decided to head home so he could get some rest.

During the night, my husband called me in severe pain and told me he was getting meds hourly that were not touching his pain. This bothered me. I called and spoke to his nurse directly to find out what he was receiving. The meds he was receiving should have held him except the nurse was not giving him a dose sufficient enough to address his pain issue. I discussed how she could better use the meds that had prescribed by his doctor. My husband later called to say he received a variety of meds and began feeling a little better. He even managed to rest a little. I was very relieved.

Stay tuned for Part III: PT and DC

Related Topics:

• Part 1: Total Knee Replacement - One Man's Journey
• Pain After Knee Replacement

Technorati Tags: pain management, knee replacement, surgery