Hi Deanna and William,

I was hoping that in addition to sharing your experiences here,  you can share them on Treatment Report and assign a treatment result to your experience.  Here is what some of the other people posted

http://www.treatmentreport.com/conditions/knee-pain/surgery-knee-replacement/40/29/3

We don’t have any information under post replacement pain.

http://www.treatmentreport.com/conditions/knee-post-replacement-pain/60/

I appreciate your time.

I've been reading the blogs here and I'm amazed at the variety of post-surgery problems that have occurred.  I've recently been experiencing shin discomfort but nothing that will inhibit my recovery...I hope.  I agree with all the posts about taking your pain meds.  They are the only way I get through my therapy.  I must be lucky, because my therapy team is fantastic. At the end of my session they were stretching and bending my knee while my leg was hanging off a table.  I was told I was "cheating" because I kept lifting my hip off the table and leaning.  I told them I had sciatica and it was really hurting me through my hip and lower back.  Now they lay me down, stretch and manipulate my knee on my back.  The stretching part is more difficult this way for me in regards to the discomfort, but my sciatica doesn't interfer with my progress. Last time they took a measurement I was at a 95 degree bend. I'm diligent about doing bending exercises at home daily between therapy sessions and have learned when I need my pain meds and when I don't. Essentially I have been on my own since the 4th day after surgery and for me found that since I needed to do daily things for myself I became stronger faster than if I had someone do them for me.  I know this isn't necessarily true for all, but for me it worked. They also informed me it would take about a year before I would lose the feeling that there is something foreign in my leg. I got that information also from a woman I know who had both of her knees done.

I had the pleasure of having my staples out on my 64th birthday..whoopee! For months I had wanted to see a band that was playing close to home and wasn't going to let my surgery stand in the way. That night my good friend prepared dinner for my "helping crew" and they took me to see the band.  I only lasted for 45 min. but I did it. Two days later I discovered I could get myself into my truck and I've been mobile every since. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not out galavanting around alot, but I can get myself to therapy and if I need milk and bread I don't have to wait until someone has time to help.

One thing I do need help with is getting my cat to the vet today.  He's 20lbs and I don't have a prayer of carrying him so one of my good Samaratins is coming to load him in my truck and she'll go with me to haul him around.  And...another good thing...my vet will allow me to pay for the visit after I get back to work.

I guess all in all I'm trying to say I'm not having a terrible time of recovery..just impatient to get the "rodeo" over and get back to normal.

I have Fibromyalgia, osteoathritis, tendonitis, PTS, migraines, cronic asthma, depression, had total knee replacement back in 2008 only on right knee. I have been disabled since 1992. I'm only 47. I keep having shooting pains in my back, the upper part towards shoulders It feels like someone shot electicity rod in my back. It seems to paralyze me for a few seconds and also makes me jerk like I've just been tazered. Does anyone else have this problem? Or could someone explain this.

Thanks

Robin-Ohio

I am doing some research for my dad and I have 2 questions to post:

1)  Dad has been on Embrel for 6 years and has just qualified for Medicare.  He now believes he will have to pay for Embrel out of his pocket (expensive) so he has decided to stop taking Embrel.  He hasn't had any swelling or rashes occur yet (symptoms he had when he began taking Embrel) but he said he wasn't feeling well overall.  Should we be concerned about his discountinued use of Embrel (other than the obvious swelling/rash, etc.)?

2)  Does anyone know for sure that Medicare won't cover Embrel and if yes does anyone know what the next step is?  I find it hard to believe that there is no way to have this necessary drug covered.  I suppose secondary insurance is next. . .???

Thank you in advance for any advice on these issues!

For years I have known I  have arthritis.  However, it was not until I tore my miniscus that I was actually diagnosed.   Recently my dr did blood work to be able to tell if it was RA or not.  I came back neg. for Ra.  However, my pain is in the joints of both hands, my shoulders, my lower spine, both of my hipts,both knees, and my toes.   The worst being hips and knees.  Also, I have lots of pain in all of my lower muscles...even my butt muscles.  My calves and thgih muscles are always sore.  When I stand after sitting or laying for even a short time, it is difficult moving....and never really seems to loosen up ...always feelins sore and stiff.  Bending t oeven lower myself onto the lue is difficult.  The only thing the Dr., did..was give me celebrex and send me on my way. 

I am 45 and can barely go up or down a flight of stairs.  Is this normal?  Is this the way its just going to be forever?  I thought oesto was the lessor of the two arthritisis. 

Comments, opinions, advice?  anything will help.