Meds After Upcoming Knee Surgery

I had both of my knees replaced in 2009. The anesthesiologist gave me a femoral block on top of the general anesthesia that they used. Although I still had post of pain, it was much more tolerable that without it. Ask your doctor or anesthesiologist about this option. It lasts for the better part of a day or more.

I am also on track for a knee replacement. I just saw the surgeon and she asked about having NSAIDS via injection. Anyone have experience with that form? or is that a no no, too. I see the WLS team on Tuesday and i will ask then, just curious if anyone here has been treated that way.

It does not matter what route you take an NSAID via... The risk of ulcers is the same because the problem is not wih the pills touching your pouch or stomach, it is the action of the drug (it thins the stomach lining) once it gets into your blood stream.  So intravenous NSAIDs are also "out" (and that includes Toradol, which is frequently given as a pain killer in the ER.)

Lora

 I had a lat release with debreevement preop and did not need much for pain meds post op. I was able to walk out of the hospital after surgery, and was on tramadol post op and that was plenty. Good luck you will do fine.

 also you can do flector patches, yes they are an nsaid however, they are a localized one that very little if any goes into the blood stream (per my md and surgeon) so they can be used. (I have really bad knee issues) also Ice and heat will help. There is a gel (cant remeber the name) that you can buy from pt that will help to reduce pain and swelling

Voltaren is probably the gel you are thinking of.  It didn't do diddly squat for my arthritis knee pain, though.

Lora

Heidi, your comments give me hope. I have a good friend who did not do as well as you, but between the two of you I have a good reference point for what I might feel like. I have plenty of Flector patches too from my back (pre-surgery.)

Sounds like you had a good experience with the surgery? I am looking for any feedback. I am trying to minimize my time away from work as I am trying to get a promotion. How is your knee now in comparison? Did the release help the knee tracking?

I am not looking for 100% but would like to be able to do stairs without pain.

 Well my knee cap is totaly messed up but it is from  a changing table falling off the wall with my kid in it and me catching both on my my (meed it up for life). Surgery did help quit a bit. My knee is now functional the tracking is much better. you may want to ask for a J brace to use while your knee is healing (it craddels the cap and ensures tracking) also helps with comfort. The gel I was talking about is biofreeze, I find it works well. Here is some info on it http://www.biofreeze.com/ . Knee surgery lap is not really hard to recover from. I would say if you have surgery on Friday you may be able to return to work on Monday/tuesday of the following week. I guess it depends what your pain tolerance is.  Have you tried injections?  I do arthrovisc and they help sooo much they stop the rubbing of bone on bone hurt going in but hey when your always in pain whats a little bit more? Stairs and biking still hurt a bit, but my knee cap is cracked so that what i expect.  You will feel alot better after surgery just attempt to relax and reserch your surgeon make sure they have a great rep.