Health

mahina

(18,840 posts) Sat Nov 11, 2023, 02:01 PM Nov 2023

Knee replacement operation and dogs

Hi folks, I am planning my knee replacements and have a dog who shows his affection by rubbing up against my legs like a cat (but harder) and jumping in my lap. I am trying to figure out how to avoid the obvious problems that this would create post op.

He’s a good boy, but he’s very determined, strong willed, and not persuadable. (In Hawaii we would call that pa'akī'kī, hard head.)

Do you remember how long it took for your sutures to heal? Has anybody else figured out a solution other than boarding him?

Any other lessons learned would be most welcome too.

Mahalo.

10 replies

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Knee replacement operation and dogs (Original Post) mahina Nov 2023 OP

It took about two weeks for the sutures to heal Walleye Nov 2023 #1

Thanks! Sounds like you did them both. Are you glad you did? mahina Nov 2023 #4

Yes, did them both six weeks apart Walleye Nov 2023 #5

strong request!! finish your therapy excersises . a friend of mine didnt and payed for it w hurting knees. AllaN01Bear Nov 2023 #2

100% mahina Nov 2023 #3

Oh yes, I was getting paid disability insurance so I treated it like part of the job Walleye Nov 2023 #6

while you'll be out of bed and standing up hours after surgery Warpy Nov 2023 #7

I'm having my right knee replaced January 10, 2024........no pets, but thanks a kennedy Nov 2023 #8

Just hoping your surgery, and recovery are fast and worry free. a kennedy Nov 2023 #9

You too! mahina Nov 2023 #10

Walleye

(34,927 posts)

1. It took about two weeks for the sutures to heal

Reply to mahina (Original post)

Sat Nov 11, 2023, 02:04 PM

Nov 2023

This was about 10 years ago and they had about 25 staples in each one. But everything went OK, no infection, and I have cats. Good luck to you with yours I am glad I did it. I had to walk downstairs sideways by the time I got it done. I’ve never really had much trouble since

mahina

(18,840 posts)

4. Thanks! Sounds like you did them both. Are you glad you did?

Reply to Walleye (Reply #1)

Sat Nov 11, 2023, 02:42 PM

Nov 2023

Thanks heaps and heaps

Walleye

(34,927 posts)

5. Yes, did them both six weeks apart

Reply to mahina (Reply #4)

Sat Nov 11, 2023, 02:44 PM

Nov 2023

I was lucky I had disability insurance at work so I got paid the whole rehabilitation. And I am glad I did it

AllaN01Bear

(22,913 posts)

2. strong request!! finish your therapy excersises . a friend of mine didnt and payed for it w hurting knees.

Reply to mahina (Original post)

Sat Nov 11, 2023, 02:23 PM

Nov 2023

blamed the dr for failure. hard head. lol

mahina

(18,840 posts)

3. 100%

Reply to AllaN01Bear (Reply #2)

Sat Nov 11, 2023, 02:28 PM

Nov 2023

Thank you. I believe it. I had a friend who did the same.

Walleye

(34,927 posts)

6. Oh yes, I was getting paid disability insurance so I treated it like part of the job

Reply to AllaN01Bear (Reply #2)

Sat Nov 11, 2023, 02:45 PM

Nov 2023

Showed up three days a week. It was quite painful but it got better as it went along

Warpy

(113,093 posts)

7. while you'll be out of bed and standing up hours after surgery

Reply to mahina (Original post)

Sat Nov 11, 2023, 04:19 PM

Nov 2023

it will take about 6 weeks to heal, with some pain continuing after that. Physical therapy people will give you exercises to do. Do them. You won't want to, but they shorten recovery time. Staples come out about 10 days post op, that's what most surgeons are using these days.

The actual incision won't be your biggest problem, you'll be wearing a knee brace post op and that will protect it. You will also be using a walker at first, then a cane. Both of those can be used to discourage the dog, keeping something between him and your leg. The danger isn't that he'll hurt your incision, the danger is that he'll knock you over and that would be bad.