Knee Replacement Surgery in Portland, Oregon

March 19, 2024 6:18 PM

My wife has knee problems and is at the point that she's going to need a full knee replacement for her right knee. Her left knee will probably also need to be replaced at some point. I think she has already figured out where she wants to do the surgery, but would welcome any recommendations for surgeons, physical therapy or anything else from Portland area Mefites and experiences and suggestions from everyone. She's 70 years old. We're both retired, and our two adult sons live with us so she should have help during her recovery. Thanks!
posted by gamera to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

I'm 70+ and had left knee replacement surgery in September. I live near the east coast so have no advice re providers in your area. However, I can share a bit of my experience.

The first 2 weeks were really difficult for me. Your wife is fortunate to have a good support system in place. My adult son lives with me, and my adult daughter is just 2 blocks away. I could not have managed without their help.

I highly recommend staying ahead of the pain and taking medications provided. Also, the PT exercises aren't fun but, oh, so necessary for recovery. I still experience stiffness and occasional twinges of pain. My hope is that my right knee (which is bone-on-bone) holds on for a while.
posted by Scout405 at 7:07 PM on March 19 [1 favorite]

My boss had two painful shoulder surgeries and one knee replacement. His first shoulder surgery was quite painful. His second shoulder surgery years later was much less painful-- he was given a little portable device with a catheter that over several days would deliver opioids directly to the brachial plexus and was significantly less painful. Several years later, he had a knee replacement and asked for a continuous infusion to take home like before. The doctors told him that what they were doing now was using Exparel, which is an opioid encased in microscopic droplets surrounded by a fatty layer. It can be injected, and on the day of surgery there is some unencased opioid as well as these droplets. The unencased opioid handles pain during and immediately after the surgery, and the droplets burst sort of randomly and provide a continuous sort of pain relief. My boss thought that the knee replacement pain was well controlled and quite comparable to the continuous pump infusion through a catheter. Research seems to indicate that Exparel treatment provides a bimodal pain relief-- maximal on administration, and also another max about 24 hours later with peak bursting of these fat droplets.

Another experience comes from my sister. She had a really nasty ankle break followed by surgery, and in the recovery period, one of the most helpful things for her was a machine that would circulate almost ice-cold water through a sleeve around her ankle.

I hope this helps and best wishes to your wife for a swift and easy recovery.
posted by Maxwell_Smart at 8:21 PM on March 19

I should add that the pain and random/unexpected "giving out" of my left knee prior to surgery necessitated using a cane for about 8 months. Currently, walking hands free and being able to carry things again is wonderful.
posted by Scout405 at 9:02 PM on March 19

A really good family friend needed both knees replaced. He was debating whether to have his dominant leg, the right one, or the left leg done first. After days of internal and external debate with his family and the doctor, he was convinced to do them both at once. His reasoning was that two at once would not be as bad as one twice. Also, if it really was painful, he was concerned he would chicken out of the 2nd one. I am not privy to the first few weeks details other than the pain medication was critical. It seems insane to me to do it that way, but he is very happy he did it like he did. The rehab he said was equal in that both legs needed the same amount of help. He was unable to favor one leg over the other. He was in his early 60s when he did it. He was an accomplished athlete, football player, when he was younger and seems to me to have a very high threshold for pain.

One thing to consider that comes to mind, is that you and your wife have good support now for the first knee. I guess you should try to anticipate what kind of support you will have when she finally does the other knee.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 1:07 AM on March 20

I don’t have any Portland specific recommendations, but my dad is about to have knee surgery so we are gearing up for the same thing. My sister and I are flying in to take care of him for two weeks and help our mom. Things we’ve picked up from researching and our dad’s friends’ suggestions: cold and compress machine (around $400, insurance doesn’t cover but we hear it’s very helpful), knee shower cap cover, a rail for the toilet, diapers (just in case), a specific knee surgery pillow, bedpan, bedside table, extra ice pack. We’re hoping that should cover us!
posted by buttonedup at 6:16 AM on March 20

Had a partial knee replacement done almost a year ago and am happy and pain free from my knee at 56. Can't help with the local recommendations, but very much recommend that y'all are comfortable with the surgeon and their team prior to the operation. I ended up going with the doc that was my second opinion as he specialized in doing knees and hips and I had more confidence with him than orthopedist No 1, who was fine, but we went through a wide variety of treatments (PT/shots/etc) that didn't really help before No 1 landed on replacement as the route to go. It also helped that No 2 was part of an orthopedic group that did a "bundled" program with my insurance which meant that there was effectively one surprisingly affordable cost that covered the operation and followup PT visits. Reducing stress around all the damn medical bills that I was racking up was helpful.

The support structure, pain meds and ice packs afterwards are key as others have noted. I tried and didn't like one of the machines that circulates ice cold water as there was just a lot of fuss getting it set up and strapped on comfortably. I really liked the DIY gel ice pack that's just 2:1 water:rubbing alcohol in double ziploc bags. They're cheap and conform to whatever position is comfortable at the time and you can regulate temperature with towels. I made several of those and just rotated them in and out of the freezer constantly. Y'all will want lots and lots of time with ice during recovery, so find what works best in your situation.

PT and moving the joint afterwards are vital for success. Never did yoga, but I bought a yoga mat so I could lie on the floor and do the various stretches, exercises, and band work they recommended. The therapist will be measuring flexion at most visits so working the joint afterwards can be tough but it's gotta be done. I like to mountain bike, so prior to the operation I set up a bike on a trainer and, once the PT okayed it, I would spin some each day. I believe that was probably the key to my recovery.

Good luck and speedy recovery!
posted by pappy at 9:37 AM on March 20 [1 favorite]

I'm here in town and between my mother and me we've done three knees in the past year. Just PMed you.
posted by gottabefunky at 10:39 AM on March 20

I live in Portland and have had both knees and a shoulder done. I'll PM you.
posted by elmay at 11:48 AM on March 20

Staying ahead of the pain is key. As everyone will keep reminding you, you're not going to get hooked on prescription painkillers over the relatively short time you'll need them. And you will need them.

Doctor opinions vary on the ice-water-pump system; I found it helped the first time through, but the second time I just used these big floppy cold packs and they were less inconvenient and seemed just about as effective. An elevation leg pillow and waterproof shower cover also help.

Book PT appointments as early as possible, even before surgery. Those places fill up fast.

You can get a temporary disabled parking permit from ODOT for when you start driving again.

Good luck!
posted by gottabefunky at 1:31 PM on March 20 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks everyone! You have all been really helpful.
posted by gamera at 8:50 PM on March 20