They told her up front and as I recall she signed a release for it. She could have declined it if she wanted. It's already stopped reporting. Batteries have died. We even tried to revive it but they won't reconnect to the modem they supplied.
After the surgery there is an app that they had sent that we logged on to and we connected a modem they supplied to our WIFI at home. Each night while it would download the days data when within 10-15 feet of it. We know this because they contacted us and said try moving it closer to where she sleeps because it wasn't connecting. So it had to be relatively close to pick the signal up. She did have a app on her phone and she could see her activities as well. It also would tell her how she was doing. That's also how she knew it wasn't working any longer. It stopped giving any updates on daily step count etc.
My wife broke a tooth right before the second knee replacement and they decided that since it wasn't bothering her to just let it be until 6 months after the knee surgery. It can be a bad thing getting infection in the bone and something that they watch closely after the surgery to make sure everything looks well. She just got her tooth repaired last week I believe.
How does that work with the therapy at home vs a clinic? When it comes time to have mine done, I'm seriously leaning towards an actual orthopedic clinic as opposed to the relatively small rural hospital nearby. Much more likely to have experienced doctors and more up-to-date technology. We're talking a 2 hour drive each way...rather not have to do that multiple times a week.
I think it is one of those "doctor opinion" things.
Visit with a chiropractor.
There is a lot to it. Do a search to get an idea. My surgeon shared a building with a physical therapy practice owned by the same hospital. That was convenient as I had some issues and one of the nurse practitioners simply walked through the building to see me. However, the almost hour drive was uncomfortable and I had to depend on my wife driving me and she hates driving our van. I switched to a local clinic ten minutes away and they did just fine when compared to therapy at yet another facility that I worked with for another issue. I happen to have a multi station gym , an exercycle, weights, etc. I also had an adjustable step for doing step exercises but my balance was a bit shaky. I bought a power cage to hold onto while doing the step work. So, I went to therapy two or three times a week ( I forget) and worked out at home as well.
They come to your home instead of your going to their facility. I don't know exactly how they started my SIL out but they never pushed her to the extremes needed. I'm pretty certain she would struggle to be able to make a revolution on a bicycle pedal because of the range of motion being to limited. I don't remember when I first got on the exercise bike but it would have been the first week I'm certain. You can't make a full revolution in the beginning but you keep trying and gaining until you can.
Interesting thoughts. I would have some questions for him as well. I'd be interested in knowing how the robotic surgery adds time to the procedure. I know he says it does but I also know how quickly my wife was out of surgery and transitioning from there to going home. Waking up and being ready to go home takes at least twice as long as the surgery. The surgery was in the 1 to 1-1/2 hour time frame as best as I remember. It definitely was less than 2 hours. I do know that you are better to deal with a surgeon who primarily specializes in knee replacements for example. They are much better prepared for any unusual or unexpected issues that might arise. I don't disagree that knowing how to do the surgery manually is important. I would ask him what his view is on carpal tunnel surgery and which way he favors. The micro-surgery unless it isn't physically able to be done is hands down better. He came across to me as someone who doesn't like technology but tolerates it. I don't know if there is an advantage one way or the other for the patient. I'd love to be able to observe both methods. I have an extensive background in machining and I would want to see what things looked like in both methods before the new knee is put in place. He points out the negative things that occurred with robotics, but like every process it evolves as they learn. The external entry points of the locating "pins" aren't a factor any longer. I want to know what has changed in the manual side of knee replacement since they first began doing them. I'm sure the advances have been mind boggling. Anyway it's always good to hear someone else's view. I would guess he is about the same age as my surgeon or very close. Obviously on the other side of the abyss.
