Knee replacement

[jimbo]

Well I've put up with it for two years now, I've had the cortisone shots and the jell shots and the surgeon  said it's time for complete knee replacement surgery. He said your bone on bone so the right knee is scheduled for February 12 and the second one the following January. The only complaints I've heard about knee surgery is that they wish they would of done it sooner but I'm still scared.

[Sqrl Klr]

I've heard you'll hate your life for the first 2wks but afterward it's worth it. A elderly man I know of that had a recent knee replacement fell down and hit his head too where he had to be taken to the hospital but is better now. I don't know if it was because of the meds or knee pain that he fell but just remember to really be careful as the surgery is bad enough without adding a fall to it. I'd make sure to have a wheelchair because using crutches hurts. I pray all goes well with no complications and you heal fast. Keep us updated on your progress afterward.

[Matchstickshooter]

 My wife had her right knee about 3 years ago, and it was great. She is now 73. Within 1 week she was up and around, without the walker. Key is doing the exercises they give you and to use ice on the swelling. She had no problem and is now getting her left knee done on 12/23/24!  She's already made all her plans and recipes for Christmas.
  She is so looking forward to being pain free.
  Good luck to you!

[Sqrl Klr]

Good to hear that it went well for her!

[farrlarr]

My wife just had her left knee done last month.  They had her up and walking the day after the surgery, with assistance of course, and they began physical therapy exercises immediately.  She came home that  same day and she had 4 weeks of home health and home physical therapy; she is now doing outpatient physical therapy.  There is still some pain below the knee but that has subsided considerably. She used a walker for a while but now is using just a cane (Do NOT use a wheelchair [unless there are some dramatic complications, extremely unlikely], you need to do the exercises and walk as much as you can.).  Do the exercises, especially those involving bending the knee.  We have been told that the amount of flexion of the knee that is possible 6 weeks after surgery is all that is going to be available for the rest of your life so movement of the knee is essential.  My wife is now walking better than she has for years. 

[avator]

My mom had hers done and liked it so well that as soon as she was up and around on it she had the other on done.

[jimbo]

There's a guy in my church two years younger then me and he is going thru the same thing as me but he refuses to do any thing about it. Man every step I take hurts and I'm not gonna try to get used to that so I'm all in scarily.

[dk1677]

Yea I need them too, always seems to be something Yes the ones that I know of were those that did not keep up with therapy and exercises had problems.The ones that did had good results. ( just don't watch a video off how they do it with the construction drills  )

[jimbo]

I already did and that's why I think I'm ascared!

[dk1677]

I already did and that's why I think I'm ascared!

Yup, that would do it 

[Habanero69er]

Toughest part of knee surgery is the recovery. It took me almost a year to totally recover. My legs were weak from lack of exertion & it just takes getting up & moving around to strengthen the muscles. But the surgery is definitely worth it.
You definitely have to do the physical therapy & the “homework” they give you to do at home to speed up your recovery.

[Xraycer]

About half of my work time is spent working at the outpatient orthopedic center and in the orthopedic surgical suite. Knees and hips replacement have a very high rate of success. However, there are a small percentage of patients who have complications. Just like most medical things.
My advice is to have it done because the pain will not get better or go away. Most importantly, over compensating for the bad knee could very well create issues with other parts of your body.

[brewbear]

I didn't have knee replacement surgery but ... this past March I fell from 20+ feet onto the paved driveway. I was a "major trauma" with multiple fractures, collapsed lungs, internal bleeding, intracranial bleeding and the cherry on top: broken spine ! They had to fuse my spine from C5 to T7. Two weeks later I was off life support and out of ICU and in a therapy center. At that time we (wife and I) were told that it will be at least a year, more like two, before I will be anywhere near fully functional. Why am I telling all this?
While in rehab I started challenging the therapists to add to the exercises. When they put 3 lb. weights on my legs, I asked them if they ran out of weights - since then I did all my exercises with 6 lb. weights. When I started walking with a walker (a week after ICU), they said 1 lap around the facility at the end of that I asked the therapist if he was tired or can do one more lap with me. I was "given" an app on my phone, MedGO, the therapists can keep track of my exercises at home. They can add or take out routines and you will follow the CGI character and do your exercises. In truth, it is really up to you to do the exercises every day or just turn the thing on and click done at the end. I did them every day, sometimes twice a day. 9 months later, I am back at work, have been for two months now. The neurosurgeon was surprised at my progress, the PT "kids" were shocked. No, I'm not a young'un anymore, I turned 65 this year. The younger you are, the faster the recovery just do all the exercises, and above all else take care of yourself. Best of luck and speedy recovery!

[Hawks Feather]

Been there and had the left replaced after many years of injections. I cafn say that the best thing I did was starting to get the leg built up prior to surgery and you have time. An exercise bike works great for this since there is no bouncing off of a hard surface. Don’t be a gorilla on the bike, just take it easy and peddle away. After surgery do what the doctor says and keep the therapy going long after you think you are finished. I had my replacement almost eight years ago and I still try to get on the stationary bike a couple of times a week.

[Hoppalong Doc]

      If I may, let me relate my 23 year odyssey, a tale of sorrow and pain, followed by success. During the late '90's, I began a series of cortisone injections which worked well, at least for a couple  of years. The were followed up by Synvisc injections. These caused swelling the size of a grapefruit. My knee became hot and painful. It was determined that I was allergic to this product. I could now only walk with a cane and pain. My first total knee replacement was in November of 2001. My knee became infected. I carefully followed the regimen to re-enable my mobility while fighting the infection through antibiotics, both oral and injected. This era also began my cycle through various pain relievers from Oxycontin to Fentanyl. I was forced to retire at the age of  54, way too young. In November of 2002, I had my 2nd total knee replacement. At the Thanksgiving dinner table, with the blessing of having our daughter, 2 sons and their wives gathered I felt lightheaded and asked to be excused to go lie down. The next thing I was conscious of, I was in the hospital and it was now Sunday. My wife was at my side and I was told that I had died on the operating table and the infamous "code blue" had been called. My new, and badly infected "new" knee was removed due to the infamous MRSA infection. At this time the recognition and treatment of MRSA in it's early stages. I remained in the hospital bed with my leg open and with the knee removed for another five and a half months. My precious wife took off from her career as a nurse practitioner to stay at my bedside. Eventually my hospital bed was moved to our living room at home. During those five and a half months I was totally bedridden with my left leg left open.  After this very dark time for me, I again had a new know knee placed in my leg. Less than a year later, my knee became hot, red, and clearly infected. It was determined that bone above my left leg was again badly infected. Following multiple consultations with my orthopedic surgeon and infectious disease specialists, my left leg was not responding to treatments. It was determined that surgical amputation was the only viable choice. My leg was amputated, 8 inches above what had been my knee. No more surgical interventions!  This was in 2006. The residual leg (my stump) was again surgically  revised, taking another inch off in May of 2022. My right knee has been doing all the work these past years and I finally consented to have it replaced in November of 2023. This total knee replacement has been a total success. . . finally! Hallelujah!  Currently at the one year point, this knee replacement is nearly painless.  Should I sit in one position for too long, the knee will let me know it's there . . .  and for that, I'm grateful indeed.
     

[avator]

A failed rotator cuff repair in 2015 led to total reverse shoulder replacement in 2018. It was soon discovered that there was no longer a rotator cuff to to reattach. The other muscles had to be trained to pick up the slack. I now have limited movement in that I cannot lift my left arm above my head. If I do happened to go past the point of no return either upward or backward, the fake shoulder comes out of the socket and I have to pull my arm across my chest to pop it back in. That comes with a certain flash of white light and light headedness.

[rsterne]

Had my left knee replaced a dozen years ago, worked like crazy on the Physio and it was painful, but really worth it.... Don't shirk on the exercises or you won't get maximum benefit.... I'm getting the right one done in the Spring....

Bob

[wolverine]

after 4 laparoscopic surgeries on my left knee, i was told the only thing left is a knee replacement. talking with several people who went through it, they all encouraged me to get it done. next february 21st will be 3 years since the surgery and i'm still regretting it. have more intense and constant pain and it gives out more now than before. 3 months ago i went to another surgeon, he was surprised at how much movement there was, but couldn't guarantee another replacement would cure it.


in 65 years, having my knee replaced was the biggest mistake i have ever made.


i wish you all the luck in the world and hope you have success with your surgery.

[Hoppalong Doc]

       CARL:  My friend, I feel your pain. My 4  left leg total knee replacements, followed by an amputation, a revision of the amputation years later, and a right leg total knee replacement, gives me some authority on orthopedic surgeries, from the patients view anyway. At least the right leg knee replacement seems to have gone well. This last surgery was completed by a different physician. If your pain is at all tolerable,  stay away from and get off opiates: they are not your friends. Before allowing any surgeon to cut on you, go to Web MD online and read their history of education and practice. As with any people in a profession,  some are more talented than others. Go with the more talented physician. Back to you, Carl, I do indeed feel your pain, but there's just nothing I can do about it. We can go shooting though. I just enjoy punching those targets.  Orv.

[avator]

The doc that did both surgeries on my shoulder say that they could go back in and put in a smaller cup and that would help with the dislocating. I got pretty perturbed with him and told him that there ain't no way in heck I was going under HIS knife again. With his track record I'd most likely completely lose the use of my left arm. I'm 68 years old and I'll just muddle through the rest on my life with it. I've learned all the work arounds to be able to do most of what I want to do with it. I'm just glad I'm right handed.