Knee replacement anyone?

[lb-ft]

I was crushed in an accident twelve years ago. Hope to hold off until I’m at least fifty until I have both knees done but not sure I can make it that long.

Technology seems to be growing by leaps and bounds. I’ve convinced myself the longer I wait, the better.

Time will tell.

 

[1885Winman4590]

Had the right one done 9 yrs ago because of awful pain, age 58. Knee pain from the joint ceased immediately. Surgical pain persisted for around 4-5 weeks. Did the rehab as instructed by doc and was back to work in a fairly strenuous job in ten weeks. Everything that has been stated above is what happens. Kneeling still sucks, a little pain in it once in awhile, but not bad. I had to have mine done, or work would have been finished and I would be in a wheelchair.
Now it's time for the other one. Wish me luck.

 

[Capt45]

I was crushed in an accident twelve years ago. Hope to hold off until I’m at least fifty until I have both knees done but not sure I can make it that long.

Technology seems to be growing by leaps and bounds. I’ve convinced myself the longer I wait, the better.

Time will tell.

In my experience, it seems that those that opt to have it done sooner rather than waiting GENERALLY have better outcomes. Health is a primary concern; you know what your general health is TODAY, you don't know what your health will be TOMORROW.

 

[riverwolf1]

Choose an Orthopedic surgeon that does at least 100 Knees a year!

 

[rjtfroggy]

Reading through this thread I am glad to hear all of you have had good to great success. My finding on this from the people local to me is that although most are happier now that it was done but the horror stories still abound. Many have complained about infections they get ( runs about 3 out of 5), some complain about having to have the joint replaced again and all complain about the PAIN from surgery and therapy afterwards.
Personally I need both done one sooner than the other but I have had knee surgery before and comparing it to the 8 lumbar surgeries the knee pain is way, way more intense, that is one reason I keep putting it off.
The ortho that I go to does 8-9 a day twice a month, not counting all the hips he does on the off weeks, so experience isn't an issue. One problem is he only does them in a hospital that is 30 to 45 minutes from home and we have 2 hospitals with in 5 minutes, he claims the infection rate is lower where he prefers to operate.
Well I will keep putting off for now but my day of reckoning is coming sooner than later.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Reading through this thread I am glad to hear all of you have had good to great success. My finding on this from the people local to me is that although most are happier now that it was done but the horror stories still abound. Many have complained about infections they get ( runs about 3 out of 5), some complain about having to have the joint replaced again and all complain about the PAIN from surgery and therapy afterwards.
Personally I need both done one sooner than the other but I have had knee surgery before and comparing it to the 8 lumbar surgeries the knee pain is way, way more intense, that is one reason I keep putting it off.
The ortho that I go to does 8-9 a day twice a month, not counting all the hips he does on the off weeks, so experience isn't an issue. One problem is he only does them in a hospital that is 30 to 45 minutes from home and we have 2 hospitals with in 5 minutes, he claims the infection rate is lower where he prefers to operate.
Well I will keep putting off for now but my day of reckoning is coming sooner than later.

I like your decision. My first knee problem came wrestling in college over 50 years ago. Had successful surgery. Got into running, ran about 20 marathons and a 50 miler plus played a lot of basket ball. Now when I got into my mid 40s hurt other knee twice playing basket ball ended up being told I needed both knees replaced, now. Kept going, now approaching mid 70s, still have my knees. Family Dr says I will know when it's time. Well I still hunt and walk in the woods several days a week. Know some who have had great results with new knees although most are not really that active. Know some with really bad results. I hear the excuse, well the Dr said I needed them. Yea, you go to a surgeon he is going to want to cut. So, I hope like myself you can still enjoy life with out the surgery like I do. I have two friends who had what was to be minor meniscus surgery who are now told they need replacement due to complecaotions from the minor surgery.

 

[hoz53]

After many years ago of losing my ACL and and deteriorating remaining meniscus looks like a total knee replacement will be in the works before too long. I've researched the doctors and read what I can but I want to hear from actual recipients of a TKR.

Its been good since 1986 when I first injured my knee but going down hill fast in the last couple of months. I can climb stairs but can't go down with out using the hand rail. Not in any real pain but do have to watch my step.

So, if you had one done how is your mobility now? I don't expect 100% but would like to play and chase after my grandsons when they come over, 1 and 3 years old, they move fast and turn on a dime.

How about kneeling or getting in a good cross leg sitting position for shooting? Walking down stairs and so on? Do you walk with a limp (afraid of one leg being shorter than the other). Appreciate any first hand experience or if a family member had one done. Thanks for looking.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/13/heal...eplacement-surgery-timing-wellness/index.html

just saw this article and thought you mite wanna check it out.

 

[fx77]

1. Listen to the Doctor as to which hospital is preferred
2. Infection rate is <1% or find another hospital or doctor. Infection info is tracked on Medicare site
3. Do not have the knee surgery unless you are willing to crawl through broken glass on your hands and knees, and beg your doctor to perform it. (That is when you will be ready)

 

[GSPV]

Most people have a good result, but it’s rough going early on and the rehab is quite long...think a year.

 

[Bamban]

The last couple of years I was in between pre-hab, both knees TKR, and re-hab. The key to easier re-hab is solid pre-hab. Though I had the TKRs done at a civilian hospital, I did the pre and re-hab at the VA clinic.

Another note, I was able to wait long enough till I turned 65 for Medicare and Supplement F to cover the surgeries, and in house rehabs. VA billed some for the pre and re-habs, but not for all.

Shooting across the course is a challenge. To get to sitting and prone I had to kneel, the knees just do not like it when I kneel. The inconvenience is not enough to keep me out shooting service rifle matches.

 

[mousegunner]

The last couple of years I was in between pre-hab, both knees TKR, and re-hab. The key to easier re-hab is solid pre-hab. Though I had the TKRs done at a civilian hospital, I did the pre and re-hab at the VA clinic.

Shooting across the course is a challenge. To get to sitting and prone I had to kneel, the knees just do not like it when I kneel. The inconvenience is not enough to keep me out shooting service rifle matches.

Bamban, I plan on getting my knee and legs some good workouts before going to get cut, lose some weight also. Anywho, can you get into a cross ankle or crossed leg sitting position fairly solid?

 

[Bamban]

Bamban, I plan on getting my knee and legs some good workouts before going to get cut, lose some weight also. Anywho, can you get into a cross ankle or crossed leg sitting position fairly solid?

Once in position, no problem, just getting into and and getting out. Another thing for CMP EIC or Board Matches, unless you get up for the rapids you are not eligible for the real medals/awards, just the medals for everyone. I can't get up and get back down to shoot rapids and not eat rounds, so I just shoot in position.

 

[JoeyGrapes]

I had both of mine done at the same time, was 71 years young at the time. 1st week was a bitch. Went to rehab 3 times a week, on the off days from rehab I went to the gym. Last year I had 150+ rounds of golf in, hunted all year and basically did whatever I wanted to do. Dr. told me as long as I did not run or jog around the block they would last me for the rest of my life. I had to see the Dr 1 year after surgery for a 1-year checkup, then again this year, he told me he did not want to see me for 2 years. All is good as long as you do the rehab, also I have a 135-degree bend in both legs, they strive for 120 degrees. Hope this helps, I would do it again in a heartbeat...

 

[BenPerfected]

Dusty, I just had my annual physical with my GP. We discussed the discomfort I been been having with my right knee. I was thinking that some Hobo Oil my knee might save me some $. Also, will Medicare cover the cost of the Hobe Oil?
Ben

 

[DonnyJ]

After ripping my Meniscus 2x's in the same area. I had 1/2 of the knee joint replaced. Surgery was on 5 Feb and on 13 July, I was in Mexico, playing sand volleyball like I was a teenager. I lost some flexibility and getting down on my knees without knee pads sux. But man what a difference it made.

I think the key to a fast recovery, is the Physical Therapist doing their job and not being swayed to much by the whinnying patent. Plus the patent holding up their part.
This was not my first experience in Physical Therapy and I can tell you, there's nothing fun about Physical Therapy! I never missed an appt and whatever she had me doing on Monday, I did the same thing over the next 2 days. Whatever she had me doing on Thursday, I did it again in Friday and Saturday. I found out real quick that it was much better for me to cause me pain then for her to cause me pain! Donny

 

[xring]

I had both done ..... years apart . I was told it would take about 2 months before I could drive . I was driving in about two or three weeks , but not very far . Bad part was getting the Walker in and out of the Car . There are a lot of Books that go into detail about what to expect . The one I bought was called something like " Everything You Always Wanted To Know about Knee Replacement " . Another I saw listed recently was " What To Expect With A TKR " . Stainless Steel was the best Option when I had mine done . Titanium was used at one time , but my Surgeon told me there were some problems with Blood Contamination . Expected Lifetime for S.S. Knees was 25-30 Years . Twenty or thirty years ago knees lasted only about 6-8 years . That's why they were only performed on old timers . Just as a side Note : present Ceramic Hips have a projected Lifetime of 75 years , but are very expensive and given to mostly young people . After Knee Surgery , you will get up the day of the Operation or the next day . Bending the Knee by Motor ( in bed) is used by some Hospitals but not in others . Not a lot of Pain with modern Meds . Lots of Pain in Rehab . ( take Meds about one hour prior to Rehab ) . Full recovery is 9-12 Months unless you get a bad Surgeon . I talked to two people who said they would never get a second one done . The Surgeon I had said they only do two Knees at once ....if they think the Patient is too weak to survive two Operation ! I still can't kneel down ( which is a big negative for me ) , but I have talked to someone who had one of the latest Knees installed , and could kneel down . Overall , I would definitely do it again . There was a Surgeons Site I can no longer access which allows you to perform the Operation On-Line . It was interactive and even tells you that "you made the incision too long " , or " you did not use the right Tool to Polish the Knee Cap " . When I told my Surgeon ( who is like a buddy ) , he told me : " good , you can finish the Operation if I have a heart attack " . We both chuckled at that one !