New knee

[6fatrat]

I am a sheep/back pack hunter looking for feed back from back pack hunters with a replacement knee.
Thank you, Steve Bair

 

[mberez223]

I had a total knee replacement of my right knee at Thanksgiving. It is a miracle surgery. I am completely pain free. I have good flexibility. I wish i had done it sooner. I'm a high power rifle competitor and am going to compete again this year. The most important thing is to do the physical therapy.

Mike Berezin

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Not knee, but I had a total right hip replacement in 2010 and couldn't be happier. Now getting back out into the outback is back on the menu. Amazing what the docs can do these days.

 

[WildPete]

Don't know how you're fixed for insurance, but had a friend without any. For a hip replacement in a California hospital it was going to be $86,000.00. She couldn't afford it. It was basically a death sentence. She did some research and found this outfit. They suggested that she to go to Belgium as there they have become a leader in joint replacement surgery. My friend doesn't fly! They told her the next best place was with Dr. Garin at Hospital Angeles in Tijuana. She booked the surgery and did it. She said it was the cleanest place she had ever seen. Room was cleaned twice daily. Food was the worst. LOL. Total Price, $14,500.00 and a completely satisfied customer.
Here is the contact info if you're interested. They are surgery brokers around the world.

Janet Kwan
World Med Assist
Concord CA
866 999 3848


Wild Pete

 

[drover]

A small sample of personal experience. My knee was a total wreck, it finally reached the point I had to have a replacement. The first month afterward was the worse, the pain killers (Oxycondone and Hydroxycodone - spelling may be incorrect) had a very negative effect on my mental state, I finally realized what was happening and had the doctor give me a different pain medication and things started getting better, but it did take a few weeks for all the old pain killers to get flushed from my system. Within 6 months I was getting along good with the new knee, although there was an awareness that things were still new, within a year I was doing pretty much anything I wanted on it. After having it done I swore I would never have done it if I had known how negative it could be but after having it 3 years I am happy that I did. I have talked to a lot of folks, before and after my experience, and it seems as though there is about a 50-50 chance of having a very successful replacement or one that takes a bit longer like mine.

On the other hand a good friend had one done last year and it never worked properly, after about 9 months he had to have a replacement for it. Yet another good friend had one done and within 3 months he was better than he had been since he was a young man. In all 3 cases we were all diligent in our therapy. I do know some folks who have been lax on their therapy and they are still having problems.

Like a lot of other things in life - you pay your money and take your chances.

drover

p.s. - a little additional info; In all 3 cases I cited we are all are/were active outdoorsmen, lightweight and in good physical shape, but also all 3 of us used different doctors.

 

[kcomeau10x]

From my dad's experience, I will tell you this. Strength training of the affected knee prior to surgery will help tremendously with post surgery recovery and therapy. His recovery after replacing left knee went much quicker than the right. Do as much walking, swimming, and biking as you can stand. Ankle weights when doing leg curls. Talk to PT to get idea of what to do to build up strength.
Good luck! You won't regret it.

 

[RTY]

I view the forums quite a bit but don't post much, but this is an area I've had experience. Had a total left knee replacement in March 2011. Knee never bent past 80 degrees and in constant pain, scar tissue was the supposed culprit. I was assured it would bend with physical therapy and time. Nine months later still no further flex and constant pain(more than before surgery). Was referred to another clinic and surgeon. X-ray for the replacement was supposedly perfect and scar tissue was the cause of my problems. Not much they could or wanted to do. January 2014, another clinic and different surgeon preformed a total knee revision surgery to try and surgically remove some scar tissue, no luck, knee still won't bend and hurts. Last week had a manipulation procedure done. Scar tissue still there and knee won't bend. Bottom line, before total replacement knee hurt but would bend and I could walk. Now it hurts worse and I can't walk. Talked to hundreds of people before I had my original surgery, some good some not. It doesn't always work, I've spent thousands and endured years of pain and I'm worse than ever. Think long and hard before you have any elected surgery done.

 

[Clancy]

Pretty much nobody stayed on topic here.... Way to go guys.

 

[CJ6]

What does your Surgeon say ? Do you need it or not.

 

[TominSWNY]

They are not like original equipment. They don't bend in the directions as the original ones.

 

[BowGuy]

Best advise I can give is be very selective of the doctor that will do the surgery. Research as if you were planning to purchase the last gun you'll ever buy. References, how often does he/her perform this type surgery. Someone that does them once a month should not be considered. One that does them every week would be a contender. Like said earlier, physical therapy is the only assurance of a successful outcome aside from a properly executed procedure.

 

[DonnyJ]

I am a sheep/back pack hunter looking for feed back from back pack hunters with a replacement knee.
Thank you, Steve Bair

Well, Did you have knee surgery?

In the previous post, there's some good sound advice. Research! Ask lots of questions.
Some of mine were...
How do you know your cuts are gonna be straight and square.
They anchor a JIG to your leg bone..
How do you know which parts to use so my leg will be straight
After the cuts are made, we do a mock up with other pieces. After they get the right feel and look. Then we install NEW identical pieces from which the mock up was made.
You can even watch the hole dang procedure on youtube. I don't recommended tho.

I had a partial replacement on 5feb14. A few days after surgery I started using a (CPM) continuous passive motion machine for about 6 hours a day. That lasted till I hit 90 degrees of bend.( About week 3). Started PT on about day 14. I go twice a week plus I go to the gym nearly every day I don't have PT. My workout routine is whatever she had me going that week.

So far I'm up 125 degrees of bend, which is with my hand spread open and my pinky finger touching my heel and my thumb touching my butt, and 1-3 degrees from full extension.
Muscles are still getting sore from the workouts and there is some joint pain, but that'll go away soon.

IDK If you've ever had Physical Therapy before, so I'll tell you this. IT HURTS!!! My therapist is a beautiful blue eyed, blonde haired girl in great physical condition. Mean as HELL! and I love her for it! If she was soft on me it would take longer to heal.

Good luck on you decision.
Get in the best shape you can before hand tho. Walking, swimming, cycling and weight training if you can.
Donny

 

[ChrisT]

I have no personal experience with knee replacement other than a friend that has had it done,he is an older gentleman and has always hunted hard.
He has mentioned that being toned and building muscle before the operation is advantageous,dont whimp out on the rehab,doctors advised him to hold of as long as possible to have the procedure as the replacement knee's have a limited service life anyway.
He had his done over two years ago and he struggled for a short time but he wanted and expected a lot from the replacement,he is back hunting and going real well,better than before the operation but he still gets pain when putting in a big day or walking down hill,he said he would do it again.........................and he is,the other knee this time..
Not much help I know but its all I have.


Regards Chris.

 

[savagedasher]

I was 72 when I had my right knee totally replaced. When I was young I had polio and my let leg is over one inch short. That wore out the inside of my right knee. It was bone on bone. For over 5 years I couldn't sleep or walk without Aleve by the hand full.
I had it replaced on a Monday went home on a Wednesday. Friday I loaded my dasher bullets. the chair was the right height to where I could bend my knee to 90 degree with help of a dog muzzle and a rope. Saturday am I ask my wife to help Me put my gun in the car. After a little heated discussion she loaded it and drove me to the shoot. The shooters did all the set up work. When I got home I realized it was the smartest thing I had done. Monday when the therapist came my wife Ratted me. I had 93degree movement and 2 -minus. Thurs when I went in to get the stiches remover she Ratted me again. He informed her my knee was as strong as it ever would be.
I have 132 movement. and no pain. What I did was more then likely Dumb but it worked for me.
None of the pain was as bad as had before I got it done. Larry
I never went to therapy I did it all my self.

 

[jonbearman]

My mom had both knees done within 6 months of each other,she was about 75 years old and could barely walk.She is now almost 85 years old and can get around well for her age.She said it was well worth the shot at pain relief and it worked very well for her.Her surgeon was my orthopaedic surgeon,Dr Michel Niles of rochester,ny.One of the best in my opinion.

 

[6fatrat]

Thank you for all the input. I had planned on waiting until the end of August after Camp Perry but the knee has other plans, June 25th. Based on feed back on this site and others followed up with research into the different knees, IMO not all knees are the same. The Stryker seems to be the most popular followed by the Biomet based on feed back from serious mountain hunters. I then started looking at surgeons in the mid west, I live in northern Michigan. I selected Dr. Brian Debeaubien Covenant Hospital Midland Mi. At the first appointment the Dr. told me after using the Stryker knee for 10+ years that he is now using the Micro port knees. I will update on the surgery in a couple of months.
Thank you, Steve Bair

 

[rwk]

17 yrs. both hips.

 

[langenc]

Having worked in a hosp for years I can say that all docs are not equal.

Ak around and find one that does the proceure several times weekly.

Do NOT wait till you have to have it done. Wont be any easier and the doc may have to do more that if you get it done sooner.

Go to a clinic w/ several docs and get the one that specializes in the procedure. Ask your primary (family doc) for a referal. Ask him "who would you/your wife go to for xxx procedure?"

Loose 25 pounds NOW.

 

[pac]

Wish you luck in what you decide. I had my knee replaced in 2010, and it has been painful ever since. Most everyday it is swollen and sore, been to another surgeon and x-rays show a good replacement and he said I was one of the few that might have this problem the rest of my time. Just what I wanted to hear! Also I'm limited to what I can do such as kneel down and when I get down it is a real chore trying to get back up. Therapy is really important so if you do get it replaced , do the therapy. Good Luck !!!