Knee replacement

[farmerjim]

I had both knees replaced at the same time 5 years ago. Done in the afternoon, they had me up and walking at 8 the next morning.Out of the hospital in 3 days.
Home therapy for a month, then drove to rehab 3 times a week. Do the rehab, it is painful, but if you don't you will never walk correctly. The worst part is the knee bending for range of motion. They must do this to break up the scar tissue.
I took 1 1/2 10-325 percocet before they bent my knees back, and they could still hear me scream a mile away.
Be sure to get a surgeon that has done hundreds if not thousands of knee replacements and have it done at a hospital that has a joint replacement ward.
Artificial knees are not as good as the ones God gave us, but they are not bad at all. If you are in good shape, have them both done at the same time. There is only one recovery period. You should be able to walk around the house without help in a few days. You will need a high rise toilet seat to be able to get on and off the toilet for a few months. Also elevate the bed so that you can slip off to standing. I slept in an elevated recliner and could just rock forward to standing. After a couple of months, you won't need them. Stairs will need to be climbed and descended one step at a time , or with a handrail for 6 months to a year.
I know many others that have knee replacements. Everybody is different, I am about the average. None are not happy with their new knees.
I agree with all the advice given above.
Don't worry about it, The knees and doctors are much better than a few years ago.

[winelover]

November of 2015, I had the right knee replaced. Wasn't as bad as most make it out to be. In fact, I went and had the left one done, four months later, right after I finished the therapy on the right knee. I filled the first pain prescription and still had more than enough left for the second replacement. Both times they released me from the hospital, a day and a half, after the surgery.

Biggest PITA was the "Iron Maiden".....knee bending contraption they brought out to the house, for unsupervised use. Strapped to it, four hours per day for three weeks. Each session, striving to increase the amount of deflection till you bottom it out at 135 degrees. Not all orthopedic surgeons use this procedure.

Two weeks after surgery is when the therapy starts. My surgeon has his own therapy department, right next door to his office. One on one with a therapist, three days a week for two and a half months. Was a piece of cake, IMO. I've always been pretty active and only about twenty pounds over weight. Surgeon told me that he dislikes doing surgery on obese patients. Harder for him and them.

All in all, everything went well. Would do it again, if need be. However, don't expect them to be as good as OEM equipment. Mine are pretty comfortable during the warm months, acting up, only during the cold and humid months. The left one, more so, than the right.

Good luck with your procedure.

Winelover

[opos]

Had a serious accident in 1972..had the "terrible triad" which is the injury that took Gayle Sayers out of football...blown ACL, blown Medial collateral ligament, blown medial meniscus...also shattered patella. There were no real good knee replacements back then so had a procedure called a Slocum procedure which is about the same as battle field surgery...pull up everything that isn't hooked to something else and tie it all together....2 years of "get well"...I carried that mess for the next 35 years...looked like "half a cowboy" with one leg straight and the other bowed way out....Finally it began to dislocate on it's own and time was right for a replacement .... I was just 70 when I had it done..

I knew the value of P/T before and after the surgery so just planned on that as being my "life style" for a while...Had the surgery by a seasoned old pro in knee reconsruction...he said the removal of scar tissue and "junk" took about 1 1/2 hours...then fitting the knee was a long and trying process because I'd just "ground on it" for so many years...but all got done and recovery began...I had a good recovery process and because I'd been through the massive p/t with the prior surgery I got along fine...I could have shed the cane at about 3 months or so but kept it to fend off kids and folks in crowds...The let me drive at about 3 months. It's no God knee but I'm way past 90 degrees (I was not even close before the replacement) and I don't get pain or stiffness except once in a great while...I seldom even think about the knee being a phony...I was told the worst thing would be the first time I fell with the artificial knee...Thank God I'm not a faller...I have not fallen with it at all since 2006 when it was done...but banging it into something solid can hurt like the dickens.

Because of the prior injury and some things the doc had to do I've been in a "study" for the whole time....that ends this fall...the result is perfect for what he did and frankly I was about to just go sit in a chair and not deal with the problems..man that would have been a mistake...it's been wonderful.

Best of luck...every day gets a little better and the result is well worth it all.

[Beau Cassidy]

As a general rule every day for the first 2 or 3 months you will regret having it done but if it affects your quality of life such as sleep and mobility it is time to put a new one in. Part of the delay in healing is the need to split and cut a lot of the quadriceps tendon to get to the actual knee. The kneecap is actually turned upside down when doing a knee replacement. Think of knee replacement as a resurfacing procedure.

There are a lot of cutting blocks utilized to make the correct cuts. Everything is sized to your bone as well. Cement is placed on the components (it smells like super glue) and they are hammered on to the ends of the bone. The components are made of cobalt chrome and are non-ferrous. You would be surprised at how much they weigh.

Decreased knee flexion is the limitation is the limitation of the component. Any more than about 120 degrees and the knee would dislocate.

I might do this for a living.

[white eagle]

I might be the odd ball in the group but I would not do it again if I could
had both knees replaced 2 years ago it was and is one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made
pain every day can't hunt,walking up and down grade is killer,can't do any heavy lifting,feel it in my knee's,up and down stairs is very painful
now I may be the exception because i had my hip resurfaced and have had ongoing pain as a result I just may be one of those who can not have metal in my body and react to it
not complaining just offering up my experiences with it

[Hickok]

Thanks friends for all the replies and relating your own experiences.

I am fortunate in that I will have a surgeon from WVU Med Center that specialize on working on athletes with knee injuries. In fact, the WVU stadium is in throwing distance of the hospital.

I really want to get the knees fixed soon, as spring is coming, and the road will be calling for my motorcycle!

One thing that did concern me, the surgeon said they would do a spinal block and I would be awake during the process. Sounds about like 1864 and having a leg removed after taking a Minie ball through the knee!

I realize I will be numb, but I really don't want to be aware of someone sawing my bones.

[DCP]

Thanks friends for all the replies and relating your own experiences.

I am fortunate in that I will have a surgeon from WVU Med Center that specialize on working on athletes with knee injuries. In fact, the WVU stadium is in throwing distance of the hospital.

I really want to get the knees fixed soon, as spring is coming, and the road will be calling for my motorcycle!

One thing that did concern me, the surgeon said they would do a spinal block and I would be awake during the process. Sounds about like 1864 and having a leg removed after taking a Minie ball through the knee!

I realize I will be numb, but I really don't want to be aware of someone sawing my bones.

Holy smoke never heard of such a thing! I would think you would be sedated.

[farmerjim]

"One thing that did concern me, the surgeon said they would do a spinal block and I would be awake during the process. Sounds about like 1864 and having a leg removed after taking a Minie ball through the knee!

I realize I will be numb, but I really don't want to be aware of someone sawing my bones."

They should be able to give you conscious sedation with the block. You are out, but not like a general anesthetic. I have had the arthroscopic knee surgery with just a local and got to see the complete procedure with the surgeon explaining what he was doing. It was only 20 minutes long.
The knee replacement is too long to have you awake the whole time

[white eagle]

had the spinal block
you are out like a light
my problem was arthritis in my back had to poke me 5 times before it worked

[Hickory]

I had the spinal block also. When I woke up, my leg was in a machine and it was working it back and forth without any pain
They did this for 15 minutes every hour. After two days they removed the spinal block and had me on my feet walking.
The real hard pain didn't show up for another two days, but it was nothing I couldn't man up to without pain medicine.
In 6-7 weeks after surgery you'll ditch the cripple stick and will be thinking that it was one of the best things you ever had done in your life.

[poppy42]

Thanks friends for all the replies and relating your own experiences.

I am fortunate in that I will have a surgeon from WVU Med Center that specialize on working on athletes with knee injuries. In fact, the WVU stadium is in throwing distance of the hospital.

I really want to get the knees fixed soon, as spring is coming, and the road will be calling for my motorcycle!

One thing that did concern me, the surgeon said they would do a spinal block and I would be awake during the process. Sounds about like 1864 and having a leg removed after taking a Minie ball through the knee!

I realize I will be numb, but I really don't want to be aware of someone sawing my bones.

They wanted to do a spinal block on me. I’ve also had multiple back Surgeries. I am fused at 3 levels. I told the anesthesiologist in know certain terms that under no circumstances would I allow a spinal block. No problem! Out I was. As a side note if you do opt for the block you might’ve awake, technically , but you be heavily sedated. Versed is your best friend. It’s one of those rip my arms off and beat me to death with them and I really won’t care kind of drugs. When I woke up from surgery my right leg was in constant motion device that flexed my knee every 30 minutes. I was up and walking with the aid of crutches the next morning and left the hospital the following morning after that. Mine was a total replacement. They wanted me to check into a rehab facility for two weeks. I don’t do well in situations like that and would much rather rehab at home for others it’s the only way to go. They would not let me go home until I could manage stairs. The second day after surgery I informed the doctor I was ready for the stairs he laughed and said OK let’s see what you can do. When I transverse them he shook his head and signed the discharge papers. As I stated earlier I went home to days postop. As I said earlier it ain’t no walk in the park but as I said I have no regrets. No one who I don’t choose to one form has any idea that my knee has been replaced. I attribute that in part to a good surgeon but mostly to my strong will and frame of mind . You must endure some discomfort at first but my case it has been more than worth it. For my back fusion I was in a plastic corset for year . The recovery for my knee replacement was over in six weeks .

[Rick Hodges]

My brother had both done at the same time...sent a month rehabbing in a nursing home. I know of many who have had it done....do every single bit of rehab or you will pay for it forever. Those who have trouble that I know were nonchalant about the rehab exercises and lost significant mobility.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

I had a biopsy taken from my arm once, for what turned out to be myasthenia, and absolutely the pick of the major nervous illnesses if you could choose. They used a local anaesthetic and put up a screen, and I would much rather have watched. It wasn't pain exactly, but felt like about half an arm's worth of excavation, and I would have been better off knowing it was only about a quarter cc. of me.

We can complain, with justification at times, about doctors and medical insurance. But this thread underlines that they can perform miracles, and will someday perform miracles beyond the present-day imagination. I tell my wife that she will be far more interesting to the archaeologists of future millennia than I will - at distinction she doesn't appreciate as she should, in my opinion. Probably they will be amazed to think of a time when we couldn't 3D print the thing in place without breaking the skin.

[poppy42]

Not sure in the hijack this thread or anything as I know how important it is to the OP to get useful information. but as another sidenote my surgeon got paid less than $1000 to replace my knee! That’s what he had to except from the insurance company. **** hospital got over 20,000 but my surgeon got paid less than 1000. You’re lucky if you can have your car tuned up that kind of money! So don’t anybody trying tell me that the insurance companies aren’t running medicine today. My wife is been in the medical field for 33 of the 35 years we’ve been married and it’s not the doctors getting rich. What with malpractice insurance and possibility of being sued because we all know everyone in America is Sue happy today. The only ones getting Rich in the medical field all the insurance companies and drug manufacturers. there are exceptions to the rule but for the most part Doctors become doctors because they truly want to help people. So next time you find yourself in the care of an excellent physician or surgeon thank him for his service to us. Sorry about the soapbox rant. once again OP good luck with your surgery you’ll be fine!

[EDG]

I was an knee and shoulder joint implant engineer and manager for a decade. Not every surgeon does enough knees to get really proficient. Many saw bones only do a few knees a month. A good surgeon might do 50 or 60 a month.
The most important info I can pass on is don't jump or run. Bone cement is only considered to last 7 years.
Work long and hard on the physical therapy to get your strength and range of motion back.

Never ever squat like the Japanese gardeners. Don't get down on your knees either. The patella is easy to damage and causes a lot of joint surgeries.

I have seen a lot of radiographs of arthritic knees. A bad knee stinks like a 2 year old basketball shoe.

The replacements are never as good as OEM equipment so be careful on stairs, ladders and standing up from a chair or toilet.
When you stand your patella tendon does most of the work to keep your femur from shooting forward off the top of your tibia.

Get a fully itemized bill for your surgery. I had a very minor miniscus trim in 2009. I got the itemized bill because of my knee engineering background.
I found $13,000 in bogus charges on a $33,000 surgery bill. The hospital tried to charge me for 11 bone screws and 2 cadaver grafts when none are used in that procedure.

[Hickok]

You all are outstanding for relating your experiences, and I do appreciate it greatly.

Now, I am really at ease about the spinal block and being "lights out" during the procedure.

I have been doing the same workout I was given during physical therapy, legs weights and all. The therapists told me to keep it up as it would be of a benefit later.

Funny, when the therapist girl told me my therapy was up, and there was nothing they could do, I told them all goodby, and thanks for the help. She grinned and said, "You'll be back, we will see you again when you get your new knees."

[opos]

Because of the potential for a lenghty surgery when they did mine they did both a block and a general...reasoning was that should the block wear off they would not want to try and re block me and on the other hand should the general wear off they would not want to deal with me without the block in place...the block was quite an experience....they took me into the operating theater..man was it cold...then had me sit on a tall table...the doc said he wanted me to lean forward and that I would feel the block and I had to be absolutely still...there was a young woman standing in front of me and her job was to grab me and hold me should I begin to fight...I'm 6'2 and 260# and back then I was very strong...she was about 5'4' and maybe 120...I mentioned this to the doc and he said when he got done with my little cocktail before the block she would be able to handle me with one hand...I didn't move...didn't care for the feeling but ok and it all worked.

I had a very nasty surprise....at the end of the surgery they gave me a big dose of morphine so that when I woke up I'd have some comfort for the next 12 hours or so since my surgery was major from all the prior mess and scar tissue in there, and there would be some pain involved...they hit me with a train load of morphine and it just didn't knock the pain down...it got worse and worse and they kept upping the morphine until I was flopping around like some meth head in the ghetto....but hurting worse and worse....it turns out I do not react to morphine as far as pain is concerned...they switched meds and took the edge right off and I was fine then..in fact my pain meds for rehab was mostly Extra strength Tylanol...

[MaryB]

There is no way I could do a couple weeks in any bed but my own. I do not sleep in strange places. 3 in patient surgeries so far and the nurses were always amazed I was awake at 4AM...

[starbits]

2 years ago the ortho doc told me to walk on it until you can't stand the pain any longer... cartilage is shredded, torn ACL both knees

A knee replacement fixes the bone on bone problem, but does very little to nothing to fix the soft tissue damage. The longer you walk on a bad knee the more the soft tissues in the knee area change to compensate for the bad knee. Bone spurs will grow which may or may not be removed during surgery. The longer you wait the harder rehab is because you not only have to fix the damage the surgeon did, but also correct the soft tissue damage from years of walking on a bum knee. Waiting causes more problems than it solves.

Hickok, I had both knees done 6 years ago, 3 days apart. Highly recommend doing it that way if you can because you only have to rehab once. I have known people who did one knee and never had the other one done because they didn't want to to go through the whole thing again. I am very glad I had it done. Stopped the narcotics the day I got home, but wound up taking sleeping pills for a month afterword to get to sleep at night. Wound up driving again the first time 3 weeks after surgery.

Starbits

[ARKLITE881South]

I had a spinal block with my hip. Believe me, you will not be awake. I was in and out of surgery in 2.5 hrs, and it took me another 3 to wake up. I didn't want to wake, up, it felt so good. It was like i was suspended in a vat of warm oil. Like i was floating, i kept hearing them call my name, but, i didn't want to leave that feeling. Finally i had to give in. And, the block took perfectly, i felt a little sting, or a pinch, my feet started warming up, by the time it got to my knee's, and i said, ''its almost to my thei, and thats all the farther i got. I was laughing through the whole spinal block procedure, prior to me going under. The Dr said, ''whats so funny'', i replied, this feels soooooo good, they just shook their heads and out i went.