Knee replacement questions?

[starbits]

I had both knees done 4 years ago. Recommendation - get them both done at the same time. The reason is rehab is a real pain and there is no reason to do it twice when you can rehab both knees at the same time.

I agree with gandydancer go to a rehab clinic. Yes you can do it at home and yes it would be cheaper. If you are very self-motivated and dedicated do it home, but most of us, regardless of our self image, aren't that dedicated, myself included, and need a kick in the pants now and then. Besides the rehab gal always had some new painful exercise to do and who would want to miss that. All kidding aside you can have the best surgeon in the world and it you don't do the rehab you will not have a successful outcome.

One last point that they rarely tell you. As your knees go bad the ligaments and soft tissues do weird things to compensate for the unnatural motion of your damaged knees. The worse your knees get the more the compensation. Knee replacement fixes the bone problem, but it does nothing to return the ligaments and soft tissue back to their normal function. Therapy will fix some of it, maybe all of it, maybe not. The purpose of this paragraph is to say if you need a knee replacement do it, don't wait a couple years to get around to it.

starbits

[Possumcop]

I haven't had any experience with knee surgery since having torn cartilage repaired 35 years ago after a high school football injury. I've also never had a single medical procedure performed on me in the state of Minnesota. But I do have some advice that might save you a lot of pain, suffering, healing time and possibly even your life.

Before you have ANY surgery, look at the number of post op infections associated with both the Doctor AND the hospital!

You may have to dig to get the information, but as someone who spent 15 months, 5 surgeries and hours every day for more than three months taking IV meds twice a day to get rid of a MRSA bone infection, I can tell you that doing some research BEFORE you have any surgery done will be one of the best investments of time you'll ever make.

[BethelHntr]

I haven't had knee replacement done but my dad has, He was an ornery SOB for years due to the constant pain and couldn't find relief. He is till this day (78 years young) very active after having both knees replaced at the VA, His most important advise to anyone going though this is religious rehab. Don't give up!

Good luck!

[Col4570]

It is no good sitting around after Knee surgery,move it bend it try it.You need to build up that tissue and Muscle.There is no doubt it hurts during the recovery period but keep using the ice Pack (Frozen Peas) and walking as far as your new Knees will let you.I am 78 next month and rejoice that I had them done 9 years ago.

[MaryB]

I have doe all my PT at home, with a 50 mile round trip it was the only option. One visit to the PT torture specialist and they will give you a sheet of exercises and when to start each, how many repetitions, how many times each day etc. They even set me up with some specialized equipment as needed.

[MaryB]

Homemade blue ice packs, 50/50 water/92% rubbing alcohol with a little food coloring added. Put in a freezer bag then I sealed that in a vacuum bag from my food saver.

It is no good sitting around after Knee surgery,move it bend it try it.You need to build up that tissue and Muscle.There is no doubt it hurts during the recovery period but keep using the ice Pack (Frozen Peas) and walking as far as your new Knees will let you.I am 78 next month and rejoice that I had them done 9 years ago.

[Col4570]

Homemade blue ice packs, 50/50 water/92% rubbing alcohol with a little food coloring added. Put in a freezer bag then I sealed that in a vacuum bag from my food saver.

That is sophisticated,the Frozen peas worked but your packs would have been better.Regards.

[white eagle]

glad to see this thread
I just got back from the ortho doc two days ago
had my hip resurfaced in 08 and now need it revised (pain since surgery) and the bonus is I have moderate to severe arthritus in my right knee and they recommend knee replacement
I am told that no heavy lifting afterwards post surgery and I am a bricklayer so that will end my days on the wall

[Col4570]

Do,nt write your Bricklaying off,You will not want to kneel but otherwise bending from the waist and sitting is my way of doing most jobs.As for lifting, those replacements are as tough as hell.

[Char-Gar]

I had knee replacement surgery in 1999 and got a few good years out of it. I then slipped on a slick tile floor and it has been a problem ever since. The other knee is also now gone to hell, but I won't get it replaced unless it is the only alternative to a wheel chair. Mean while I just hobble on with life. You would be surprised just what you can live with and still have a good time in life. The pain we think is horrendous today, may be pretty small potatoes compared to what we experience farther down the road. Dealing with pain both physical and emotional is just part of being alive. The sooner that lesson is learn, the better off folks are. Only the dead don't hurt!

[jsizemore]

Find out who does the pro athlete's knees in your area. They don't cut corners and have access to the top notch physical therapists. If it's not straight when your done then your problems will be compounded. Good Luck

[gandydancer]

I had knee replacement surgery in 1999 and got a few good years out of it. I then slipped on a slick tile floor and it has been a problem ever since. The other knee is also now gone to hell, but I won't get it replaced unless it is the only alternative to a wheel chair. Mean while I just hobble on with life. You would be surprised just what you can live with and still have a good time in life. The pain we think is horrendous today, may be pretty small potatoes compared to what we experience farther down the road. Dealing with pain both physical and emotional is just part of being alive. The sooner that lesson is learn, the better off folks are. Only the dead don't hurt!

only the dead don't hurt! are you sure?

[Possumcop]

I had knee replacement surgery in 1999 and got a few good years out of it. I then slipped on a slick tile floor and it has been a problem ever since. The other knee is also now gone to hell, but I won't get it replaced unless it is the only alternative to a wheel chair. Mean while I just hobble on with life. You would be surprised just what you can live with and still have a good time in life. The pain we think is horrendous today, may be pretty small potatoes compared to what we experience farther down the road. Dealing with pain both physical and emotional is just part of being alive. The sooner that lesson is learn, the better off folks are. Only the dead don't hurt!

I understand that you don't want another knee replacement, but why?

I feel pretty safe in assuming that you're not afraid of the pain associated with the surgery!

If you had good results from the previous surgery until you re-injured it, why are you so strongly opposed to having the surgery again?

I've had plenty of pain in my life, but I've always figured that less is better than more where pain is concerned.

[opos]

Had a major knee injury in 1972...MCL, ACL, fractured patella, both cartlidges blown out...called the "terrible triad"...had the "latest and greatest" surgery called a Slocum procedure (only thing available except fusion or amputation or a life long wheel chair)...managed to nurse it for some 30 years...walked like a "half a cowboy"..one leg straight and one bent in an outward bow.

I did, as mentioned earlier, go to the group that does the ortho work for the San Diego Chargers..Had a full knee done at Scripps in San Diego...major problem as the old surgery scarring and bone deformity was huge..long and drawn out operation but the recovery went well and i'ts now almost 9 years (I was 69 when it was done)...doc said "it's not a God knee"..but close..changed my life...one thing...it's really important to do what they say before and after the surgery...exactly what they say. I got all sorts of advice about recovery from all sorts of well meaning folks..my doc said every knee is different and every recovery program and progress is different..I did exactly as told..often felt I should "push harder" but did as told....my result is wonderful and my life has changed for the better. It hurts but not for too long..the recovery is slow but in the grand scheme of things..not that slow...if you "go for it" good luck and enjoy the new freedoms.

[Freightman]

Hope yours comes out better than mine, pain is only a little better than the old one. They got it on crooked, like a dogs hind leg. Have to have it redone but waiting till I can't stand anymore, it has been done for 13 years .