Knee Surgery

My dad had a complete knee replacement back in Feb at the age of 72. The first couple of months were bad, regretting he got it done bad. He initially was recovering behind schedule with range of motion so he was very discouraged. For every good day of PT he would wake up more sore and less range of motion the next day. One day it was like a light switch going off with the range of motion...not back to normal but at least more consistent. His swelling took months to get back to normal too.

He is 8 months post surgery and doing pretty good. The pain he used to have clearly is gone. Surgery pain and swelling all but gone as well. He is pretty much a candidate for the other knee but has been on the fence just because this knee is more manageable. I keep telling him if he thinks he wants it done he should soon, hes not getting any younger. I kind of dont blame him though, the discouragement, pain and all was pretty grueling on him. I think (he does too) that if he would have did this younger he wouldnt have regretting it a bit. Age sure doesnt help with recovery times and such.

Also wanted to add something that he had problems with was sciatica which he never had prior. So far it has come and gone but I, without a medical background, credit it to the surgery or more so the recovery and walking gingerly and favoring a side. Its the opposite leg than the one he had surgery on but I do think since that leg was taking over for the other it because over used, tired and probably getting out of wack compensating for the other leg. Who knows, maybe it was just bad timing.

Old Rooster, like the doctors have told me "When it it time you will know." And they have been right. With all the back surgery you have had, I can't see how recovering from a knee replacement is likely to be worse. I had mine done the year following having both hips replaced. That was in late April, and that fall I took my 62 year old kid brother on his first elk hunt. We did plenty of hiking, and the knee did fine.

I am going to send you a PM.

It sounds like you've been managing your knee issues for quite a while. I'm sorry to hear that the Boron isn't working as well anymore. Knee replacement surgery can be a big decision, but I've heard mixed reviews from people who have gone through it. Some say it has significantly improved their quality of life, reducing pain and increasing mobility. Others mention some limitations, like difficulty kneeling or stiffness, but still feel the benefits outweigh the downsides.
Hopefully, you can find a solution that brings you relief and gets you back to doing what you love!

For those who find kneeling painful, I recommend these CLC kneepads. I have several pair in the garage, and both trucks, and one painted camo green and black for hunting - the exterior surface is soft and quiet for crawling on rocks. I used them before my knee replacement, and use them frequently now as well. They made the long crawl after this buck, on broken rocks, doable. Kneeling on that scar running over your kneecap is uncomfortable at best, but improves with time.

I have even gifted these to friends who have had knee replacements.

Old Rooster said:

It has been years since the last conversation about knee problems/Surgery and I mentioned I use Boron to control the problem. It has worked great until it didn't anymore. That was 15 years ago that my doctor said I need new knees.
For those that has had new knees. How are you doing? Would you do it again? Any limitations?
Thanks in advance for your results.

Click to expand...

First, hellava job losing that weight! Post surgery recovery will be far more manageable. You have had back surgeries which are not a walk in the park. I am still in recovery from my lumbar fusion L2-L5 in July but making progress. Since you had back surgery I "assume" you have tall toilets and safety bars in bathroom, if not huge help especially for knees. Several of my buds have had knee replacement surgery and all said tall toilets were lifesaver. All doing well without languishing effects. Range of motion was biggest PITA to recover from. Everyone knows do the PT homework at home religiously and sure you know that. I joined my fitness center to add in the machine work, therapy pool stretching that is impossible to duplicate on land. The warm water helps immensely in gaining mobility. Fitness center also has hot tub which I use on limited time basis. I look at the total recovery as my new job and just "go to work" on my recovery. Once I am further down road on back, my right knee is candidate for replacement and know what the work plan has to be. I am also on plan to lose some poundage since its hard to find forklift scales at doctor's office.

My friend, you are "tough old bird" and I have zero doubt you will "kill" the recovery in no time. I look at this surgery as improving quality of life to keep doing what makes us smile!

All the best!
Muddy