Knee Surgery

[Old Rooster]

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.

 

[gillettehunter]

I had a double knee replacement 6 1/2 yrs ago. Took a while to get back to semi-normal. At 5 months I was complaining about still having some pain. My buddy reminded me they had broken both legs in 2 places. At 8 months I had my first day that I worked all day and didn't think about my knees.
At this point I get around good. My range of motion is better than many. Both hips were replaced last year too..... The elk hunting camp guys thought that I got around pretty good considering the replacements.
Limitations are more brought on by age and the fact that I'm not exercising as I should. I'm not what I was, but I'm better than I would be without the replacements.
I had both knees "scoped" 2 times and then PT afterwards. So I asked the folks at the PT office who was the best at knee replacements in my area. As a result we drove 4 1/2 hrs to have mine and later my wife's knees done. The PT folks get to see all of the results and know who is doing the best work. Be sure and ask!!!
Next is to do ALL of the physical therapy. If they ask for 10 reps then do 11. Be an over achiever. Work hard for the first 6 months and you'll reap the rewards. DM me for a phone number if you want to chat.
Bruce

 

[Old Rooster]

Thanks Bruce, I need to hear that!
Mike

 

[martyj]

I had both of mine done a couple years back and can do stuff I haven't been able to do for 30 years.
Run jump kneel and ride bike all with no pain. Some of that they don't recommend but had to check out there work,
Its a little simpler now that they use a robot in alot of places for the surgery.
I put mine off for years till we got a new doctor that checked for MRSA first to make sure you didnt have it before surgery.

 

[crazymonkey]

I've had 3 surgeries on my right . Torn meniscus playing little league baseball. Had first at 16 . Didn't go well and had another in my mid 20s . Then another late 20s . At 16 was told I needed replacement . Still haven't done it and get around . I've had two buddies have it done . One on his first said never again but had the other done and no issues . My other buddy not so lucky and got infected so out it came . A few weeks later all new went back in . The infection rate is what stops me as it's still high and I already don't like hospitals. A few weeks in there would drive me crazy not to mention the cost.

 

[david205]

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.

in my experience the advice is to allow complete healing before you start doing the heavy lifting..
give your self time and it should work out just fine.

 

[martyj]

A few weeks in there would drive me crazy not to mention the cost.

Mine was done at 5 am and I was home about 10 am the same day.
They dont keep you like the used to.

 

[ghklr67]

I'm 57 years old and I've had both knees replaced, one 4 years ago and the other one 2 years ago, should have been done much earlier, make sure you have a good surgeon and this will change your life for the best. I'm able to do things like I did in my early 30's.

 

[Boman]

I had a total replacement (not a partial like some get to do) of my right knee a few years ago at 43. I had a tough recovery. Very painful. After a year I was still saying I shouldn't have done it. After two years I finally was feeling better and mostly without pain. I didnt gain full range of motion until about 4 months ago when I fell in my bathroom, I ended up breaking my foot but I also tore up all the scar tissue in my knee. It hurt at first but after a couple days I noticed I had full range of motion again.

Make sure you do your PT and do more than they say. And ice your knee afterwards. Good luck to you

 

[Mark37082]

My wife struggled with pain in one of her knees for years. She avoided the inevitable, but finally had knee replacement 6 months ago. The surgery was like an assembly line. She was home within a few hours. She was very diligent in the physical therapy and pushing through all the recommended exercises. She was back at work within 6 or 7 weeks. She walks an average of 5 miles per day at work now and is experiencing no pain. It is amazing what modern medical advancements can do for quality of life.

 

[pgothro]

The main issue is when you have had enough pain for a long enough time, then you will know you need it. I started with Ligaments as a junior in HS. The next year, I tore my MCL and ACL (not much could be done then), got into the late '90s, and was told I was bone-on-bone. I used Synvisc and surgeries until 2012 when it was enough. The pain was gone immediately, and I was in less than a day. As was noted, followed the PT regime regliously and be an overachiever I worked hard. I was driving in a month and back riding my bike then. It will never be like it was in your 20s, but the pain is gone. It took me 6 months at 57 to feel comfortable and normal after 12. However, it is a journey that depends on you. After 12 years, no issues, and I would (will) do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Old Rooster]

A friend I grew up with in Louisiana just had his second knee done and spent 2 days in the hospital and just got out yesterday.
I am hearing most don't stay in hospital at all and done as out patient? That's great news.

 

[bowhunter123456789]

I had both knees done and no pain , I was 63 at the time. First was Dec '21 , second March'22, I hunted the Davis Mountains in Tx late November of 22, no pain , hunting buddies couldn't keep up with me. The key is PT , push yourself, you need to get your range of motion back within 6 weeks or you'll regret it. No pain after 6 months but I kneel down very carefully and usually on a cushion or pad , no pain just common sense. The younger, the better, we heal slower with age. Do your research on a surgeon, like was said, the PT people see the good and bad.

 

[mtbullet1]

ortho surgery on right knee several yrs ago, total replacement on left one yr ago, glad i did it, feels great now, physical therapy is key (and DO IT)