Ever had knee replacement?

For the last few years I've had bone on bone clashing in one knee, it swells up so they go in, suck out some fluids and replace it with Cortizone. I had it done again yesterday and signed up for a replacement in November. I'm going for a partial replacement on the left, but once in there if it looks worse, they do the whole thing.

Crutches for two weeks after, then to a cane for a bit. No driving for a month!

Thoughts, experiences, suggestions?

Thanks, Dan

Mom had it done. She calls that one her "good knee."

Get your teeth fixed first, if you have any dental issues. Infection is the worst potential problem, and dental problems can be the origin.

I know lots after people who have had it done. They are all happy now, even the two who had to fight infection post-op.

My mom had it done. The recovery is pretty tough, but worth it in the end. Do your post-op PT exercises or you can end up losing flexibility/mobility. And plan for the recovery to take at least as long as they tell you it will. Don't tell work you'll be back in 2 weeks.

My Wife suffers from arthritis and had to have her left knee replaced at 44. As previously mentioned she refers to it as her good knee. She'll need the right one to be done soon as well. Arthritis sucks.

914Driver wrote: \No driving for a month!

How long before you can fly...or did you ask that question?

My wife had it done 2 years ago and she still uses it as an excuse why she can't do things.

Get in the pool for aquatic therapy as soon as it's allowed, normally 2-3 weeks. I haven't had a knee replacement yet, but have had 5 knee surgeries between the 2 and it was always assumed that it'd be the first joint that I'd have replaced. Missed the mark on that prediction.

My mom had both hers done last year, one at a time. She's 75 and it's transformed her. She loves to walk and lives in a house with three stories, she's much more comfortable and happier. The second one isn't as flexible as the first but overall it's a big win. My grandfather had his hips done in his 70's and had much the same result.

Pretty sure I'll be needing mine replaced in another ~10 years. They sounds like double-barrel buckshot when I stand up, and although they don't really hurt(except after I've been kneeling for more than a minute or two), they just don't feel good when I bend them more than about 90-degrees. Riding a bike is ok, unless I use too steep a gear, then I'll be feeling it for a day or two, but I creak & groan climbing stairs.

My wife had one done.

My SO had one done.

Both said/say, "Never again."

The full replacement involves more healing, more ligaments & tendons, no ACL etc., hoping for the easy answer.

Thanks for the input.

Dan

I had mine rebuilt, but have lots of friends that had the replacement. The TLDR is that physical therapy will make it a good and worthwhile experience.

I have many friends that put it off for many years and were angry with themselves after surgery for not having it done years ago. I have another friend that had it done when the doctor suggested it the first time. He is really happy with the outcome.

Now I know others that weren't happy. Those people have a couple things in common: they put it off for way too long they didn't do their PT.

There have been some recent studies on the psychological side of recovery too. Basically, you need to re-learn how to move the way your body is meant to (not the way you've been moving to minimize pain).

I'm sure every hospital system has "a guy" for knee replacements. You want that guy, or the guy that he would have do his own knee.

A total knee is approximately twice as rough as a hip replacement but for those who get them (and do the requisite PT!!) have their lives transformed for the good.

Source: mother and ex are PTs. I've absorbed a lot on the topic over the years.

My dad has had both done and was pretty much immediately glad he'd done it after he had the second one done. Both of his were bone to bone.

I'm missing almost all the cartilage on the right side of my left knee from my car accident in 2015 so this discussion is very relevant to me. My Ortho Dr did laparoscopic surgery and cleaned out all the floating bits and cleaned up the torn meniscus and it has at least stopped giving out on me without warning. He says I'm a perfect candidate for a partial as the cartilage on the left side of the knee is perfect.

My Dentist has had both of his replaced and said it was the best decision he made. He's in his 70's and rides a stationary bike everyday, works on his feet and travels a ton. His recommendation was to strengthen the leg muscles as much as possible before the surgery as it makes the recovery significantly better and faster.

Another friend has had both done and said that he cannot kneel/crawl now which is of great concern because it's hard to work on a car if you can't kneel. I don't squat and don't see that lack of flexibility changing anytime in my lifetime.

Mrs. Oldtin is scheduled for September 13 for one. A few months later for the other.

Mom had both done at the same time, when she was in her 60s. Costs almost the same as having them done individually x2, but you only have to go through recovery/PT once. She was very diligent with PT. She moves quite well, now.

Pop had one done last year, at 78. He really needs the other one done, still. He wasn't as diligent with PT. Fells better, but not very flexible. He's not sure if he'll get the other one done.

Post-op PT is the key to lasting success.

kazoospec wrote: My mom had it done. The recovery is pretty tough, but worth it in the end. Do your post-op PT exercises or you can end up losing flexibility/mobility. And plan for the recovery to take at least as long as they tell you it will. Don't tell work you'll be back in 2 weeks.

My dad had his done and this pretty well sums it up. The therapy sucks but it is the difference between a positive and negative outcome. His turned out really good. It vastly improved his daily life.

hobiercr wrote: His recommendation was to strengthen the leg muscles as much as possible before the surgery as it makes the recovery significantly better and faster.

How do you strengthen your leg muscles if your knee is borked?

In reply to Knurled:

Work with a personal trainer. They can work around weak points to minimize stress points and pain. You can stabilize the knee with a brace to keep things in line and still work on muscle strength.

I know a guy in his 70s who has full artificial knees and hips, he said he wishes he did it earlier, even though recovery for him was bad because he got a terrible infection.