Tomorrow I am meeting with my Doctor to talk about knee replacement. I am wondering if other members have had this done and what they think about it now. I have a neighbor that had both knees done at once, two weeks later he was repairing his roof, last month he ran the Marine Corps 10k. He is in his late 70's early 80's.

I am 66. I have had three operations on my left knee, one pre scope. My right knee is almost as bad. It's getting to the point where I need pain pills just to go for a walk. This is all football related. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Jim

Your neighbor sounds like a superman. I had both replaced at once 5 years ago. Pain in the ass, but once you complete rehab, it is a huge life improvement. Rehab and Range of Motion--the two big 'R's to focus on. I was instructed not to run on the new knees, as it shortens their lifespan, and the obvious goal is to have your knees replaced only once.

Not me however my father did, they did one knee at a time, he's done well with both.

Count on two months for full recovery.

2-3 weeks walking with no assist.

Had my left knee done Sept 2020. I am not going to be doing any running as the right knee isn't the greatest but not real bad as yet.
I never was into running much and at 71 it isn't gonna change.
Wife had both of her knees done, first one in 2010 and second done in 2020. She is doing great. It is uncomfortable for either one of us to kneel.
Other then that quality of life is much improved.

quote:

posted December 12, 2022 10:57 AM Hide Post
Your neighbor sounds like a superman

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
More like Steve Austin. Sounds unrealistic to me.

I did both about three years apart. The first I should have done sooner. I didn't hesitate to do the second as soon as it went south because the outcome with the first was so good. My surgeon indicated that all impact sports were off limits after surgery. R.I.C.E. is key. Rest, Ice, Compression. Elevation. Doing everything PT wants you to do is important including the homework.

I need a full replacement on my right and probably a partial on my left. Has anyone tried the PCL or ACL/PCL retaining implants? I'd like to keep all the OEM equipment that is still good if possible. All the ligaments in my left knee are pretty good. the PCL in my right knee is ok too.

I had my left knee replaced 7 weeks ago. It was trashed. First five days sucked.
Do your pt. Just had check up this am, all good

After a decade of right knee issues, arthroscopic surgery to clean up a torn meniscus, then cortisone injections and synvisc-one injections, I had a total knee replacement in 2018. For me it was totally worth it as I've been knee pain free and walking with a normal gait since completing rehab. My advice - follow your rehab and PT exercises religiously, see a PT person and use ice regularly. Rehab for me was tough to re-establish range of motion - at the end of the motion for those exercises it was painful, but it all worked out for me. Prior to the knee replacement I had both hip joints replaced, and I think the wearing out of the hips was due to years of walking funny to favor my bad knee.

I wish you nothing but the best, and if you'd like to reach out for more info, or just to commiserate, feel free to contact me directly.

Left knee replaced on Dec 8th 2021. First 3-4 weeks was a bitch, but slowly has gotten much, much better. It wasn't until 90 - 120 days post surgery I was sure I hadn't made a mistake in having the knee done.

Do the PT, and all the home exercise assigned religiously!!

I recently had my 9 year old prosthetics replaced. I fell about a year and a half ago and contracted a strep infection on the prosthesis. When I fell, I knocked a tooth loose and think that is actually the reason the infection set in as I have to take an antibiotic before any dental or invasive procedure. It took quite a while to actually diagnose the infection as it appeared to be a muscular issue rather than an infection. Moral of the story, if the doc says to take an antibiotic for procedures, do so and be sure to include accidents that may seem minor at the time. Better to be safe than sorry.

I had my left knee replaced in 2007 and had the right one replaced in 2019. You must do the pt every day (even after they say go out and play) or your tendons will tighten up and you won't have full extension or bend. I screwed up and my left one is pretty tight, I have a problem riding a bike because of it.

On the plus side my knees are bulletproof (no kidding, titanium is tough stuff!). I do set off metal detectors all the time. At the airport, I just tell them I've got artificial knees and request the full-body xray and all is good. Don't bother getting a card saying your knee is artificial, they have to scan it anyway.

Waiting to get my left knee done, just had total hip replacement 2 weeks ago, was the “ lesser of the 2” the doc said, hopefully when I get the knee done I’ll be back in business…

Not me, but my neighbor had one knee repaired and one replaced. He said he was up and walking pain free right away with the replaced knee. The repaired knee never stopped giving him problems. He told me if I ever need knee surgery, go for replacement. I’m lucky to have decent knees at 76.

 
I had my right knee totally replaced a few years ago. The local orthopedic surgeon uses a computer modeling program to get the new knee in exactly the right position, rotation, etc. The computer gets info via a pin placed in the femoral bone above the knee, and another pin in the tibial bone below the knee.
 
PT is a must following replacement, or you will never get your full extension and flexion back. I cannot stress this enough. Do the daily PT exercises for a couple of months, minimum. I did all that, and still do not have full extension and flexion (almost, but not full, as compared to the other knee), but what I have is good enough for daily living.

I have had both replaced over the years and it is a lot better than bone on bone. I couldn't sleep at night because of the pain...

quote:

Originally posted by kyoung:
I have had both replaced over the years and it is a lot better than bone on bone. I couldn't sleep at night because of the pain...

Its nearly 7am and I have been up since 1am because of pain in my left knee. I see a Dr. this week for a follow up from my first visit where I got an injection. I think I need to go for a replacement. I'm trying to drop weight as well hoping that will help.

My mom just had a knee replacement and she is in her Eighties. The surgery really relieved her pain and she is able to walk much better now.

Her doctor explained that recovery takes about one year, but the key is to do the physical therapy to ensure solid recovery. Without the PT you cannot recover properly.

I myself am recovering from to full ankle fusion surgery on my right ankle due to Charcot Marie Tooth disease. I have gone from no weight bearing at all post surgery to partial weight bearing now, about three months post surgery. I still cannot drive yet but I have been working with the physical therapy and occupational therapy specialists and progress has been moving forward significantly.

Doing the necessary therapy for recovery is critical.

Best of luck with you knee replacement!

Mike

I have had both knees done..Why did I wait so long. Was taking pain pills and just didn't want to get hooked so Doctor (I had the best in the world) did the worst and 3-years later the other. Piece of cake..Why did I wait so long!

I highly recommend starting range of motion exercise now, rower, bike, etc. I think it really helps in recovery.

When you do the physical therapy; When your therapist says do 10, take the time to do 20. Push yourself but don't overdue it but the more PT you can get, the better recovery and range of motion you will get.

Also, 1st one was done with spinal pain blocker? if that makes sense. 2nd the Doc couldn't get the spinal block in so went normal pain med route. I can tell you the spinal was Much better with pain control over second without spinal. Everyone is different but I only did 2 or 3 days on pain meds and that was it.

The ice machine for pain and swelling I think is standard for this surgery anymore but make sure you get one. Ice really helps.

Good luck and keep us posted