Knee replacement | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Knee replacement

Waquoit said:
Are you for real? For one, the quote you commented on was my quote not the PT. And of course, some hips end up a tougher rehab than knees. But that is the exception to to the rule. Ask anyone with any knowledge of the subject outside a medical consulation "What's a tougher rehab, hips or knees" The answer will be knees. Unless you run into a knob that says something like dooshy like, "Replacements happen for different reasons, with different interventions, for different people with different histories."
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Knee replacements are a harder/longer recovery and more painful than hip replacements. As you point out, this is well known.
 
Mokum said:
I have had knee surgery but not replacement, just a few years ago. The result of an injury playing HS football. My only advice is make sure you have a doctor that really knows his stuff. Good luck, hope it works for you.
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Doctor who knows his stuff and make sure you do all of the rehab properly, can't at all half arse it.
 
I had one done about nine years ago. My knee is terrific now. However, I developed a clot and was put on blood thinners. Apparently, clots happen frequently with this surgery. This meant that when my knee became swollen I couldn't take anything to help reduce the swelling. I was in tremendous pain and couldn't bend my knee more that 65 degrees. My knee stayed the size of a soccer ball for 6 months until they took me off the blood thinners and could start taking celebrex. This immediately reduced the swelling and the pain. Now I have near normal flex of the knee and absolutely no pain. It's very strong. If I had to do it again, I would, even with all of the pain. It was worth it.
 
I had knee / acl surgery last month for a tear

doctors and PT people will tell you to avoid stairs at all costs, they say it to me every time i see one of them, are you using stairs at all etc

a poster mentioned extension is more important than bending it and is 100% correct. bending it will come, not getting straight is a concern, mine isn't 100% straight and i am doing exercises 3x a day and PT 2x a week and focusing on getting it straight

different people have different tolerance to pain meds. i don't do well with pain meds, hurt my stomach
take colace with pain meds, your first bowel movement after surgery will hurt more than your knees if you don't. i did not take enough colace, heed this advice

i don;t know the recovery for a replacement but average for a tear like mine is full year to get back to 100%

again, not same as replacement, but hope it helps and good luck
 
Starting to get real...
Pre-op to the hospital this coming Monday. Did a lot of research on the doc and hospital and feeling pretty good about that. Doc is chief of ortho surgery, has done in the 1,000s, with several hundred two-fers.
Hospital is using an 'opioid sparing pathway' and they set out prior to surgery to try to reduce any inflammatory processes that occur by treating it before it actually happens.

Have a flexible schedule and work from home...surgery 9/11, hoping to be back to work at least half-time after two weeks.
 
Yardigan said:
Starting to get real...
Pre-op to the hospital this coming Monday. Did a lot of research on the doc and hospital and feeling pretty good about that. Doc is chief of ortho surgery, has done in the 1,000s, with several hundred two-fers.
Hospital is using an 'opioid sparing pathway' and they set out prior to surgery to try to reduce any inflammatory processes that occur by treating it before it actually happens.

Have a flexible schedule and work from home...surgery 9/11, hoping to be back to work at least half-time after two weeks.
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Good luck!! Sounds like you're in good hands.
 
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BFieldHusky said:
My father had both done at the same time 3 years ago. I highly recommend it.

He worked very hard to rehab before the surgery to get himself as strong as possible. Had them both done at same time. Stayed in hospital for 3 days then went to an inpatient rehab facility for a week. Then went home.

It's tough but he did great and eventually was fine. I know a lot of people who get one done and then put off the other one because of the rehab. And that makes the other knee worse.

Pm me if you want more details.
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My brother-in-law had both done, but separately. He did the same thing trying to get as much strength as he could before the first was done. He sometimes has minor issues with one, but not sure if is first or second done. I was under the impression the doctors didn’t like to do both at the same time. Maybe thats old school. Good luck.

Getting a hip in January myself. Much easier than the knee.
 
Yardigan said:
Been having pain in both knees for quite a while...had them x-rayed..both a mess, severe arthritis. Doc said, without even further study, about the left one, nothing much that can be done except knee replacement. (Had arthroscopic surgery about 30 years ago). For the right, suggested a MRI. Got the MRI - was told meniscus damage that they could operate on, and I might (might) get 6-12 months of relief, but...recommending knee replacement for that one as well.

Am not a big 'pain' guy, and watching a video of the operation online...kinda makes that seem inevitable.

Fortunately, I work at home (desk-type job), with single floor living and good home support. Trying to figure out if I should get both done at once, or one at a time and wondered if anyone here had experience with either strategy. Have read about the pro's and con's of both approaches (one at a time or both at once)...but interested in hearing from anyone that might have gone through it.
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Get them done one at a time! Yeah, it stinks that you will have two different surgeries and rehabs to go through but rehab is so much easier/faster when you have 1 good leg and it is so much easier getting around on crutches instead of a wheel chair. Trust me. Had both knees replaced at different times and both revised at the same time. Having the revisions done at the same was the worst decision I ever made!
 
Based on past threads I'd say eating more red meat should fix you right up. Or not.

That's all I got.
 
Good lucky with the surgery.

One thing I have heard is that you must continue the exercises even after you feel better. Otherwise you regress and it is really tough to get back to feeling well. Your physical therapy routine must become a lifelong friend. It's like mowing the lawn, you stop and it gets bad fast.
 
temery said:
Based on past threads I'd say eating more red meat should fix you right up. Or not.

That's all I got.
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That's actually kind of funny. I had a physical about 3 weeks ago, and finally went and had had blood drawn for the lab part of it last week.
That same afternoon, got a text from our pharmacy that my 'scrip for simvastatin was ready. Apparently, I have high cholesterol, and this was my primary care doc's way of letting me know.
I called and he did give me the option to try to address thru diet, but I don't recall that 'eating more red meat' was one of the instructions. In fact, pretty sure it was the opposite - upside is, more salmon.
 
TitleTown said:
Get them done one at a time! Yeah, it stinks that you will have two different surgeries and rehabs to go through but rehab is so much easier/faster when you have 1 good leg and it is so much easier getting around on crutches instead of a wheel chair. Trust me. Had both knees replaced at different times and both revised at the same time. Having the revisions done at the same was the worst decision I ever made!
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I've heard lots of pluses and minuses for both, but going with the 2 for 1 option. I'm looking at one recovery/out of work period, which they said would be less than two singles combined.
Have connected with some folks that have had two at once and they've been able to get around within a few days, using a walker just for balance.

No matter what, I'm planning on this hurting like a beyotch and no way I want to g through it twice (check out this video if you get a chance).

Knee Replacement Surgery Video

For some reason, it seems like the part between the 0:50 and 1:06 has some decent pain infliction potential, even though it looks nice on the video.
They'd probably have to chase me down and catch me to get me to go through it a second time.
 
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The deed is done. Surgery last Tuesday, out of the hospital about 48 hours after that. 1 week post-op and already walking around by myself. Pretty freaking amazing.
Glad I chose the two-fer route. Already 100% weight-bearing and have crutched it up and down the driveway a few times.
Am able to get comfortable pretty easily (just sit down with some ice packs). The oxy doesn't hurt either, but it's not that strong and I'm not taking that many or very frequently.
Expected beforehand that the pain would be at about 19 or 20 on a scale of 1-10, for about 25 hours a day, but it's been nothing like that at all.

Kinda want to get off that oxy and the aspirin as soon as possible so I can resume my IPA maintenance therapy.
To anyone putting this off because they think it's going to hurt, take it from one of the most pain-averse people on the planet - get over it and get it done - it's not that bad (yet anyway).
 
Yardigan said:
The deed is done. Surgery last Tuesday, out of the hospital about 48 hours after that. 1 week post-op and already walking around by myself. Pretty freaking amazing.
Glad I chose the two-fer route. Already 100% weight-bearing and have crutched it up and down the driveway a few times.
Am able to get comfortable pretty easily (just sit down with some ice packs). The oxy doesn't hurt either, but it's not that strong and I'm not taking that many or very frequently.
Expected beforehand that the pain would be at about 19 or 20 on a scale of 1-10, for about 25 hours a day, but it's been nothing like that at all.

Kinda want to get off that oxy and the aspirin as soon as possible so I can resume my IPA maintenance therapy.
To anyone putting this off because they think it's going to hurt, take it from one of the most pain-averse people on the planet - get over it and get it done - it's not that bad (yet anyway).
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Good news and good luck.
 
Yardigan said:
The deed is done. Surgery last Tuesday, out of the hospital about 48 hours after that. 1 week post-op and already walking around by myself. Pretty freaking amazing.
Glad I chose the two-fer route. Already 100% weight-bearing and have crutched it up and down the driveway a few times.
Am able to get comfortable pretty easily (just sit down with some ice packs). The oxy doesn't hurt either, but it's not that strong and I'm not taking that many or very frequently.
Expected beforehand that the pain would be at about 19 or 20 on a scale of 1-10, for about 25 hours a day, but it's been nothing like that at all.

Kinda want to get off that oxy and the aspirin as soon as possible so I can resume my IPA maintenance therapy.
To anyone putting this off because they think it's going to hurt, take it from one of the most pain-averse people on the planet - get over it and get it done - it's not that bad (yet anyway).
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Do NOT stop doing the exercises. My brother had the (one knee) operation and after a while he was walking and pain free. He felt so good he cut down on his home exercises and the pain returned. Those exercises are a lifelong friend. Do them. Do them even after you feel 100%.

Good luck with your recovery.
 
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9 months post op....feeling/doing great.
September 2017, I "ran" a charity 5K in 38 minutes.
Last year sat it out for double knee replacement.
Goal this year is to beat that 38 minute time with the new knees. Am currently doing 13-14 minute miles.

One of the best things I've ever done, huge gratitude to the doc...serious life-changer.
YMMV, but to anyone on the fence, do your research and do yourself a favor.
 
Yardigan said:
9 months post op....feeling/doing great.
September 2017, I "ran" a charity 5K in 38 minutes.
Last year sat it out for double knee replacement.
Goal this year is to beat that 38 minute time with the new knees. Am currently doing 13-14 minute miles.

One of the best things I've ever done, huge gratitude to the doc...serious life-changer.
YMMV, but to anyone on the fence, do your research and do yourself a favor.
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A guy I used to work with just had 1 done in a unique way from what I had ever heard of. They did a 3-D scan of his knee, and printed him a new one. Perfect fit.
 
uconnfan68 said:
A guy I used to work with just had 1 done in a unique way from what I had ever heard of. They did a 3-D scan of his knee, and printed him a new one. Perfect fit.
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I had heard that they were thing about it but didn't realize that it was already being done. Very cool. Did it reduce his post surgery discomfort or speed his rehab?
 
As of now 3D printing and “personalized” knee replacement has not shown any clinical improvement in the literature.

I use mako assisted robot for my knee replacement which, in my opinion, will show better clinical results in the future.

Here’s the catch with new technology—this is a marathon not a sprint. Meaning we care how these implants are doing 5, 10, 20+ years from now, not necessarily the first few months. And we won’t have that clinical data for 5, 10, 20+ years.

Yardigan— congrats! I know it’s not an easy recovery.
 
Had a scond hip replaced earlier this year at NYU Ortho. First hip done 3 years ago. Virtually no swelling, w black-n-blue only about the size of a quarter. Oxi for 3 days, and Tylenol for another 3 weeks - the pain is from surgical causes. Be sure to pre-medicate (eg, before PT routine, etc). Walking / hopping around before I left hospital - 2 night stay since I hit the OR at 5pm. Had in-home PT for 2 weeks - memorized the exercise set after 2nd day. Walked a mile by end of 3-4 weeks. Used cane for first 1-2 weeks. Found the cane really 'parts the waters' when in a crowd or crossing a street!

The first few days are a challenge to move since the body responds with a wtf? But found it not that bad. If the appliance set in the bone successfully, you're good to go. It's all muscles / tendons / ligaments. Also hit the gym for leg weight lifting before the surgery. It helped. Back in the gym after 3 months w surgeon clearance. Keep doing the exercise routine - it helps keep you limber.
 
Yardigan said:
That's EXACTLY what I'm thinking...They hurt now, but I "know" that hurt...and if I get one done...and it hurts worse than "this" does now... they might have to lasso me and drag me in to get the second one done...
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3 points

I did a serious rehab from a major ski injury.....don’t skimp on. Rehab. It works.

My neighbor had a knee done and she said about the rehab...it was short term pain for a lifetime of pain free mobility v constantly increased pain without the suregery

My cousin needed 2 knees. She did one and had issues...she put off the second because of the problems and ended up making the first knee worse because she put too much weight on it because the non surgical knee hurt too much. Had she done both together her first would not have had to be redone

It’s really up to you. If u think u won’t do the second do them together. If you’re not afraid of a litttle rehab and will do thee second...then wait.

Honestly I don;;t underestandd why people. Make such a big deal about rehab. It’s EXERCISE... Each day gets better and bettter. It’s not that big a deal. (And I spent 2 years rehabbing from my injury)

If u want to got on your aug vaca geet one done now and the other when u get back...remember...short term inconvenience for long term freedom of movement
 
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Giddyup5 said:
As of now 3D printing and “personalized” knee replacement has not shown any clinical improvement in the literature.

I use mako assisted robot for my knee replacement which, in my opinion, will show better clinical results in the future.

Here’s the catch with new technology—this is a marathon not a sprint. Meaning we care how these implants are doing 5, 10, 20+ years from now, not necessarily the first few months. And we won’t have that clinical data for 5, 10, 20+ years.

Yardigan— congrats! I know it’s not an easy recovery.
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True that! I was fortunate tho...single floor living (only kids bedrooms/bathroom upstairs) was key. Being married to an awesome caretaker was also a huge help, as well as a verrrry slooooow time at work (from home). What's most helpful now is recognizing the difference between soreness and pain. If I'm walking/exercising, and I'm sore, I can still go some. But, when the 'pain' starts, I normally just shut it down, to ensure I'll be able to get out there the next day. Had been getting out 4-5 days/week, but today made 30 straight.

@sledog glad to hear the hip went well! I agree that, a walker, cane, crutches...all help give you some 'space'! But, an even bigger bonus I think is the handicap parking tag... :cool:
 
Yardigan said:
True that! I was fortunate tho...single floor living (only kids bedrooms/bathroom upstairs) was key. Being married to an awesome caretaker was also a huge help, as well as a verrrry slooooow time at work (from home). What's most helpful now is recognizing the difference between soreness and pain. If I'm walking/exercising, and I'm sore, I can still go some. But, when the 'pain' starts, I normally just shut it down, to ensure I'll be able to get out there the next day. Had been getting out 4-5 days/week, but today made 30 straight.

@sledog glad to hear the hip went well! I agree that, a walker, cane, crutches...all help give you some 'space'! But, an even bigger bonus I think is the handicap parking tag... :cool:
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Parking tag a +++
 
Yardigan said:
Update...iagas...

Sept 30, 2017, "ran" in a church-sponsored 5K at 38:30
Sept 11, 2018 both knees replaced
Sept 21, 2019 "ran" the same church-sponsored race in 35:00

New knees >>>>> old knees.

One of the best things I ever did.
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Our encounters in another BY forum don't find us in much agreement. All the more reason to express my happiness for you with this reported continued progress.
 
Hans Sprungfeld said:
Our encounters in another BY forum don't find us in much agreement. All the more reason to express my happiness for you with this reported continued progress.
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That's ok, I have friends that wouldn't agree with my other forum entries either. Much appreciated, just wanted to post this in case anyone on the fence might be helped along in their decision-making.
 
CL82 said:
I had heard that they were thing about it but didn't realize that it was already being done. Very cool. Did it reduce his post surgery discomfort or speed his rehab?
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Just seeing this... he was back at work in a few weeks. Like nothing ever happened. I was blown away as I’m still dealing with my hip replacement in January. Nothing serious, but numbness in my thigh is annoying.
 
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Just saw this thread. Going for a partial knee Oct 22. Hopefully the other knee 5-6 weeks later. Bone on Bone interior knee.
 
lrnltd said:
I recommend exploring the new technology, where the new knee prosthesis is produced through 3D printing. This means that, rather than making an off the shelf prosthesis fit by reshaping the bone, your natural knee is scanned and a perfect replica is produced. This means that far less damage during surgery and a far better, easier recovery. I know several friends who have had it done by Dr. Wolfgang Fitz at Brigham in Boston. He is a pioneer with this technology and his protocol is so much easier on the patient than the traditional surgery and tough rehab. Don't wait. No need to live with pain that limits your life activities.
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Producing 3D is great to hear. I had a total replacement on left knee. Of course knee is swollen after. However in my case,7 years later, the knee is the same size. Noticeably larger than my right. Without a lick of medical knowledge, I would say with confidence, they put the wrong size in. The good thing, I am getting my golf swing back, walking much better. I was playing golf with a stance tilted way to the left because the knee was so bad.
I had my surgery done at the VA. An experience that I will never forget.

As far as both, my right knee is just fine. However going through TSA is a is b**ch. The guy scanning me said his 82 year old mother had both knees done. So, each person is different.
 
The pain shouldn’t be too bad, especially after 3-4 days. Immediately post-op and the next day, a lot of it depends on the anesthetic technique. If you get spinal morphine and a femoral nerve block, you will probably be quite comfy.

They will give you a machine to move your knee and encourage you to get up and use the knee as soon as you tolerate, typically the day after surgery. It prevents scar tissue formation so you can actually use your new knee. I don’t think there are weight bearing precautions, as it is a new knee. It just depends on how much you tolerate. You’ll go from a walker, to crutches, to a cane.

And yes, build up your leg strength. Bike, leg presses, etc. It will help you recover faster.

As others have mentioned, there are pros and cons to having both at once. Personally I’d do one at a time. Less time under anesthesia, even if you have to “go under” a second time. I don’t think the pain will prevent you from having a second replacement, especially when you see how much better your leg feels.

Those replacements last over 30 years nowadays. I doubt you will need a redo (no offense). Good luck!
 
Update for the fun of it, plus just extremely grateful. Both knees are still awesome (replaced Sept 2018) I don't run, but walk three miles per day, 5 days a week, at around 14 mins per. Pretty much pain-free since it happened and still one of the best decisions I ever made. I had stopped playing golf a few years before and picked it up again last year after a 9 year layoff. Playing better than ever...the new knees appear to have taken the 'wild' out of the swing...same distance, much more accurate.
 
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Yardigan said:
Update for the fun of it, plus just extremely grateful. Both knees are still awesome (replaced Sept 2018) I don't run, but walk three miles per day, 5 days a week, at around 14 mins per. Pretty much pain-free since it happened and still one of the best decisions I ever made. I had stopped playing golf a few years before and picked it up again last year after a 9 year layoff. Playing better than ever...the new knees appear to have taken the 'wild' out of the swing...same distance, much more accurate.
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Just to refresh, you did both at once?
 
My right knee experience was brutal. Luckily, my left knee is fine. I had had so many injuries and surgeries on the right knee that I eventually had no choice. I will say that I am much better for it now. You can never go by someone else’s experience. I’ve heard stories that run the gamut and mine was on the tough end of it.
 
This is an interesting thread. I have had both hips replaced, the right knee replaced, an Achilles repaired, and both rotator cuffs repaired. My general advice is to consult with more than one doc before choosing. Part of the choice should be technical considerations. Educate yourself on the implants available in the markets, likewise the knee or hip replacement architectures. Read technical papers even if you have to Google the meaning of every other word. I went to Yale, for instance, because UConn did not have an arthroplasty doc who specialized in the knee that I wanted. They do now. In hips there is the choice of ball size and wear couple (material selection for the ball and cup). For shoulders, Bob Arciero at UConn has a national reputation.

I think training for knee surgery is important. I could hold a downhiller's deep bullet tuck for 5 minutes when I got my new knee. Sounds like nothing but your quads would beg to disagree. Try it.

Btw, I still ski, cycle, and paddle my kayaks. And I am a month shy of 80.
 
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My total knee replacement implant was a custom sized one based off of a cat scan of the knee so it fits anatomical space perfectly- the implant brand is Conformis. It was same day surgery and I was walking and playing golf within 4 weeks. My doc also had me wear a constant passive motion brace for slowly bending and straightening the knee all day and even while sleeping at night to minimize formation of scar tissue. Highest recommendations for both of those.
 
I had my left replace in 2021, and right in 2023. Both full replacements. Stryker triathalon knees working quite well.

2nd recovery is always much faster than the first.
 
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Thanks to all who contributed to this thread. I'm getting a partial replacement in about a week, and I've learned some from this thread and also am heartened by the consensus is that recovery is not as bad as I might have feared.

Question: For those who have had outpatient surgery, how long were you in post-op before being discharged. I'm asking my burly neighbor to help my wife bring me inside and I'd like to give him some sort of window when we might call on him.
 
Bigboote said:
Thanks to all who contributed to this thread. I'm getting a partial replacement in about a week, and I've learned some from this thread and also am heartened by the consensus is that recovery is not as bad as I might have feared.

Question: For those who have had outpatient surgery, how long were you in post-op before being discharged. I'm asking my burly neighbor to help my wife bring me inside and I'd like to give him some sort of window when we might call on him.
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A partial is a big win already. Much shorter recovery. But be aware that in cases where the ACL is compromised, that doing a partial is not universally accepted as wise. I read a bunch of medical papers on the topic and the more recent ones said no difference in outcomes. But the highly regarded docs I talked to were universally of a different opinion..
 
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