Total Knee Replacement

[Hunt for 7]

Not sure where this should be posted but just wondering if anyone has some insight on this surgery. Mine will be complicated because it is in a knee that I had an old ACL reconstruction, so they kind of treat it like a knee replacement revision surgery.

I know many of us are not the youngest and that many of us where athletes when we were younger so thought it might be a good place to hear any stories from those that have had this type surgery.

 

[dogpause]

I had a bilateral about 8 years ago, because I can't pass up a 2-for deal. Had no problems at all. Two bits of advice: Take your pain meds by the clock. Don't skip just because you feel good, because if the pain gets away from you, it's harder to get it back. 2. Do your PT as if you're a pro athlete. And pay attention to leg extension, not just flexion. Being able to straighten your leg is important for walking and stair climbing. There's a great website for joint replacement patients -- bonesmart.org.

 

[NJHusky]

I had a bilateral about 8 years ago, because I can't pass up a 2-for deal. Had no problems at all. Two bits of advice: Take your pain meds by the clock. Don't skip just because you feel good, because if the pain gets away from you, it's harder to get it back. 2. Do your PT as if you're a pro athlete. And pay attention to leg extension, not just flexion. Being able to straighten your leg is important for walking and stair climbing. There's a great website for joint replacement patients -- bonesmart.org.

This ^^ is 100%

Also try to do Pre hab. The better shape you are going in the faster|easier the recovery

Do your PT religiously, but don’t overdo it because you are feeling good. That’s a sure fire way to slow down rwhab

Last piece of advice (that was given to me before my knee surgery)…as you do your recovery, keep a long term window on your progress. It’s like watching kids grow. If you compare to yesterday you wont see progress but if you compare to last month you will.

 

[Enrique]

PT is the key. I know of 2 people that could not take the pain involved with PT so stopped, resulting in permanent non-bending knees.
I have had both knees replaced, and both surgeries went through the top of a knee. There is a new procedure that goes through the side of the knee which reduces the length of recovery. Good luck with your TKR, and be diligent with the PT. It will be worth it.

 

[Nameless]

Do your PT religiously, but don’t overdo it because you are feeling good. That’s a sure fire way to slow down rwhab

I haven't had the surgery done myself, but my mother (late 60s) had it done back in the spring. Wanted to comment on this because I know the comment NJHusky was responding to mentioned taking your pain meds like clockwork... My mom told me she didn't take her pain meds specifically because they would make her feel less pain whilst doing the rehab exercises, and she would then overdo it during rehab and set herself back.

I know NJHusky and dogpause were both in agreement on taking the meds, just thought this was worth sharing since she had a totally different experience. To each their own. Not sure which method will work better for you Hunt for 7, but best of luck with the surgery when you do eventually get it done.

 

[microfich]

I've had total replacements on both knees. The left had an ACL reconstruct long ago that was losing its stability. After the surgery, there is no need for the ACL any longer and mine was removed. However, current techniques may be able to preserve the ACL resulting in better function, a more natural feel, and potentially longer implant life. From Google: The decision depends on the specific implant, surgeon's preference, and the condition of the original ligament and surrounding tissues.

It's not a horrible rehabilitation but follow the meds pre-surgery and rehab advice of posters above.

 

[huskymedic]

More experiences @ Boneyard MD if ya dare: Knee replacement

 

[Drame]

I'm going through that right now. Tore 3 ligaments, tore my meniscus and ruptured my ACL playing pick up hoops, age 50. Im in the prehab phase. Surgery was originally at 3 months after injury but now looking at 6 months. Fixing the meniscus and replacing the ACL with a cadaver ligament. Using this site for some of my prehab: ACL Rehabilitation Program | MOON Knee ACL Research

 

[tennmike]

Had full knee replacement surgery September 15 due to a meniscus tear surgery and a decline thereafter. My knee replacement guy employs a technique that spares cutting muscle and tendons. I'm 67 and back to playing racquetball. I'm shooting for full court hoops mid-January.

 

[Lafayette]

I had both replaced - 2021 (left) and 2023 (right) at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in NYC.

Now if not said they last about 20 years if Strykers. Take PT aggressive as you can walk within a couple days back. Main thing is make sure you are totally balanced by add and abd ductors exercises and quads and hams. Else you will eventually develop IT band tendonitis or foot issues.

Mine due to many factors including 30 years of martial arts and tennis and osteoarthritis.

Thankfully I have transitioned to golf!

 

[Magic32]

Only had one replaced but won't hesitate to replace the other if it becomes painful. One big piece of advice is to ask for PT recommendations, care can differ greatly. You want them to push you and not just treat your pain. Replacement has made such a difference in quality of life. I not only kick myself for delaying surgery, I kick myself for not finding a good PT ahead of time. Do the PT work and you'll be good.

 

[Conndog]

I had a ACL reconstruction too in 1992, and same knee had total knee replacement in 2020. Get a custom knee implant, I used Conformis brand- they are built one at a time based off of CAT scan taken of your knee. This means it will fit exactly to the contours of your knee & will feel and function better. Make sure your surgeon uses custom implants- if they don’t, get a new surgeon. Also, see if surgeon will authorize round the clock constant passive motion (CPM) machine for a couple of weeks as mine did (knee hip & shoulder center in Portsmouth NH)- this is a motorized board with straps that very slowly bends and straightens the knee, which keeps scar tissue growth at a minimum. The key is to use it all the time, even when sleeping- my knee bend is good and I think the CPM helped.

 

[TRest]

I did my left knee in 2024, honestly the recovery from the prior acl replacement was worse.

 

[NJHusky]

I'm going through that right now. Tore 3 ligaments, tore my meniscus and ruptured my ACL playing pick up hoops, age 50. Im in the prehab phase. Surgery was originally at 3 months after injury but now looking at 6 months. Fixing the meniscus and replacing the ACL with a cadaver ligament. Using this site for some of my prehab: ACL Rehabilitation Program | MOON Knee ACL Research

Are they replacing the other 2 ligaments too? I did my knee a bit younger. At 33. Tore all 4 ligaments. Knee bent in wrong direction and ski boot bounced off my chest. 4 cadaver ligaments

Do the work and you will have a functioning knee. I can still ski!!

 

[NJHusky]

I had a ACL reconstruction too in 1992, and same knee had total knee replacement in 2020. Get a custom knee implant, I used Conformis brand- they are built one at a time based off of CAT scan taken of your knee. This means it will fit exactly to the contours of your knee & will feel and function better. Make sure your surgeon uses custom implants- if they don’t, get a new surgeon. Also, see if surgeon will authorize round the clock constant passive motion (CPM) machine for a couple of weeks as mine did (knee hip & shoulder center in Portsmouth NH)- this is a motorized board with straps that very slowly bends and straightens the knee, which keeps scar tissue growth at a minimum. The key is to use it all the time, even when sleeping- my knee bend is good and I think the CPM helped.

I used one for my trauma rehab..but some
Docs don’t use them for total knee. Not sure why

 

[Ubobconn22]

Had one knee done in 2023. Pain was not bad, took pain meds for first week then switched to cannabis gummies. My biggest issue was sleeping on my back. Practice sleeping on your back before your operation and definite do pre-op PT. Gummies helped with sleeping, get the ones with melatonin. If you are in Connecticut, check out Dr. Jeffrey Burns, best knee surgeon in the area.

 

[sledog]

Don't know what specifically your knee issue is, but find a good surgeon - like at NYU Langone. or Stedman in Vail. CO.

'Second, I hear that some are usung radiation (x-ray) to neutralize athritis. Don't know if that is clinical trial or in use.

 

[Viet Vet]

I had both knees done at the same time 20 years ago, rarely done anymore. I was 57, so I don't know if my advice will apply to you, but..........................I do agree with most of what has been said:

A.) PT is critical. Do it, as specified, without missing a beat.

B.) Expect a minimum of six months before you are fully recovered. It will be painful and frustrating. Sleeping was my toughest challenge.

C.) Assuming you are doing only one knee.........do NOT favor the "good" knee while recovering. That may throw off your biomechanics. Walk, walk, walk.......and when tired of walking..........keep walking.

D.) Here comes the good part: If you do what you should, you'll be fine. I'm skiing at age 77, carefully, but comfortably. Black Diamonds? "Fuhgeddaboudit".

E.) Good Luck!

 

[Drame]

Are they replacing the other 2 ligaments too? I did my knee a bit younger. At 33. Tore all 4 ligaments. Knee bent in wrong direction and ski boot bounced off my chest. 4 cadaver ligaments

Do the work and you will have a functioning knee. I can still ski!!

No, Just the ACL and meniscus. He said the other 3 will heal well on their own. I'm going to NY Presbyterian in Park Slope, BK. My surgeon is highly rated and my sports medicine doctor is one of the doctors for the junior USA basketball teams.

 

[jdb50]

Had one knee done in 2023. Pain was not bad, took pain meds for first week then switched to cannabis gummies. My biggest issue was sleeping on my back. Practice sleeping on your back before your operation and definite do pre-op PT. Gummies helped with sleeping, get the ones with melatonin. If you are in Connecticut, check out Dr. Jeffrey Burns, best knee surgeon in the area.

I had a total knee done by Dr Burns in 2023 also. He is great. Just some basics. The full extension seemed to take longer than the bending but it will come. Just be steady in say keeping your heel up on a towel roll at home when you have your leg out straight on the couch. Take your pain meds on time to stay ahead of the pain as it is something when the nerve block wears off. When on the pain meds you need to take Colace as morphine based drugs bind you up. Before you know it you will be on just Tylenol and icing after activity with the cryo cuff. Don't rush the rehab. You can do too much and get a setback. After a year you be doing things and not even think about surgical knee repair.

 

[Hunt for 7]

You know this can be a tough place at times. I wondered what reaction my post would get. And I can tell you in all honesty posting this on the BY has been the best decision I have made as I have researched what lies ahead. Thank you all for the info you have provided.

 

[Conndog]

I used one for my trauma rehab..but some
Docs don’t use them for total knee. Not sure why

According to my knee surgeon Dr. Parsons in Portsmouth, there is a misleading research study that says there is no real long-term benefit to patients using CPM machine vs not using CPM. That study is misleading because it looked at patients using CPM for just 1-2 hours a day vs using it around the clock. Dr. Parsons says that is why some MDs don’t use CPM with their patients, but he definitely thinks it helps & prescribes it as part of recovery.

 

[NJHusky]

It def helped me. I used it for 12-16 hrs. Tough to sleep with it running

 

[Burnt Corn]

Not sure where this should be posted but just wondering if anyone has some insight on this surgery. Mine will be complicated because it is in a knee that I had an old ACL reconstruction, so they kind of treat it like a knee replacement revision surgery.

I know many of us are not the youngest and that many of us where athletes when we were younger so thought it might be a good place to hear any stories from those that have had this type surgery.

HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery) just reported new data from a study regarding a ‘quiet rehab’ approach. You can search it, but bottom line they are now recommending a slower, less stressful rehab for the first several weeks. They are considered the preeminent Otho Hospital in the US. Good luck.

 

[uconn1999]

Hope you have one of these:

Amazon.com : ice water circulation therapy machine knee