Anyone had knee replacement?

Alligatorob

Alligatorob

SF VIP
Location
Northern Utah, transplanted from Florida/Louisiana
Just left the knee doctor and he tells me that both of my knees probably need replacement. Apparently I have advanced arthritis in both. He said he was surprised that I could get around and do things as well as I can.

A couple of years ago I went to him and he said something similar but suggested trying exercise. I started at the gym after that and do a lot of leg exercises. At first it seemed a cure or partial cure but the pains have come back. He complemented me, saying my legs were in excellent shape, all but the knee bones...

He said keep on exercising, it is helping. And don't worry about doing too much, no risk of trashing my knees, that's already done...

He gave me cortisone shots in both knees, and said that might help, some anyway. He says my knees are worse that most people who get the shots. This is my first time.

I'm 69 and not getting any younger. So while I am sure I can live with this a while I am also thinking the sooner I get surgery the easier recovery will be. Not getting any younger here.

I'd be interested in other's thoughts on this.
 

I'm also 69. Knees aren't bad enough to require replacement now.
I've read that many doctors think a "Partial Knee Replacement" is better than a full replacement. Results are just as good & recovery is much faster.
 
Alligatorob said:
Just left the knee doctor and he tells me that both of my knees probably need replacement. Apparently I have advanced arthritis in both. He said he was surprised that I could get around and do things as well as I can.

A couple of years ago I went to him and he said something similar but suggested trying exercise. I started at the gym after that and do a lot of leg exercises. At first it seemed a cure or partial cure but the pains have come back. He complemented me, saying my legs were in excellent shape, all but the knee bones...

He said keep on exercising, it is helping. And don't worry about doing too much, no risk of trashing my knees, that's already done...

He gave me cortisone shots in both knees, and said that might help, some anyway. He says my knees are worse that most people who get the shots. This is my first time.

I'm 69 and not getting any younger. So while I am sure I can live with this a while I am also thinking the sooner I get surgery the easier recovery will be. Not getting any younger here.

I'd be interested in other's thoughts on this.
Click to expand...
My knees are fine, but my wife (78) had one knee replaced 20 years ago, and the other 12 years. Our home has stairs, and as I mentioned in another post, we try to walk a mile a day. She has NEVER had a pain or discomfort in either knee. An important issue -- after the surgery you will be asked to do a series of exercises. It is IMPORTANT to take those exercises very seriously and do them how, and as often as instructed.
 

ElCastor said:
My knees are fine, but my wife (78) had one knee replaced 20 years ago, and the other 12 years.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response. Why did she wait so long in-between? Looking back how soon could she have gotten one done after the other? I ask because both of mine need it and I hate both surgery and the recovery. The quicker I could get both done with the better. I did ask the surgeon if he would do them both at the same time, he said no, but if things went well it might be possible to do the second one a few weeks later. Would your wife agree?
ElCastor said:
She has NEVER had a pain or discomfort in either knee
Click to expand...
Hope you mean after the replacement!
ElCastor said:
An important issue -- after the surgery you will be asked to do a series of exercises. It is IMPORTANT to take those exercises very seriously and do them how, and as often as instructed.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I know that is good advice!
 
My husband, who's 81, had a total knee replacement on his right knee in August. It was advanced arthritis and so painful he could hardly walk or do anything. If you'd ever meet him, you'd never guess he's 81 but that pain was really aging him.

He had it done the end of August and 12 weeks of PT. It's not the actual knee replacement that takes so long to heal, it's the muscles around the knee that need to be strengthened. That's what takes so long. He's doing great and can go up and down stairs now without any problems. His left knee has arthritis, too, but the Ortho doc suggested a shot of cortisone to cushion that knee and it's helped a lot.

Be prepared for a long recovery and be sure to go to PT. Don't think that just "exercising" at home will bring good results. You need to have a professional PT to help you do those "exercises" correctly. He was pain free immediately after surgery and only took Tylenol.
 
Alligatorob said:
Thanks for the response. Why did she wait so long in-between? Looking back how soon could she have gotten one done after the other? I ask because both of mine need it and I hate both surgery and the recovery. The quicker I could get both done with the better. I did ask the surgeon if he would do them both at the same time, he said no, but if things went well it might be possible to do the second one a few weeks later. Would your wife agree?

Hope you mean after the replacement!

Thanks, I know that is good advice!
Click to expand...
When the first knee was done the other knee was pain free. Eight years later it wasn't, and she had it replaced. And yes, her replaced knees have never been a source of any pain -- as in after the replacement, but they were painful before the surgery which is why she had it done. I should add that my wife's experience was hers and hers alone and is no guarantee that you will be pain free. This is an issue you should discuss with your doctor.
 
I've had both knees replaced. After healing, the pain should be a thing of the past.

It helps to have some supervised exercise to strengthen the thigh muscles before surgery. This will have benefits for the physiotherapy after the operation.

Physio is aimed at making sure you can straighten the leg and also bend it as much as you can. You will need to be able to walk up and down steps and it doesn't happen overnight. If you are diligent you should be fine after about 6 weeks.

I'm glad I had my knees fixed and I am now about to see the surgeon to have my second hip replaced.
 
Alligatorob said:
Just left the knee doctor and he tells me that both of my knees probably need replacement. Apparently I have advanced arthritis in both. He said he was surprised that I could get around and do things as well as I can.

A couple of years ago I went to him and he said something similar but suggested trying exercise. I started at the gym after that and do a lot of leg exercises. At first it seemed a cure or partial cure but the pains have come back. He complemented me, saying my legs were in excellent shape, all but the knee bones...

He said keep on exercising, it is helping. And don't worry about doing too much, no risk of trashing my knees, that's already done...

He gave me cortisone shots in both knees, and said that might help, some anyway. He says my knees are worse that most people who get the shots. This is my first time.

I'm 69 and not getting any younger. So while I am sure I can live with this a while I am also thinking the sooner I get surgery the easier recovery will be. Not getting any younger here.

I'd be interested in other's thoughts on this.
Click to expand...
I had my right one replaced and did the therapy. Therapy was not fun, but did it anyway. At 4 months was able to go back to line dancing and at 6-8 months, felt normal again. I don't regret it.
 
win231 said:
I'm also 69. Knees aren't bad enough to require replacement now.
I've read that many doctors think a "Partial Knee Replacement" is better than a full replacement. Results are just as good & recovery is much faster.
Click to expand...
Hubby had partial knee replacements years ago but has since had full replacements. His surgeon no longer does the partials. Get good advice before deciding. Your age could be the deciding factor.
 
My husband had a total knee replacement 2 1/2 years ago,right knee.He has been told for 15 years that he needs both done but he didn`t want to miss work. Turned out,he only missed two days.Had the surgery on a Thursday,stayed overnight,came home Friday.Rested over the weekend and had me drive him to work on Monday. Only worked a half day,and same for the next few days,but then went back to his regular hours. He was supposed to go back in March 2020 for the left knee but Covid squashed that.Then we were going to be moving so he figured he would wait.He now goes in next week for a consult-new doc since we moved out of state...
 
Mrs. Robinson said:
Turned out,he only missed two days.
Click to expand...
That's impressive. How long before he could walk on his own? With a cane or unaided?

I found that some people do get both knees done at the same time. I will talk with my Dr about that, I can sure see a benefit to a single recovery period. Apparently about 6% of knee replacements are doubles.

The Pros and Cons of Double Knee Replacement​

https://www.arthritis-health.com/surgery/knee-surgery/pros-and-cons-double-knee-replacement
 
Alligatorob said:
Thanks for all of your information. How far apart did you have the operations? My doctor says it is possible to do one and then the second in a "few weeks", do you think this is possible?

Don't want to be down any longer than necessary.
Click to expand...
All my surgeries were well spaced. When I had the first one, the right knee, X rays show that the left one was also pretty well worn but after the op it was not giving me any trouble at all. However, 6 month later the left hip needed to go. One year after the knee op I had the hip done.

After that, no trouble in the lower limbs, all good.

Six months later I developed problems with both shoulders. I had both replaced, 3 months apart. Had the left done first because I thought I'd be a bit incapacitated without my right arm but the only thing I had to be careful about was carrying and heavy weights. Recovery was a doddle.

Then the next year the left knee started to be very painful. By now I was an experienced patient and didn't hesitate to wave it goodbye.

The year after, if I didn't want to go blind, I needed cataract surgery and last year I opted for hearing aids. I hardly need them but decided to get them while I still have the patience to get used to them. They do help with conversation.

To answer your question about how long between operations. There is no need to rush into the second one. You may get several years before you need it.
 
Warrigal said:
When I had the first one, the right knee, X rays show that the left one was also pretty well worn but after the op it was not giving me any trouble at all. However, 6 month later the left hip needed to go. One year after the knee op I had the hip done.
...
Six months later I developed problems with both shoulders. I had both replaced, 3 months apart. Had the left done first because I thought I'd be a bit incapacitated without my right arm but the only thing I had to be careful about was carrying and heavy weights. Recovery was a doddle.

Then the next year the left knee started to be very painful. By now I was an experienced patient and didn't hesitate to wave it goodbye.
Click to expand...
Wow! The bionic woman!

Thanks for all the good info, I appreciate it.
 
Not yet but it’s on the horizon...
I get a some relief from the gel shots,they’re called Synvisic and they replace the synovial fluid which provides the cushion in there.
I’m due for my 2nd this Thursday.
 
Have both knees with full replacements. 2014, was my first one at the age of 56......2016, was my other one at the age of 58.
Would highly recommend replacements.
After surgery, joint pain is instantly gone.....but.....the pain a person has is from the muscles and ligaments.
The rehab is hard, but well worth it.
Exercises are for getting your bending and straightness back.
I was in the hospital for 4 days.....i know now the stay is shorter.
The day after, my leg was put in a bending device, for 2 hours, 3 times a day.......as time during those 2 hours, you were to increase the degree of bending, that was for till you left the hospital. Was a great help, but painful, but got better every time. I don't believe that device is used anymore, don't know why.
I feel that having replacements done within a few weeks of each other is a bad idea, as so my doctor also said.
You want to be well into healed, so that knee would be strong enough to support your next replacement.
 
Skyking said:
So will you do both at once, or string it out one at a time? I have friends that have taken both paths (pun intended).
Click to expand...
Still trying to figure that out. How did your friends who had both done at the same time do? Do you know would they do it that way again?

Doing both seems to me to have lots of benefits, one surgery, one recovery period. On the other hand I know I'll be wheel chair bound for a little while anyway.
 
Alligatorob said:
Still trying to figure that out. How did your friends who had both done at the same time do? Do you know would they do it that way again?

Doing both seems to me to have lots of benefits, one surgery, one recovery period. On the other hand I know I'll be wheel chair bound for a little while anyway.
Click to expand...
The wheel chair might not be necessary if you have enough heavy duty analgesics. These are usually prescribed for two to four weeks and tapering off. What you would need is a walker - a high one for the first steps and a lower one after a couple of days to one week.

The joint doesn't hurt but the wound needs the analgesic as it heals. The problem with both legs at once is you don't have one to transfer the weight to to relieve the other one. A walker with a built in seat would be essential.
 
MickaC said:
Have both knees with full replacements. 2014, was my first one at the age of 56......2016, was my other one at the age of 58.
Would highly recommend replacements.
After surgery, joint pain is instantly gone.....but.....the pain a person has is from the muscles and ligaments.
The rehab is hard, but well worth it.
Exercises are for getting your bending and straightness back.
I was in the hospital for 4 days.....i know now the stay is shorter.
The day after, my leg was put in a bending device, for 2 hours, 3 times a day.......as time during those 2 hours, you were to increase the degree of bending, that was for till you left the hospital. Was a great help, but painful, but got better every time. I don't believe that device is used anymore, don't know why.
I feel that having replacements done within a few weeks of each other is a bad idea, as so my doctor also said.
You want to be well into healed, so that knee would be strong enough to support your next replacement.
Click to expand...
For my knee replacement recovery, I had the option to pay for a machine called "Game Over" which I got. I slept with it overnight, the machine had ice in it, it had to be replaced once during the night. I moved/bent my knee all night. Great help!
 
Alligatorob said:
Still trying to figure that out. How did your friends who had both done at the same time do? Do you know would they do it that way again?

Doing both seems to me to have lots of benefits, one surgery, one recovery period. On the other hand I know I'll be wheel chair bound for a little while anyway.
Click to expand...
Why would you think you're going to be wheelchair bound.
Sorry but, doing both the same time is a BIG MISTAKE.
 
win231 said:
I'm also 69. Knees aren't bad enough to require replacement now.
I've read that many doctors think a "Partial Knee Replacement" is better than a full replacement. Results are just as good & recovery is much faster.
Click to expand...
Yes, partial replacement is a good option, if you don't need a full one.
And obviously the recovery will be shorter.
 

Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top