I probably have put this off too long, but my years of basketball and softball have really caught up with me recently. I've had it scoped enough that there's no cartilage left. It's getting where there's a lot of pain just walking out to the mail box . I'm probably gonna wait until this fall and get the right knee replaced. Any input about recovery time and how well the replacement has worked out? I'm reading 6 to 12 months recovery time... does that sound correct?

 

My BIL had this done a year ago. He was back to work in about 6 months or a little more. He exceded the expectations of his doctors.

Keep in mind not all knee surgery or replacements are the same. Apples and Oranges you see.

Wish you the best. Do what they say. You'll be down a while. Your life will change, hopefully for the better when its all done.

 

I've had both knees and both hips done and they all were different recuperation times. My first knee took about 14 months second knee about 11 months.

My advice is exercise all you can stand as soon as you can. It makes a big difference in extension and mobility of the limb later on....Tedd

 

Don, it's not fun for awhile, but at least you will be on your way to "much improvement", in fact mine was done about 15 years ,and once I was through with scheduled therapy, I was quickly recovering . Make sure you get the best therapist you can locate. Most hospitals will recommend well trained therapist. They have really improved these surgeries ,my wife had one done last year and was only in surgery 1 hour and 10 minutes,where mine was 3&1/2 hours and both were total replacements. Work to do exactly what your therapist says ,that's the key to success. Best of luck, and keep us posted, Larry

 

My grandfather did his a little over a year ago. He was 84 at the time. Now he is mad that he didn't do it sooner. Even at 84 he was back mowing my grass 5 months later using a rider mower. The first 3 months were real rough for him but it was mostly because of his age. He did it in late fall because he didn't want to kill the summer time but now he said he should have done it early Spring. He said if he did it in the Spring he would have forces himself to get out and do stuff so he didn't miss the good weather. The way it was he sit around much more than he should have.

 

I've had both knees done and wish I'd have done it sooner. Its been about two years and I'm not 100%, but I'd say I'm 95% and pain free. Even if I never get back to 100% I'm really glad I had it done. Do everything the physical therapist says to do... I think that's really key to healing right.

John

 

I've had both knees done and wish I'd have done it sooner. Its been about two years and I'm not 100%, but I'd say I'm 95% and pain free. Even if I never get back to 100% I'm really glad I had it done. Do everything the physical therapist says to do... I think that's really key to healing right.

I've heard that the rehab is the most important factor. I've had to rehab from other sports related injuries, so I'll be a model patient in that area. I figure right now I'm at about 40%, so if I can get to 95%, I'll do a little dance (as soon as I'm allowed, that is)!

 

My dad had both done and he was able to dance at my wife and my wedding three months later. My boss just had it done in November and you wouldn't even know he'd had one. He was back at work in two weeks for 4-5 hours per day and after three weeks he was full time. He's one of the owners so he really needs to be there but I was really impressed with how quickly he's recovered.

 

Don ,if you will be a model patient in therapy you will do great. During the third week after my surgery, I cut my 1&1/2 acre yard with my Kubota hydrostatic mower,and the forward/ backward movement pedal worlked with the same foot pedal that I had my surgery on! One thing that I think helped me was that another patient about my age was scheduled for rehab on the same days as I was,and we were determined to "outdo each other". So just stay tough. Larry

 

Thanks guys, appreciate the input. I'm not looking forward to it, especially when it's the right knee. Not being able to drive will drive me bonkers! I know I'll be glad I did it once it's over.

Jeff

 

I haven't had it done, but I used to work for a company that makes and supplies the parts and equipment for the surgeries and I have seen the progression as they have improved the prosthesis, equipment and the technique. It has come a long way in a short time.
Just do what the doctors tell you and follow what the therapist tells you and you'll be good to go.
I would also suggest doing it sooner than later. You will thank yourself for it.

 

Yes you're right. The new advanced knee replacement comes with grease fittings

 

There are generally 4 pieces in a total knee replacement. The femoral side (bottom of the femur), the tibial side (top of the tibia), the articulation surface (replaces the cartilage) and a patellar piece that attaches to the back of the patella so that it will ride correctly along the new joint during flexion.



They really have this stuff down to a science and get it done in no time flat.

 

I've never had any major surgery, but I was browsing this item today at Amazon and reading the reviews. Seems like it is working for a lot of people. I have bad aches and my body cracks a lot, more so during the winter months when I'm not as active. I saw a commercial for this thing today and decided to look it up. I'm thinking about trying it.

 

If you are dealing with some sort of muscular pain it might do something for you, but when all of the cartilage is gone from a joint nothing will relieve the pain and restore mobility like a joint replacement.
Bone on bone just was never meant to happen and the grinding away of material from both bones is very debilitating.

 

I don't doubt that at all. However, those who are in need of joint replacement probably have other aches and pains that this might be worth a shot on. I guess the overall thing to remember though is a device like this may help the pain, but doesn't do anything to cure the source. The only reason why I shared it was maybe it will help someone and I've never heard of this until I saw it on TV.

My pain is normally mostly gone with taking 2 Aleve, but if I could get by without taking those it would be great. Still on the fence, but thinking more about ordering.

 

The use of Nsaid drugs like Alleve or any other Ibuprofen product is a whole other can o' worms. I'm unable to take any pain medication other than tylenol (which does nothing for me) because of some kidney damage attributed to using too much in the past for all my aches and pains.

Looking back, if i knew then what I know now, I'da stayed in the band and left B-ball to others!

 

1968_Post please send me a PM or email when you have time. John

 

Not speaking from someone who's got one but my wife's family has a lot of history of it and the most important thing is re-hab, moving and if you can be at an ideal weight before surgery. Probably in 5 yrs or so I"ll be doing a hip from an old injury when I can slow down work a bit.