Who has had knee replacement

[GHerrmann]

Well I think my knees have given up he ghost. I have been fighting the pain and not been having much of a life for about 10 years.

Just wanting to hear some of your stories (good ones I hope). And I have a few questions.

I really want to know about recovery time. I cant afford to be out of work for very long. I do warehouse work half a day and make deliveries in a pick up the other half.

How long were you in the hospital? I hate them and don't want to be there very long.

Has it improved your life?

Also I'm scared to death about having this done. I need both of them replaced. Do they do them both at the same time?

Thanks in advance for your input



Guy

 

[bighammer]

Both my mother's knees were bad, one much worse than the other. She had it replaced after delaying for years. She was kicking herself for not doing it sooner. She healed pretty quickly and got the other one done and is much better now. She's a very mobile 81 year old now.

 

[TnLRacing]

My mother had her knee replaced over 3 years ago, she regrets it ever single day. It has never been right since the day she got home. Now I realize most of these problems stem from the surgeon that performed the work, but she regrets in non the less. How ever I also know many many people that have had it done, and kick them selves for not doing it sooner!

 

[BigPapa]

My father had one replaced a couple of years ago. He had several surgeries and scopes on it before the replacement and really let his bad knee effect his lifestyle. He's always been very active and his passion was hunting rabbits and quail with his dogs, which requires a lot of walking on some pretty rough terrain. It was so bad he got rid of his dogs.



His big hang up was that when they wanted to replace it when he was 55 they told him the new knee would only last 10-15 years and he didn't want to have to do it twice. When he was 60 years old they told him that technology had improved and that they now last 15-20 years and possibly longer so he went for it. He seemed to have quite a bit of pain immediately after the surgery and I remember that the therapy was pretty hard on him so he slacked off a bit after the therapist quit coming to the house. That caused his recovery to be longer.



He's tickled to death with it now and regrets having waited so long. He acknowledges that if he'd done what he was supposed to he would have recovered alot quicker. He's having slight problems with the other knee and I think he's actually looking forward to getting it replaced. He's already told me he will absolutely do what he's told when they do it.



Scott

 

[ACoyle]

I have 2 artificial hips, and, I wish the parts that I came with worked as good as they do.



I have been through the hospital therapy twice now and in the same rooms with knee replacements.



First and foremost. The dictor. Get one that only does ONLY hip / knee replacements. Mine does 12 a DAY. Three days a week. Check the doctor out thoroughly. This is the biggest factor to your success.



Yes, I have seen both knees done at once. Knee recovery is longer than hips. There is more discomfort than hips, but, Your attitude is most important.



If you work hard at the therapy, both what you do with a therapist and the homework they give you, you should be pleased. I could not be happier.



AC

 

[2broke2smoke]

as a RN that works in recovery i can tell you that if you get a GOOD DR. you will be happy ...



i see ex pt's everyday who wish they had done it sooner ...

 

[OL RATLR]

as a RN that works in recovery i can tell you that if you get a GOOD DR. you will be happy ...



i see ex pt's everyday who wish they had done it sooner ...

My wife had a knee done in 2005 and the other one done in 2006 and now

is pain free after years of horrible pain. Just do it.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I have patellofemoral stress syndrome (Runner's knee/arthritis - imagine that, a fat SOB like me with runner's knee :-laf ) pretty bad in my left knee. It's nearly unbearable when I have to fly or sit with my knees bent for more than an hour or so. It feels like someone is trying to pry my kneecap off.



The sports medicine Dr. I went to back in May said that there isn't much he could do for it besides PT (which helped a lot) and that he couldn't figure out why my right knee isn't giving me any problems since it looked a lot worse on the x-rays.



Matt

 

[GHerrmann]

knee replacement

A big thanks to all that replied. I am going to set things in motion and get it done. I haven't been able to do any of my hobbies for years, mainly gold prospecting and working on he truck and the "57" chevy.



Trying to get through a day at work is unbearable. Sometimes it hurts so bad I can't think or see straight.



one again a big thanks to all.

 

[p-Bar]

My mom had one knee done then the other a couple years later the second one went better than the first. She was happy, athiritis has gotten the best of her now. Follow the doc's orders, pay the extra money for a better knee Kaiser gives you the cheapies. If you are over weight lose what you need and then some. Don't go to V. A. hosp my dad's friend had his done there he had such pain and infection he had the leg amputated. USE A GOOD DOCTOR. Good luck

 

[2broke2smoke]

A big thanks to all that replied. I am going to set things in motion and get it done. I haven't been able to do any of my hobbies for years, mainly gold prospecting and working on he truck and the "57" chevy.



Trying to get through a day at work is unbearable. Sometimes it hurts so bad I can't think or see straight.



one again a big thanks to all.

good luck ...

let us know how it goes ...

 

[Greenleaf]

My Aunt. She was like 110 years old before the two new knees. Now she acts like 40.

 

[JR2]

PM my Father, Jack in Alaska, here on TDR. He has had both hips and both knees done. Except for one of the hips that gives him some problems he is doing quite well. He would be happy to share his info. I can say that you need to have a good Dr. Like others have said, find one that specializes in this sort of work and does lots of them. In the end you will be much happier.



JR2

 

[Buffalo]

How Do You Avoid Knee & Hip Replacement Surgery???

Knee & Hip replacement surgery seems to be quite commonplace, today. Since so many seem to need this surgery, what I'd like to know is, how does one avoid having to have this surgery? What causes the knees & hips to deteriorate to the point of needing replacement?



Do products like Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM etc. , help with the preservation of these, & other, joints?



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[GHerrmann]

Knee & Hip replacement surgery seems to be quite commonplace, today. Since so many seem to need this surgery, what I'd like to know is, how does one avoid having to have this surgery? What causes the knees & hips to deteriorate to the point of needing replacement?



Do products like Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM etc. , help with the preservation of these, & other, joints?



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

My first knee (left) blew out around 1982 from a slip on the ice. Had that one scoped. The second knee (right) went while squatting down to check tire pressure. I think it was around 1991. Had the second one scoped. They have both developed arthritis, along with other joints in my body, but the knees are the worst.

Trying to go up steps without bending your knees is tough. So is trying to sit down. I can't walk or stand for more than about 15 Min.

Not sure if products like glucosamine and the others work, but all of my doctors recommend them.

Saw my regular doctor today, got a referral for a surgeon and will call him monday. sure hope he is not to backlogged, I want to get this over with. Also trying to perform my duties at work with one hand (cane in the other ) and not being able to walk is a S. O. B.

 

[ironbutt]

I had my left knee replaced 2004, and now the right one done april 2006. So far they are good, and the lack of pain is wonderful. There are a few down side issues, namely not being able to kneel down. Doctor said they will not hold up to kneeling down but I now walk with ease. Pryor to the surgerys I couldn't walk for long, or clime stairs. The arthritis was unbearable. I had actually gotten handicap plates for my truck. The replacements are made of titainium, and the best part of it is arthritis only grows on living tissue, not on titainium I now go to the gym and can go an hour at a time on the "stairmaster". And the wife is happier too Oo. Oo. Oo.

I hope you have as good an experiance as I did. Mine were done at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Fl. They were wonderful and price was the same as the local hospitals near home. ( but a better success rate than the locals)

 

[Radshooter]

Operating Room Nurse

I am radshooter's wife. I have been an OR RN for 18 years and involved in MANY total Joint replacements(knees and hips and shoulders). I have NEVER had a patient back for the second knee replacement say-I wish I had not had it done-EVERY single one has told me their only regret is NOT HAVING IT DONE SOONER!!!! Like many of the other posters have said GET A Orthopedist that does LOTSA JOINT REPLACEMENTS. Many hospitals now have what is called "joint camp" The totals are all done on one or two days a week. You room with another joint. The trend is to get you up and out. Some docs will put in a drain for a day or so. My suggestion is BE COMPLIANT with the regiem. Do what you are told-they are not being mean-they just want you-the patient to get the maximum benefit from the surgery. Ask lots of questions-they have a brochures that answer many questions. Does the doc plan to cement the joint? ask him what determines cement or not. Do they usually put in a drain? if so is it an auto transfuser?(they give you back your own blood that has been collected from the knee. ) Be informed-ask questions and Good Luck-

 

[Buffalo]

Att'n: Radshooter's Wife!!!

In post #14, I asked what causes so many to have to have their joints replaced & what to do to keep from having to have these proceedures done? Any ideas or thoughts?



Does Gloucosamine, Condroitin & MSM strengthen up the joints? Is it worth taking these products &, if so, which ones?



My joints are still in pretty good shape (60y/o) & I'd really like to keep them that way.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[ACoyle]

I am told that Glucosamine, etc help. I also believe that genetics play a significant role. In my case, when I went for consultation, I learned that one leg was shorter than the other. Threw my walk off.

Carteledge (sp) does not get blood flow. Therfore healing of damage is slow to happen, if it does.

Accidents, physical activity, etc, all play a factor.

My dogs run agility every week. The vet said that they should be on glucosamine throughout their life to ward off arthritis.

Maybe a lesson for people there.

In the end, once you need joint replacement, you need it. The carteledge will not grow back.

AC