Knee surgery

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Juan
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Knee surgery

Post by Juan »

Blue spinner had mentioned in an other thread that he was going in for knee replacement surgery. Seems I'm not the only one interested in details and how this surgery goes, so started this thread in hopes to get educated.

I've had surgery on both knees in the past to repair torn meniscus but that's minor surgery compared to a full knee replacement. One went well but the other didn't and the recovery time was almost a year. I've postponed the replacement surgery once and rescheduled for after the holidays but not sure I'll go though with it then until I learn more.

I've heard both good and bad and the doctors tell me it's one of the most common surgeries these days and there's nothing to worry about. For those who have had a knee replaced, how did it go? Any regrets? How long does it take to recover? How long in therapy?
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Cranfield »

Firstly,like anything involving another human being, the outcome will often depend on their skill and experience, be they a barber, or a surgeon.
Secondly, the patient has a role to play, do the exercises, attend the therapy and generally do what you are told.
I do think its a 65/35 split, the patients role should not be underestimated.

I have had both knees replaced, first one was 14 years ago and the second was 5 years ago.
Different surgeons, but both ops went well and the outcomes were/are excellent.

I was not allowed out of hospital until I could get a near 45degree bend on my knee, this happened on the 4th day after surgery, but I was out of bed the day after the op.
I had detailed homework for exercises and rest instructions, these I followed 100%, despite any discomfort.
For both ops I only had three sessions with the physio and that was for an examination and to watch me go through my exercise regime.

Finally an outpatient visit to the surgeon for a pat on the head and discharged.

These ops took place in the UK, under our free National Health Service, but there is no reason to think that things should be that different in the US.

Having had 5 cleanup Ops on my cartilage for the first knee and 3 for the second knee, plus ultimately having to go up stairs on my backside, these ops were life changing.
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by zload »

Wife had both knees done 6 mos apart in 2014 she was weight bearing in the surgical recovery unit, they literally had her walk down the short hall and back before they even let me in to see her, she said she was still seeing double from the meds :o discharged home 2nd day after surgery but really about a day and a half in a room. PT had her walking the floor perimeter with a walker and stepping up small steps on discharge day. Staff said that they were trying to discharge within 24 hours in the near future, sign on wall said Nobody gets better laying in a bed. PT showed up the next morning at home she was near full RoM but slow movement, worked her tail off despite the soreness etc. She said surgery pain was pretty much gone in 4 days but about 3 mos to totally resolve pain, sleeping was her big problem.

Dr office told me knee is as strong as it is going to get within minutes of surgery being done, the rest is building up the muscles and recovery from the swelling etc. She had a nerve block but they took it out about 6 hours post surgery, she was approved for 5 days of inpatient stay, hospital/Dr was pushing the discharge not insurance.

She has done well since, she was bone on bone on the first knee so could really only improve.
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FishWithChris
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by FishWithChris »

Appreciate you guys getting this started up... as I'm always quickly reminded of the need to get it done as the weather starts to change around this time of year.

16 years ago I had surgery on my Right Knee (osteochondral microfracture) due to a hairline fracture to the anterior side of my femur. PT was crappy and was released to play ball again without an Xray... come to find out, end of the bone did not form back correctly - so now I have the occasional flare ups of arthritis. Fast forward 4 years... have to have it scoped due to partial tears in ACL/MCL. Now, partial tear in my PCL.

I don't know how to "slow down." :lol: :lol:

I was told on the original surgery that "you'll end up needing a partial/full replacement in 10-15 years" and it seems that time is up (I've seen several specialists and all have recommended partials, at minimum but wouldn't know until further digging). I've chickened out each time and canceled surgeries twice.


Who have y'all used in Tallahassee or recommend?

**I'll be going to Peter Loeb for my Right Shoulder repair/replacement next year.
Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn. ~Chuck Clark

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Juan
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Juan »

Is there a permanent loss of flexibility / Range of motion? Before the knee issues, I rode a bike sometimes as much as 100 miles a week. I hope to be able to do that again but I've been told bike riding will be a thing of the past.
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Cranfield
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Cranfield »

Perhaps some limitations depend on your general health, size, etc., but I can ride a bike (not 100 miles a week, never wanted to do that before the Ops), in fact some of the later recommended exercise is on an exercise bike.
Best discussed with your Surgeon, he knows your case better than anyone else.

Some people find kneeling a problem (knee on the ground), it doesn't bother me much, but then I don't kneel very often.
I have climbed trees (and fell out of them :-) ), jumped over ditches and many other odd things.
Once you have the confidence in your knee(s) , things should be as before, if not better.
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Juan
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Juan »

Cranfield wrote:.
Once you have the confidence in your knee(s) , things should be as before, if not better.
Thanks... that sounds good. I'm not expecting to be able to ride 100 miles a week any more but I do enjoy riding. I do kneel a lot while working around the house and fishing so I'll ask the doc about that but either way I guess I'll go through with it this time since it keeps me from sleeping at times and that's getting old real fast.
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by zload »

I don’t recall any limitations on physical activity with my wife Dr did say that high impact or things like rock climbing could impact the life of the knee. Her surgeon kept her patella so much n his words she has her “God given kneecap”.

He also said outside of severe trauma like from an bad auto accident he had never had a knee damaged. The knee is way stronger than a natural knee. I would think bike riding would be perfectly fine as long as you maintain the flexibility, of course a surgeon could give you a real professional opinion on your specific case.
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Blue spinner »

my knee is getting better ever day some bad night , that when it gives me the most problems ,
pain level is about a 1 to 3 most days to a 5 at bad nights like i said it gets better ever day
therapy is going good you are going to see someone to hurt you ,and you are paying them
ye about the first 2 week it don't look like there is going to be a end but it gets better just remember
it's going to get better that what ever body keeps telling me as for going fishing in 3 months we will see
and ye all of your fishing buddy's call you and tell you they are catching the limit ever day they fish and remember your wife don't hate you or is trying to hurt you and add pain to your suffering she is JUST trying to HELP the house gets very small at times when you can't go but don't get out too early as they all keep telling me just slow down
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Juan
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Juan »

Did they use the robot to do your knee? Doc tells me I can go either way but says the incision is a little smaller and the recovery time better if he uses the robotics so I think I'll go that route and hope the robot doesn't blow a fuse half way through the procedure. :D
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Blue spinner »

Juan wrote:Did they use the robot to do your knee? Doc tells me I can go either way but says the incision is a little smaller and the recovery time better if he uses the robotics so I think I'll go that route and hope the robot doesn't blow a fuse half way through the procedure. :D
no Robot
also need to add a walker and ice pack become your best friend
and if you want any snacks you need to start hiding them know around where you are going to be seating
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Blue spinner »

ya'll i make fun of my wife sometimes but god knows i lover her
and if it was not for her i would not be alive she is the BEST and takes dam good care of me
the old saying if not for my wife I would not have a pot to pee in or a window to thru it out of
I know this is a fishing form but some times things need to be said
take care
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Juan
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Juan »

My wife told me yesterday that I better start being nice to her. :-D
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Cranfield »

My understanding of the "robot" option is that it is not a robot, like on a car assemble line, it is a computer programme that "reads" the knee, marks out incision areas, and when the actual joint replacement takes place, it lines up the leg and shows exactly the best fitting place for the joints.
This is much better than the surgeon squinting up your leg trying to get a straight line. :-)
It does seem to be standard practice here.

The after Op pain and discomfort just has to be gone through, its not always easy and nights are the worse, when all the muscles and tendons tighten/stiffen up, some morning it feels as though you are making no progress, but every day it is getting better.
Family and friend support is really helpful and it doesn't hurt to remind some of the "jokers", that you will not always be limping around and you will soon be able to run and catch them. :-)

I am currently in Tenerife, Canary Islands, blue skies , sunshine, temp today 77F, lots of rough ground walking, both up and down and my knees feel just fine.
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Re: Knee surgery

Post by Juan »

Thanks for that Cranfield. :thumbup: Good to know. We have two local hospitals . One has the device and one doesn't. I've elected to use the one that does. I scheduled the surgery for the 16th of next month so I could get through the holidays and get in a few more fishing trips. Not looking forward to it but feeling a bit better about it after hearing the facts from those who've had it done.
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