Total knee replacement... in 4 days

[Capt Steve]

The right knee has been chronic for 36 years, ever since I dropped a motorcycle on it doing 75. Recent X rays showed the arthritis to be severe and so next Wednesday I'll be going into the Tucson VA hospital for a full knee replacement. Now I know it will be a wonderful thing about 3 months from now when I have gotten through the rigors, not to mention the pain, of rehab but right now that sure looks to be a long way off.

I tend to heal quickly and do what the medical folks tell me to do but having fun is not on my list after Tuesday night. In anticipation of a couple of weeks doing sponge baths vs showers I went out and got my first GI, Basic Training special buzz job haircut since 1969 at Fort Ord. Tomorrow I'm going to try out the "Head Blade" for a full head shave. My bride says I look good, even younger... then she goes into the other room and laughs like a maniac. What's up with that??? Oh well this too shall pass (like a kidney stone).

 

[Damn Yankee]

Good luck to you Capt.

 

[ordy]

I think you're gonna do better than you think. I've worked in an operating room for more than twenty years and have helped put my fair share of total knees and hips in people. I think you'll be surprised to find that the post operative pain may not be that much worse than the arthritis you are suffering from now. You should be out of bed on post op day two and will probably be home and sleeping on your own pillow in less than a week. Stay away from aspirin and ibuprophin(advil) for a while. The up side to all of this is that you may be able to get more range time in as you recover. Best of luck and let us know how things are progressing.

 

[Iggy]

I had a knee replaced last fall. When I woke up, I could tell a difference. There was the pain from the disruption of muscles and tendons, but the dull arthritic pain was gone.
I had the surgery Friday morning and walked out of the hospital Sunday afternoon and started therapy Tues afternoon.

Therapy was unpleasant for about a month, and by the sixth week I could tell a huge change and it got better and better from then on.

It will be easier than you think.

Good luck,

 

[jeffsmith]

Having had two Hip Replacements
I can vouch for the fact that the Pain of the Surgery & Recovery
is Generally Much Less than the Pre-Op Pain that Required it

 

[charlie sherrill]

I had both of them done. It was either that or retire before I wanted to. I just came back from a two mile walk with my dog.

 

[StatesRightist]

I know multiple people who've had knee operations. There are two types of people in that group, those that who do the rehab and work hard, they are so much better of than they were before and those who don't do the rehab, they are no better off and in pain. Do the Rehab, next year this time you be in a much better place.

Good luck with your surgery!

 

[Oldiron]

Capt Steve, Had my left knee replaced May 1. Yes the first two weeks are painful but I will admit that week one I do not remember much. Good meds. Week three, I was able to sleep on my side again. Threw the walker away after three weeks and the cane after 6 weeks. In July, I started bailing hay again and have done about 1200 bails since. I would not put off a replacement for the right one if I needed it. One hint, throw away your old shoes since they will most likely be badly worn from the limp/favoring. I found my old shoes had a 1/2" worn away from the side of the heal and with the new ones my walk was nice and straight.
You have my prayers and empathy, but keep pushing the envelope in PT. Push it to the "hurts some" stage and soon it will not hurt.
Been There Done That,
Larry

 

[Buckey08]

Have had both done, done the rehab, walk 3 miles a day and can tell you after 2.5 years latter your life will change, some for the better, some for the worst. Legs will never bend the same as factory direct, If you can get by with what you have now I suggest you go till you have to crawl. If you talk to 10 people that have had it done you will get 10 different responses to how their doing now. Steps, ladders and things like putting on your under shorts, not to mention sitting on the toilet will take a new effort. No such thing AS FREE LUNCH and please believe me when I say nothing beats what the GOOD Lord makes! NOTHING!

 

[yashua-p]

On a monday, I had my left hip done and the right a week later. One hospitalization one rehab. The next year, in 2003 I had the knees done the same way, The only regret is that I didn't
do it much sooner. Good luck and work at the rehab. It's well worth it.

regards

yashua

 

[Capt Steve]

Capt Steve, Had my left knee replaced May 1. Yes the first two weeks are painful but I will admit that week one I do not remember much. Good meds. Week three, I was able to sleep on my side again. Threw the walker away after three weeks and the cane after 6 weeks. In July, I started bailing hay again and have done about 1200 bails since. I would not put off a replacement for the right one if I needed it. One hint, throw away your old shoes since they will most likely be badly worn from the limp/favoring. I found my old shoes had a 1/2" worn away from the side of the heal and with the new ones my walk was nice and straight.
You have my prayers and empathy, but keep pushing the envelope in PT. Push it to the "hurts some" stage and soon it will not hurt.
Been There Done That,
Larry

OldIron and everyone else, thanks for all of the encouragement and support. Great tip about replacing the old shoes, makes a lot of sense. Yes, I'll suck it up and do what I have to do and will end up far better for it but oh man it's going to sting for a while.

 

[longranger]

I have had 2 partial knees replaced (Oxford) one in CA 2006, $90,000.00 workers comp paid. Last Dec. had the 2nd. knee done in S.C. insurance paid $49.000. First one(L-K) Dr. was o.k. and expensive,Dr. in S.C. fabulous, I have done paramedicine for 20+ years and have never seen or had as good care as I did at Self Regional Med. Ctr. in Greenwood S.C.I was off crutches 10 days after surgery and walking 2 mi. I had home therapy from the best PT's I have ever had until I could drive,2 weeks.Done with all of my P.T. after 5 weeks. I have had 6 knee surgeries from the incompetent, money sucking health care in CA.That includes UCSF,the worst orthopedic group ever.Elk hunt next week and been walking 7 mi. everyday since April.
If they want you to do 15 reps. of any exercise do 20, I had 125 deg. of flexion within a week(normal is 140+-).you will have a numb knee for several years until the nerves reestablish,Iggy has it, right both knees were much better right away, different pain. ICE,ICE,ICE, much better pain reliever than drugs you will need the drugs for a bit but give them up A.S.A.P.

 

[MP1983]

Cpt Steve,

Iggy got his knee done just a few weeks before me last year & was kind enough to offfer info on his surgery that gave me considerable comfort.

I agree with Buckeye 08 that it is never quite the same (how far you can bend the knee and that it doesn't always feel natural). But I'm able to put weight on mine again & have gotten that leg stronger than it has been in years - and it works beautifully for walking & stairs.

The first few weeks are rough, and after that it's still no picnic. But mine has continued to improve - you just have to put in the work.

I'll be prayin' for you buddy. Take care.

 

[chud333]

Good luck, and you'll be back among the "mobile"
before you know it. Work hard with the re-hab and
you'll be fine. No worries !!!

Chuck

 

[OFT II]

Had both knees replaced. Little rough for a week or so afterwards but well worth it. Do the therapy. Try to get a young pretty therapist. She'll make the therapy a lot easier than having some dude that looks like a professional wrestler.

Good Luck.

 

[walkin jack]

In 1973 I was heavily into Motocross. Got my left leg broken out sideways at the knee. Shattered the tibial plateau. They put it back together as well as they could. Total replacement in '94. Total revision in '98. I have had to learn how to walk 3 more times than most people.

But let me assure you that the procedure for the surgery, the technology for the new knee has come a loooong way. I wish you a successful surgery and a complete, speedy recovery.

One bit of advice though. DO THE THERAPY. It doesn't matter how great the doctors did. If you don't do the therapy you will not walk. Best of luck to you!

 

[GaryS]

Had both knees replaced. Little rough for a week or so afterwards but well worth it. Do the therapy. Try to get a young pretty therapist. She'll make the therapy a lot easier than having some dude that looks like a professional wrestler.

Good Luck.

I swear that some schools have a bathing suit contest before a young woman can sign up to become a PT.

As to the knee, I haven't had to do either hips or knees so far, so my experience is from seeing others who have. Some people bounce back quickly, others don't. Attitude seems to have a lot to do with it, and that's reflected in participation in the process.

I think weight has a something to do with it too. Thinner people seem to do better, but that might not be directly related to weight, but to the more sedentary life style that many heavier people seem to have.

 

[Rangerpat]

Capt. Steve,
I had total knee replacement surgery on March 3, 2012. I did physical therapy at a rehab center, two-hours a day, four days a week, for 5 months and finally got my right knee to bend 120 degrees.
The only thing I can add to what others said, is that you get out of physical therapy what you put into it. Do all the exercises that they tell you to do. I used a "Stretch Out Strap" made by DKSA every day while sitting on the couch watching TV.
The only things I notice now is it's hard to kneel on my right knee and a pair of cowboy boots that use to fit me, no longer do.
My orthopedic surgeon told me that it takes up to one year for the knee to totally heal after surgery.
I have no problems climbing ladders to get into my treestands while hunting and the arthritc pain is now gone for the knee. The only thing I was told not to do is RUN; I have no problem hiking three miles with a 50 pound pack right now.
Good luck with the surgery!

 

[flightsimmer]

It was the best decision I ever made. I suffered for decades. Now I enjoy life pain free.
You'll do fine.

 

[Indiana George]

Good luck to you, Capt. Steve!

I know that you'll do well by doing the rehab.

Looking forward to your next set of camping/hiking photos
taken in the Arizona desert that I miss so much.