HOrnbrod Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I've had trouble with my left knee ever since a high school basketball injury about a hundred years ago. :yes: Just got back from a "knee" specialist, and he recommends a replacement. Of course he does. I was afraid this might happen. I have no idea what it entails, how much downtime is involved, etc. etc. and don't know anyone who has been through it. Has anyone here been through this procedure? It doesn't sound like it would be much fun at all, kind of like a big ball joint replacement....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinkrun Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I am looking at the same thing right now so I will be checking in also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyav8r Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Don - Sending you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schardein Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 A friend of mine has had several knee surgeries because he didn't give it time to heal. Take your time on the recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 A friend of mine has had several knee surgeries because he didn't give it time to heal. Take your time on the recovery. I'm sure that will be a problem for me too...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 My grandpa had both knees and a hip replaced over last few years. After his first knee replacement it was about a week of having to be a couch potato because he really couldn't walk on it at all. After 2 weeks he could kind of walk with a cane. By 1 month he seemed mostly back to normal and after a few months he was able to lightly jog for short periods of time on it but it would still hurt a little every once in a while. Obviously everyone is a little different but I would expect about the same time frame. He's mid 50s and has been active his whole life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 my grandmother had her left knee replaced about 30 years ago and while the recuperation was a while, the joint still works great now into her 90s. 10 years after the left she declined fixing the right knee (from what I'm told she had become terribly afraid of going under anesthesia) and that knee has become the absolute bane of her existence. she used a cane for years until the constant pressure on her shoulder destroyed that too and now she shuffles with a walker. all because of her knee. :( obviously ymmv since there are different reasons for replacing a knee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 My dad just had his done. They had him walking with a walker in the hospital before he was discharged after surgery. He used a walker at the house for a week, and then a cane. This was all done in October. Hes getting around good but still has a little trouble sleeping because it gets uncomfortable after sitting in one spot for a while. He has to keep moving to keep from hurting too much, though with time it is getting better. He said the worst part was the bruising on his thigh from the giant tourniquet they used during surgery. From what Ive seen, its usually 6 mos before youre back to what might be considered normal. I did hear on the radio the other day of a new procedure for this. They take in depth scans and make the new knee custom to your body. Its supposed to cut down on recovery time drastically. Maybe it will be more common when my time comes. I'm 43 and have had 3 knee surgeries since the age of 14, not including several other sprains in between. Good luck with your recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellaheep Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 In 2006 I had a completely torn ACL replaced with bits of my hamstring tendon, and a torn meniscus sutured up in my right knee. I was off work for 4 months, 2 months of light duty. Before the injury I had pain and issues and was told the lining between friction points was getting pretty thin. To this day, it still hurts. I've re-injured it twice where scar tissue tore loose and another where the end of the meniscus tear has come apart. Exercise is nearly impossible because the impact of hiking or jogging causes so much pain and the constant popping leaves you with little confidence it'll stay together. Last month I saw my surgeon about the popping and pain using stairs. He shot me up with cortisone and while the pain has been reduced, it still doesn't feel real solid. I wish they would have just replaced the knee back then. I know a few people of varying ages that have had one or both done and they had drastically less down time and have little to no pain now. Full mobility. I'm actually looking forward to the day I can get this right knee replaced. Get it done, I can't imagine you'd regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 Thanks for all the great comments guys; some encouraging, some not so. I've been on steroids, NSAID's, and happy pills for a week or so now, and the knee feels almost normal on level ground. I spent the whole day working on the MJ and it's still feeling good. I can even do stairs now without stopping on each one. :yes: Going in Tuesday for scans and the final diagnosis, so we'll see. I sure don't want to be cut on if I don't have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyav8r Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 My wife had both knees replaced at the same time and they had her up on her feet the day after surgery. She's a hell of a lot tougher than I can even think of being. If you have it done, the trick is to work hard on your therapy. Find a therapist who will push you past your comfort level. There is pain associated with the surgery and discomfort with the therapy, but she tells me it is much better than the constant pain before the surgery. She says "total" recovery takes about a year to get to the point where you don't really think about your knees during the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdriver1 Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 My wife had both knees replaced at the same time and they had her up on her feet the day after surgery. She's a hell of a lot tougher than I can even think of being. If you have it done, the trick is to work hard on your therapy. Find a therapist who will push you past your comfort level. There is pain associated with the surgery and discomfort with the therapy, but she tells me it is much better than the constant pain before the surgery. She says "total" recovery takes about a year to get to the point where you don't really think about your knees during the dayth do as the therapist says -- had my left one done back in 2003 and the right one 2015 -- big difference in the two units. with the right one I was using a walker the day after surgery and a cane after three days. the only thing I have trouble with is kneeling (need a pad under them both and sleep with a small pillow between my knees at night (keeps the metal from clunking together). best of luck -- do your exercises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Don, As you know the doctor is your best source of information. If he/she can not answer your questions - find a new doctor. I had some shoulder surgery about 6 months ago after trying to live with the discomfort for more than a year. I was told a full recover would take at least 6 months. The discomfort I had was gone in a couple of weeks but I still don't have normal strength in my left shoulder. But that is my fault - because I did not do the full course of physical therapy after a month or so - I just slacked off. Nobody to blame but me. The key thing is to just do all the therapy they tell you to do. Then keep doing it a bit more. With all medical things - your mileage may vary. Best wishes with what ever course you choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 14, 2017 Author Share Posted January 14, 2017 I had a similar surgery about 20 years ago. I couldn't raise my left arm up more than 50%. Cervical disk deterioration as I recall. They put titanium plates and screws in my shoulder. It took a couple of months before I had full range with my arm, but I've never had shoulder problems again. Again, left side, same as the knee. Hmmm..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 My boss had a knee replacement due to an old car accident he was involved in . He hobbled around until he couldn't function normally and couldn't take the pain either .Now that he had it done (52) he is much more active even though he can forecast the weather with some occasional pain . I guess it comes down to wether or not you feel it would help or hurt your quality of life , make sure you get a Spicer joint if you can... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 14, 2017 Author Share Posted January 14, 2017 :yes: I'm going for NOS Mopar parts like I always do. Wait! Mopar ball joints are made by Spicer. Hope they make one in my size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega_rugal Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 i`m having lumbar fusion at L4-L5-S1 next month.... consider yourself lucky... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strictlyxjs Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 my mom struggled for years with arthritus. she had both her knees replaced and now she enjoys biking, swimming, gardening and bowling 100% pain free, just some food for thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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