Replacing the Knee

[kenmac]

Playing football & 30 years of crawling under homes doing plumbing / HVAC has finally caught up with me in my old age.
Possible looking at Knee replacement if a few injections don't work out.

Anyone gone through it ?
Any do's or don'ts, healing time, advice I need to know about if it comes to replacement.

Thanks for any advice from anyone with experience with procedure .

I'm hoping these steroid shots will do the trick

 

[MossRoad]

My father in-law had his replaced when he was around 80. He was a macho type guy, so when they gave him rehab exercises, say, 3 sets of 10 twice a day, he did 6 sets of 20 4 times a day. He regretted that about 4 days into it. On the other hand, my mother in-law had her hip replaced and they gave her exercises of 3 sets of 10 twice a day, and she only did 1 set of 10 once a day.

So father in-law over did it and hurt himself. Mother in-law under did it, and never recovered completely. Father in-law eventually recovered nicely, but it took longer because of the damage he did early.

When I had my index finger nearly severed off and bones mashed, the surgeon told me they'd be happy if I could pinch my finger tip to my thumb after therapy. My therapist kept at it, gave me directions that I followed to the letter, and low and behold, I have 95% use of my finger, can make a fist, and am 100% happy with the results.

My advice,

Follow your therapists advice to the letter after the surgery.

 

[Yander]

My dad had his replaced about 14 years ago. He is needing them again. One thing I tried to get him to do was to go to a reputable hospital known for their reputation in those type of surgeries. He didn't, he went to the local podunk hospital in Marysville Ohio and had a hack job done that made him knock kneed and caused other foot issues.

He is regretting he didn't go to OSU medical or a big city hospital now. Don't do it in podunk towns because you or your family don't want to drive into the city. Have someone drive you there if you have to, trust me, you will be glad you did.

 

[WM75Guy]

Had my left knee replaced in 2014. Back then I stayed in the hospital for 3 days. Now it is outpatient surgery, you go home that day or the next. I had surgery on Tuesday, went home Friday, wife went to work on Monday and left me at home by myself. By then I was getting around on my own, could get something to eat or drink, and make it without problems into the recliner to watch TV. I used a walker for 2 weeks and then a cane for 2 weeks. Physical therapy came to my house 3 days a week for 6 weeks. Did exercises on my own on the other days. Bought some Vive standalone toilet assist handles that slid around the toilet to help get me up at first as your leg doesn't bend so good. I had minimal pain with mine.

Went back to work in the hospital after 8 weeks. Had occasional minor pain and swelling for 6-12 months, used some Tylenol or Advil plus an icepack. What I miss is being able to get down on my knee. The incision goes across the kneecap and hurts to put pressure on it. Climbing ladders is a bit more challenging after the surgery.

 

[Bird]

Had my right knee replaced 12 years ago, and like Randy, a few days in the hospital, and then had to go to a physical therapist for a while. I would not want to go through that again . . . BUT . . . that knee is still just fine. But now the other knee is giving me trouble and I'm not at all sure I'd want to have it replaced at my age.

My mother had one knee replaced by an incompetent doctor, did no exercise and was never able to bend that knee again.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I have chronic knee issues so I've researched it a bunch and talked with all my friends with knees replaced

Common theme. Robot assisted is the way to go. Never get an old fashioned one

 

[RSKY]

Monday I walked across down the driveway, across the road, and up my disabled neighbor's drive to give him a bag of dried apples. He was sitting in his yard watching me and remarked that I had walked fast, not limped, and seemed to have no trouble with my knee. I had it replaced in 2016. The only time I notice it is when I do something stupid like jump out of the bed of my truck which can hurt for a minute or two. Also once or twice a year I will spin around quickly on that foot and get a thirty second twinge of pain in my left knee. Other than the fact that it is half again the size of my right and the eight inch long scar I never notice it.

Take the above advice and DO NOT go to a doctor/hospital that does a replacement occasionally. Go to somebody that does several a week. The doctor that did mine has a reputation of the lowest amount of infections, lowest amount of do overs, and highest satisfaction of any in the country. That is according to a couple of medical sales people that we know. It takes a couple months to even get an appointment to see him. Usually you will see his assistant first, then you will see the doctor on the second visit. According to the assistant about 30% of their work is fixing somebody else's screwups (his words). He does not believe in a lot of therapy. Says if overdone it can cause problems. The therapist came to my house three times a week and did gentle exercises that were not painful. Once the knee could straighten itself completely without pain while I laid on the bed on my stomach she said her job was done and spent the rest of the sessions chatting and massaging the muscles in that leg.

They had me attend a two hour "boot camp" a week or two before surgery. This was required by the clinic and said it had cut down after surgery problems greatly. Instructions were given on how to prepare the home for after surgery and my wife and I followed the instructions exactly. For example, you will need a walker for a couple weeks and they told us to do a dress rehearsal for coming home after the surgery. For example, wife pulled out of drive, circled the block, parked in the garage and I could not get out with the walker. Backed out of the garage, I got out, made it into the house but could not get past a couch to go to the bedroom. Furniture moved slightly and no problem on actual homecoming. Clinic said sometimes people had to remove bathroom doors for a few weeks.

Well I am rambling. Anyway, go to a doctor that has a good reputation locally. Ask around and if people are happy with their doctor they will tell you. Or PM me and I will tell you the name and location of the doctor that did my surgery. He also did both my father-in-law's shoulder replacements. He treated my mother for her knee problems. And we have sent several other family members to him.

Good luck.

RSKY

 

[MossRoad]

...
Take the above advice and DO NOT go to a doctor/hospital that does a replacement occasionally. Go to somebody that does several a week....

That's good advice.

After my finger got smushed, I went to a guy that sat me down and said, "I'm the guy you want. I only work from the mid forearm to fingertips. Nothing else. It's my passion. I love how wrists and hands work, and am fascinated by them. I've done thousands, and each one is different. I'm excited to get your case."

Man did that put me at ease. Results were great.

 

[masscity]

Just had a partial, left knee inside. All the advise given on this post is good, follow it. They offered me this knee bending machine, which I use. It shows you the degrees of bend and will keep doing that bend till you stop it. I might have to pay $250 deductible, but I don't care it works great. I have to return it when I'm done.

 

[dodge man]

I know to people that have had knee replacements. My sister one knee. It’s a lot better but not 100%. Hers hurt so bad she had to do something. Tge other guy I know had both done. One went well, the other they had to do follow up surgery on. Like my sister, a big improvement but not a 100%.

I think in both cases they went from a couple days after surgery saying this is the worst thing ever to a couple of more days saying this isn‘t so bad.

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

if a few injections don't work out.

My wife needs a hip replacement and since we were getting ready to take a cruise to Alaska she opted for the steroid injection in the hopes that she'd be able to hike some rails etc.

The bad news was not only did the injection do nothing for her, it ruined her chances of getting her surgery done sooner as they wanted the injection to be completely out of her system before proceeding.

If you're bone on bone putting off the replacement is just doing more damage. Just make sure you have a surgeon with a good track record.

 

[dmccarty]

I have had three family members who got knew replacements. Not sure any of them were a "success."

One family member did not do the PT and wobbled and hobbled for the rest of their life. I don't know if this is true or not, but we were told that knee replacement leads to an increase chance of strokes. That makes sense to me for some period of time after the procedure but years afterwards? This family member had so many strokes we lost count. Have no idea if the strokes were connected to the replacement or not, but I would ask the surgeon if I was having the replacement. This was also decades ago and I have been told the procedures are much better now.

Another had to do the replacement due to pain, got the best doctor they could find, waited for surgery, and the result is so so. The physical therapist may have done some damage in PT. The person did do the PT as directed best I can tell. The pain has gotten better but the person still has pain and trouble walking.

The third person I don't know if they did the PT as directed, has injured the knee after the replacement, and still has issues walking as well as pain.

As others have said, research the doctor and hospital and use one that does many of these surgeries with high success.

From reading about this topic on TBN over the years, it seems like the replacement works for some, but not for others. Roll the dice it seems to be.

Flip side is, once the pain is so bad, one really does not have a choice but to roll the dice and see if the surgery helps.

Later,
Dan

 

[kenmac]

I appreciate the advice. So far, the injection I had Monday is doing great !

If I end up with replacement, I'll most likely have to get someone to stay with me to help with the farm (feed cows, chickens, etc,) , as I'm single.
For now, we'll see how long this steroid shot last, as I really don't want a new knee. I'd rather keep my original equipment, if ya know what I mean LOL

I can some what remember my grandmother having hers replaces back in the 70's she lived to be 80 and never had a stroke.
I would hope the procedure is much easier now days than back then.

 

[duffer]

First off, everybody is different. Some have no problems after re-hab, others have long term issues.
My neighbor had a knee replacement, and subsequent re-hab and was riding (and jumping) horses in about 8 weeks. Had the other knee done a couple of years later (now 2-3 years ago) and still has some residual pain. Same surgeon, same hospital, same procedure. Go figure.

I had my right knee replaced in 2017. Went thru 8 weeks of re-hab, painful as hell. Residual pain got bad enough after 4 years that I went back to the surgeon (same one as my neighbor) and had to put a gun to his head to scope the knee to see if there was something wrong inside. Knee is better now, but still some pain if I sleep on it wrong.

Wait as long as you can. If the shots are working, keep doing them until they won't let you. then do an exhautive search for an orthopedic surgeon who only does knees and hips, rather than a jack of all trades.

 

[Oaktree]

I have had three family members who got knew replacements. Not sure any of them were a "success."

One family member did not do the PT and wobbled and hobbled for the rest of their life. I don't know if this is true or not, but we were told that knee replacement leads to an increase chance of strokes. That makes sense to me for some period of time after the procedure but years afterwards? This family member had so many strokes we lost count.

My sister had hers done a few years ago, she was in her mid 60s at the time. The surgery itself, which was done at one of the top hospitals in the region went well but a couple weeks later she had a major issue with blood clots, from what I understand is not uncommon with knee surgery. Given that she was a physical therapist herself, I'm sure she did her exercises properly. She's mostly OK now, but still has some semi-related issues. No strokes though.
My father OTOH had his done in his late 70s breezed thru with no issues whatsoever (well, other than apparently being painful enough to comment on how he was glad he'd never have to go thru that again).

I'm waiting my turn on this...given family history and the fact that my career wasn't kind on the knees (crawling under equipment, etc.) I'm probably 50/50 on likely needing it someday. So far, they're creaky but not overly painful.

 

[WM75Guy]

Do as much research as you can on your surgeon. My surgeon was one of our trauma ortho surgeons. I am fortunate to know the nurses on the ortho unit to hear about outcomes, plus know many people that he had done surgery on for knee replacements. I figured if he can put broken people back together he could handle whatever he found when he went into my knee. I was very happy with my recovery and when the time comes will not hesitate to have the other one done.

 

[dodge man]

When my sister had hers done she went in a nursing home for a couple of weeks. They didn’t call it a nursing home, some kind of rehab center, but they were right there for physical therapy and helped her get around those first few days.

 

[RSKY]

I have already left a long reply but I'm going to leave another one,

Steroid shots helped me at first. But each one did less good. The first one lasted about six weeks. Next about four weeks, then two weeks, then no help at all.

I know lots of people who have had total replacements and are doing well. I know of nobody that had a partial replacement and did not regret it.

I wish I had got mine two years earlier. I took two Naproxen Sodium (Aleve) a day for years. Had to or I couldn't function. That is bad for your kidneys and liver. May give me problems later. The only days I didn't take that stuff was when I was sitting here in front of the computer all day.

If your doctor can see you immediately change doctors. The one that did mine has a two month wait for the first visit. Does that tell you anything?

When you have the replacement follow the doctor's and staff's instructions TO THE LETTER. You do not know better than they do. They have done this before and know what works.

After the surgery you will need help. You cannot do it alone. If you have nobody go to an assisted living place or rehab place. Both those are fancy names for rest homes. Shop around before you choose. A friend of ours was put in one after hip replacement and when we visited her it was more like a B&B vacation place. They had college/high school kids waiting on the 'patients' at supper and the food looked good.

I used the battery powered buggies in stores for nearly half a year. Was so proud of myself for walking to the milk section in the rear of our Walmart and back to the front that I called my mother and sisters to tell them. Use your walker, crutches, canes, etc until you are 100% sure you do not need them. I carried a cane with me when I had advanced enough to not need it just to keep people away from bumping me, stepping on my foot, or kicking that leg with the new knee. People will do that. I found that out the hard way. "I thought it was the other leg!" My reply, "I'm gonna whip your a$$ with this cane!" Yes it happened.

You will not be tough enough to go without the pain pills! Trust me on this. A friend of my sister didn't even take the prescription when she left the hospital on a Friday. By the time the pain meds wore off there was nobody at the doctor's office to write one and she suffered horribly all weekend. DON'T be macho on this. I tried to be one night and woke up hurting bad. It takes an hour or so for the pills to work after you take them. After that one time keeping my wife awake all night moaning, groaning, and crying I set the alarm on my phone for every four hours and woke up and took the pills. I gradually increased the time between doses by about 15 minutes a day until I weaned myself off of them.

You are gonna hurt, but if you follow instructions it will be worth it in the long run. My only regret is that I waited two years too long to get mine done.

RSKY

 

[Oaktree]

Wait as long as you can. If the shots are working, keep doing them until they won't let you. then do an exhautive search for an orthopedic surgeon who only does knees and hips, rather than a jack of all trades.

That was pretty much what my doctor told me. She also mentioned that 77-78 is kind of a sweet spot age wise...you're still young enough that you'll heal reasonably quickly but old enough that you'll likely never need them replaced again.

 

[TCowner]

I had my first one in 2004 and my second one in 2021. The first one was done a little differently in that the femoral component was cemented in place and the tibial component was what is called an "in growth" method (non porus canal-filling) where no cement is used and placement and healing relies on the bone to "fill in" thereby securing the stem. This one requires a little longer rehab period as full weight bearing is delayed for about a month.

In the second knee repacement procedure (2021) both femoral and tibial components were cemented in place which allows for immediate full weight bearing although crutches or a walker a still required for at least a week or two. The components are fully secured as well as they ever will be but you need help with the crutches as your muscles are quite compromised during the operation. It takes a while for them to return to full strength.

The rehab on the second knee went much faster but that may be in part as I kind of knew what to expect. Pain control has changed considerably in 17 years. In the second knee replacement procedure the entire knee joint is "bathed" in a somewhat long lasting anesthetic in the operating room which gives very good pain control (without narcotics) for 24 hours. Of course this is the worst day with respect to pain. I ended up staying one night in the hospital and discharged the next. I took no pain medicines until after my discharge. I used the prescribed narcotics for about 2 days but then was able to switch over to tyelenol.

My surgeon "beat into me" the need to use ice not only for pain control but to reduce the swelling. The knee joint simply will not bend until the swelling goes down. I used ice 6 to 8 times each day, and before bedtime, which made a huge difference. I tried to time my application for my home therapy. You have to do the stretching or you can't get back your range of motion. The key is to just stretch a little more each day. You don't need to be in agony but the reality is that you are going to feel a little discomort as you gain your range of motion.

So I am fortunate that I have a had a great result from both knee replacements. The first from 2004 still feels good and the xrays from last year show no signs of wear or loosening.

Finally, it's important to remember that you don't get the knee of a 25 year old after joint replacement. The only thing a joint replacement does is that the arthritic surfaces of the joint are removed and replaced with plastic and titanium. The arthritic pain is gone. However, tendonitis and bursitis can sometimes remain.