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KNEE replacement update
pulsarnc
Member Posts: 6,563 ✭✭✭✭
I had my two week follow up visit today . Per X-ray the knee is looking good . Cleared to start a more rigorous pt routine as tolerated . Still have two weeks before I can resume driving . Going to take some thoughts and practice to figure out how to get in trucks as it sits taller than my old one did . Thanks for the good thoughts for from everybody
cry Havoc and let slip the dogs of war.....
Comments
Glad it is going well. Now for the obligatory nagging part - Pay attention to all of the guidelines your Doctors and physical therapists give you. I am at the age where I know quite a few people that have had joint replacements. The ones that had problems either didn't follow through with their PT or were macho and overdid things before they should have. Good luck with getting back to normal, just be patient. Bob
Glad to hear you're progressing. Feels a lot better already, don't it?
Good the hear that it's going well.
Glad to hear the good update. Keep getting better, each day.
Im due for two replacements. Been putting it off. When and what made you decide to bite the bullet and have it done? Ive had Orthovisc injections for seven years and its not like it used to be. Im interested in your comments, and wish you the best of luck in your therapy.
Jimmy jack , the decision was really easy . I had gotten to the point that the injections did nothing for me . The only way to make it thru the day was regular use of narcotic pain meds and the use of a cane . I could not hold out to walk a block without stopping several times to rest. Quality of life was approaching zilch in terms of enjoying doing any activity like hunting , fishing or target shooting . Easy when it get to weighing those kinds of things
Bobjudy , I listen close to my pt people . They went to school for 2 to 6 years , depending on the degree they have , . Although I have been called a know- it - all before ,I figure they know more than I do so I listen and do what they say .
I’m 6 months out from my knee replacement and just now it’s getting stronger than the other one (stairs, climbing, lifting). I was surprised how much pain is still there, from inflammation and swelling. I’m weaning down the vitamin-I and hiking more and more, I’m up to 2 hours a day now. I was a little uncertain that I’d done the right thing, now I’m sure I did. And it will just get better.
Well, I'm glad it's working for you. I'm 20 months into a hip replacement and still wanting to go back to the old, creaky one. In fact, I'd pay another $50K to have the old one back. It's all a matter of an individual's expectations and realities.
Just keep in mind that the new knee isn't really "permanent". A friend of mine nearly lost his leg and ended up with almost 12" of the bone removed after developing an infection in his knee replacement 10 years post surgery. He's still not able to walk properly 2 years after the knee and bone attachment was removed and for a year of that time, he had no knee at all--his leg just dangled supported only by an external splint.
From my perspective: Good Luck(you're going to need it).
Glad to hear going well so far, here's to hoping the good progress continues!
Great news.
My wife had them both done at the same time. I got her a recumbent bike to help her and she still rides it 30-45 min everyday. She said it helps her from getting stiff.
The physical therapy for the first few weeks and after KEEPING up with the daily exercise will make all the difference in the world.
Had both done last year, one in Feb., other in July. I followed the PT regimen to the letter, and walk 3/4 mile at least three times a week. So far, I'm very happy with my decision. As far as hips, I have heard horror stories, so would study long and hard before that. My last follow-up is in July (one year after last surgery). At 75, I can walk and climb like I was 50 again, so all good for me.
Boy can I vouch for that. I overdid it and tore stitches and came that close to breaking the metal loose from the bone where he attached it. That had always been my approach, work it hard and it gets strong faster.
WRONG
Doc tore me a new one, he said "this is not all organic, so you CANNOT push it harder to make it respond quicker. It's METAL. Metal doesn't care about your recovery schedule. DO NOT make me go back in there!"
He was very explicit... the interface where he's attached the metal knee to your living bone is critical. You work it exactly as hard as the PT people say, and no more. Then you rest as long as they say. The goal is to grow the bone and metal together so they become (essentially) unbreakable. If you break the metal loose from the living bone, he may not be able to fix that, then you're screwed.
Now is the time to say "Yes ma'am" and "No ma'am" and do exactly what the PT people say. They'll get you as strong as they can, and cut you loose. THEN you get to be macho bionic man and work that sumbitch as hard as you please.
Be patient. It's worth it in the long run.