Knee Replacement Surgery

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FullerH

Joined
Nov 25, 1998
Messages
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It looks as if I will have to have my left knee replaced. I know that it is supposed to be a fairly straightforward operation, if a major one. But my only experience of such a surgery was the mother of one of my son's friends who had her knee replaced back in about 1989 and it became infected. They had to take the replacement out and dhe was laid up in bed for some weeks with this great gap in her leg while they fought the infection.

Have any of you gone through a knee replacement? Can any of you give me any information about such procedures?
 
Hugh, best of luck to you for your operation.

I'm curious about this procedure, too, because I'll probably have to have a knee replacement done in the future.
 
My grandmother had both her knees replaced when she was in her seventies. She went from being almost unable to walk to being able to walk without a cane, etc. It did take some therapy obviously, to get back.

A friend of mine just had both done, but I haven't heard from him. I'll let you know how he came through it.
 
Since 1989 there have been many advances in joint replacement surgery with new materials and new techniques.You shoulds be able to find good info on the internet.
 
Hugh,
these surgeries have advanced since the 80s, primarily because of availability of different materials. Just think, you could start a new thread on a topic like "is ZDP-189 really the best steel for knee replacement? (I'm kidding, I'm kidding.)

hopefully, you will not have the infection problem. And yep, you're gonna have to work at this--but the folks that I know that have been through this have been quite positive.

best of luck.
 
I understand the need for therapy, especially exercise for the legs, afterwards. Right now, the damned thing hurts so badly that I cannot do much walking or stair climbing, and riding a bicycle is a sick joke. But I do leg lifts with 10 lbs. on my ankles (3 sets of 5 for each leg, twice daily) in order to keep the strength in my legs and I hope that this helps. It may not be a lot, but it is all of the pain that I can face.
 
Hugh, my neighbor just up the street had both knees done a few years ago. When we moved into our dome, he could barely walk. He hobbled over once to introduce himself, and I thought the wind was gonna blow him over. Now he rides his 10-speed all over the place, climbs up on his roof to clean off the leaves, etc. Best of luck to you.
 
Shaldag, the newest material for knees is Zirconium. For those who don't know that's similar to titanium.
 
I'm tempted to move this to Gadgets & Gear!!! ;) :D
 
FullerH said:
I understand the need for therapy, especially exercise for the legs, afterwards. Right now, the damned thing hurts so badly that I cannot do much walking or stair climbing, and riding a bicycle is a sick joke. But I do leg lifts with 10 lbs. on my ankles (3 sets of 5 for each leg, twice daily) in order to keep the strength in my legs and I hope that this helps. It may not be a lot, but it is all of the pain that I can face.
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Don't worry about how much you can do, just be consistent. When I had my shoulder repaired, I could not lift a 2 lb weight. Slowly but surely the strenght came back.
 
FullerH said:
It looks as if I will have to have my left knee replaced. I know that it is supposed to be a fairly straightforward operation, if a major one. But my only experience of such a surgery was the mother of one of my son's friends who had her knee replaced back in about 1989 and it became infected. They had to take the replacement out and dhe was laid up in bed for some weeks with this great gap in her leg while they fought the infection.

Have any of you gone through a knee replacement? Can any of you give me any information about such procedures?
Click to expand...
Fuller..the advancements in knee replacement surgery since 1989 are huge. I had a fellow biker friend have a knee replaced in 1990 it was same story infection. His second knee was done last year. He was out of work for a week. On crutches for three and back to normal in a month. They use this thing now called a "pain ball" which measures the tempreture of your skin and gives a small dose of painkiller based on skin temp. It was amazing watching his recovery from this surgery vs his last one..

Best of luck

Ren
 
Good luck FullerH.
My brother has to undergo the same surgery in October.

Everything will go fine , I am sure. :)
 
We can rebuild him. We can make him better, stronger, faster... :D May you have a textbook operation and recovery or better. :)
 
Ren the devils trailboss said:
Fuller..the advancements in knee replacement surgery since 1989 are huge. I had a fellow biker friend have a knee replaced in 1990 it was same story infection. His second knee was done last year. He was out of work for a week. On crutches for three and back to normal in a month. They use this thing now called a "pain ball" which measures the tempreture of your skin and gives a small dose of painkiller based on skin temp. It was amazing watching his recovery from this surgery vs his last one..

Best of luck

Ren
Click to expand...
Now that's the sort of thing that I had hoped to hear. Thanks so much, Ren.
 
I've seen a few family and friends go through this in recent years. It is a great improvement over limping around in pain forever. That you do exercizes now means you will do the needed therapy afterwards. You are going to be one of your doctors' great successes! Go for it.

Just remember: pain is all in your mind, so as long as you're out of your mind -- no pain! :D
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Just remember: pain is all in your mind, so as long as you're out of your mind -- no pain! :D
Click to expand...

And Esav knows all about such matters... ;) :p

Hugh,

I've had a few clients tell me that they have had knee replacement surgery. I haven't heard of any bad results. They all seemed to be very happy with the new knee(s). The only thing I can add is that I did have one woman who came in after having "hip" replacement surgery. She got one side done first. She was extremely pleased with the result. Then she went and got the other side done. It took so much longer to recover than if she had done them both at once. At least, that was what she told me. If there is any possibility that you need both replaced, you may want to consider doing them at the same time. It's a one shot deal, and it's all over. Then you wouldn't have to anticipate doing all of the recovery that you went through the first time around again.

Good luck. You'll do great. :)
 
Hugh - Had my left knee replaced in 1993, and I have not had any problems at all ~ still pain free.

Procedure has improved greatly since then - Just make sure you have confidence in your orthopedist & that he can compently perform the operation. Therapy will be important.

No replacement is as good as the original; but when the time comes, don't hesitate - there is no reason to endure knee pain, when a replacement is available.

I have a friend that had both of his done at one time, and came through it fine ~ but don't think I would want to do it that way.

Good Luck
 
by the way Hugh, ask for the model that has the bottle opener and corkscrew. It'll sure make the physiotherapy easier. :D
 
Hey,
I am an acute care physical therapist who works with total joint replacement patients on a daily basis. Of all the joint replacements that are done, the best successes are seen with the knee. I will echo some things mentioned above:

Chose your surgeon wisely, preferably one who does mostly but total joints.

Therapy, Therapy, Therapy! If the prosthesis is placed well, the next most important thing is acheiving as normal a range of motion as possible. Ice frequently, especially immediately post-op. If your nurses aren't bringing you ice, beg for it.

Post operatively you will be allowed to bear as much weight as you want on your leg. Make sure as you start walking to try to acheive as normal a gait pattern as possible. If that means using a walker to take weight off the leg, that is fine.

It is truely an amazing surgery. For the mostpart I have seen remarkable results. The initial pain is there, but 99% of my patients say it is worth it.

Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns, I'd be happy to help!
Josh
luriaj@yahoo.com

ps. If you are carrying some extra lbs. try to lose them sensibly prior to surgery. Josh
 
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