Knee Replacement? Please share your experiences.

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you, me too. Glad to hear it's going so well for your friend. I was posed the question on whether I should try the steroid shot in the joint first before going to replacement, I can't see the point, as my whole lower body hurts, my low back, my ankles, from the joints turning in, I would prefer to just get it done. There was also a mention of rooster comb injections, that creeped me out.

 

[sourland]

I know two people (this friend one of them) who had the 'rooster comb' injections - in their cases it did not work. Again the steroid shot is a temporary fix which to the best of my knowledge only results in temporary relief.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

After further research, I'm going to decline both shots as it doesn't seem to work when it bone on bone too well plus there's risk of infections, delay in being able to get a replacement, and a compromised immune system.

I have juvenile diabetes as well as having had cancer, so messing with the system more makes me nervous.

Replacements made my shoulders mostly pain free. My age makes them nervous as I'm only 49, and they always want to put stuff off until you are older. I just want to walk decent enough again and don't care if they need fixing down the road as I may not be around long enough to worry about it.

 

[donrae]

My mom had both knees done at the same time. She is also very determined and was diligent about her therapy. Her motivation was to ride her horse again. I forget how long that took (chemobrain ya know) but she was back on her horse sooner than her ortho thought she'd be.

She did both knees at once cause she doesn't do well with anesthesia and only wanted to go under once. Sounds like that may be a good idea for you also. Yes, more pain but one surgery and one rehab. Find a good therapist and work your butt off. I really don't see you settling for a partial rehab. All you've been through, you're not going to be content with being limited in your mobility just cause it's too much work. Hey, we've got things to do, right?

 

[tinakevin]

I had a knee replacement 2 years ago. I was in the hospital for 5 days and then did the in home rehab. I'm not going to lie it hurt like hell but as the others have said if you do the rehab like they tell you and push yourself it will be well worth it. My doctor was very surprised at the range of motion I have. And yes it still hurts every now and then but it's not the same kind of pain I had before. I would def do it all over and now in fact I may have to with my other one. By the way I was 51 when I had it done so age really doesn't matter arthritis doesn't know how old we r lol. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My mom had both knees done at the same time. She is also very determined and was diligent about her therapy. Her motivation was to ride her horse again. I forget how long that took (chemobrain ya know) but she was back on her horse sooner than her ortho thought she'd be.

She did both knees at once cause she doesn't do well with anesthesia and only wanted to go under once. Sounds like that may be a good idea for you also. Yes, more pain but one surgery and one rehab. Find a good therapist and work your butt off. I really don't see you settling for a partial rehab. All you've been through, you're not going to be content with being limited in your mobility just cause it's too much work. Hey, we've got things to do, right?

Thank you donrae, I am determined to recover as quickly as possible, I hate being cared for and others(my husband)doing my stuff for me. I did ask about doing both but unfortunately they said one at a time, blah two surgeries. Though now that I have made the decision I am an doubting it, especially since today was a good day.

Chemo brain I hate, I'm missing a few months of my life, thankfully I don't thing much happened during them, and everyone forgives you for everything.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I had a knee replacement 2 years ago. I was in the hospital for 5 days and then did the in home rehab. I'm not going to lie it hurt like hell but as the others have said if you do the rehab like they tell you and push yourself it will be well worth it. My doctor was very surprised at the range of motion I have. And yes it still hurts every now and then but it's not the same kind of pain I had before. I would def do it all over and now in fact I may have to with my other one. By the way I was 51 when I had it done so age really doesn't matter arthritis doesn't know how old we r lol. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Thank you, it's all very scary stuff. I have experienced some wicked pain in my life and am good at soldering on. It's good to hear from a younger person who had it done, I'm afraid of them needing fixing one day, but I guess that's something to worry about later. My brother had his hip replaced last year, he was 45. We did way too many farm chores as kids I think.

 

[csneill]

As a PT who sees many, many patients with knee replacements- we tell our patients quite often that the first week or so you'll wonder why you had it done but by 6 weeks or so after surgery you'll wonder why you hadn't done it sooner! I love the advice of several people here who tell you to do the therapy diligently- it really does make all the difference in the world! If you know a PT or PTA in your area- ask them who they would recommend- they know which doctors get the best outcomes usually!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you, I'm still deciding at what point to do it, last week I couldn't get it done soon enough, this week has been easier and I think I can go a while longer, I'm so torn, another appointment with the doctor might be in order. It's all so frustrating. When I had my shoulders done they said they would last my lifetime if I was careful, but knees they warn about wearing them out.

 

[csneill]

The good news with the current prosthetics that they put in they can last 20+ years if they're treated with care- no jogging/jumping/impact activity. Even kneeling is no longer prohibited as long as the knees are padded w knee pads or foam kneeling pad. I always tell my patients they'll know when they're ready. I understand the good days/bad days issue tho!