Knee Replacement? Please share your experiences.

[tinakevin]

My decision on when to have it done all came down to insurance and deductibles. My company kept going up on the high deductibles that I didn't want to chance it going up anymore. And thank goodness I didn't cuz you can guess what happens the next year. Also a little bit of advise if you can get a stationary bike to use it is worth it's price in gold. It saved me. There were many nights I couldn't sleep so I would use it. Even if only for a few min. Also invest In a handicap toilet seat. I know or sound weird but the higher the seat the better lol. Good luck. I know what you will be going thru so if you have any questions feel free to pm me any time. I also had good and bad days of pain free knees but the sooner u do it the better u will feel.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

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!

That's all good to know, I don't think I could ever run again, I haven't done that in years, as well as jumping, I don't recall what that feels like either. I'm so used to how I am now, I don't know any other way.

 

[csneill]

That's all good to know, I don't think I could ever run again, I haven't done that in years, as well as jumping, I don't recall what that feels like either. I'm so used to how I am now, I don't know any other way.

And there's nothing at all wrong with that!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My decision on when to have it done all came down to insurance and deductibles. My company kept going up on the high deductibles that I didn't want to chance it going up anymore. And thank goodness I didn't cuz you can guess what happens the next year. Also a little bit of advise if you can get a stationary bike to use it is worth it's price in gold. It saved me. There were many nights I couldn't sleep so I would use it. Even if only for a few min. Also invest In a handicap toilet seat. I know or sound weird but the higher the seat the better lol. Good luck. I know what you will be going thru so if you have any questions feel free to pm me any time. I also had good and bad days of pain free knees but the sooner u do it the better u will feel.

I do have a good bike already, currently it has become uncomfortable to pedal for long. I understand the toilet seat, I have used shorter ones and it hurts to sit down. Thank you, I've been pondering all the smaller stuff like that. I may have more questions and might be asking you.

I know what you are saying about the insurance, our share keep growing too, though it's still one of the better coverage from what I understand.

 

[donrae]

Check with the PT folks, but I think it's better to get it done while you're still in better shape. That's what they told my Mom, anyway. She was still getting around pretty well, but knew replacements were in her future. She was told to get the surgery sooner, while her muscles were still in good shape for rehab. She was told if she waited until her mobility was really impaired, her muscles would be atrophied and rehab would be that much harder.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Check with the PT folks, but I think it's better to get it done while you're still in better shape. That's what they told my Mom, anyway. She was still getting around pretty well, but knew replacements were in her future. She was told to get the surgery sooner, while her muscles were still in good shape for rehab. She was told if she waited until her mobility was really impaired, her muscles would be atrophied and rehab would be that much harder. 

That's what my gut says, but my head keeps coming up with arguments, I'm my own worse enemy. I'm getting tired of surgeries, and I wonder what will be next.

 

[csneill]

Check with the PT folks, but I think it's better to get it done while you're still in better shape. That's what they told my Mom, anyway. She was still getting around pretty well, but knew replacements were in her future. She was told to get the surgery sooner, while her muscles were still in good shape for rehab. She was told if she waited until her mobility was really impaired, her muscles would be atrophied and rehab would be that much harder. 

That is true... You may check with a local PT about a "pre-hab" program we call it- aka PT exercises you do before surgery to get your muscles strong & ready for surgery. I've had patients do just a handful of exercises for a couple weeks before knee replacement surgery & it really helps the recovery process because the muscles already know what to do... Instead of being fresh out of surgery & then trying to learn a bunch of new exercises.

 

[lazy gardener]

Check with the PT folks, but I think it's better to get it done while you're still in better shape. That's what they told my Mom, anyway. She was still getting around pretty well, but knew replacements were in her future. She was told to get the surgery sooner, while her muscles were still in good shape for rehab. She was told if she waited until her mobility was really impaired, her muscles would be atrophied and rehab would be that much harder.

I agree with everything DR says. It makes an incredible difference in the length of skilled rehab facility time required when rehabbing a knee or hip on someone who was hobbling prior to surgery, and rehabbing the knee or hip of someone who was fairly active before surgery. Exercise prior to surgery makes a huge difference as well. Some of those hobblers never do achieve normal range of motion that will allow them to walk without a limp or assistive device because their muscles are so out of balance from hobbling for so long.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's definitely on my reasons to get it done list, but it goes against some advice that says put it off as long as possible and that replacement is the last thing to do. I'm thinking those articles are older and opinions have changed recently to the point where they may be doing replacement too early on some. My legs have gotten progressively weaker over the past year, I could walk more than a mile last year but this year only about 3/4 of a mile. My legs are always fatigued, especially after the first few hours of the day and walking is always an effort even though I keep working at it.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Deleted because I can't make up my mind, I think I'm getting a second opinion, I made an appointment with a different doctor for August 22, but I also think I should go with the first doctor. I'm confused as to how to find out if a doctor is good or not.

I will definitely drive them crazy before this gets done and probably all of you guys.