Galvorien52
Ft Benning, GA
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Joined: 02/06/2007
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I want to have it done - both knees - but am being told that it's not bad enough to warrent surgery. What do you have to do...be on morphine? Be totally incapacitated? Anyway, how was the surgery, how was the recovery, and how do you like it now?
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tom_kat
way upstate new york/lake george area
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Joined: 02/28/2005
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wife had it done to one knee, had to ware a leg brace for a little while to keep the leg straight they gave her some pain killers, no narcotics or morphine. its been a couple of years and the problem is coming back and worse then before. having both done at the same time would be harder then one at a time at least you can get around on one leg better then none. they did it in day surgery was home the same day and took the rest of the day to get over being knocked out by the drugs. but was up the first day hobbling around but had stay off the leg as much as possible for awhile and use ice packs on the swelling.she only had some cartilage repaired or removed.
1985 Class A Holiday Rambler Imperial 33 +1979 Class C Holiday Rambler Statesman 1000 = 24 ft
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mockturtle
Northwest
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Joined: 05/31/2005
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I love my new knee! Had my right knee replaced two years ago and I wish I hadn't waited so long! I hobbled around on it for six years before taking the plunge. Recovery requires pain meds and lots of physical therapy, but is definitely worth it. I was driving in three weeks, hiking in six months. My main problems in the first few weeks were lack of sleep and some medication-related issues but nothing major. Main thing to look for is a surgeon who does LOTS of knee replacements. Talk to some of his or her patients, if possible.
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This car used to be our toad, now is our TV!
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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I think they are thinking about your age in this case. How old are you, if you are in your 50's they try to get you to wait.
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mockturtle
Northwest
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old guy wrote:I think they are thinking about your age in this case. How old are you, if you are in your 50's they try to get you to wait. I was only in my fifties! 
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Tiger4x4RV
San Diego County, California
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Joined: 03/14/2007
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I am on the waiting list for total knee replacement (2 more months) after years of being in denial. Everyone I talked to in my research says that their only regret is that they waited so long to have it done. Mockturtle, do they give everyone some sort of post-surgery-hypnotic suggestion to get them to say that?
My doctors looked at all of the quality of life issues: constant pain, life shrinking from being an active hiker to being a couch potato due to knee, pain awakening me in the night, etc. My x-rays showed that arthroscopic surgery could do nothing for me. So it will be the whole thing.
Read everything you can get your hands on. A good place to start is Medlineplus.gov knee replacement info.
If you don't like what you doctor says, get a second opinion. Get the help you need, but don't be having this surgery just because it seems to be the trendy thing to do.
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Ghost9mm
Super Super
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Joined: 07/22/2001
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Hello...
I had both knees replaced 8 weeks ago..Yes both..it was tough the first few weeks... would I do it again..you bet..My knee pain is gone..I am 70 years old and walk and ride my bike with NO pain...
The surgeon that did mine is only 52 years old and has his own knee replacement..So when I finally had enough pain..I did look for a surgeon who had lots of experience.
My only advice would be is to find a well experienced surgeon...
and be sure to do all of your rehab...and be careful how long you take the meds..Good Luck..
Here is the xray of my knees now...Sexy Huh!!!
* This post was
edited 05/08/08 07:25pm by Ghost9mm *
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shadoow
South Texas
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Joined: 09/25/2007
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had both of mine replaced 3 yrs. ago at 58 yrs. old. The replacements aren't as good as the OEM ones, but definitely the lessor of 2 evils for me. My doc was hesitant to do the replacement because of my age cause he felt i'd need them done again fore i die & may not be in good enough health to re-do them. I told him i'd like to be able to get some enjoyment out of life while i was still able to walk. What good would new knees do me if i was too old to use them!!!!
Anyhooo, it wasn't that big of a deal. I did the physical therapy thing for a couple months & am walking fine with no issues. I can't squat on my legs anymore. I can only kneel down so far & afte that, it's laying on the floor time. For me, there wasn't what i'd call pain afte a couple of days, but more like numbness (loss of nerve sensitivy) and a stiffness. Eventually the nerves healed themselve & the numbness went away for the most part.
When i had it done i couldn't walk but a couple of blocks before i'd have to sit down & give my knees a chance to recover + i was so bow-legged i looked like an old cowpoke!! I was a sight....rocking from side to side !!!
Anyhooo (2)...if you think you're ready, then your ready.
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webhannet
Southern Coastal Maine
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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My surgeon upped the ante - he's requiring me to lose 50 pounds first! IF I COULD WALK.... maybe!
I'm told the replacements may not last more than 12 years. Perhaps that is why they try to make people delay.
I'm looking at it as the "entrance exam" for "OLD AGE".
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AK Old Timer
Juneau, AK
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Joined: 12/02/2007
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My knees have bothered me for several years. The best advice I ever got was "Get 'er done....so you can have more time to enjoy them!" I had my right knee replaced in January and what a relief....no more pain! The rehab was tough but very necessary. I was able to drive within 2 weeks. I do have a little difficulty getting up from a low couch or chair and climbing long flights of stairs. Just need to continue to exercise. At the end of the surgery they gave me some shots in the left knee to relieve the pain and reduce the stress on my remaining bad knee. The shots have worked pretty well but I will have to have the left knee replaced probably eary this fall. My Doctor told me the replacement knees would last at least 20 years. I'm 65 so that sounded OK to me. The metal part is titanium with a ceramic coating at the joint ends. The ceramic ends are separated by a plastic disk. My kneecap was not salavageable so they added in a plastic kneecap.
Was it worth it? Absolutely yes! I no longer have to walk with a "swagger".
* This post was
edited 05/08/08 08:37pm by AK Old Timer *
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