Knee Replacement

[bigleonski]

OK, more of a campfire discussion, although Grenadier related because it’s likely to stop me from driving it for a month or so.

After a long time of pain and the last six months (3 in a brace) of not being able to walk much further than a few hundred metres without pulling up sore, I’m booked in for a full right knee replacement in the first week of June. No alternative, it’s apparently stuffed (proper medical term for it).

I assume rightly or wrongly that within the demographic here there may be some experience with this.

So, partly to eleviate or confirm my various concerns about this, I thought I’d seek the general consensus of the Grenious Forum Swarm around the real world experience of what I can expect in terms of the initial replacement, length of time before I can start to bushwalk properly etc etc, and perhaps dos and don’ts from those that have been throught this without having to consult Youtube etc.

So, what do I have to look forward to?

Oh, I’m 60 next month, 20+kgs overweight but relatively fit for all of that, with daily walking of 5-10km and karate twice a week the norm until this became a problem.

 

[grnamin]

Here's hoping you heal up quickly!

 

[Jiman01]

OK, more of a campfire discussion, although Grenadier related because it’s likely to stop me from driving it for a month or so.

After a long time of pain and the last six months (3 in a brace) of not being able to walk much further than a few hundred metres without pulling up sore, I’m booked in for a full right knee replacement in the first week of June. No alternative, it’s apparently stuffed (proper medical term for it).

I assume rightly or wrongly that within the demographic here there may be some experience with this.

So, partly to eleviate or confirm my various concerns about this, I thought I’d seek the general consensus of the Grenious Forum Swarm around the real world experience of what I can expect in terms of the initial replacement, length of time before I can start to bushwalk properly etc etc, and perhaps dos and don’ts from those that have been throught this without having to consult Youtube etc.

So, what do I have to look forward to?

Oh, I’m 60 next month, 20+kgs overweight but relatively fit for all of that, with daily walking of 5-10km and karate twice a week the norm until this became a problem.

A good friend of mine had a double knee replacement a year ago. I’ll ask him for you if you’d like. It was surprising how quickly he started PT. I wanna say they had him walking the first or second day (with assistance of course).

Apparently this was a replacement for a previous replacement. I guess they wear out with time/use. He joked he won’t be alive for a third knee replacement.

 

[DaBull]

OK, more of a campfire discussion, although Grenadier related because it’s likely to stop me from driving it for a month or so.

After a long time of pain and the last six months (3 in a brace) of not being able to walk much further than a few hundred metres without pulling up sore, I’m booked in for a full right knee replacement in the first week of June. No alternative, it’s apparently stuffed (proper medical term for it).

I assume rightly or wrongly that within the demographic here there may be some experience with this.

So, partly to eleviate or confirm my various concerns about this, I thought I’d seek the general consensus of the Grenious Forum Swarm around the real world experience of what I can expect in terms of the initial replacement, length of time before I can start to bushwalk properly etc etc, and perhaps dos and don’ts from those that have been throught this without having to consult Youtube etc.

So, what do I have to look forward to?

Oh, I’m 60 next month, 20+kgs overweight but relatively fit for all of that, with daily walking of 5-10km and karate twice a week the norm until this became a problem.

Hi bigleonski, I have not personally experienced a knee replacement, however from friends that have, the first few days can be a bitch, however after that and some
time, they all wish they had done it sooner and not endured the pain they had for so long before the operation. Take your time and don't overdo it. The very best to you and a great recovery for more adventures later on. On more point, get off those damm pain meds as soon as possible. DaBull

 

[Cheshire cat]

I have two new hips in the last four years. I was back on physical work four weeks later although officially, not allowed back for three months.
I opted for Robotically assisted surgery which the can use on knees also. Makes for a more accurate replacement.
A knee replacement is more complicated than a hip and I have several friends with positive experiences regarding knee replacement. All were able to resume the same physical challenges as they were used to within three months. Apparently, correct and dilligent physio plays a large part in a successful outcome.

 

[DaveB]

OK, more of a campfire discussion, although Grenadier related because it’s likely to stop me from driving it for a month or so.

After a long time of pain and the last six months (3 in a brace) of not being able to walk much further than a few hundred metres without pulling up sore, I’m booked in for a full right knee replacement in the first week of June. No alternative, it’s apparently stuffed (proper medical term for it).

I assume rightly or wrongly that within the demographic here there may be some experience with this.

So, partly to eleviate or confirm my various concerns about this, I thought I’d seek the general consensus of the Grenious Forum Swarm around the real world experience of what I can expect in terms of the initial replacement, length of time before I can start to bushwalk properly etc etc, and perhaps dos and don’ts from those that have been throught this without having to consult Youtube etc.

So, what do I have to look forward to?

Oh, I’m 60 next month, 20+kgs overweight but relatively fit for all of that, with daily walking of 5-10km and karate twice a week the norm until this became a problem.

I had both mine replaced at the same time in February 2012.
I couldn't walk more than 20-30 metres
Best thing I ever did.
Make sure you use a good surgeon
I used David Lu at Pacific Private Hospital on the Gold Coast.
He is top 5 in Australia.
He checked mine in January 2022 and said they were still great and come back in 5 years for another check up.

Be warned it hurts a lot for the first few days after surgery so you will need a lot of ice and pain killers.
I went straight into rehab at the hospital and was walking without crutches after 5 days.
I pushed hard though to get to that point and I was a lot younger than most of the other patients at only 49 years old.

While I can't train in Karate or jiu Jitsu anymore, or play squash, I did go skiing in New Zealand a couple of years after.

 

[pedrogb]

My mum had the double knee replacement done at the same time. Best advice she got was do the pre surgery physiotherapy diligently, build up muscle structure around it to support it afterwards. She barely took pain killers afterwards. But she's tough. She had eight kids. Took no shit either.

 

[Tazzieman]

Once you get over the first 6 months ( every case is different but previously active people have a rehab advantage), the world of normality opens up again.
Anecdotal but close to home, our avid bushwalking friend completed the Cornish coast and Slovenian mountain walk tours last year, both within a 3 week period. She was 64.

 

[DaveB]

Once you get over the first 6 months ( every case is different but previously active people have a rehab advantage), the world of normality opens up again.
Anecdotal but close to home, our avid bushwalking friend completed the Cornish coast and Slovenian mountain walk tours last year, both within a 3 week period. She was 64.

I find twisting motions are concerning but everything else is great.
I would be better if I lost 20 kgs but I walked all over Italy, Sicily and Sardinia and the never ending stone stairs numerous times over the last 10 years with no problem at all.
This included carrying a backpack for much of it.
This was a morning walk around Paris back in April 2018, 13.64 kms and a short afternoon stroll around Rome in September 2019
We don't go on organised tours as we are very comfortable travelling on foot and public transport.
I applied my martial arts training mind set to my rehab and recovered extremely well. As you suggested @Tazzieman if you are previously an active person it certainly helps.
I had several people in my rehab group who had very little activity in their life previously and so at the first sign of pain or discomfort they would stop.
I started to track on a map the major locations I had walked around in Europe after I had my knees replaced but gave up in early 2018

Never regretted one minute of getting both knees done at the same time.
Well maybe the first week after the operation.

 

[Tazzieman]

@bigleonski can you get the robotic surgery?

 

[Logsplitter]

Ive had both knees replaced around 6years ago. Done separately as apparently recovery is quicker although the older you get there is more risk of complications from general anaesthetic. I had second knee replaced around 9 months after the first and was doing 12 mile cycle ride within 6 weeks of surgery.
Knee replacements for me were a great success. I struggled to walk far before surgery without lots of painkillers. I was encouraged to get legs as strong as possible before surgery with the help of pain relief.
I’ve also had a shoulder replacement 9 years ago having struggled to move my arm above shoulder height after a serious accident involving farm machinery many years ago. After the initial accident I was told I would never be able to fully use my arm again so I stopped physiotherapy and started doing my own. Sixty two years old now and still doing pull ups, press ups and lots of other exercise inc splitting logs
All the best with the surgery and recovery.

 

[Clark Kent]

Ive had both knees replaced around 6years ago. Done separately as apparently recovery is quicker although the older you get there is more risk of complications from general anaesthetic. I had second knee replaced around 9 months after the first and was doing 12 mile cycle ride within 6 weeks of surgery.
Knee replacements for me were a great success. I struggled to walk far before surgery without lots of painkillers. I was encouraged to get legs as strong as possible before surgery with the help of pain relief.
I’ve also had a shoulder replacement 9 years ago having struggled to move my arm above shoulder height after a serious accident involving farm machinery many years ago. After the initial accident I was told I would never be able to fully use my arm again so I stopped physiotherapy and started doing my own. Sixty two years old now and still doing pull ups, press ups and lots of other exercise inc splitting logs
All the best with the surgery and recovery.

Great to hear you're back living a full life, including your recent Africa trip.
I can see how your forum username was an easy choice. "Pull-ups" or "Press-ups" would be just weird.

 

[Clark Kent]

OK, more of a campfire discussion, although Grenadier related because it’s likely to stop me from driving it for a month or so.

After a long time of pain and the last six months (3 in a brace) of not being able to walk much further than a few hundred metres without pulling up sore, I’m booked in for a full right knee replacement in the first week of June. No alternative, it’s apparently stuffed (proper medical term for it).

I assume rightly or wrongly that within the demographic here there may be some experience with this.

So, partly to eleviate or confirm my various concerns about this, I thought I’d seek the general consensus of the Grenious Forum Swarm around the real world experience of what I can expect in terms of the initial replacement, length of time before I can start to bushwalk properly etc etc, and perhaps dos and don’ts from those that have been throught this without having to consult Youtube etc.

So, what do I have to look forward to?

Oh, I’m 60 next month, 20+kgs overweight but relatively fit for all of that, with daily walking of 5-10km and karate twice a week the norm until this became a problem.

All the best @bigleonski. Remember @DenisM and I are around and can help keep up the miles on your Grenadier while you're out of the saddle .

 

[Jean Mercier]

My turn to "complain"

After participating at an old men's judo competition end of March and quite some pain afterwards, and a last judo training two weeks ago, and a lot of pain at both hips again, I decided finally to do something about my hips: both worn and need replacement. I have an appointment next week with the surgeon who already replaced both hips successfully from a much younger team member.
I know already more than 10 years that "some day" I would need to do that.
My team member is very happy with his new hips.
I have some previous experience, as I had two surgeries (first one was a failure) at my right knee (ligaments) about 35 years ago. I am 67.
But thanks to that knee surgery I could do Judo until some weeks ago.

 

[Tazzieman]

Any young guy reading this thread won't tick the <martial arts> exercise box!
Head over to the mountain biking and kite surfing school instead
Joints get battered over time. Bushings may one day need replacing if you use your <built on purpose> body.

 

[bigleonski]

@bigleonski can you get the robotic surgery?

Funny you say that. I’ve had at least three people say DON’T get robotic surgery. But no, traditional surgery.
I’m using the same ortho that did both my meniscus 15 years ago. Well known, well regarded.

My left knee wasn’t as badly trimmed 15 years ago so probably has a few years of life yet, although it has gotten sore lately having had to compensate for the right, so it’ll get done eventually.

 

[Braydo]

This thread and another regarding age(ing) is causing me concern. Is the association of the ailments of ageing and the Grenadier one of correlation or causation?

 

[grnamin]

This thread and another regarding age(ing) is causing me concern. Is the association of the ailments of ageing and the Grenadier one of correlation or causation?

Age.

 

[trobex]

Funny you say that. I’ve had at least three people say DON’T get robotic surgery. But no, traditional surgery.
I’m using the same ortho that did both my meniscus 15 years ago. Well known, well regarded.

My left knee wasn’t as badly trimmed 15 years ago so probably has a few years of life yet, although it has gotten sore lately having had to compensate for the right, so it’ll get done eventually.

Sore lately... sure it's not the RHD footwell intrusion pushing your knee around...?

 

[bigleonski]

Sore lately... sure it's not the RHD footwell intrusion pushing your knee around...?

Come to think of it………..
I don’t notice the pain when I’m driving the Wombat, maybe because my grin is too wide.