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Joined: Aug 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,259 Likes: 6 |
Having my left knee done on April 21st. What advice can you give me, pre and post op? How long before a guy can get around pretty god without canes or crutches? Thanks.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Aug 2004
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Sorry to hear you have it upcoming. Probably a good idea to get it over with though.
Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla!
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,259 Likes: 6 |
Thanks rock. I've been getting injections for the past 4 years now, and they aren't working very well anymore. Cortisone helps for a couple of months but that's it.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,932
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,932 |
I had left knee done on 20 Jan 2017. Three days in hospital. Two weeks at home with health care. On walker for one week then to cane. Then to therapy three times per week. Threw cane away. Therapy for six weeks, then quit. Had last Dr visit last week.
I'm not a 100% but close to it. I can do everything I want to do. Good luck with your surgery.
Biggest issue was trusting knee. Also putting sock on left foot, you'll figure it out. Do all your exercises while in therapy.
Beware of thieves, scammers and dishonest members on the "Fire" classifieds. Ya there is a thief here too. Whatever!!
They're all around the CampFire and everywhere.
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,688
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,688 |
Good luck with the procedure and keep us posted on your progress. I am about 2 months into my first cortisone injection on my right knee. I've been wondering how long before I have to go under the knife. Sounds like I could get by for a few years.
The biggest problem our country has is not systemic racism, it's systemic stupidity.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,104
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,104 |
If you are in good physical condition, and not overweight going in, you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can recover--if you do the post-op physical therapy religiously. I had mine done the first week in July and was back on my mountain bike by the middle of August. In the second week of October, I was hunting elk in Colorado, two days of which was in knee-deep snow.
On thing that the surgeon told me right after the surgery was to take the pain meds and stay ahead of the pain. He assured me that I was not going to become addicted, and that I needed to start working the knee right away so that it didn't stiffen up and make the PT more difficult. It worked for me.
Last edited by mudhen; 04/10/17.
Ben
Some days it takes most of the day for me to do practically nothing...
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,651 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,651 Likes: 1 |
All I can offer is a hearty good luck to you JG.
WWP53D
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,259 Likes: 6 |
I hope I can come close to your recovery mudhen. I can't say I'm a lardass.....but I've always been "not small" @ 6'2" 240lbs. In decent shape for a 56 yr old I guess. I've had 4 prior knee surgeries so I am committed to the PT deal for sure.
Thanks for the well wishes guys.
Last edited by JGRaider; 04/10/17.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 10,873
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 10,873 |
Keep us posted please. Looking at the same thing with my left knee soon.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
Best wishes, follow your Dr's advice and you should be up and going shortly . What brand of Knee is he using? 70 year old woman that lives in the development had her done a few years ago and she is quite active, still plays tennis
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 18,215 |
Trim your toenails the day before. Might be a while before you can get at em again...
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,754 Likes: 5 |
I'll post a separate thread, but I'm getting a new hip next month. Let me know how yours goes.
Sam......
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Joined: Nov 2011
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,166 |
If you are in good physical condition, and not overweight going in, you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can recover--if you do the post-op physical therapy religiously. I had mine done the first week in July and was back on my mountain bike by the middle of August. In the second week of October, I was hunting elk in Colorado, two days of which was in knee-deep snow.
On thing that the surgeon told me right after the surgery was to take the pain meds and stay ahead of the pain. He assured me that I was not going to become addicted, and that I needed to start working the knee right away so that it didn't stiffen up and make the PT more difficult. It worked for me. My experiences were a bit different, and not nearly as positive. My replacement surgery was at the end of June; there was no way I would have been able to elk hunt by October, and in fact did not hunt at all that fall (not drawing any tags didn't help, but I really wasn't ready). I did fairly well hiking around the following season, and much better this year, but still cannot stand for long periods of time, and have a tough time walking long distances. The knee continues to retain a good deal of fluid and gets pretty sore if I use it too much. Basically, some of the same issues I had prior to the surgery still exist (just as the orthopedist said they would), the positive exceptions being the lack of chronic arthritis pain and the correction of the joint deformity. For the record, I diligently did all the PT, lost 40 pounds (I'm 6', now 190#), and am in excellent physical condition otherwise. I recommend getting an ice machine. That helped quite a bit.
Last edited by PrimeBeef; 04/10/17.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,369 Likes: 2 |
JG, I have no direct experience, but plenty of my patients have had knee replacements and most all of them report they bounce back quickly and without pain!. Keys are: take your meds as directed and bust your hump doing the rehab. I know you will do fine, and am confident you will be thrilled to move around normally without chronic pain. PS- should have played 1b!
"The Democrat Party looks like Titanic survivors. Partying and celebrating one moment, and huddled in lifeboats freezing the next". Hatari 2017
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han Solo
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Posts: 512
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 512 |
I had my right knee done 12/09/2016 at the Ft. Meade VA. 3 days at Hospital, 5 days on a walker, 5 days on a cane. Knee is doing fantastic. After leaving Hospital I've taken zero pain pills (I am pretty tolerant however). Should have done this a lot earlier. The VA system here in the Black Hills is super! Good Luck to you sir.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,018 |
I'v had both knees replaced. The left knee was done first, about 5 years ago. The first week was the toughest because of the heavy meds, and the lack of sleep. Everyone I've talked to who has been thru this says the first week or two is the toughest because it really is hard to get a good nights sleep for about the first 2 to 3 weeks. Just make sure you do the PT, and if you have a therapist who pushes you, all the better. If you don't have a therapist, make sure you push yourself, and I can't stress that point enough. I was golfing, and pretty much back to normal in about 7 to 8 weeks. Again, pushing yourself with the prescribed exercises is key.
The 2nd knee I had done 2 1/2 yrs ago, and was much easier than the first. The Dr said I couldn't drive for at least 3 to 4 weeks, and I was driving in less than a week, and I was golfing in a month. I will say I was in much better shape the 2nd time. I had been working out 4-5 times a week, for a couple of years, and I believe that made the recovery much quicker. Again, I pushed myself very hard with the exercises. Today I am pain free in both knees, and can do pretty much anything I used to. The only thing that bothers me today, is kneeling on a hard surface floor.
Good luck with your surgery! Push yourself with your recovery exercises, and ice your knee as much as you can.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 11,314 Likes: 14
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2000
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I had both done December 13. Made it to SHOT a month later.
My experience: The first few days suck. After that, you get better fast.
The pills SUCK, but you gotta take them. When I got off them, I turned a huge corner and actually started getting out of bed and living again. The pills knocked me on my a$$ about as much as the actual surgery, at least after a week or so. But without them, the PT the first few days won't be as effective. Take the pills. Grin and bear the PT the first few days. Then you should start feeling better by leaps and bounds.
Ice. A LOT. Makes a huge difference.
Four months later, and I am in the weight room doing leg presses and curls, walking stairs two at a time, and pretty much feeling normal.
Godspeed!
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." Thomas Paine
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Might be to late for pre-op, but never hurts, start doing squats NOW, build up quad strength, do one leg balance exercises on that knee now. If you've been through PT before for knee surgery you know the drill!
The better shape your legs are in now the better you can recover.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,259 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,259 Likes: 6 |
JG, I have no direct experience, but plenty of my patients have had knee replacements and most all of them report they bounce back quickly and without pain!. Keys are: take your meds as directed and bust your hump doing the rehab. I know you will do fine, and am confident you will be thrilled to move around normally without chronic pain. PS- should have played 1b! There was this guy named Will Clark that screwed that deal up......
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,718
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,718 |
"On thing that the surgeon told me right after the surgery was to take the pain meds and stay ahead of the pain. He assured me that I was not going to become addicted, and that I needed to start working the knee right away so that it didn't stiffen up and make the PT more difficult. It worked for me. "
This in spades.....do not get behind pain meds....my wife had it 2 years ago and learned real quick to not do that. She is much tougher than I and thought she could do it drug free... HAH! Not gonna happen.
Good luck!
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