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Joined: Jun 2006
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,049 |
Surgery should be the last option. That's my philosophy on it. Every surgery has risks, and even without a "bad" outcome, not everyone gets the same benefit. I had ACL reconstruction in 2001, that's relatively straightforward surgery. Except the surgeon nicked a nerve in my knee and the muscles in the front of my calf (anterior tibialis) were 100% paralyzed for a year and my foot flopped around like a dead fish. Had to wear a brace to hold the foot up, and people at work would say they could always tell when it was me walking down the hall. Had surgery to repair the nerve and it came back to around 70-80%, but the muscles on that calf are still skinnier than the other side.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,551
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,551 |
I had to put off a hip replacement for a year for other health reasons. Wish it wasn’t so but when i finally got the replacement, what a relief. It still aches but doesn’t hurt. I’m back to doing everything i was pre-injury except running, not that i was much of a runner anyway. That’s the one exercise the ortho told me to avoid.
"I Birn Quhil I Se" MacLeod of Lewis
I Burn While I See
Hold Fast MacLeod of Harris
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,724
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,724 |
Had my right knee replaced in 2017.
Surgery wasn't that bad, physical therapy was a mother!! Still get fluid on it once in a while.
It is better than it was before the replacement!
“Alive in JESUS!”
NRA LIFE MEMBER
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 669
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I am looking at a total right ankle replacement. (climbing accident Father's Day 1992) I hit rehab hard then and have done much better than the doctors expected I would. I just can't run or skate. Over the last couple of years its gone from chronically annoying and occasionally painful to pretty arthritic and painful most of the time. I watched videos on YouTube and its pretty intense. I'd be lying if I said it didn't scare me some.
Hoping it get it done and be ready for late elk season. We will see. Tic Toc Tic Toc
"Socialism produces bad music, bad art, social stagnation and really unhappy people", “I am a conservative, and you may not like that, but I am.” Frank Zappa 1986
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,049
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,049 |
I am looking at a total right ankle replacement. (climbing accident Father's Day 1992) I hit rehab hard then and have done much better than the doctors expected I would. I just can't run or skate. Over the last couple of years its gone from chronically annoying and occasionally painful to pretty arthritic and painful most of the time. I watched videos on YouTube and its pretty intense. I'd be lying if I said it didn't scare me some.
Hoping it get it done and be ready for late elk season. We will see. Tic Toc Tic Toc I won't ask how old you are, but I had a severely arthritic ankle and got it fused when I was 60. Did you rule out fusion? I saw two different very good ankle specialists and I asked both about replacement vs. fusion. Both told me that at my age fusion was the way to go if I wanted to stay active and do stuff like hike in the mountains. They both said that ankle joints were harder to replicate than hips or knees, and weren't as good as either. You may have already considered all this, just putting the information out there.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,080
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,080 |
All these joint replacements have one thing in common. In old age, arthritis will develop around them.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 669
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 669 |
i just turned 67. When I discussed fusion I got the impression my activities would be limited. That doctor didn't recommend a replacement though. The new doctor says both options are good but he believes I'll have much better results from an activity perspective with a new one but he certainly isn't pushing it.
He gives me shots to keep me moving and says he can keep doing that but the shots wear off sooner every time and that is probably not something I take the rest of my life.
Going to ask the doc for names of folks who are living with his work.
"Socialism produces bad music, bad art, social stagnation and really unhappy people", “I am a conservative, and you may not like that, but I am.” Frank Zappa 1986
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,049
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,049 |
My doctor told me that if I was older, and all I wanted to do was walk around the block, a replacement would be fine. But not if I wanted to keep doing strenuous outdoor stuff.
I don't feel limited. I go to the gym, do heavy weights with the lower body, just as heavy as before. Also all the same cardio exercises, stair climbers, bike riding, etc. And elk hunting in the mountains, hiking a few miles in and on steep terrain. The ankle hasn't really limited me with any of that.
One thing I've noticed, orthopedic surgeons tend to recommend what their specialty is. YMMV.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,080
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,080 |
Any fusion or joint replacement will have more limitations than the original. Can't make it like new ,but reduce pain and replace some of the lossed capabilities.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 63
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 63 |
Really? Sarcasm intended, you do realize the reason for most joint replacement is arthritis! And one you remove the cartilage and bone from the moving parts arthritis is improved.
Had a reverse shoulder replacement at age 49, my range of motion prior was 70% and dropping fast. I end up having two bad rotator cuff tendons and severe arthritis due to an injury 30 years prior.
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2021
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MartinStrummer: I (in my non-professional OPINION!) am convinced (by Doctors!) that once a joint is "damaged" it is next to impossible for that joint damage to repair itself.
Deteriorization (arthritis, bone spurs etc!) of joints will follow damage.
I do, though, thank God for the many Cortisone shots I received in my duty related damaged left knee!
Those Cortisone shots allowed me to do things (Hunting, fishing, hiking, puppy style, crawling and standing for extended periods of time) that I was pained to do or could not do before the injections started!
I received Cortisone injections in my knee for several years before I had that joint replaced.
Cortisone does NOT repair anything but, in my instance, it allowed me to resume many activities (including sleeping!) without pain.
Do not poo-poo Cortisone.
I consider it a blessing.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy By all means, if it works for you, go for it. I won't "poo-poo" cortisone. It's helped a LOT of people. I never tried it, but every joint I've had replaced was so far gone, cortisone would have been a waste of time and money. They have offered to inject my elbow, but the doctor said that due to the condition of the joint, cortisone wouldn't last very long.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
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Surgery should be the last option. When you are in your 40's or 50's maybe so. I could use two new knees, two hips, another shoulder replacement, couple of hand surgeries and a stomach surgery. Half of that, I would be layed up for 3-5 years . I will be eighty in a few months. If I figure e I might live to be 92-93. I'm not about to give up g half of what life I have left. Surgery should be the last option. When you are in your 40's or 50's maybe so. I could use two new knees, two hips, another shoulder replacement, couple of hand surgeries and a stomach surgery. Half of that, I would be layed up for 3-5 years . I will be eighty in a few months. If I figure e I might live to I be 92-93. I'm not about to give up g half of what life I have left. I'm 84 & both of my knees are bad. I've been getting cortisone injections for over a year & they help a lot in reducing pain, but still can't get around as I would like for hunting & other activities. Still contemplating TKR & can't make up my mind with few remaining years!
Talk is cheap - except when Congress does it.
Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to
take an ass whoopin'
NRA Life Member
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Joined: Dec 2015
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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my wife at 62 years old had both knees replaced the same day , had her walking 3 hours after surgery , after one year she is much better than she was at 40 years of age. i still need a left shoulder replacement but don`t want to do it yet .but in the past have had both of my shoulders have had major surgery , neck has a steel disc inserted in middle disc, major surgery on right knee ,4 back surgeries last back surgery steel plates and 12 screws in my spine , stints in heart area and one stint in my lower stomach from last back surgery caused my nicking a artery. had steroid shots today 3-23-23 one in shoulder and one in knee feels great again ! i have had so many steroid shots over many years close to 100 maybe ? in knee,shoulders ,elbows ,wrists ,back, neck ,stomach , ankle , hip and it does help ! good luck, Pete53
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
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Joined: Dec 2021
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 3,522 |
I had to put off a hip replacement for a year for other health reasons. Wish it wasn’t so but when i finally got the replacement, what a relief. It still aches but doesn’t hurt. I’m back to doing everything i was pre-injury except running, not that i was much of a runner anyway. That’s the one exercise the ortho told me to avoid. I put off replacement from 1991 to 2005. About 10 years too late! 😉 I could walk upright again. I could sit in my easy chair, comfortably, again. My back quit hurting! 😃 What a joy. All these joint replacements have one thing in common. In old age, arthritis will develop around them. When I last saw the surgeon that replaced my hip, he asked me if my back bothered me. "Why?" He held up the x-ray of my hip. "Every joint I can see in your back is eaten up with arthritis." Any fusion or joint replacement will have more limitations than the original. Can't make it like new ,but reduce pain and replace some of the lossed capabilities. When they fused my ankle, I lost a little flexibility and a little dexterity. But more than anything else, I lost a WHOLE lotta P-A-I-N!
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Joined: Sep 2011
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,824 |
Folks, as painful as it might be, we should be grateful they can do it. Back when you'd suffer, and die.
These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o
"May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,128
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2005
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The way my doctor said it to me was, Do it now while the rest of your body is still working.
The longer you wait it's like putting a new engine in a 600,000 mile Ford Pinto. DING! DING! DING! WE HAVE A WINNER! ....and don't be afraid to put that engine in that Pinto! It may be slow, but it will go many more miles! LOL! Asking a surgeon if you need surgery is like asking a barber if you need a haircut. I have had hip replacement surgery. I was 60 when I had it done, no issues and I have no real limitations. Sent 2 aunts with hip pain to my surgeon and both didn’t need a replacement. A good surgeon doesn’t need to operate on every patient that walks through the doors. Find a good surgeon and do what they tell you. Mine doesn’t believe in to much therapy, walking works pretty good. Don’t sit on your butt and then complain you don’t feel better.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
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Any fusion or joint replacement will have more limitations than the original. Can't make it like new ,but reduce pain and replace some of the lossed capabilities. My artificial knee is way better than my 61 year old knee was. The only restriction my doc put on me was running. I don't even think of my knee now unless I am kneeling. I just can't but I couldn't before TKR either. It is a total win for me.
Fight fire, save lives, laugh in the face of danger.
Stupid always finds a way.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,049
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,049 |
The way my doctor said it to me was, Do it now while the rest of your body is still working.
The longer you wait it's like putting a new engine in a 600,000 mile Ford Pinto. DING! DING! DING! WE HAVE A WINNER! ....and don't be afraid to put that engine in that Pinto! It may be slow, but it will go many more miles! LOL! Asking a surgeon if you need surgery is like asking a barber if you need a haircut. I have had hip replacement surgery. I was 60 when I had it done, no issues and I have no real limitations. Sent 2 aunts with hip pain to my surgeon and both didn’t need a replacement. A good surgeon doesn’t need to operate on every patient that walks through the doors. Find a good surgeon and do what they tell you. Mine doesn’t believe in to much therapy, walking works pretty good. Don’t sit on your butt and then complain you don’t feel better. Sitting on your butt has nothing to do with it The best alternatives to surgery in many cases involve PT and exercise. It's worked twice for me.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,895
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,895 |
Don't put it off and do nothing. Joints can be rehabilitated though without surgery if you are willing to make the changes and do the therapy. Joints, like all body parts are alive and do rebuild themselves. They don't just wear out because of age and overuse. Not every issue can be corrected without surgery, but many can.
I'm not going to give a bunch of links because if you aren't interested enough to look into the possibility yourself then you won't be interested enough to do anything except the surgery. I will say that the Knees over toes guy will give most a good starting place.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,248
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,248 |
The way my doctor said it to me was, Do it now while the rest of your body is still working.
The longer you wait it's like putting a new engine in a 600,000 mile Ford Pinto. DING! DING! DING! WE HAVE A WINNER! ....and don't be afraid to put that engine in that Pinto! It may be slow, but it will go many more miles! LOL! Asking a surgeon if you need surgery is like asking a barber if you need a haircut. I have had hip replacement surgery. I was 60 when I had it done, no issues and I have no real limitations. Sent 2 aunts with hip pain to my surgeon and both didn’t need a replacement. A good surgeon doesn’t need to operate on every patient that walks through the doors. Find a good surgeon and do what they tell you. Mine doesn’t believe in to much therapy, walking works pretty good. Don’t sit on your butt and then complain you don’t feel better. Sitting on your butt has nothing to do with it The best alternatives to surgery in many cases involve PT and exercise. It's worked twice for me. Then you likely didn't need surgery in the first place.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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