Total knee replacement issues.

Words of wisdom, "DON'T HAVE BOTH KNESS DONE AT THE SAME TIME"!!!!!!!!!

To expand on my previous post, If you are thinking of RVing during the first month or 2 post surgery, I would not advise that. The first month you can't do too much exercise. As I remember, I would lie on the sofa most of the day, trying to touch my heel to my rear, or trying to straighten my leg. It paid off.

Use your pain meds and work hard. You will be glad you did.

After my second TKR, at the one year follow up we were talking with my surgeon and the subject of kneeling came up. I was not having subcutaneous pain but a friend was, I asked the Dr. why neither one of my knees hurt when a friends. His reply was that I should look at the scar on my knee(6.25" w/32 staples for closure) and then friends scar. The Dr. explained he cut as far off center to the outside of the knee as possible and he would bet my friends scar was in the center of the new patella.

Sure enough, about 3/4 of an inch off. He said that was far enough to keep the pain to a minimum when kneeling.

We are full timers and had a total knee replacement in January 2016. What everyone is not telling you is that it is a full year of recovery. After 7 months, my knee is still stiff, numb (may be permanent) and sore and this is completely normal. I have resumed my normal activities but my knee is still swelled up 3 inches bigger than the other knee. I did not have long term bone on bone arthritis (Ihad avascular necrosis which is bone death) so I did not experience the relief that many with arthritis experience after a replacement. It is serious surgery and you will be shocked on how long the recovery is. However, I had no issues at all living in the RV while recovering after surgery.

LewTeam wrote:
Hello everyone. Just retired in December and once we get a couple of things paid off we plan to purchase an RV hopefully early next year. My question this afternoon concerns a potential health issue. I have some pretty bad knees and am facing probably a knee repair soon. If it can't be repaired I may be facing at least one total knee replacement. What are some issues that you all have faced concerning camping with either needing knee replacement, or, camping after having knee replacement?

Thanks ahead of time. I always appreciate your information and opinions.

Mike Lew

I have no direct experience camping, but am now 10 weeks out from a knee replacement and can tell you some things that are very important.

*Go to a surgeon and facility that do a LOT of knee replacements. Your surgeon's skill is the single biggest factor in how you do. If you are in the Nashville area, go to someone at Southern Joint Replacement Institute.

*Do your pre-op exercises. It will help a lot after the fact.

*You will be in the hospital 2-3 nights, depending on the time of day you have surgery and your general condition.

*Standard practice is a nerve block with oral pain meds on board before it wears off. At no point should you be in extreme pain.

*STEPS are not a good thing. You will need to minimize the amount you do, and do them 2-footed. They should teach you how in the hospital. This could be a factor getting in/out of your RV. You will definitely need a good hand-hold. Step DOWN with the operative leg first and UP with the good leg first.

*You will have a circulating ice water cold pack to use at night. You will need freezer space to freeze about 10 small water bottles to use with it---some to freeze and some to use.

*You will need at least 2 re-usable cold packs to use during the day. You will also need freezer space for these.

*Do EXACTLY what you are told to do so far as meds, exercises, etc. If you have questions, call your dr.

*You should expect 6-10 weeks physical therapy, 2-3 times per week, plus exercises to do at home on the days off. They won't be fun, but should not be extremely painful.

*At the end of PT, you should have 0-120 degrees range of motion in the knee, plus good strength. You will still have some general soreness, and be uncomfortable if you do too much. But you will be better than you are now!

*Don't put off the replacement if you need it. The longer your leg is weak, and the longer you walk incorrectly to favor it, the longer it will take you to get to 100% after surgery. If it's inevitable, go ahead and do it.

Good luck!

I know several people with single/dual knee replacements. The ones that stay active - exercise, walk, etc. are doing just fine. The ones that sit around, not so much. The key is don't stop moving. You most likely will have to endure some pain initially, but nothing to stop one with a strong will from moving and healing.

Good luck!

Another happy knee replacement person here! We have both had them. It's really commonplace nowadays.

First, don't put off surgery thinking it'll get better. It won't. Do the surgery and your life will be good again. Why suffer when you don't have to?

They'll have you walking steps the first day so RV steps will not be a problem.

Do the physical therapy completely - usually four to six weeks and also at home daily. Push it hard. Yes, it'll hurt. If you don't push it you won't have a complete extension and bend. It's not going to break by working it hard. My doctor explained how they bend it every which way while still in the operating room to make sure it's working properly.

It's now usually an overnight or two nights at the most.

Take the meds and the therapy will be a lot easier.

At 10 weeks we were both playing pickleball (similar to tennis) and hiking. We do one or the other 5x/week. We're 75.

Our new knees feel so much better when we use them as in exercise rather than sitting.

We drove the car at three weeks. Driving an RV I'd recommend at least 8 weeks. Get a nice campsite and relax!

We had a friend that the physical therapist even came to his RV.

RVing is definitely doable after replacements and it'll be much better for you.

kalynzoo wrote:
My wife had both knees replaced, first one, then the other 2 years later. I have one knee replacement and a plate and screws in the opposing foot. After surgery plan on a bunch of physical therapy, and do it religiously The people I know who tend to complain about life after knee replacement (in my opinion) did not follow the physical therapy regime required for recover. Best to you, and Happy Trails

Absolutely 100% accurate!!!!! PHYSICAL THERAPY after the surgery is critical. Failure to completely do all your Physical Therapy will result in serious medical problems in the future!!!!!

DW has had two knee replacements. I've had triple heart bypass, a stent, pacemaker, and just had back surgery. Still going. Just do the PT.

TKR six years ago. Followed doctors instructions and breezed through therapy.
I was running my snow blower 4 weeks after surgery. Doctor told me no crawling on knees, running and jumping, so I don't. I can walk bicycle with no restrictions. (Different doctors will have different opinions)
I do home remodeling, install a cover on our Southwind and work on the roof, no problems.
For the most part, I forget I had a knee replaced.