bad knees

FF286 wrote:
I have had a torn meniscus in both knees, about 5 years

I assume most who have had replacements done have had work done before then. I have been told that replacement was easier to recover from than some of the other knee surgeries. Is this true? Because I know it’s in my future but I plan to put it off as long as possible.

I had torn cartilage in my right knee years ago & this knee replaced last year. Had meniscus fixed on my left one 3 years back & at some point will need some metal also. Both earlier surgerys were a piece of cake in comparison. I too did a series of the " chicken lip " shots.

FF286 wrote:
I assume most who have had replacements done have had work done before then. I have been told that replacement was easier to recover from than some of the other knee surgeries. Is this true? Because I know it’s in my future but I plan to put it off as long as possible.

My TKR surgeries were the first procedure. My arthritis was so bad I couldn’t walk more than 50 feet without pain kicking in. I should of had it done three years ago, but as my wife says “you’re a man, and not always a smart one”.

I have had a torn meniscus in both knees, about 5 years apart. The second one was done just over a year ago. The dr told me he cleaned a lot of arthritis out of the joint and at some point, hopefully at least 10 years away, I would probably be looking at replacing it. July 4 weekend we went hiking in the mountains and that evening and the next week I could barely walk. I did the series of 3 Lubrication shots in my knee and between the second and third shot it started to help. My point if if you let them scope your knee don’t write off the injections later also .


I assume most who have had replacements done have had work done before then. I have been told that replacement was easier to recover from than some of the other knee surgeries. Is this true? Because I know it’s in my future but I plan to put it off as long as possible.

DarkSkySeeker wrote:
Is it true? If you do more therapy right away after KR, you will increase your long term mobility in the long run?

I was up walking the hall about an hour after being moved from recovery to my room. PT started later that day. I really didn't have much pain but a guy at my later sessions was in extreme pain and didn't get relief.
If anyone is planning TKR DO the exercises that is suggested to do prior to surgery. It really helps.

This thread showing up is so timely for me. Thanks for everyone's experience with either replacement or repair. I finally decided, December 28 I go under the knife on one knee for repair surgery.

Doctor said there is a 50% success rate of repair surgery resulting in being pain free. Flip side of coin was injections but was told that's a 50% chance of working also.

I picked a Doctor that does all the football players. I told him I am a vary active RV'er and 'need' to get back into the game just like one of his football patients!!

So, figured I go in for good cleaning of all the stuff that is torn inside that knee! Praying it all goes well.

coolmom42 wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
Listen to your physical terrorists... oops, therapists.

The harder you work the sooner you will be pain free unless...

You turn out to be the one guy in 10,000 that is deathly allergic to the knee they put in. BTDT, I am severely allergic to cobalt(as in a cobalt chromium knee). After 6 months of hell on earth and 17 days at the VA hospital I convinced my “new” surgeon there was something seriously wrong.

They did a “revision” which is Dr speak for we have to do it over...Another 14 days at the VA hospital.
The new “Oxinium” ceramic knee works well but it will never be completely right.

Fortunately I had no withdrawal issues with all of the opioids I was on for a year.

I do not blame the VA, just my VERY bad luck.

:S

Wow. Good thing you were persistent. I worry that they don't take the time to explain all what is in or made up of that they want to stick in your body.

My dr suggested synthetic knee injections. thank god I looked up what they are made of. They are derived from Chicken Combs!!!

I am highly allergic to all the outside parts of uncooked chicken, like the skin, feathers, even just touching them.

Can you imagine what would have happened if I would of let them inject it into my body! AND the real sad part is there 'is' a warning about chicken allergies on the insert to these injections......that no doctor reads.

My advice is to read, read, read, all you can about what drugs or procedures any doctor prescribes BEFORE you take them.

So glad you are doing fine after having to have another knee replacement.:C

FYI the currently used injections are not made of chicken extract. They are totally synthetic. Those injections plus steroid injections will get you through another year or so, but eventually the knee will have to be fixed.

My wife has been using the "chicken grease" shots for a number of years. They work for about 6 months then time for another round. You are correct about them being synthetic. I tried it before TKR, but I was too far gone.

thanks for all the great feedback. great info that is all very relevant. I am 68 and intend on a full time RV lifestyle for a long time yet I understand the importance of PT. I think a positive mental attitude is also very important and thats where getting out and about in the RV really helps. nothing better than fresh air and new scenery.

rockhillmanor wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
Listen to your physical terrorists... oops, therapists.

The harder you work the sooner you will be pain free unless...

You turn out to be the one guy in 10,000 that is deathly allergic to the knee they put in. BTDT, I am severely allergic to cobalt(as in a cobalt chromium knee). After 6 months of hell on earth and 17 days at the VA hospital I convinced my “new” surgeon there was something seriously wrong.

They did a “revision” which is Dr speak for we have to do it over...Another 14 days at the VA hospital.
The new “Oxinium” ceramic knee works well but it will never be completely right.

Fortunately I had no withdrawal issues with all of the opioids I was on for a year.

I do not blame the VA, just my VERY bad luck.

:S

Wow. Good thing you were persistent. I worry that they don't take the time to explain all what is in or made up of that they want to stick in your body.

My dr suggested synthetic knee injections. thank god I looked up what they are made of. They are derived from Chicken Combs!!!

I am highly allergic to all the outside parts of uncooked chicken, like the skin, feathers, even just touching them.

Can you imagine what would have happened if I would of let them inject it into my body! AND the real sad part is there 'is' a warning about chicken allergies on the insert to these injections......that no doctor reads.

My advice is to read, read, read, all you can about what drugs or procedures any doctor prescribes BEFORE you take them.

So glad you are doing fine after having to have another knee replacement.:C

FYI the currently used injections are not made of chicken extract. They are totally synthetic. Those injections plus steroid injections will get you through another year or so, but eventually the knee will have to be fixed.

Desert Captain wrote:
Listen to your physical terrorists... oops, therapists.

The harder you work the sooner you will be pain free unless...

You turn out to be the one guy in 10,000 that is deathly allergic to the knee they put in. BTDT, I am severely allergic to cobalt(as in a cobalt chromium knee). After 6 months of hell on earth and 17 days at the VA hospital I convinced my “new” surgeon there was something seriously wrong.

They did a “revision” which is Dr speak for we have to do it over...Another 14 days at the VA hospital.
The new “Oxinium” ceramic knee works well but it will never be completely right.

Fortunately I had no withdrawal issues with all of the opioids I was on for a year.

I do not blame the VA, just my VERY bad luck.

:S

Wow. Good thing you were persistent. I worry that they don't take the time to explain all what is in or made up of that they want to stick in your body.

My dr suggested synthetic knee injections. thank god I looked up what they are made of. They are derived from Chicken Combs!!!

I am highly allergic to all the outside parts of uncooked chicken, like the skin, feathers, even just touching them.

Can you imagine what would have happened if I would of let them inject it into my body! AND the real sad part is there 'is' a warning about chicken allergies on the insert to these injections......that no doctor reads.

My advice is to read, read, read, all you can about what drugs or procedures any doctor prescribes BEFORE you take them.

So glad you are doing fine after having to have another knee replacement.:C

I’m 67, had my first knee replaced in April, back in my office 4 days later doing 6 hrs a day. Did PT 3 times a week for 5 weeks, by 8 weeks I was riding my bike 30-40 miles 5 x’s a week. Had my other replaced 8 weeks ago (6 months after the first) followed same routine and back riding. I had minor muscle pain as expected and Tylenol took care of that. By 6 weeks off of Tylenol. Range of motion before surgery was 120, first knee is 110 and the second knee is 115. PT said recovery regarding range of motion could increase up to one year providing one stays active with the excercises. Great not to have pain when I walk! Keep up the therapy.