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Executive45's avatar
Executive45
Explorer III
Mar 25, 2016

On the ROAD - to recovery that is....

For those that know me, you know I was severely injured in a motorcycle accident some years ago. As a result of those injuries I've had to wear a brace on my right leg for the past 6 years or so. Well, this past year has been horrible so I went to the doc and we decided to do something about it. Three weeks ago, I had a total knee replacement. WOW ! talk about pain! That said, I am now up and about again and while the pain is terrible, I finally am feeling confident I made the correct choice in having the surgery. (P.S. If you're considering this surgery, do not Google it!) Three weeks now, post surgery and I've thrown away the walker and only use the cane at times. Flexion this afternoon shows my new knee at 113 degrees! Still cannot drive for another 30 days but I'm making good progress and hoping to get back on the highway by summer.

Life is good again....:):):)...Dennis
Class A
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    Executive wrote:
    For those that know me, you know I was severely injured in a motorcycle accident some years ago. As a result of those injuries I've had to wear a brace on my right leg for the past 6 years or so. Well, this past year has been horrible so I went to the doc and we decided to do something about it. Three weeks ago, I had a total knee replacement. WOW ! talk about pain! That said, I am now up and about again and while the pain is terrible, I finally am feeling confident I made the correct choice in having the surgery. (P.S. If you're considering this surgery, do not Google it!) Three weeks now, post surgery and I've thrown away the walker and only use the cane at times. Flexion this afternoon shows my new knee at 113 degrees! Still cannot drive for another 30 days but I'm making good progress and hoping to get back on the highway by summer.

    Life is good again....:):):)...Dennis


    Sorry for the long road to recovery and all the pain involved but REAL
    happy for you that you will soon be back RV'ing. :C
  • Sidesaddle1's avatar
    Sidesaddle1
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    Welcome back, Dennis. Wondered where you'd been. Missed your posts. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
  • Anmacc2's avatar
    Anmacc2
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    As a result of a motorcycle accident I had a knee replacement five years ago. Do the PT! Do the exercises! Be active! Push through the recovery. I totally forget that I had it done. I have no limitations and it's like my own. BTW/I've continued riding until this year but DW has had some health challenges and we retired the bikes as of the new year. Considering a trike, or can am, or a slingshot. Will decide after our next road trip, 7000 miles over two months leaving April 28th! Good luck and recovery for you!!!
  • smlranger's avatar
    smlranger
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    Dennis, glad you are on the mend. My wife had one knee replaced a few years ago and it was several months before she was fully recovered. She has RA so that complicated things.

    I am a retired hospital executive and one of my areas was orthopedics. I worked closely with the surgeons and became fascinated with the complexities of joint replacement. I observed many cases in the OR. The advancements in techniques and the implants are impressive. Once over that initial period of post op pain, most knee replacement patients did very well. True also for hip replacements, especially with the newer minimally-invasive procedures.

    Get back on the road and enjoy your new bionic knee :-)
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Mar 25, 2016
    One of the guys that I bowl with works at a company that makes the knees, shoulders, elbows, hips, and other spare parts for replacement. Did you get one of the plastic or titanium knees?
    The team that I bowl on is called "Spare Parts" because one guy has had both knees replaced, one has one new hip, I have titanium bolts holding my back together, and the other guy makes the parts. Even with these parts, each of us is carrying a 200+ average. It does take work and you have to go through the PT to insure a good recovery. Best of luck for a complete recovery.
  • mfox20's avatar
    mfox20
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    Glad you are on the mend Dennis and glad to see you back. I always look forward to your post.
  • John_Joey's avatar
    John_Joey
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    Anmacc2 wrote:
    ... Do the PT! Do the exercises! Be active! Push through the recovery.


    x2
  • dverstra's avatar
    dverstra
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    Great to hear that you are on the mend.

    John&Joey wrote:
    Anmacc2 wrote:
    ... Do the PT! Do the exercises! Be active! Push through the recovery.


    x2


    X3 Do the PT!
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    I had my left knee replaced about 4 years ago. Long road to recovery but once in PT it starts getting better. All that said, I was still farming. Replacement knees are good but not like the original. I had to give up farming. Way too much stress on replacement knee. Good to go on everthing else though. Stick with the PT.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    WyoTraveler wrote:
    I had my left knee replaced about 4 years ago. Long road to recovery but once in PT it starts getting better. All that said, I was still farming. Replacement knees are good but not like the original. I had to give up farming. Way too much stress on replacement knee. Good to go on everthing else though. Stick with the PT.

    I had a TKR five years ago. No, a replacement knee is not better than a real knee. But, it's a whole lot better than a worn out real knee.

    Dennis, do the exercises and you will be back to normal and driving very soon.

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