Knee replacement

RayGeode

Question for anyone who has had a knee replacement.
Are you happy with it ?
Do you wish you hadn’t done it?

Pretty important:
When you made the decision to do it, was, pain free walking still a viable alternative or was it no longer an option?

I have to make a pretty big decision here
I’m 71, fit, I can walk. Bike,and play pickleball ok until I forget and strain my knee due to overwork or overexertion. When I forget that I have this injury, and strain it again, it has me going through repetitions of rest and recovery which normally takes over a month.
Notably , my knee has loosened up in recent years. It clicks more now. Walking on uneven ground is a challenge as I’m clearing out tree branches from our back woods. I dare not put a step wrong. Thanks for your help.

GadgetsRme

RayGeode I have a friend who is 6wks post-op. He just started playing pickle ball and riding his bike this week. That said you have to know that he is and was in excellent condition before the surgery. He is a retired RN and did due diligence on his selection of a surgeon. He made sure to check out the replacement knee and adhesive that the surgeon was to use. Point being, you need to check out everything you can and thoroughly vet the surgeon and procedure. Also make sure you personally are as prepared as you can be. Do all this and your chances of a successful replacement knee are pretty good.

RayGeode

GadgetsRme

Thanks. I’ve decided to go ahead with it based on positive responses from my other social network. A main goal of mine will be an auto trip about 100 miles away 2 months after surgery. Luckily my cruise control is adaptive being it’s a 2025 model. My wife maybe could also take the wheel although she has never as of yet while I am available.

GadgetsRme

The biggest thing after is the rehab. My friend, Ed, is an exercise-aholic. Rehab is a first priority every day. His range of motion is already to 90% of his rehab goal set by the surgeon and rehab tech.

JanJ

RayGeode
At 76, I had left Knee Replaced. (2 years ago)

It was the worst of the two.

Not gonna mince words: I hated everyone the first month. (I hear that is Normal). Physical therapy started 30 min after surgery “You cannot leave here until you walk 200’ down the hall and go up and down 2 steps at hall end, by the elevator!”
Physical therapy began in ernest the Next Day, continued for 3 months. Now it’s fine. I’d say I have 90-95% of range of motion and same strength as before. I’m babying the right knee so I don’t have to do that one. I seem to be winning that. even with me resuming full outdoor work schedule (1.6Acre forested mountain lot with pond).
I still work in yard, minor chain saw work, do riding mower maintenance and go to exercise at Rec Center. It’s easier than before surgery. We did a Viking River cruise 3.5 months later, and I did many walking tours, though I was bringing up the rear! (Your trip 2 months later is a bit “tight” in the Physical Therapy area… in my opinion!)

If I was to have it done over, yes I would do it again. I’m still trying to avoid second one because there is no “Fast Forward” button on the recovering schedule! I was so looking for the “FFWD” Button!
My Doctor is a Kid! 20 something, less than half age of my kids!

Don’t Skimp on physical Therapy. Do the work!

GeekGirl1

I had a knee replacement 2 years ago. I was playing pickleball with a bone-on-bone knee.

The first 2 weeks were pure hell with pain. The doctor said that I should rehab through the pain because I couldn’t hurt what he did. Under his direction, I took my pain meds before working out. It helped considerably.

Important: Now that you have the surgery, it’s very important that you start your rehab before the surgery. You want those muscles in the best possible shape before surgery so you’ll be all that much better post-op.

I was back playing pickleball after 10 weeks. However… it took another month or so to play like I was before the operation. Another month or so later, I was playing far better because my knee was 100% healed.