Surgery or Not?

[Dayzee]

Hi everyone. I'm looking for personal input from any of you who has had knee replacement surgery. My hubby just got back from a visit with the surgeon and is now questioning his decision - should he have his knee replaced or not???? Hubby had pretty much decided that he was going to schedule surgery for this summer, so that he could go through re-hab and be fit-as-a-fiddle by the time we return to TV in October. After reading the literature given to him by the surgeon, he has MANY questions - and who better to answer these particular questions than someone who has gone through the process. He knows that everyone is different and his results may not be the same but would you please share your experiences - negative or positive. How does your pain compare before and after? Was your mobility greatly affected? Are you able to participate in activities (golf, exercise, walking/hiking, etc.)? How long did it take you to 'get back to normal' so to speak? Thanks in advance.

[kathyzapp]

I have had both my knees and both my hips replaced. Since the surgeries, I no longer have pain in these joints. I can do any type of exercise I want.

It's been a while since my knee replacements. I had physical therapy in the hospital, two weeks at home and a few more weeks at a PT center.

Having the replacements was the best decision for me.

[blueash]

I can't help you with the big question, yes or no, but I would encourage DH to do a rehabilitation program BEFORE any surgery. This is sometimes called pre-habilitation. Fairly good data suggests better outcome after knee surgery in those who did a formal or at home program for 4 to 8 weeks before the operation

[njbchbum]

best advice i can offer - having lived with and assisted post-op - find a surgeon who does the surgery WITHOUT cutting muscles, ligaments, tendons! and post-op make sure all parties understand the rehab plan so that you will know if staff is following same rather than pushing too much or too little!

blueash's advice to do a pre-surgical rehab is great advice, too - as long as no muscle, etc is gonna be severed.

the procedure that pushes/shoves muscle, etc out of the way facilitates a much better recovery and rehab.

best of luck to your hubs with the surgery - and to you with the post-op care!

[TerpDawg]

Had both of mine replaced two years apart and it has been great. Make sure you do the pre-op PT program and be prepared to work even harder in a post-op PT program for 6 weeks or so. I was playing golf five weeks after mine. DO IT!!!!!!!!!

[Frank7]

I also suffered with pain for years, the knee replacement was a complete success. Just look forward to 90% of the agility you had twenty years ago without pain. Get ready for swelling and hard work for three to five weeks and After that your on your way.

Good Luck, go for it you won't be sorry

[njbchbum]

I also suffered with pain for years, the knee replacement was a complete success. Just look forward to 90% of the agility you had twenty years ago without pain. Get ready for swelling and hard work for three to five weeks and After that your on your way.

Good Luck, go for it you won't be sorry

not everyone os so fortunate, frank7. my friend had her replacement 15 months ago - surgery cut the muscle. etc. - is on 3rd or 4th rehab session - knee still swells and stiffens after walking for only a brief time - - she can press 50lbs on front and back of her legs in the gym - just had mri and pix not clear because knee is metal appliance - must now go for cat san instead.

other friend had knee replacement surgery - muscle cut, etc - developed inordinate amount of scar tissue during rehab - had arthroscopic procedure to scrape out scar tissue and 8 wks after initial surgery began a whole new rehab process.

3 - 5 weeks doesn't make it for everyone :(

[marennorge]

Cutting muscles for knee surgery is old school. The muscles are usually stretched not cut, but I suppose you should ask anyway.

I had both of mine done in 2008, 9 weeks apart. Best decision I ever made. Rehab or a good exercise program before surgery would be helpful to build up muscle strength. I was going to Curves and that helped a lot. Key to recovery is to do the exercises faithfully.

Check out Hip & Knee Joint Replacement Info | Forum | Clinics | Surgeons | BoneSmart (http://www.bonesmart.org) for lots of info about both knee and hip surgery. There are forums there where you can get real time answers to your questions from folks who are contemplating or recovering from surgery. It was a lifesaver for me to be able to talk with people who knew exactly what I had been through.

Good luck and don't hesitate. I can just about do anything I want WITHOUT pain.

[Dayzee]

Hubby has read your posts and thanks you all for sharing. His surgeon has discussed the process in detail with him and hubby knows for a fact that no muscles will be cut during the surgery. He is also in very good physical condition as he has had a gym membership for many years and goes regularly. His legs are strong and doc told him he should re-hab quicker than the average patient. Hubby talks like he is leaning toward having it done. He realizes that there is always the possibility of complications after sursery like this. Right now he's on the calendar for July 31 - but still in question.

For those of you who are experiencing or have friends who are experiencing problems after their knee replacements - I'm sorry surgery didn't improve things for you, best wishes and I hope you feel better SOON.

[Villages PL]

I don't have a problem with my knees but just read an article in the Daily Sun warning against using metal replacements.