[Polar Bear]

I've wondered if I'm a candidate yet or not. I broke leg in the knee joint a long time ago. It was repaired well, but as the doctor predicted, I'm finally bone-on-bone. I don't have much pain, but the knee is fairly unstable now, especially if I've been sitting long. I'm a life-long jock with no intention of stopping now. I can't really compete with much intensity now, and I like to rollerblade. I can't help but think the knee could just give out some time.

Anyway, my doctor says if I don't have a lot of pain, it's not time for a replacement yet. I tend to believe him, but the jock in me would really like to have my stable knee back.

Any thoughts?

[ohvette]

Originally Posted by hoopsterdad

i had dr. james duke, in ocala, do mine. a highly skilled surgeon, west marion hospital in ocala is rated in the top 50 in country. i always worked out, so getting ready was already done. surgery on tuesday, out on thursday, cane after 7 days, it will be gone next week. pain in managed by tylenol. no swelling, no pain, 105 degrees of flex on day 8. all pt done at home. most of the factors are dependent on the individual. i will be golfing in less than 10 weeks. pick your doctor, prepare your body in advance, and maintain a positive attitude. research spinal anesthesia, affects different people in different ways.

Had both my knees done at same time by Dr Duke was the best thing I ever did pain free form hardly being able to walk before operation

[maureenod]

There is no need to look for ice machine or P motion machine. The insurance pays for both. The ice machine used in the hospital is yours to keep. The hospital makes arrangement for a rental to be at your house and set up when you arrive home.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by maureenod

There is no need to look for ice machine or P motion machine. The insurance pays for both. The ice machine used in the hospital is yours to keep. The hospital makes arrangement for a rental to be at your house and set up when you arrive home.

Maureen, I'm Canadian, so I'm having the knee replacement done in Ontario. Obviously I need to talk to the Physio Department at the Hospital to find out exactly what is provided. But now I have some good ideas about the questions to ask.

I'm amazed to hear that some posters have had both knees replaced at once. Bravely done! It seems that the key to success is exercise before and after. I obviously need to spend less time on the computer and more time on my bike.

Thanks to Madelaine for the PM.

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

What great success stories! I'm sorry that I'm not having surgery in Florida as Dr. Duke sounds like a fabulous surgeon.

Question to Barry and Sunny ... Did either of you use a Passive Motion Machine after surgery?

Yes. I was on the passive motion machine as soon as I got home from the hospital.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by BarryRX

Yes. I was on the passive motion machine as soon as I got home from the hospital.

Barry, did you use the passive motion machine every day, and for how many hours? Did you use it while you slept? How many weeks or months did you use the machine? Also, did you use a cryopad ice machine? Thanks. (I'm asking these questions on the forum rather than in a PM because I think others may be interested in the answers.)

[buckscounty]

Originally Posted by tommy steam

Can anyone who has had knee or shoulder serg, recommend a doc who they have used with good results?

Dr. Duke in ocala.

[buckscounty]

Originally Posted by hoopsterdad

i had dr. james duke, in ocala, do mine. a highly skilled surgeon, west marion hospital in ocala is rated in the top 50 in country. i always worked out, so getting ready was already done. surgery on tuesday, out on thursday, cane after 7 days, it will be gone next week. pain in managed by tylenol. no swelling, no pain, 105 degrees of flex on day 8. all pt done at home. most of the factors are dependent on the individual. i will be golfing in less than 10 weeks. pick your doctor, prepare your body in advance, and maintain a positive attitude. research spinal anesthesia, affects different people in different ways.

Dr. Duke is the best.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by buckscounty

Dr. Duke is the best.

I sure wish I were having the surgery in Florida, and could have Dr. Duke as my surgeon.

[Sunshine Mary]

Did anyone have Dr Nguyen do your knee Replacement ? He from Orlando

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Barry, did you use the passive motion machine every day, and for how many hours? Did you use it while you slept? How many weeks or months did you use the machine? Also, did you use a cryopad ice machine? Thanks. (I'm asking these questions on the forum rather than in a PM because I think others may be interested in the answers.)

Hi Barefoot, I used the pm machine every day, even though I had great range of motion even before I started using it. Let me also say that my knee was part cemented and part non-cemented, which is supposed to take a little longer to heal initially, but healed just as quickly as a fully cemented knee. I know this because I got to be friends with dr. Dukes other patients that were operated on the same day.. I used the pm machine for hours each day, but not while I slept at night. I did not use a cryopad ice machine....an ice bag worked just fine. Hope this info helps. I know it's a scary step, but I wish I had done it years earlier.

[rodie]

I too need knee work. Dr. Duke has suggested to first try knee injections before we do a knee replacement. Has anyone tried this solution?

[Roaddog53]

I had an osteotomy <sp> about 15 years ago. My knee had collapsed and after 2 orthoscopic surgeries, it finally gave out. They gave me two options. I total knee replacement, or the surgery. They told me in 10-15 years I would potentially need to replace the knee again. I opted for the surgery. Today I couldn't be more happy! But than, they cut my lower leg bone in half, put 3 titanium screws attachéd to a halo ring similar to what you see on a persons head with a neck injury, and I turned a 8" long Allen wrench everyday at 6pm for six weeks to pull the knee joint apart and grow the bone in. Now I have had kidney stones, broke all kinds of bones and tore ligaments completely, and other surgeries, but when the doctor said this will be VERY painful and hard he was right. I could walk though the next day with crutches. Once completed, it took therapy to learn how to walk. However, that knee is perfect now! No issues at all. But now the other is going
I do not want a knee replacement, but I hear that surgery is not available in that manner now. Darn

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by rodie

I too need knee work. Dr. Duke has suggested to first try knee injections before we do a knee replacement. Has anyone tried this solution?

Maybe slight improvement for me. Nothing dramatic.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by rodie

I too need knee work. Dr. Duke has suggested to first try knee injections before we do a knee replacement. Has anyone tried this solution?

I've tried cortisone, viscose injections and arthroscopic surgery on both knees. All help temporarily, but wear off in a hurry!