Knee replacement surgery... what was your experience?

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pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,399
in The Clubhouse
I had the right knee replaced 3yrs ago but about 20yrs prior I had a partial replacement. The surgeon said that makes the procedure a little more complicated. Things went well but the pain level was a bit more than I had expected. In the end the new knee made me feel like a new man & I was glad I did it.

Fast forward to now I had the left knee replacement surgery done on last Wed 9/23 & man oh man what a difference!! It was done by the same surgeon who definitely remembered doing my right knee with the partial. He said this will be totally different. Man was he right.

I stayed the night & came home Thursday afternoon clearing PT protocol with flying colors. My first PT appt was Friday with the same crew from my right knee surgery.
He took one look at me & said that I can lose the walker & just use the cane. He couldn't believe how easily I was moving & my pain level was next to nothing. I already decreased my pain meds from every 4hrs to 6hrs & that might change shortly. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to drive shortly.
How were your experiences after knee surgery. I've heard so many stories that until you have it done you don't know how you're gonna do.
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 3,256
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    Not a knee, but I had my left hip done 20 years ago when I was fairly young. Two nights in the hospital, and back to walking without a cane or walker within a week. My only regret was that I suffered with severe pain for over two years before getting it done - should have done it much sooner.
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 3,053
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    That's awesome @pearsall001! I love hearing success stories like yours!! Mine, not so good. I've had 6 surgeries on my left knee ranging from 1981 to current. Three torn meniscus repairs, one ACL repair, one full replacement (2019) and this last July 1st, a revision with replacing the bottom portion.

    I'm at the tail end of my PT but have never been able to shake the pain. I was hoping this revision would take care of it but no. It did however make it more stable, no more hyperextension and no more side-to-side slack in the joint.

    The right knee is on the way. Second torn meniscus repair coming up with a cartilage transplant. Both knees cause me pain daily, but I don't let it stop me from being active.

    I appreciate your post; it gives me hope that one day I may be able to feel relief. Good on you man!!!
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,318
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    First knee surgery was in my teens, severe damage to my meniscus(sports related). Was told then one day I will have knee problems that will need to be addressed. So I had total knee replacement on my 65th birthday. Funny thing is, you know how you get asked time and time again for your name and birth date, only 1 nurse caught on that is was my birthday of all the times I got asked that question that day.

    Anyhow I had surgery early in the morning and was home for supper that day. All appeared to be going well and I was determined to lose the cane ASAP that I was told to slow down with my PT exercises at home. Not sure how related to that is but I now have limited range of motion in that leg, can barely get to 90 degrees. If I happen to bend it past that point I get pain that about knocks me on my a**. I don;t regret the surgery as for the most part I don't have knee pain anymore but I can no longer ride a bike and need to be careful with stairs.
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  • motorstereo
    motorstereo Posts: 2,427
    edited September 28
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    My experience was about a year ago I started having severe knee pain. Enough so that I could not put any weight on my left knee and coming down a flight of stairs in the morning was extremely painful and almost impossible. If I had a stair lift and a wheelchair I would've used it. I went to my pcp and he ordered some xrays. It seems I had "severe arthritis" and he recommended a knee specialist. Made an appt there and more detailed xrays showed the same; "severe arthritis" and the specialist recommended total knee replacement.

    I went home with all the literature of what knee replacement involves and I was ready to give the go ahead and the sooner the better. During that time I remembered my father having knee issues when I was young and he swore by the advice of a doctor had given him in the 50's; a glass of OJ first thing in the am before coffee or anything else. I decided to give it a try. Slowly but surely my knee pain got better and here I am a year or so later with a full range of motion and virtually no pain. Doctor now does not recommend knee replacement. The only time I get an issue is if I'm walking a little faster than normal and twist the knee. The pain is enough to make me slow down but not stop. Needless to say I start my day with a glass of OJ ever since.
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 15,018
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    Phil, that's great news!
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  • indyhawg
    indyhawg Posts: 1,682
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    I had a partial replacement on my right knee a little over 10 years ago. Completely recovered and very happy. However 3 years ago, I had a total knee replacement on my left knee. Completely different experience. It was a.sucess since I am no longer in pain, but the recovery time was MUCH greater.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,399
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    Jstas wrote: »
    Phil, that's great news!

    Hey John,

    I can't believe the difference between the two replacement surgeries, I kept putting the left knee off due to the memories of the brutal painful recovery of the right knee just 3yrs ago. I had my first official PT session today & he daid dude you're already good to go for driving as soon as I'm off the pain meds. I took the last one tonight at 5:00 & I'll see how things go. To be honest my pain level is at zero! It's almost like nothing happened. It's hard to explain but I'm not complaining.
    He had me on the table today doing a lot of different exercises & he said I'm so far ahead of where I should be & things are looking great for a speedy recovery. If I had known this I would have had this done years ago.

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,696
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    That is good news, Phil You'll be on "dancing with the stars" before you know it!

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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,399
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    Don't know about that Brock but so far so good. Just pleasantly surprised at my progress this soon after surgery. I actually hit the gym Friday with the PT's go ahead, upper body only & stationary bike. Felt really good.
    When's that Boston Marathon? Lol!
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