Bi-lateral knee replacements

[Debbie Jean]

Well, I knew it was coming but I was hoping to be able to postpone it a bit longer. My orthopedic surgeon says my number is up. So come May I will be having both knees done about 3-4 weeks apart.

I do have a trip to WDW planned for March which I can keep but I had to cancel my July birthday at BCV which I was so looking forward to
I already booked for DD's birthday in October and if all goes as planned should be good to go by then.

If you've gone through a knee replacement, especially bilateral, I'd love to hear experiences and advice... especially regarding post-surgery and going to WDW.
I live by the adage that if you expect the worst, you can only have nice surprises!

 

[Debbie Jean]

 

[Debbie Jean]

 

[cm8]

Well, I knew it was coming but I was hoping to be able to postpone it a bit longer. My orthopedic surgeon says my number is up. So come May I will be having both knees done about 3-4 weeks apart.

I do have a trip to WDW planned for March which I can keep but I had to cancel my July birthday at BCV which I was so looking forward to
I already booked for DD's birthday in October and if all goes as planned should be good to go by then.

If you've gone through a knee replacement, especially bilateral, I'd love to hear experiences and advice... especially regarding post-surgery and going to WDW.
I live by the adage that if you expect the worst, you can only have nice surprises!

No experience, but I just wanted to wave back since no one responded yet. I didn't want to read and run, I hope you get some responses soon

 

[jdb in AZ]

DMIL had both knees replaced and later survived WDW. In a wheelchair. She had so much fun she decided to take the family on a cruise.

DH had his 2nd knee done 5-1/2 yrs ago. He's used an ECV several times since, both at WDW and DLR. He feels much better than he did pre-surgery, but doesn't have the stamina to do the parks by foot. And his other joints are wearing out too. When he starts aching I start singing, "head shoulders, knees and toes, eyes ears, back and nose." yep, one or more of the above is the culprit -- they take turns giving him fits. Today it's his back and a toe. His grandmother (who lived til 109 yrs young) used to say, "Getting old isn't for sissies."

ECV's are our friends.

 

[Debbie Jean]

No experience, but I just wanted to wave back since no one responded yet. I didn't want to read and run, I hope you get some responses soon

Thanks for the wave!

 

[Debbie Jean]

DMIL had both knees replaced and later survived WDW. In a wheelchair. She had so much fun she decided to take the family on a cruise.

DH had his 2nd knee done 5-1/2 yrs ago. He's used an ECV several times since, both at WDW and DLR. He feels much better than he did pre-surgery, but doesn't have the stamina to do the parks by foot. And his other joints are wearing out too. When he starts aching I start singing, "head shoulders, knees and toes, eyes ears, back and nose." yep, one or more of the above is the culprit -- they take turns giving him fits. Today it's his back and a toe. His grandmother (who lived til 109 yrs young) used to say, "Getting old isn't for sissies."

ECV's are our friends.

I think DH's grannie got it right!

I've been an ECV girl at WDW for a few years now. DD seems to think that once I get my bionic knees, I'll be able to walk the parks again. Maybe I'm being pessimistic but I don't see this happening. I figure I'll be more mobile and hopefully in less pain but that miles of walking in the parks isn't going to happen.

I like that saying "ECV's are our friends"!

 

[JennyDrake]

I will answer for my father--he had both knees replaced AT THE SAME TIME. His stamina was limited and the pain an issue for 7 months, but within 6 weeks of "turning the corner" he was hunting and fishing! I think the ECV is a splendid idea; remember that no matter how well you are doing at home, pounding the pavement at WDW IS different. I would also plan on a midday break to completely get off the knees and rest for at least an hour.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I will answer for my father--he had both knees replaced AT THE SAME TIME. His stamina was limited and the pain an issue for 7 months, but within 6 weeks of "turning the corner" he was hunting and fishing! I think the ECV is a splendid idea; remember that no matter how well you are doing at home, pounding the pavement at WDW IS different. I would also plan on a midday break to completely get off the knees and rest for at least an hour.

Wow! Both at the same time! I was afraid when the doctor said bi-lateral he would want to do that, too... but he said he would "stage" them so one is done and the other about 3-4 weeks later.

Good suggestion to get off it for an hour midday... I'm always forgetting that I'm supposed to elevate my legs to help with fluid retention... there's just so much compression hose can do! After the surgery that will probably be even more important.

That's totally awesome that your father was able to regain his mobility and do the things he enjoys again. That's really what I'm hoping for... shoot, I'd even like to just enjoy shopping again!

 

[donac]

I would suggest that you pack a ziplock bag in your bag. Then when you get back to your hotel you can stop at the ice machine before you hit your room. Saves you a trip later on.

 

[JennyDrake]

More info_ my father had his knees scoped to remove bone spurs (to postpone replacement) but the bones did not realign properly and long story short, he was in a wheelchair for months. Because he literally did not have a good leg to stand on, they decided to go ahead and do both at once. That was 19 years ago and he still fishes and makes MULTIPLE trips up and down the basement stairs each day--at age 83. Knee replacement reformed his life.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I would suggest that you pack a ziplock bag in your bag. Then when you get back to your hotel you can stop at the ice machine before you hit your room. Saves you a trip later on.

I would not have thought of that! Great idea!

 

[Debbie Jean]

More info_ my father had his knees scoped to remove bone spurs (to postpone replacement) but the bones did not realign properly and long story short, he was in a wheelchair for months. Because he literally did not have a good leg to stand on, they decided to go ahead and do both at once. That was 19 years ago and he still fishes and makes MULTIPLE trips up and down the basement stairs each day--at age 83. Knee replacement reformed his life.

Wow! Your poor father! I'm glad that in the end he had such good results.... sounds like he definitely earned it He is the kind of 83 year old I hope to be

 

[Storm632]

I haven't had a replacement yet..but I am a therapist that works with people who have had them done. My advice to you would be to follow your therapy schedule and work hard. It may hurt and be hard but there is a light at the end of the tunnel....DISNEY!

 

[Sadie22]

I haven't had a replacement yet..but I am a therapist that works with people who have had them done. My advice to you would be to follow your therapy schedule and work hard. It may hurt and be hard but there is a light at the end of the tunnel....DISNEY!

That is exactly what i was going to say. I haven't needed the surgery, but my dad had one knee done and then the other sometime later. He was highly motivated and did all the therapy as he was supposed to do and had a very good result. He went from the hospital to a rehab facility for therapy and then after he was discharged home a therapist went to his house several times a week for (I think) several weeks. Dad did all the exercises he was told to do alone as well.

An uncle had a knee replaced but went straight home from the hospital rather than to a rehab facility for daily rehab. He didn't do as much exercise as he needed to do because he said it hurt too much. A therapist came out to the house but Uncle didn't follow through alone. It took him much longer to recover and he did not have the flexibility he should have had. He was afraid to get the second knee done. He eventually did but that time he went to rehab and was forced to work harder, so he had a better result.

 

[PatMcDuck]

DD (Age 19!! Long story !!) had her first knee replacement done Sept 23, 2011. The other knee will be done Feb 22. They wanted to do both at once, but at the LAST minute, decided not to clear her for the bi-lateral. (for other medical issues).

She had a little bit of a rough go, and needed to get the knee "manipulated" under anesthesia 7 weeks after the TKR. After THAT, she did great, and the new knee is doing great, I think she has over 130 degrees.

In retrospect, it would have been rough to get 2 done at once, or have the 2 done close together. They expect she will need an manipulation again after this 2nd TKR.

Overall the surgery is a miracle, and she wishes it was done even sooner. Instead she had 3 other bi-lateral knee surgeries that failed, and was put on narcotics for pain for over 4 years. But the doctors were hesitant to replace the knees of a teenager, of course. (she has osteonecrosis, or Avascular Necrosis from taking chemo and high doses of steroids to combat auto-immune conditions)

 

[EpcotQueen]

I had just 1 knee done last April. Have made several trips to WDW since and have one coming up in 7 DAYS!! WooHoo! Rented and used a scooter and will do so for the next trip. Knee not painful anymore but 'tight'. Have done some walking around town but know I will not be up to 10 days of constant walking. Don't know when you plan on having your 2 done, but by October you should be ok with a scooter. Think about renting from an off site. Then you'll have it all the time, won't have to depend upon a park having 1 available and the off site ones are smaller and easier to manuver. Disney's are huge, lumbering beasts. Disney's are more expensive per day too.

 

[bsusanmb]

I am a 61 year old RN, active, working. I had both knees replaced at the same time when I was 58. I could not walk anymore without my knees locking or excrutiating pain. We went to WDW before my surgery and I just was so upset, I decided we needed to sell our DVC membership. I couldn't walk, couldn't leave the room. Well, I had my knees replaced at the same time at the suggestion of the surgeon...big mistake. I have never had so much pain in my life. I would sooner have 10 kids natural childbirth than ever do that again. I cried for 3 months. The therapy is just so difficult due to pain. I didn't have one good leg, so just sitting on the commode was impossible. I would just plop down and cry...and then how do you get up when you can't bend one knee to get back up? Awful. I did the therapy, and hated the PT's. I thought they were so mean, but if I hadn't complied, I wouldn't be able to walk today. I can take a lot of pain, and have had several surgeries, but I would NEVER had a second knee done until I was completely healed...wait a year to have the second one done. I have taken care of patients all my life and never dreamed I would have a problem. HA. My daughter is an occupational therapist and she kept trying to talk me out of having the bilateral procedure...I should have listened. I returned to work after 2 months, but just 4 hours a day. I was really weak and tired, and didn't have a lot of stamina with my legs. I walked well and had great range of motion by 3 months and was discharged from therapy. I think it was probably 8 months after my surgery we went to Disney and I had no problem walking. I was amazed. I could walk miles and miles without pain. My knees are great, they hurt when the weather changes and get a little stiff, but nothing like I had pre op. So, that's my story. I know my younger cousin who is in his early 50's has had a lot of pain from his one knee replacement, and it is suggested that younger folks have a lot more pain than older folks. There is a lot of cutting of tissue, pulling of ligaments and that soft tissue injury is a killer pain. I noticed when I went to the rehab hospital for a week that I did nothing but cry during rehab, and the people in their 70's and above were all happy. I was in pain, and depressed because as a nurse, no one has ever had to wait on me. It is something I will never forget, an awful ordeal but at least in the end I can walk. I have never needed an ECV, refuse to use one because I do not want to become dependent on one until I absolutely must. I will be 62 next month, and just had my cervical spine fused at C4/5, 5/6 levels due to severe arthritis. This was a piece of cake compared to the knees. If I can answer anything else, let me know. Oh, I do have trouble with rides like Small World and anything where you have to really bend your knees excessively to ride. The seats are low, and very close together, making it difficult for me because I cannot bend my knees underneath me. I can't kneel at all...feels like I am kneeling on metal...never will be able to kneel. But I continue to work as an RN, and very active with my 5 small grands, raising a 4 year old grandchild. There is a lot I wish I could do...stairs are a challenge. I was told to try to avoid stairs unless necessary as they tend to wear the knees out faster. I have a 3 story home, so I only do stairs here and if necessary.

 

[bsusanmb]

PS, I didn't sell my DVC membership! I was so convinced I could never ever do Disney again. Thank goodness for knee replacements!

 

[powellrj]

I had mine done about 6 years ago and would recommend it if you are in severe pain, I just would wait a little longer between surgeries.

I had my 1st one done in December and the second one the following June. I will admit that the 1st one was harder than the second one. With the 1st one I had the surgery on a monday and went home on thursday. I started PT in the hospital and continued at an out-paitient PT office. I had 4 weeks of PT and went back to work at week 5. It was much too soon to go back, but I was worried about keeping my job. I am a sales person so there is driving and walking with my job.

The second knee was a breeze. I had it done on a monday again and went home on wednesday and started PT the next day. I was off all pain meds by that sunday. I was amazed at how good I felt!

I was pretty young when I had them done, I was 46. I have been to WDW several times since my surgery and did really well. I am now having back problems so walking is an issue and I have had to go back to an ECV due to that, but my knees are still doing great.

I do wish someone would have warned me about the kneeling, that is hard to get use to!

Good luck!