timing of knee replacement

[denneg]

I am a nurse and work with a lot of post-replacement patients, and my suggestion would be to do the surgery ASAP. If you can get in over the next month or so, you will be fine for the holidays and enjoy your trip so much more. The most common statement made by patients in the days post-op is "I feel better now than I did before the surgery, why did I wait so long?" Look at it this way - if you have the surgery and still have some soreness, you can still rent an ECV. But the chances are good that you would feel great and be able to completely enjoy your vacation. If you do the surgery, start PT as soon as possible, and do all your exercises. Do what your PT and Dr tell you, and use lots of ice!

I tore my ACL 6 weeks before my trip last fall, and declined immediate surgery because I knew my body and knew I could do PT and be ok. I was vigilant about PT and put in a lot of extra time on a stationary bike, and I survived the trip without even a brace. I did ice it nightly to be safe, but it felt great. Still putting off surgery a year later, but I will eventually have it done to protect the rest of my knee. That will be my 8th orthopedic surgery, the third on this knee, so I feel your pain! I hope it all workout for the best, and I hope you are able to he a great trip!

 

[tarak]

I'm going to give you my experience with having a HIP replaced. I had osteoarthritis; bone-on-bone pain. I had injections and they did absolutely nothing for me. There's not much that will work on bone-on-bone pain.

I had my surgery mid-december and was at Disney 2 months previously in October. I didn't rent an ECV and only made it through the trip by dosing with Vicodin. I was only taking Vicodin on the weekends and sometimes in the evening but, for the most part, didn't really use painkillers except on the trip and for a few weeks after surgery with ever decreasing doses.

My recovery was very, very fast. I was back to work in about 3.5 weeks, probably because I was only 47 when I had the surgery. And I felt FABULOUS!! No pain at all. None.

So my advice to you is that post surgery, other than recovery pain, you will no longer be in pain. With that in mind, if it was me, I'd schedule the surgery as soon as feasible and go to Disney AFTER surgery.

I am a nurse and work with a lot of post-replacement patients, and my suggestion would be to do the surgery ASAP. If you can get in over the next month or so, you will be fine for the holidays and enjoy your trip so much more. The most common statement made by patients in the days post-op is "I feel better now than I did before the surgery, why did I wait so long?" Look at it this way - if you have the surgery and still have some soreness, you can still rent an ECV. But the chances are good that you would feel great and be able to completely enjoy your vacation. If you do the surgery, start PT as soon as possible, and do all your exercises. Do what your PT and Dr tell you, and use lots of ice!

I tore my ACL 6 weeks before my trip last fall, and declined immediate surgery because I knew my body and knew I could do PT and be ok. I was vigilant about PT and put in a lot of extra time on a stationary bike, and I survived the trip without even a brace. I did ice it nightly to be safe, but it felt great. Still putting off surgery a year later, but I will eventually have it done to protect the rest of my knee. That will be my 8th orthopedic surgery, the third on this knee, so I feel your pain! I hope it all workout for the best, and I hope you are able to he a great trip!

I've been wondering if it might be better to have the surgery before. I could cancel the trip if necessary. We rented DVC points, so it would be a cancellation rather than a reschedule. But I have trip insurance which should kick in. I had no clue I'd be looking at a knee replacement when I got it, but I booked insurance that covers pre-existing conditions because one of my children has a heart defect. So it should be fine either way. But I don't want to do that.

I'm thinking my knee will hurt whether I get the surgery before or not. My ortho said the recovery is generally 6-8 weeks, so I think if I can schedule it within the next month or so, I might be okay. And I can get the ECV either way if I think I need it.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. It's been really helpful!

 

[Queenie122]

I injured my knee pretty badly in college. I've had two meniscus tears repaired and my ACL reconstructed. Now, 16 years later I'm bone on bone, nothing really left in there. Cortisone shots stopped working and I started Synvisc injections. I need a knee replacement but my doctor wants me to wait as long as I can - I'm partly in this shape because of arthritis that I got from the other surgeries! I CAN walk but Somewhere like Disney kills me. Actually, when I was at Disney three weeks ago I twisted the darn thing again and tore more cartilage! Ugh. Anyway, we always start with the injections and honestly, they work pretty well for me. I've been getting them for four years now and I'm pushing to go as long as I can before I get the surgery. Don't assume the shots won't work, you never know! It can't hurt, especially if you go on your trip before your surgery.

Don't worry about the ECVs. They are very easy to drive, to steer is like riding a bike. You can change the power on how fast or slow you go and slow is vverrryyyy sllooowwwww lol. If my mom can do it, you can do it! Lol You'll be fine. I usually get the ECV and it's very helpful. I think your biggest issues will be your little ones (who pushes them) and getting the chair back and forth to your resort (if you drive). Some are easy to break down and some are very heavy. But in the end, it's a Godsend!

Good luck, I hope it all works out the best for you and your family.

 

[denneg]

I've been wondering if it might be better to have the surgery before. I could cancel the trip if necessary. We rented DVC points, so it would be a cancellation rather than a reschedule. But I have trip insurance which should kick in. I had no clue I'd be looking at a knee replacement when I got it, but I booked insurance that covers pre-existing conditions because one of my children has a heart defect. So it should be fine either way. But I don't want to do that.

I'm thinking my knee will hurt whether I get the surgery before or not. My ortho said the recovery is generally 6-8 weeks, so I think if I can schedule it within the next month or so, I might be okay. And I can get the ECV either way if I think I need it.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. It's been really helpful!

Good luck, I hope you are able to get the surgery scheduled! Keep in mind, post-surgery recovery pain is worlds different than chronic injury pain. The recovery pain is manageable, and you know what your limits are. Chronic will be there no matter what. And if you do have the surgery and still need an ECV, your kids will probably love it! I really don't think you'll need to cancel the trip, most of my knee replacement patients are walking immediately, and off pain meds within a few days. The factor in getting an ECV will probably depend more on your endurance level than your pain level going into the trip, and your physical therapist can help you with that decision.

 

[rustyfla]

I had Total Knee Replacement 11 months ago (im 45 yrs old), and just spent
11 days at Disney.

I might be a lucky one, but my knee felt wonderful, better than it has in 20 years since I damaged it. Anyway, I had zero issues.

I did take my Cryo Unit (ice cold therapy) with me but did not need it.

And yes, my wife and I were semi park commandos during the trip.

 

[Experiment_626]

I had Total Knee Replacement 11 months ago (im 45 yrs old), and just spent
11 days at Disney.

I might be a lucky one, but my knee felt wonderful, better than it has in 20 years since I damaged it.

We have things in common. I am also 45, and a little over 20 years ago, I shredded the cartilage in my left knee. In the intervening years it hasn't typically bothered me very much, although in a quiet environment you could hear it "clicking" faintly when I put it through its range of motion, and I've also been conscious of it on some level and I cannot run anymore, except in an emergency. In addition, I've developed a neuropathy (or should I say it has become apparent) over the last several years called "Charcot Marie Tooth." This is a fault with the sheathing around nerve fibers that causes joint pain that essentially has no other cause. Now I have pain in both knees from this, and both feet supinate (causing my weight to be supported by the outside edges of my feet; the right foot is much worse than the left, although I wear orthotics that help), pain in the ankles and feet, the joint at the base of my thumbs, and recently in my right shoulder.

I'm a wreck!

Anyway, of immediate concern is that about a month and a half ago I fell on the steps of my slippery back porch and hurt the left knee again; it has been painful and swollen ever since with a much more limited range of motion, but various things have kept me from seeking medical attention for it as yet. And this weekend my wife and I are taking our two little boys to WDW DHS and MNSSHP on Friday and Magic Kingdom and maybe another park on Saturday. Thank goodness I'll have some Talacen for the pain on those days!

I'm not sure what I'll discover when I do go get the knee examined. When I had surgery on the knee 20 years ago, the surgeon told me I'd probably have to have the knee replaced eventually. My mother recently had one of hers replaced, and had an unusually long, painful recovery. I'm under the impression that the drawback to having mine done at my age is that the replacement joints last 20 years or so and then would need to be done again. Did your doctor address this with you?

Scott

 

[crazykids]

I tried every set of injections that exist & nothing worked for me, my knee was too far gone-bone on bone. I'm 39 & just got a knee replacement 8 weeks ago & it's one of the best things I ever did! There is a new product out called a "forever knee" which is geared for young, active people, but there are a lot of requirements that have to be met. I was able to qualify for this, it is cement free & my doc said it will last my lifetime. If your knee is hurting so bad that it effects your quality of life, get the surgery, you'll wonder why you waited so long!

 

[mapleleaf4ever]

I have had total replacement on both knees. The year before the surgery I had the synvisc injections before going on a trip to Israel. The injections made it possible to walk several hours each day, but there was still some pain, and I did look for lots of benches. I know they don't work for everyone, but they got me through the trip and helped with the pain for about 4 months. Good luck, and keep an eye out for places to sit.

 

[North of Mouse]

I bad meniscus repair surgery 3 weeks ago . I'm still very swollen and can't walk proper. I never used a scooter but will be booking one for our nov 8 trip. My question is will I be abl to get the swing of riding this thing quickly if I never have been in one before? I am so unsure about going needing this but your post gave me hope. It's my honeymoon trip that we waited 29 years to have and my 50 bday with fd and I don't wanna cancel but I can't walk that much.

Did you have complications with your meniscus repair surgery? DH had that done a few months ago because of a bicycle accident and he was nearly completely back to normal after 3 weeks. His pain was very sporadic and he could do all the walking he wanted.

 

[coachyo]

I am a 52 yr old PE teacher and had my left knee replaced 3 yrs ago and am glad I did. Just as many others have said you'll wonder why you waited.
I tried all the injections and only cortisone has seemed to help. My knees are so far gone its not like I could hurt anything.
I did my knee the week before Thanksgiving bad was back in the classroom at the start of the year and did fine. Im setting up to get my other knee done soon.
Get er done you'll be happy you did.

CoachYO

 

[tarak]

I have had total replacement on both knees. The year before the surgery I had the synvisc injections before going on a trip to Israel. The injections made it possible to walk several hours each day, but there was still some pain, and I did look for lots of benches. I know they don't work for everyone, but they got me through the trip and helped with the pain for about 4 months. Good luck, and keep an eye out for places to sit.

I got the synvisc injection on the 11th of October. The pain is still there, but it's not as bad. If I think about it, I notice it. And stairs are still painful. But before it was just about impossible to NOT think about it. So I'd say that's a winner. If it can keep working until we get back from Disney, it's a win. I don't know that I'll hold off on the replacement for too long - I've heard from a lot of folks that they wish they'd done it sooner, and that seems to be the consensus here.

Thank you all for your responses!

Experiment_626 - I have that crackling noise, too. It's quite the party trick with my kids. Well, my oldest thinks it's gross (this, coming from a kid who has to be reminded to change her socks). The middle two think it's funny. The youngest is only 19 months, so she hasn't really expressed an opinion.

 

[minkydog]

Best of luck with the synvisc. My rt knee is pretty bad--torn meniscus, debris field, bakers cyst. So far this tear I've had 4 cortisone shots and 5 supartz shots ( similar to synvisc.) Two weeks ago my knee buckled on the stairs and I reinjured it. I think its just a matter if time