Total Knee Replacement - Your Experience

[Kim&Chris]

Getting my L knee replaced in a few weeks (yikes). Some questions for those who've had the surgery:

How long before you could walk without a walker or cane?
Someone told me you can't walk on a treadmill while recovering...did you?
How long before you felt "good"?
How long before you could go up steps without looking like a toddler?
Could you shower after? I bought one of those contraptions to keep water out.

Thanks!

 

[rwdavis2]

I’ve had both knees done, so:

Try to do some “pre-hab” before surgery if you’re not already. My surgeon had me lean mu back agains the wall with feet away fromit and do squats. It strengthens your quads.

I used a walker for maybe a week, then a cane for another then didn’t need either.
As for the treadmill, my PT had me doing 10 montues each session to warm up. Initially it was a recumbant bike.

Good? If you mean back to the way you were without pain, 3-6 months. You have to keep up the stretching and flexing of the knee after you finish formal PT.

Steps took a couple , three weeks.

Showering, not for about a week and the keep dry cover is a good idea.

You went regret doing it. I had mine done 8 and 5 years ago and I have never had any trouble and they feel “normal”.

 

[Jennasis]

Getting my L knee replaced in a few weeks (yikes). Some questions for those who've had the surgery:

How long before you could walk without a walker or cane?
Someone told me you can't walk on a treadmill while recovering...did you?
How long before you felt "good"?
How long before you could go up steps without looking like a toddler?
Could you shower after? I bought one of those contraptions to keep water out.

Thanks!

My husband had one 5 years ago. He was 44. I will pick his brain for you.

 

[macraven]

I had a total knee replacement 4 years ago
i did not have the success others have shared with you here.
I followed everything the surgeon and PT told me to do

Most people do recover totally and very pleased with their results

 

[cvjw]

My dad had one last year. He never used a walker and used the cane less than a week. He was back to normal in a few weeks. He showered the day after surgery, just using a bag over the knee. He is in great physical shape and rebounds very quickly from surgeries.

 

[DisneyHardin]

My dad has had 3 knee replacements. He was about 65-67 when he had them done. He was off the walker after about a week, and off the cane within a few weeks after the first and second. At work, he fell really hard and damaged the first replacement knee and they had to go in and re-do it. He has never been the same since. He uses a cane now anytime he has to walk more than just to the other room.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

I'm 57 and I've had both of mine done in the past few months, one in Oct 7, second Dec 14
I was at Disney for Christmas less than 2 weeks following my 2nd one. 10 day trip, I did use an ECV because, well, you walk a lot at Disney and I was NOT ready for 10-12 miles a day 10 days post op.
I did the Princess 5K in February 2 months following my 2nd one. Walked a total of 10 miles that day, total of a 5 day trip
So I guess you can say mine went well.
I'm what, 3 months post op from my 2nd one and they feel fairly normal. My surgeon said it will take about a year for the implants to fully grow in to the bones and get to the point where you can no longer feel anything. It's hard to explain but right now I don't feel any discomfort or anything like that.
I was at the PT office less than 24 hours following each replacement. Went 3 days a week for 4 weeks, then 2 days for 4 weeks, then none.
I did not spend the night in the hospital for either replacement. Each took approx 4 hours, check in to check out. I was up and walking down the hall at the hospital, with a walking, as soon as I was awake and had feeling from the waste down. I was released as soon as I walked and went to the bathroom.
Mine were done semi-robotic. I had CT scans which they used to build the joint prior to surgery and that was put through all the necessary testing prior to implantation. According to my surgeon this speeds up both surgery and recovery.
I was on a walker for maybe 2 weeks first one, 1 week second one. I could have been on it less first one but I was chicken to switch to the cane. Didn't trust myself. I had to have a walker to leave the hospital.
I was able to shower immediately. Hubby had to help me lift my leg in until I could bend it over the tub.
I didn't have stitches, I had a zip tie suture system. It's really cool. Uses a mixture of super glue and adhesive zip ties that close the skin. It's all waterproof. Nothing to remove, just pull the whole thing off. I took it off myself at Disney.
Took a couple months to drive following first one as it was the right knee. Had to wait for surgeon to clear me. Could drive as soon as I was off narcotics following second one, which was right away. I didn't take any of the pain meds with either one.
I used a Peloton bike to build up strength prior to surgery and was on it a recumbent bike at PT a few days following surgery but it took a few sessions before I got all the way around. I was on the bike at home about a month following surgery and was doing rides again before my 2nd surgery. Same with 2nd.
I will not run/walk for exercise again. Bike only for me, that's why I invested in the Peloton.
Honestly, don't have much in the way of steps in my life so can't say really. I live in a ranch style home and work in a single level office. I can do them if I have to. I just don't have to much.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

My dad has had 3 knee replacements. He was about 65-67 when he had them done. He was off the walker after about a week, and off the cane within a few weeks after the first and second. At work, he fell really hard and damaged the first replacement knee and they had to go in and re-do it. He has never been the same since. He uses a cane now anytime he has to walk more than just to the other room.

My surgeon did tell me the only way you can hurt a replaced knee is to fall on it. Guess he was right.

 

[georgina]

I'm 57 and I've had both of mine done in the past few months, one in Oct 7, second Dec 14
I was at Disney for Christmas less than 2 weeks following my 2nd one. 10 day trip, I did use an ECV because, well, you walk a lot at Disney and I was NOT ready for 10-12 miles a day 10 days post op.
I did the Princess 5K in February 2 months following my 2nd one. Walked a total of 10 miles that day, total of a 5 day trip
So I guess you can say mine went well.
I'm what, 3 months post op from my 2nd one and they feel fairly normal. My surgeon said it will take about a year for the implants to fully grow in to the bones and get to the point where you can no longer feel anything. It's hard to explain but right now I don't feel any discomfort or anything like that.
I was in PT less than 24 hours following each replacement. Went 3 days a week for 4 weeks, then 2 days for 4 weeks, then none.
I did not spend the night in the hospital for either replacement. Each took approx 4 hours, check in to check out.
Mine were done semi-robotic. I had CT scans which they used to build the joint prior to surgery and that was put through all the necessary testing prior to implantation. According to my surgeon this speeds up both surgery and recovery.
I was on a walker for maybe 2 weeks first one, 1 week second one. I could have been on it less first one but I was chicken to switch to the cane. Didn't trust myself. I had to have a walker to leave the hospital.
I was able to shower immediately. Hubby had to help me lift my leg in until I could bend it over the tub.
I didn't have stitches, I had a zip tie suture system. It's really cool. Uses a mixture of super glue and adhesive zip ties that close the skin. It's all waterproof. Nothing to remove, just pull the whole thing off. I took it off myself at Disney.
Took a couple months to drive following first one as it was the right knee. Had to wait for surgeon to clear me. Could drive as soon as I was off narcotics following second one, which was right away. I didn't take any of the pain meds with either one.
I used a Peloton bike to build up strength prior to surgery and was on it a recumbent bike at PT a few days following surgery but it took a few sessions before I got all the way around. I was on the bike at home about a month following surgery and was doing rides again before my 2nd surgery. Same with 2nd.
I will not run/walk for exercise again. Bike only for me, that's why I invested in the Peloton.
Honestly, don't have much in the way of steps in my life so can't say really. I live in a ranch style home and work in a single level office. I can do them if I have to. I just don't have to much.

I would be interested in where you had this done. Knee problems run in my family so it's for future reference. Is that the Mako robot? My sister has had hers done but your process seems more innovative. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I would be interested in where you had this done. Knee problems run in my family so it's for future reference. Is that the Mako robot? My sister has had hers done but your process seems more innovative. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post it.

I was wondering the same thing. Sounds like they did a great job.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

I would be interested in where you had this done. Knee problems run in my family so it's for future reference. Is that the Mako robot? My sister has had hers done but your process seems more innovative. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post it.

It is the Mako system
It was done at Erlanger Hospital located in East TN

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It is the Mako system
It was done at Erlanger Hospital located in East TN

Kudos!

 

[tvguy]

No personal experience, but among my friends who have had it done, they said the surgery was a breeze. The post surgery physical therapy was not a lot of fun. But afterwards, they were all happy they did it.

 

[rwdavis2]

My dad had one last year. He never used a walker and used the cane less than a week. He was back to normal in a few weeks. He showered the day after surgery, just using a bag over the knee. He is in great physical shape and rebounds very quickly from surgeries.

Did they do the newer procedure where the muscles are not cut? I had the old-fashioned one.

 

[rwdavis2]

I would be interested in where you had this done. Knee problems run in my family so it's for future reference. Is that the Mako robot? My sister has had hers done but your process seems more innovative. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post it.

My wife used to do anesthesia for lost fo joint replacements and thinks robotic surgery is just the surgeon playing with a new toy. There seems to be no specific advantage.

 

[leeniewdw]

My surgeon did tell me the only way you can hurt a replaced knee is to fall on it. Guess he was right.

I have a friend who fell when coming back from a short walk down their front walk. They have 1 small step up to the "porch" and he stepped on the wrong/bad leg and kind of crumbled. He was in so much pain after getting into bed that night that he could not actually get out of bed the next day, even with assistance. The surgeon did a house call. Anyway, it was a very long very frustrating recovery for him.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I'm 57 and I've had both of mine done in the past few months, one in Oct 7, second Dec 14
I was at Disney for Christmas less than 2 weeks following my 2nd one. 10 day trip, I did use an ECV because, well, you walk a lot at Disney and I was NOT ready for 10-12 miles a day 10 days post op.
I did the Princess 5K in February 2 months following my 2nd one. Walked a total of 10 miles that day, total of a 5 day trip
So I guess you can say mine went well.
I'm what, 3 months post op from my 2nd one and they feel fairly normal. My surgeon said it will take about a year for the implants to fully grow in to the bones and get to the point where you can no longer feel anything. It's hard to explain but right now I don't feel any discomfort or anything like that.
I was in PT less than 24 hours following each replacement. Went 3 days a week for 4 weeks, then 2 days for 4 weeks, then none.
I did not spend the night in the hospital for either replacement. Each took approx 4 hours, check in to check out.
Mine were done semi-robotic. I had CT scans which they used to build the joint prior to surgery and that was put through all the necessary testing prior to implantation. According to my surgeon this speeds up both surgery and recovery.
I was on a walker for maybe 2 weeks first one, 1 week second one. I could have been on it less first one but I was chicken to switch to the cane. Didn't trust myself. I had to have a walker to leave the hospital.
I was able to shower immediately. Hubby had to help me lift my leg in until I could bend it over the tub.
I didn't have stitches, I had a zip tie suture system. It's really cool. Uses a mixture of super glue and adhesive zip ties that close the skin. It's all waterproof. Nothing to remove, just pull the whole thing off. I took it off myself at Disney.
Took a couple months to drive following first one as it was the right knee. Had to wait for surgeon to clear me. Could drive as soon as I was off narcotics following second one, which was right away. I didn't take any of the pain meds with either one.
I used a Peloton bike to build up strength prior to surgery and was on it a recumbent bike at PT a few days following surgery but it took a few sessions before I got all the way around. I was on the bike at home about a month following surgery and was doing rides again before my 2nd surgery. Same with 2nd.
I will not run/walk for exercise again. Bike only for me, that's why I invested in the Peloton.
Honestly, don't have much in the way of steps in my life so can't say really. I live in a ranch style home and work in a single level office. I can do them if I have to. I just don't have to much.

Wow, this is amazing! I'm 58, and in fairly OK shape. Hoping for anything close to your experience!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

No personal experience, but among my friends who have had it done, they said the surgery was a breeze. The post surgery physical therapy was not a lot of fun. But afterwards, they were all happy they did it.

Knee surgery isn’t a breeze for a lot of people. It’s known to be one of the most painful surgeries there is. Recovery can also be tough. Last week I cared for someone who developed a large blood clot three weeks post operatively in both lungs that started in the opposite leg. It’s nice to hear the good stories, but there can be difficult ones, as well.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heal...what-you-can-expect-from-knee-and-hip-surgery

 

[Mrs.AMC]

My wife used to do anesthesia for lost fo joint replacements and thinks robotic surgery is just the surgeon playing with a new toy. There seems to be no specific advantage.

The advantage is speed of surgery. Now could my surgeon be pulling my leg, or knee on this case. Yes he could. By no means am I am expert. But what I was told is with the surgery I had they put the joint through all it’s movement tests and fitting tests prior to surgery so it’s a simpler procedure matter when putting the joint in place and closing up. There little too no fine tuning left to do. They do almost all on the computer prior to surgery. The time the patient is under the knife is minimal. There’s very little trauma done to the joint being the actual attachment, which is done with glue. I barely had even a bruise on my skin. Heck, I had just an epidural and was only under a light twilight sleep so I couldn’t hear what was going on

 

[FQLover]

@Pea-n-Me Did that happen to that patient despite being put on a blood thinner following surgery? That is scary.