OT-Total knee replacement (both knees)

abn166
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abn166
Edited Date/Time 9/19/2013 11:00am
After a long MX and Speedway career both of my knees are shot. I will be having both of them replaced on October 3rd. I was wondering if those of you who have had this operation have any tips for recovery? What can i expect after the surgery and what sort of things can i do to speed up the healing process? Thanks in advance.
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Moto Soul Mag 9/17/2013 12:59pm
9/17/2013 12:59pm
Dunno about knees, but had my hip done three months ago. Not near as bad as I thought, I feel 200% better (Trey Canard would love that), and ready to freakin ride after years of being basically crippled.
My advice is don't shortcut recovery. I was doing too much, too soon. It's really hard to take the time to heal when we all have busy lives and need to work, etc.
And don't get addicted to the pills. One reason they are addictive is you are so bored lying around.
crf250pilot
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crf250pilot 9/17/2013 4:16pm
9/17/2013 4:16pm Edited Date/Time 9/17/2013 4:17pm
Expect to be an inch or two taller. My uncle just had both his done, he gained that much height. Also, you may want to setup your house ahead of time if you think you'll need special accomodations while your down.
DavidCO
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DavidCO 9/17/2013 4:49pm
9/17/2013 4:49pm
abn166 wrote:
After a long MX and Speedway career both of my knees are shot. I will be having both of them replaced on October 3rd. I was...
After a long MX and Speedway career both of my knees are shot. I will be having both of them replaced on October 3rd. I was wondering if those of you who have had this operation have any tips for recovery? What can i expect after the surgery and what sort of things can i do to speed up the healing process? Thanks in advance.
I have had both of my knees replaced. The last one in November 2012. I think the best advice is to be diligent about your physical therapy. Also get off the pain pills ASAP. There was a thread on this last year you might search for that. I didn't do anything to set my house up. They will have you up and walking the next day. I didn't gain any height nor did anybody else I know that has had knee replacements. Most people only get one done at a time. So if people ended up with one leg longer I would think that would be a problem.
ocscottie
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ocscottie 9/17/2013 5:02pm
9/17/2013 5:02pm
My neighbor had it done and as David said above, he was up and walking in one day, i was blown away! his xrays were rad lol

Curious, how come you dont do one at a time? just want to get it over with?

Good luck and hope for a speedy recovery!

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race250r
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race250r 9/17/2013 5:43pm
9/17/2013 5:43pm
Expect PT to get you up on day one, they may set you up in a passive motion machine if your surgeon orders it. Best thing is to get up and move. Focus on getting your range back right away, flexion and extension. Do not slack on the range of motion exs as scar tissue lays down quickly. Don't sleep or rest with your knees bent, you will want to, but fight that urge. You are going to be very sore and very swollen, all normal. Ice will help with the swelling and pain, use it.

If you are planning to go home right away, as stated above, consider your environment/barriers (stairs, bath tub/shower, getting dressed, meal prep, etc)

If you are going to an in-patient rehab center for a few days, you will get some focused rehab to help you meet your goals.

Regards
Hut
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Hut 9/17/2013 5:56pm
9/17/2013 5:56pm
I have never had a knee replacement surgery but the ex had both done one at a time, and my mother had both done at the same time. I was there for all of those. I agree with the physical therapy comments. Do Not be a slacker like the ex was. She never got the full range of motion and ended up going through a manipulation procedure under anesthesia which did in fact work. My mother was a trooper and was way ahead of schedule and had full range of motion in no time. Seems like the first few days were the hardest then exponential recovery after that.
The ex had a genetic form of osteoarthritis in her knees at a younger age and she actually did gain a bit of height due to better knee posture and obviously having the correct spacing between her Tibia-Femur.
Best of Luck to a speedy recovery
swtwtwtw
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swtwtwtw 9/17/2013 6:23pm
9/17/2013 6:23pm
Glad to hear you are getting this done abn. I ride with a guy who is darn fast with both of his knees replaced. I suggest buying new shoes and throwing all of your old shoes out. Good luck with your healing. Miss seeing you ride.
captmoto
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captmoto 9/17/2013 8:57pm
9/17/2013 8:57pm Edited Date/Time 9/17/2013 8:58pm
abn166 wrote:
After a long MX and Speedway career both of my knees are shot. I will be having both of them replaced on October 3rd. I was...
After a long MX and Speedway career both of my knees are shot. I will be having both of them replaced on October 3rd. I was wondering if those of you who have had this operation have any tips for recovery? What can i expect after the surgery and what sort of things can i do to speed up the healing process? Thanks in advance.
Who is doing your knees? I may need one here in the next 5 years. Oh, good luck. Keep us posted on your recovery/progress.
TR72Moto
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TR72Moto 9/17/2013 11:08pm
9/17/2013 11:08pm
I'm having my left knee replaced after the first of the year. It's been bone on bone for years plus Arthritis and bone spurs (same goes for the right knee) but I just fractured my Tibia because of the bone on bone issue so the Doc (Kaiser) finally approved it, and I still had to lie to my Doc or he said he wouldn't do the replacement. I had to 1). promise I was not going to ride my dirt cycle anymore (One of the first things I will do when able) 2). He said unless I was in pain most of the time he wouldn't do it (so I lied and said it hurts like hell all the time since I fractured my Tibia). It's never really hurt, it's more of a pain in the butt because they swell up for no reason but I'm gettin um (it) done, yafrickinhoooo.
Bauer
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Bauer 9/18/2013 1:06am
9/18/2013 1:06am
Andy, give Mike Bell a call. He had both of his replaced earlier this year. Call me if you need his number. You should still have mine from the party invite emails I sent out. Good luck!

sdb
gharmon
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gharmon 9/18/2013 1:15am
9/18/2013 1:15am
I'm an RN on an ortho at two different hospitals. See knees done all the time. The double knee will be put you in at a bigger disadvantage to start but cuts you total down time in half. Like some others have mentioned get off the hydros or Percocet asap. Not only are the addicting they will slap stop your ass up, literally.

Be diligent with PT and also don't cheat on the exercises they give you for home. The recliner sitting on your ass aids noone.

Good luck
skidmarkz
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skidmarkz 9/18/2013 1:26am
9/18/2013 1:26am Edited Date/Time 9/18/2013 1:27am
Didn't have a knee replacement but did have a L hip replacement (metal hip resurfacing) at the beginning of 2012 . I was up on a walker that same evening before dinner! The drugs are miles better than they were in '99 when I had my wreck. Good advice above; get off the drugs as soon as you can and don't cut corners on PT. After that stay as active as you can.
1911
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1911 9/18/2013 2:26am
9/18/2013 2:26am Edited Date/Time 9/18/2013 2:36am
I will be having my right knee done after the first of the year. Like Scottie asked, why both at the same time? Hope it works out well for you.
steed 2.0
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steed 2.0 9/18/2013 2:36am
9/18/2013 2:36am
abn166
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abn166 9/18/2013 9:21am
9/18/2013 9:21am
thanks for all of the tips and advice. i will be having the procedure done at Kaiser Fontana. here are the reasons I am having both knees done at once. they both need to be done. my doctor said I am young (53), in very good shape, and being a MX guy, I should be able to handle it okay.
I was told I will be taller after surgery. because of all of the cartilage being gone on the insides of both my knees, I have become quite bow legged. my legs will be straightened during surgery so that will add some height. I am not a fan of taking prescription medication so i know i will be off of the drugs quickly. I have been told how important physical therapy is so i will not slack off with that. If anything I will probably have to hold myself back a bit so as to not over do it.
Tracktor
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Tracktor 9/18/2013 9:35am
9/18/2013 9:35am
What's the youngest people are having this done successfully? I am 41 and really need my right knee done but docs says it's too early. Also, he is recommending partial then total once the partial wears out. I want to be able to ride/be active after replacement or there is no point? Well, other than I am in pain 24/7...............
kyle450rider
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kyle450rider 9/18/2013 9:35am
9/18/2013 9:35am
Would not ride again if had knee's/hip's replaced. I would feel like that if I wore out my OEM equipment it was time to hang it up and watch the young guy's rip around.
harvdog412
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harvdog412 9/19/2013 9:32am
9/19/2013 9:32am
I had my right knee replaced in 09 and it was the best thing I every did at 51. I'm not supposed to ride and am aware of the risks but feels great.
Range of motion is the most important thing initially, don't be too worried if you loose some range the second week if you overdo your PT.
I would ask the doctor about the brand of knee implant being used. There seem to be a variety. I've been told mine should last ~ 10 years. I wish I had done this before my surgery but doesn't really matter at this point.
gharmon
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gharmon 9/19/2013 11:00am
9/19/2013 11:00am
Tracktor wrote:
What's the youngest people are having this done successfully? I am 41 and really need my right knee done but docs says it's too early. Also...
What's the youngest people are having this done successfully? I am 41 and really need my right knee done but docs says it's too early. Also, he is recommending partial then total once the partial wears out. I want to be able to ride/be active after replacement or there is no point? Well, other than I am in pain 24/7...............
In my experience, usually they like people to be over 50 (I think there are insurance issues if under 55) but I've seen several mid 40's being done. I work at two ortho hospitals and early 40's is rare. There is always extinuating (sp) reasons. I would imagine if your willing to pay out of pocket then you can get it done at 41. Had a patient have bi-lateral knees just a couple weeks ago at age 23 (other health issues)

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