DaveHawk
New member
replacement, after years of getting both knees scoped and cortisone shots I told the OS it's time to replace it. So my only big frustration with all this is to when before or after the holidays
Going in for Left knee
- Thread starter DaveHawk
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Ben Long
Well-known member
Best of luck with that. May it be better than ever!
noharleyyet
Well-known member
My right one is nearly 3 yrs old...only regret is not doing em both...sooner. Goo luck Dave, mind your doc and rehab Nazi.
idnative1948
Well-known member
Whenever you choose to get it done, listen and work with PT person. Range of motion, range of motion....
sra61
Member
I had my right one done in 08' at the age of 47. I have been able to do way more than I could before the surgery. That last season before I had it done, I just got to the point where I couldn't stand it anymore. It was hindering my hunting, and I couldn't have that! I'm sure glad I did it. Just remember "NO PAIN, NO GAIN!" It hurts, it's going to hurt, but it's worth it. 
DaveHawk
New member
srau61, so you able to kneel. Not worried about pain , I've had a lot of surgery's and dealt with pain.
sra61
Member
I am able to kneel on that knee, but that can be a little painful for quite a while. That incision is right down the center. Lots of times the incision stays numb, but mine isn't. It's just one of those personal decisions. I waited until I just couldn't stand it anymore. I had the cartilage taken out when I was 17 in 1979. It had been bone on bone until 2008, Arthritis plays hell with a joint over that long. The one thing I hear the most from people that I know is that they wish they hadn't waited so long. Being only 47 when I had mine done I had to weight the age a little. At best they last 20 years, but could easily be only 10. That put me at 57, and they say they really only want to do them twice. That makes # 2 last up to 67! I rolled the dice. I wanted to be able to go and do while I was younger, so that's what I did. I really haven't had any trouble with it. I did lose 50 lbs. this summer getting ready for the moose hunting, and I walked 3 miles a day. I did have one day where it swelled up pretty good. I iced it, and kept right on walking, it worked out. I don't know what I did that day, but it kind of blew up a little. It's definitely better without that extra 50 lbs. of blubber pounding on it today! :hump:
skimerhorn
Member
Good luck Dave, hope it goes well for ya. You need to be able to chase those thunder chickens in the spring.
DaveHawk
New member
I got this from a friend. Anyone with a replacement have knowledge of this; Dave,
One thing you should know is that once your knee replacement is complete you'll have to take antibiotics prior to dental care, probably the same or equivalent to what I have to take, i.e. (4) 500 mg amoxcillan. This is a lifetime discipline as any infection of the bone, i.e. from dentistry, or otherwise, could travel to the knee area..
One thing you should know is that once your knee replacement is complete you'll have to take antibiotics prior to dental care, probably the same or equivalent to what I have to take, i.e. (4) 500 mg amoxcillan. This is a lifetime discipline as any infection of the bone, i.e. from dentistry, or otherwise, could travel to the knee area..
noharleyyet
Well-known member
sluggo6850
Well-known member
Good luck, and don't forget to do your exercises.
Nice reference link noharleyyet!
As a practicing dentist, this topic never fails to come up with varied answers from the orthopedic surgeons. The most recent joint statement of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Dental Association says that the EVIDENCE that antibiotics before dental procedures is necessary is absent. It goes on to state that surgeons/dentists should carefully consider the overall health of the patient, the expected dental procedure likelihood of seeding bacteria into the blood stream into account.
There is evidence that joints that do become infected (and almost never with "dentally related" bacteria) are much more likely to become infected in the first two weeks, with significant fall-off in infection rates at six moths and then two years.
My ortho guy told me that no matter what, he would recommend I premedicate with an antibiotic as the cost/hassle of taking one dose of pills one hour before a dental appointment was much much less than the cost/hassle of redoing a joint replacement.
One nice thing about knee replacement is that they have a "time to happiness" period that is quite short. Only hip replacement time-to-happiness is shorter. I was walking to the duck blind with barely a limp 2 months after my painful stiff arthritic right hip was replaced. Not at all sad to see that gnarly piece of gristle and bone gone.
One last thought on bone healing (joint replacement or fracture healing). Taking NSAID's like ibuprofen, naprosyn, Mobic or Celebrex will significantly slow down the bone healing process as these all inhibit inflammation, which is necessary for bone healing. Take narcotics and/or Tylenol and you heal faster (and stronger?)
As a practicing dentist, this topic never fails to come up with varied answers from the orthopedic surgeons. The most recent joint statement of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Dental Association says that the EVIDENCE that antibiotics before dental procedures is necessary is absent. It goes on to state that surgeons/dentists should carefully consider the overall health of the patient, the expected dental procedure likelihood of seeding bacteria into the blood stream into account.
There is evidence that joints that do become infected (and almost never with "dentally related" bacteria) are much more likely to become infected in the first two weeks, with significant fall-off in infection rates at six moths and then two years.
My ortho guy told me that no matter what, he would recommend I premedicate with an antibiotic as the cost/hassle of taking one dose of pills one hour before a dental appointment was much much less than the cost/hassle of redoing a joint replacement.
One nice thing about knee replacement is that they have a "time to happiness" period that is quite short. Only hip replacement time-to-happiness is shorter. I was walking to the duck blind with barely a limp 2 months after my painful stiff arthritic right hip was replaced. Not at all sad to see that gnarly piece of gristle and bone gone.
One last thought on bone healing (joint replacement or fracture healing). Taking NSAID's like ibuprofen, naprosyn, Mobic or Celebrex will significantly slow down the bone healing process as these all inhibit inflammation, which is necessary for bone healing. Take narcotics and/or Tylenol and you heal faster (and stronger?)
DaveHawk
New member
Kansas. thanks , I'm getting some good info to consider , narcotics and I are old acquaintances, not a way I like to go, so as soon as I can switch over to Tylenol , alieve the better.
PT... a godsend to those receptive enough to listen. Best to you, Dave! Amazing how far medical options have come! 50 years ago, how would knee options have been resolved? Perspective makes current knee options and skilled physical therapists nothing short of miracles.
DaveHawk
New member
I will be 62 this year and the cort shot just don't work any longer , I might get a week out of 1 shot. It's harder and harder to walk with the pain so I finally decided it needs getting done. For the past 2 years I haven't tried to handle any heavy furniture in the shop. I just position myself in the spray booth and at the lathe. Hunting and fishing is all but gone with the knee. I did get lucky on the 2 deer I shot this year. Your post makes me thing I should push it another year but I am thinking I want to get more out of the years I have left and waiting , well can't do much now and would like to have full range of motion for my ride to Ak in 2016
Thanks
sra61
Member
I just made my mind up and went into it full-bore! I really do think you will be happy with it. I know a lady I think she's early 60's. She really had a limp before her replacement. Only two weeks after her surgery, she was out there catching up her horses and walking better than I had seen her walk in years. It seems to me that the people who have suffered the most and longest seem to have the most and quickest relief. That's just anecdotal. I ain't no Doc! I'm glad I did it.I think you will be too.
Topgun 30-06
Active member
After going through a lot of the same stuff the OP mentioned, my 54 year old buddy in WY is having one of his replaced on 1/5/15 so that he'll have 9 months to rehab it for the Fall seasons.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Dave, had mine done in Feb & went elk hunting in October. One important thing to remember is that you'll be learning to use muscles in that leg that have been somewhat inactive due to depending on your 'good' leg. I still had quadracep soreness and a tight painful iliotibial band (iliotibial band syndrome) on the elk hunt but managed. Took me a full year to feel 'normal', so to speak. A big part of my problem was overtraining thinking I could abbreviate healing time and accelerate conditioning. Listen to your PT.
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ovis2
Well-known member
Wow, talk about a timely and helpful thread. I'm going in for a total right knee on Dec. 16th. I'm "only" 55 and have been struggling with OA for the past several years and the Doc's have been saying replacement was in my near future - both knees eventually. The decision was made for me in late August. Old man basketball, went up for a rebound, came down with a loud pop and the visual of my shin/foot bending 90 degrees out the wrong way. Torn ACL, ripped and twisted meniscus, tear in the calf muscle, and minor strain to a couple of other ligaments. But I had hunts planned...canceled an early muzzleloader mulie hunt, but kept the late elk hunt. Lots of rehab, a nearly-bionic brace, some fantastic help, and we got it done. Now the surgery.
