Total Knee Replacement 30 days on...

I am looking at a knee replacement in the next few years thanks to an accident over 40 years ago. I have had good luck keeping the knee in operating shape for that time, but it appears that the wear and tear on the joint is fast catching up with me.



My main goal is to be able to walk at least 5 miles a day with no significant pain, and to do some hiking on various mountain trails in my area. I am not talking about summiting Mt. BigTop or bolder hopping through the desert rocks, just walking, up and down, doing the usual switchbacks, on reasonably well maintained trails.

How to the replacement knees handle that? I would love to hear the experiences of those who have had replacement knees and still hike.


I guess I should add that I am pushing 70 and thus hope and expect that any knee replacement will last for the rest of my life. And if it doesn't last that long, then it's because I have outlived most of my ancestors. :)


Thanks.
 
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I'm beginning to have stiffness and soreness in my right knee. Nothing to the extent of some here, but I started taking joint supplements a month ago and it has helped. I've seen good and bad results from friends with their knee replacements. Hopefully it won't ever get bad enough to require a replacement. But will do it if necessary.
 
Dawg52 said:
I'm beginning to have stiffness and soreness in my right knee. Nothing to the extent of some here, but I started taking joint supplements a month ago and it has helped. I've seen good and bad results from friends with their knee replacements. Hopefully it won't ever get bad enough to require a replacement. But will do it if necessary.
Click to expand...


If you wouldn't mind, please advise brand of supplement.


Thanks
 
Chuckanut said:
I am looking at a knee replacement in the next few years thanks to an accident over 40 years ago. I have had good luck keeping the knee in operating shape for that time, but it appears that the wear and tear on the joint is fast catching up with me.



My main goal is to be able to walk at least 5 miles a day with no significant pain, and to do some hiking on various mountain trails in my area. I am not talking about summiting Mt. BigTop or bolder hopping through the desert rocks, just walking, up and down, doing the usual switchbacks, on reasonably well maintained trails.

How to the replacement knees handle that? I would love to hear the experiences of those who have had replacement knees and still hike.


I guess I should add that I am pushing 70 and thus hope and expect that any knee replacement will last for the rest of my life. And if it doesn't last that long, then it's because I have outlived most of my ancestors. :)


Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have several (six) friends (65 -75 years old) that have one or both knees replaced. Not one is particularly happy about the outcomes and not one is hiking anywhere near 5 miles per day. Maybe I don't know enough people that have had new knees or maybe I don't know the right ones?

My BIL who lives 2 miles away has had both knees replaced and had to give up golf in his early 70's. Couldn't handle the walking and flexing, too much pain.

I had a meniscus repair in my right knee last July and I am now having joint problems with that knee. I hope I am not facing a new knee, but feel that something is not right. I am a previous long time long distance runner and have been relatively lucky with joints up until now at near 75 years old.

Good luck with the knee replacement if you get one, but I hear that one should hold out as long as possible before going under the knife.
 
golfnut said:
Thanks, I think I 'll give it a try. Knees bothering me lately esp. going up/down stairs.
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I had an issue with my left knee about 4 years ago. I could barely walk. I had an appointment with a orthopedic specialist. Before the appointment something popped and it felt better. The specialist said to take an Aleve daily. I have been doing that with good results. I am starting to get a little pain when going up and down ladders as I build my house, but nothing to really complain about.
 
Most of the people I know who have had knee replacements are happy since they are obviously much better off than before. But these are people who maybe take a 1-2 mile walk a few times a week on relatively flat roads. One guy I know does a lot of cross country skiing and biking after his replacement, but so far no real hikers.

The only really disappointed person I know is a lady who had both knees done in the expectation she could play tennis again. That did not happen.

I figure I am in the middle of both - I want to do more than easy walks on level surfaces, but I have no interest in activities that twist and pound the joint (real or replacement) on a regular basis.
 
REWahoo said:
I would have bet good money you were going to say Jim Beam...
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Well......might work just as well and be more enjoyable. ;)

I have a retired pharmacist golf buddy who swears by another product his wife stumbled upon. I think she heard it first from Paul Harvey. Gin soaked white raisins. Haven't tried it. Hard to believe it would work but who knows......

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/raisin-hopes/
 
A friend had a knee replacement about two years ago and is still doing half marathons. Walking them, not running, but still ...

She takes around 3.5 hours for 13.1 miles, and doesn’t need more than a day or two to completely recover.

Edit: forgot to say she’s around 70.
 
My SO has had both knees replaced a year apart and he has no pain and is able to do everything .The problem with waiting is the knees deteriorate to a point that makes surgery much more complicated plus as We age we tend to get more medical problems .
 
My 87yo dad had a TKR almost two weeks ago. I am feeling better about it now, but was seriously worried at first. The surgeon met with brother, mother and myself about an hour after surgery and spent much of that time telling us how impressed he was with my dad---that he had taken such good care of himself, had the bones of a 40yo, could seriously call himself a "big-boned man" and on and on.

So, we were all beaming and feeling great. Then, a few days later, Dad's pain hit, Oh yaya. He has been in serious pain - much grouchier than usual.

Our family has some experience. My dad had his other knee replaced around age 62 and it seemed to go almost too smoothly; I had a TKR at age 55 and mine was the worst pain ever experienced in the universe. :cool:

Hopefully, this surgery means better days for my dad. We are hopeful. He has been in such pain for years, but he thought he was too old for surgery (we all did!) until he talked with a Verizon salesperson who bragged about how well his 85yo grandmother had done with this surgery.

His surgeon commented that he should have had it done 15 years ago, but that it will still make a huge difference in his quality of life.
 
Ive talked with a good number of knee people, having been to loads of rehab. The pain you describe is pretty rare.. in fact not one of those people ever said anything about unmanageable pain... i sure didnt have it.
 
They just.took my wife into the operating room to replace her knee. Said the operation is about an hour and another hour in the recovery room.
 
Bamaman said:
They just.took my wife into the operating room to replace her knee. Said the operation is about an hour and another hour in the recovery room.
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Keep us posted!

She will be so happy she got this done and I know you will take good care of her during her recovery.
 
Bamaman said:
They just.took my wife into the operating room to replace her knee. Said the operation is about an hour and another hour in the recovery room.
Click to expand...


I hope all goes well and in a few months she is dragging you onto the dance floor. :dance:
 
Bamaman said:
They just.took my wife into the operating room to replace her knee. Said the operation is about an hour and another hour in the recovery room.
Click to expand...


I was supposed to be operated on at 1PM. I ended up sitting in the Pre-Op until 5pm. Lots of time to ponder on what’s coming. In the end It was fine.

Good luck and speedy recovery to her and you...
 
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