Knee replacement recovery time

[SumDay]

I need a knee replacement, but as usual, life gets in the way of plans.

Trying to fit surgery into a summer filled with an annual guy trip DH always takes (and lives for), a meet & greet with future in-laws a 6 hour drive away, and finally son's wedding in September which is a plan trip away.

How long after your knee replacement would you have been comfortable getting on a plane, walking around Second City for a few days, and being escorted down the aisle? Is 6 weeks realistic? It feels really right to me. Or should I wait until after the nuptials to be safe?

I'm not at the tipping point yet, but don't want another cortisone shot since that means at least a 90 day wait for surgery.

Getting old is not for sissies.

 

[Chuckanut]

I'm in a similar situation, though I have now scheduled my TKR for this summer.

I expect many here have gone through it already and we can expect some good advice and suggestions.

Some past threads:

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/total-knee-replacement-30042.html

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/second-total-knee-replacement-95595.html

 

[Callitaday2022]

Not realistic at 6wks. That would be like 50% on Fire Calc...might be ok, might not. Be careful on long flights or drives for blood clots. If I had somewhere I had to be in 6 wks no way would I have TKA. I'd feel confident 80+% at 12 wks

 

[nhcycling]

My spouse had a knee replacement at the end of December and was 100% recovered end of March. We were on a plane and an active vacation in April. I have to add this is someone who runs everyday, goes to the gym, is lean.

 

[SumDay]

I'm going to wait and do it in late September, right after the wedding. Hopefully, I'll be my ready for the Holidays and some travel next year. Kind of a bummer - this was our first year of retirement and we've each had some health issues that have prohibited the travel we've been dreaming of. Thanks!

 

[Chuckanut]

My spouse had a knee replacement at the end of December and was 100% recovered end of March. We were on a plane and an active vacation in April. I have to add this is someone who runs everyday, goes to the gym, is lean.

I'm curious. If he runs every day, why did he need a TKR at this time?

 

[nhcycling]

Had exhausted all the other avenues and ortho a couple years ago said it’ll be up to you when you’re ready and I’m sure running the last few years were quite painful. Athletes idk, just keep on going. Walking downstairs was painful. Had stopped hiking, doing things around the house like setting up staging to paint and repair things. Minimal walking etc.

 

[Bamaman]

My wife had her knee replacement the first of last June. The first 4 weeks was rough. And she was really recovered after 4 months. Now she's completely pain free, however.

You still have to permanently be careful with the knee. No jumping off walls or other such activities--forever. A runner that has to have a knee replacement later in life should be a walker in the future.

 

[Texas Proud]

I think it has to do with how well you heal... one of my bosses did one knee and was back to work in 2 weeks... we could not tell any different from before.. he was always moving around both before and after.. also did not go to therapy as he said it was a waste and he could do what he needed better without 'help'...



I think was on a plane at week 4 or 5... but he is not the norm..

 

[stephenson]

Good advice from all.

I would recommend 3-4 months for TKR ... some do sooner, some do later.

Just did hip on Tuesday ... at home 26 hours after the surgery. Hips are waaaay easier than knees. Have driving trip scheduled at 2 months, fishing trip with flight at 3 months. Euro vacation at 4 months. If it had been knee, I would not have scheduled any of them. Probably 2X factor.

Quick edit ... THR can be done without aggressive PT, just do at home. IMO NO ONE should do a TKR without scheduled and aggressive PT. The concepts and procedures and methodologies for recovery are totally different.

 

[Chuckanut]

Walking downstairs was painful. Had stopped hiking, doing things around the house like setting up staging to paint and repair things. Minimal walking etc.

Alas, I can relate to all those limitations. I hope he recovers quickly and completely.

 

[Chuckanut]

I think it has to do with how well you heal... one of my bosses did one knee and was back to work in 2 weeks... we could not tell any different from before.. he was always moving around both before and after.. also did not go to therapy as he said it was a waste and he could do what he needed better without 'help'...



I think was on a plane at week 4 or 5... but he is not the norm..

My orthopedic told some people may do those things very quickly but they may put full recovery at risk and/or reduce the life of the implant.

 

[stephenson]

Forgot to mention - the advice of more than one ortho in two different parts of the country.

“Make sure your surgeon does production replacements.”

They were speaking to the preference for a surgeon that does this type of op all the time - several a week to several a day.

The local ortho clinic was well set up for this with a joint replacement wing - I was offered an opportunity for outpatient surgery, but turns out Medicare requires at least one night in the hospital.

 

[Bamaman]

Forgot to mention - the advice of more than one ortho in two different parts of the country.
“Make sure your surgeon does production replacements.”
They were speaking to the preference for a surgeon that does this type of op all the time - several a week to several a day.
The local ortho clinic was well set up for this with a joint replacement wing - I was offered an opportunity for outpatient surgery, but turns out Medicare requires at least one night in the hospital.

I agree completely. My wife's doctors practice has a whole floor of the hospital, and he does only knees two days per week. And he's an artist at doing knee replacements. He alone (without his partners) bring in $600K gross sales to the hospital per week if not more. My wife's hospital bill was $92K for the knee. Thankfully she's on Medicare and had a supplement.

 

[stephenson]

I read a bit on this website ... good background and experiences ...

BoneSmart.org

 

[Paracelsus]

I had my knee replaced in October last year. The first month was a bit rough - I hired someone else to walk my dog and used a cane to get around. I also was not allowed to drive (R knee). I had an aunt die at the end of October and did drive to her funeral and walked slowly, but without the cane. After that I started increasing walking and getting my own dog walked. By two months I was getting in about two miles per walk and getting back to a kettlebell gym to work out. Now I'm doing lots - walking about 4-5 miles a day with my dog, doing kettlebells three times a week, and volunteering at a animal shelter 3 days a week (lots of running around cleaning up).

I think at six weeks you should be fine walking around for about an hour at a time. I got off pain relievers (narcotics) at 4 weeks.

Things I'm not able to do yet with the new knee - kneel on it, cross my right leg with ankle on my left knee comfortably, get my heel to my butt, and running or jumping - I'm careful getting off high things without dropping down to the ground. I'm fine lifting weight with the new knee - deadlifts, squats, lunges, kettlebell swings, etc. I used to do circus aerials regularly, but now I don't - haven't tried hanging from the knee - still work at the circus as a staff member (mostly secretary).

I'm just an example of a TKR, but I'm happy to have gotten it (age 57), compared to the pain dealing with the knee (even with cortisone injections) before the surgery.

 

[Chuckanut]

My TKR is getting nearer every day.

I am trying to be prepared and figure I will need the following:

A cushion designed to raise the leg without stressing the knee joint
A platform to raise my recliner up a few inches
shower seat
raised toilet seat
walker

Also an icing machine of some kind to fight swelling. Can anybody recommend a machine they used. Are they worth it?

Your recommendations and advice are appreciated.

 

[molly312]

I recommend the Breg Polar Care Cube - ice machine. In January, I had rotator cuff surgery and the ice machine helped my pain more than any pills. My MD ordered it and I had no idea how I would come to appreciate that more than any Rx. They have several different style cuffs for different parts of your body. I think the cuff and knee cuff might be the same.

Instead of using ice in the machine, freeze 4 16oz water bottles and place them in the Breg ice bucket and then add water to the line. This is much easier than messing with ice cubes. I rotate 8 bottles in the freezer.

I still use my ice machine on rough days. This kind of shoulder surgery seems to take forever to heal. However, stick with the ICE and you will get a lot of relief. I wish you a speedy recovery.

TIP: I am told that you can find these machines on Ebay for a reasonable cost. Mine - direct from the pharmacy - was $150 (and worth every penny).

 

[Taxman59]

I recommend the Breg Polar Care Cube - ice machine. In January, I had rotator cuff surgery and the ice machine helped my pain more than any pills. My MD ordered it and I had no idea how I would come to appreciate that more than any Rx. They have several different style cuffs for different parts of your body. I think the cuff and knee cuff might be the same.

Instead of using ice in the machine, freeze 4 16oz water bottles and place them in the Breg ice bucket and then add water to the line. This is much easier than messing with ice cubes. I rotate 8 bottles in the freezer.


TIP: I am told that you can find these machines on Ebay for a reasonable cost. Mine - direct from the pharmacy - was $150 (and worth every penny).

+1000
I used it for my first knee using Ice. It was wonderful, but the ice was melting faster than I could make it!! The second knee I used the bottles, and it worked like a charm!

 

[nhcycling]

My TKR is getting nearer every day.

I am trying to be prepared and figure I will need the following:

A cushion designed to raise the leg without stressing the knee joint
A platform to raise my recliner up a few inches
shower seat
raised toilet seat
walker

Also an icing machine of some kind to fight swelling. Can anybody recommend a machine they used. Are they worth it?

Your recommendations and advice are appreciated.

My other half got an “Aircast Icing” device/machine to recover from a quad rupture and replaced the cuff to recover from a TKR on the other knee. Kept the swelling to a minimum. Pricey and highly recommended.

Oh and the hospital sent home crutches, I think we borrowed a walker for safety to get up in the middle of the night and got a shower seat. Just used bed pillows on the couch. Nothing else.

 

[Chuckanut]

The icing machines seem popular. Some claim they can cut down on the pain meds thanks to the machine.

 

[aaronc879]

I'm amazed by all the fast recoveries. I had a THR almost 13 months ago and still have pain if I walk too much. I need to use a cane if I am too active. I believe this is the result of being forced back to work by Work Comp and doing too much too soon. I would recommend the OP waits until after their busy summer to have the surgery and don't rush the recovery.

 

[Chuckanut]

I'm amazed by all the fast recoveries. I had a THR almost 13 months ago and still have pain if I walk too much. I need to use a cane if I am too active. I believe this is the result of being forced back to work by Work Comp and doing too much too soon. I would recommend the OP waits until after their busy summer to have the surgery and don't rush the recovery.

I have talked to a number of people who have had a TKR. Recovery times vary all over the place. A few people who have had two TKRs report one quick recovery and another that took many months longer.

One thing seems certain to me is that straining the joint to early and causing additional inflammation and perhaps even damaging some soft tissue is defiantly a big No-No. A TKR is a brutal surgery: cutting, sawing, drilling, pounding, stretching, and finally stapling the huge incision closed. Then the fun starts: pain, inflammation, swelling, etc. Is it any wonder I waited 40 years to get this done? Of course, the alternative is going short distances hobbling along at 1/4 impulse power for the rest of my life. No more Warp Drive for me with the current knee.

Occasionally, I read testimonies about people who have had a TKR and 3 months later are running a half-marathon. Or they are in the gym 6 weeks after the surgery working out on the weight machines to "strengthen' their legs and knees. I have come to the conclusion that these people are either lying or taking a huge risk that might seriously damage their repaired knee.

 

[Moemg]

I can honestly say my SO has had two total knee replacements and He was back to normal quickly .He used a walker for a few days and then went to a cane occasionally . He was bending his knee to 90 degrees in a few days post surgery . He only had to do two weeks of rehab .Some people are just like that . He had a triple bypass and was out in two days and back to normal in a few weeks . He has a high pain tolerance and a hatred for hospitals so He just wants to get home.

 

[nhcycling]

I wonder if your physical condition before surgery has a role in your recovery? I see people that are lean, have been life long athletes, did PT specifically to strengthen muscles before their TKR have an shorter and easier recovery. I’ve known coworkers who weren’t in the best shape have long recoveries. Maybe it doesn’t matter at all ...