Has anyone had a knee replacement? Thoughts?
 

My father in law is having this done Monday (had to postpone it for his mom's funeral)

What should we do to help him?

What is the recovery like?


I imagine it is very painful?

I have not, but my wife is a nurse and she said it is not uncommon for the pain after surgery to be less than what people were going through prior. It is a different kind of pain I guess. My 75 year old aunt had both of hers done at the same time and she did quite well. The P.T. afterwards is the key.

My mother had her right knee replaced on January 4th. It was a Monday and she went home the following Thursday. She was in a bit of pain and the physical therapy is tough. My mother is not one to be tied down so she really worked on getting going. I saw her 3 1/2 weeks after the surgery and she was going up and down stairs easily. Now, about 6 weeks after the surgery, she is driving again and back to her normal routine. The only time she mentions pain is when she goes to the PT class. I am amazed that a 75 year old woman recovered so quickly but they really push you, at least where she had it done.

Don't make him kneel down? :shrug:

I don't know how it relates, but my in-laws both had hip replacements, and they said the pain is worse after, but then improves past the point they were at before. Sort of, before the surgery it was a C, after it was a D, but a few months later it was a B. So tell him not to get discouraged at first.

Make sure he follows up with the rehabilitation/physical therapy afterwards.

I had a total knee replacement several years ago. I had torn my ACL about 20 years before that and had it surgically repaired. After 20 years all of the cartilage in the knee was gone.

Before the knee replacement I couldn't walk 100 yards without it starting to hurt like hell. I couldn't golf and I couldn't bowl, and those are things I do a lot.

I had the knee replacement even though I was in my early 40 and I was much younger than the typical knee replacement patient. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Yes, it hurt like hell when I did the physical therapy. That lasted for a week or two. It gradually got better and better, and six weeks after surgery I was walking almost completely normal. Three months after surgery I felt so good that I resumed normal activities like bowling in a competive league and playing golf.

I generally ride in a cart when I golf these days. If I try to walk the course it starts to hurt a little bit after 9 holes. But like I said, getting a knee replacement was one of the best decisions I ever made.

It's a worthy procedure. The rehab, as RF alluded to, is a real bear.

Is your FIL more than a little overweight? So many fatty's these days have ruined their joints through years of carrying too much weight. And the rehab for those folks is quantum leap more difficult for them and everybody helping them.

What is the record number of pity threads in a row?

I don't want to sound like Debbie Downer, so sorry about that. But, I've known 4 people who have gotten knee replacement surgery. 2 of them died while rehabbing. One was about 20 years ago, and one was about a year ago. Blood clots!

Like I said, the first was about 20 years ago. A cousin, about 50, not quite. Had the surgery was doing pretty well. Then, through a blood clot. Boom, gone.

The second one was about a year ago. Friend, former neighbor. Young man, 43-44 years old. Had surgery, was doing great. Woke up, went into the kitchen and boom! Bloodclot, seizure, and gone!

Make sure they are strict about their cumiden (or whatever bloodthinner) treatment they should be put on. Closely monitored, and don't overdo it. The femoral artery is a bloodclot superhighway straight to the lungs...and, believe me they go fast! Same thing happened to Derrick Thomas...not knee replacement, but a blood clot.

Had both of mine done. He has do do rehab. Remove all throw rugs and mats from all floors. They are tripping hazards for those who have knees replaced. Blood clots are the biggest problem. Keep them out of beds and laying down.

No knee replacement, but I added a couple of knees a few years back just for added flexibility. Now when I sit down, though, I make accordion-sounding flatulence.

Four words - Pain Management, Good Pills

Yes, he is pretty overweight. I am sure that is a factor.

Thanks for the PT advice all. It makes us less anxious about the surgery. I will also tell the step mom to keep him active as she can.

well, I don't know, but this wasn't a pity thread...it was a thread seeking information, so continue being the ass we know you are :) Thanks for playing :)

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