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Who has had this done? I'm meeting with a Dr on Friday, my knees have been shot for 15 yrs and I was told I was to young for surgery to tough it out!
Well my toughness has ran away, I hurt them very bad at LBL this last yr.
I haven't been able to do 1/4 of what I could before that.
My wife has gotten about as good as she's going to get and my health insurance will run out in March so it's time to bite the bullet!
Going to do both but don't know if it will be at the same time or if I have to space it out.
I'm hoping to get it done as soon as possible so I will be ready for hunting season in the fall.
Any info would be appreciated.

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I had 2 older family members  Who had both of theirs replaced and they had them done one at a time. They said it made a huge difference in their mobility and pain and help them a lot.

I had one replaced 3 years ago.  Football injury in 1966 with several surgeries on it and Synvisc injections for probably 15 years.  When I had the first surgery the doctor said that I would have my knee replaced, but they were only good for about 5 years and to wait as long as I could.  It kept getting worse and I finally said that I was not waiting any longer and got it done.  The life of a knee replacement is much longer now and they scan your knee and make the replacement to the specs of your knee which is much better than years ago when they just cut out more bone and stuck the same size knee (well pretty much) in.  The best advice that I can give you is to start losing weight if you are overweight and to find a place to exercise.  I found that an exercise bike was best for me since there was no pounding on my knee like running.  What you are trying to do is build up the muscles around the knee because the better they are the quicker your recovery will be.  Do the therapy and while not getting carried away, try to push it as much as possible.  After you are done with therapy get back on an exercise bike and also walk each day.  I slowed down for about 6 months and found that it was a mistake and started going again.  I would do it again and probably should have had it done about 10 years ago rather than 3.

I'm very active I work 10 hrs a day. On my feet alot then come home and do everything around the house, since the wife can't anymore!
I hunt every weekend and walk several miles doing it, but the pain is making it very hard to do.
I lost a 125 lbs 2 yrs ago but have put on 20-25 lbs in the last yr.
If I don't get them fixed I fear I will just end up paying around and gaining weight!
I really hope I can still hunt like I want to after its done. I'm going to try both at the same time if they think Im a candidate for it so recovery time will be shorter.

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I don't know if it is my age or where I live, but there have been lots of friends with knee or hip replacements.  (Maybe that should be, if you live long enough you will have lots of friends with replacement parts.)  One had both knees done at the same time and another had one and then the other while still in rehab for the first replacement.  Neither one had any complaints.

Have a fiend who had one done three weeks ago. They didn't "replace" the knee. They placed titanium surfaces on both sides of the joint. Says he is doing great. Also know others who have had replacements and they are happy with the results.

Tomorrow I will some answers, very nervous about it.

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Quote from: riverboss on May 05, 2019, 07:26:28 PM
Who has had this done? I'm meeting with a Dr on Friday, my knees have been shot for 15 yrs and I was told I was to young for surgery to tough it out!
Well my toughness has ran away, I hurt them very bad at LBL this last yr.
I haven't been able to do 1/4 of what I could before that.
My wife has gotten about as good as she's going to get and my health insurance will run out in March so it's time to bite the bullet!
Going to do both but don't know if it will be at the same time or if I have to space it out.
I'm hoping to get it done as soon as possible so I will be ready for hunting season in the fall.
Any info would be appreciated.

I am waiting on Sept when I turn 65 with some better Ins
Doc says I need both replaced ( along with a back surgery) I have had several jell shots and they help a couple of months, They wont do both at the same time due to heart problems, If I do real good maybe the second in 3 weeks
Havn't been able to do any hunting for almost a year. Problems walking
selling the cows and the farm due to this but hope things get better


I have a good friend had 1 done in Jan 14th and just now starting to get around pretty good but I have other friends that has done well

Good luck Dan and keep us updated
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Got the date set for July 16th. Doing both knees at the same time, with a newer designed knee were they cap the bones instead of drilling out the bones! Recovery time is alot shorter and they last 25 yrs,
My age and health make me a perfect candidate for them.
Good luck fuzzy! I should be back in the woods by November. I hope yours heal and you have time to get back after some hunting soon.

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That sounds great Dan. I am seeing a Dr Sweet in Louisville Ky.  I may have to check your Dr out is he located anywhere close to me.

Dr Hummel is in Florence KY at Cincy Ortho.it really not that far from Louisville. He's rate one of the top surgeons in Ky!
He's done 4 family members in the last 12 months and all have been very pleased.
Good luck.

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Very informative:

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-knee-replacement/

Thanks

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I’m going in June 27th for left knee replacement.  Along with Dan this years LBL hunt was very hard on my left knee. Hoping everything goes ok, so next years hunt is more enjoyable  :yoyo:

Luck Steve.  Hoping it goes real well for ya.

Good luck to Steve, Dan and Fuzzy!  I hope all turns out well and we meet up again at LBL next year.   

Johnny I will be they're you can bet on it. I just hope I'm pain free.

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Well 2 weeks and counting, several more Dr appointments to go still. Steve had his done last week and is recovering at home, nerves are starting to get me. Im having a hard time with being couped up and not being able to drive.

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Here is a little before and after x-ray of my knee.  Before was all bone on bone which is not the way God made it.  After shows the space that is supposed to be there.  Since it is some sort of synthetic cushion it doesn’t show, but the stainless steel does show very well.

Damn that makes me cringe :holdon:

Mine have wore threw the bones on the inside! I'm very bow legged it's been 15 yrs since they told me they needed replaced., But wouldn't do it because of my age.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190703/9cb29f22ea0decee4bbaf6d9d6635c4c.jpg)

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When they first told me I was a good candidate they also told me that the knees at that time would not last more than 10 years and that was if I was careful.  I said I would wait.  Now they are 30 plus years so I think it will last a lifetime.

I plan on wearing these suckers out in a few yrs!

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Quote from: riverboss on July 03, 2019, 06:39:18 PM
I plan on wearing these suckers out in a few yrs!

Or moving on to hip replacements.

Hope you are able to get out soon, I am still waiting on my medicare to kick in in September

July 16th is the big day!
Fuzzy face let me know if I can help in anyway I may be able to share some Info that's helpful.
I sure hope my hips don't go, my shoulders are a mess also!

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Good luck RB !

Thanks I'm going to need it!

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Cant they put a grease zerk on the side there?

I wish.

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Quote from: FinsnFur on July 05, 2019, 10:41:21 AM
Cant they put a grease zerk on the side there?

You should be a physician.

All will be good just keep a positive attitude and have faith in your doctors. 

Quote from: JohnP on July 06, 2019, 12:02:02 PM
All will be good just keep a positive attitude and have faith in your doctors.

You must have different docs down there John.

I put Dr and lawyers in the same category!
They both lie just to get your money.

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Quote from: riverboss on July 07, 2019, 12:51:00 PM
I put Dr and lawyers in the same category!
They both lie just to get your money.
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If you think the doctor is lying and don't think that the x-ray is of your knees then skip the replacement surgery.  No doctor can make you have it.

I know they are my ex rays and I really don't have much of a choice!
But they always tell you stuff so you choose them to do it.
I have already been told I would be driving within 3 weeks no problem now it's 4-6 weeks! My wife still can't walk more than 40-50 ft and relies on me alot I need to get back to my position at home fast!
It is what it is and we will have to deal with it as it comes, but I will never trust a Dr or lawyer!
Her problems would be alot less if they would of removed her leg instead of doing 8 operations on it, the nerve damage is so Sevier it swells and retains water leading to be open sores which stay infected.
She will end up loosing it in the long run!


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Sorry about your wife's condition.  My doctor told me from the beginning that it would be at least five weeks and possibly six weeks and that it would depend on how my recovery progressed.  If I didn't do the therapy it could be many more weeks. 

Thanks, I'm looking into putting hand controls on my van if the state will allow it.
Physical therapy and grocery's will be a big chore.


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RB,  I don't recall what state you're in but I would suggest looking up your state independent living center, they might be able to help you out with hand controls and services for your wife and home. Every state has to have one under the ADA.  I know that for a fact because I have worked in one for 15+ years!  New Hampshire and Vermont only have one center but bigger states have multiple centers based on regions.  I have worked with multiple people on getting hand controls on their vehicles fairly simple process and they can be switched out to other vehicles and removed if needed.  If you let me know what state you're in  I would be happy to find the center for you.  I would also check out the USDA rural development program. They have a $7500 grant program for home modifications for people with handicaps if you're 62 years or older and they also do one percent interest loans for a handicap home modifications.  If you're a veteran the VA will also help with vehicle and home modifications.

A lot of people do not do what the Doc tells them to do nor take their meds and do PT as required.  When things go wrong it's the Doc's fault.  I have seen many lives saved in Vietnam and other far away places because of doctor's.

VA agreed to put hand controls in my truck and car, told them to go pound sand.  Very cheap to buy parts and do it yourself, they can use the money on vets in far worse shape then I am.

Nasty thanks I'm in ky, my house is already handicapped ready I did that last yr.
I don't know if my state will allow me to drive with the hand controls or if I will need them! I hate having to have people do stuff for me.
They are relatively cheap to buy and install.


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I totally agree johnP I can do therophy just a few miles away but it's very poorly run!
I want to get the best I can get and that's about 20 miles away.
My wife is able to drive she just won't! If she did she still couldn't get out of the van without help.
That's what sucks I won't be able to lift her scooter and load it for her.
I will work it out its just going to take alot of help.

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Usually they can help with things like a scooter lift for your wife also and if she needs in home help while your recuperating. Everybody gets some disabilities as they age, and I tell people if you can use the help, take it. I would rather see my tax dollar help you then some welfare queen with 10 kids by 12 different guys😇. The choice of course is yours:

https://silc.ky.gov/Pages/Centers-for-Independent-Living.aspx

Thanks

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And buy a Glock!...... :innocentwhistle: :yoyo:

And have a cold beer..........

When Dad was 74 he had a total knee replacement. He was light bowling after 8 weeks of strict PT. He's 90yrs old today & I can just about keep up with him now.

Moral of the story is your Drs don't always lie. If you'r gonna put your life in his hands you may as well put your faith & belief in that same person that got schooled for 6yrs to take care of you. Everybody recovers at a different rate/pace. If being a Dr was easy hell we'd all be one.

Got them done this morning! Very painful.

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Geezus!... Well I hope you have a good fast recovery!

I need a grease gun! These things are tight and stiff.

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Quote from: riverboss on July 27, 2019, 11:37:47 AM
I need a grease gun! These things are tight and stiff.

You mean they didn't install the grease zerks when they did the surgery?  I opted not to have them installed since they were an extra $500 per zerk and weren't covered by any insurance.   

No they told me these were sealed unites that didn't need lubed ever!

Maybe it my alignment!

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17 days and doing ok, pain and swelling starting to get better.
Cabin fever setting in though.
Dr says things are going  good so far and that if I think I can drive go for it. Doing both knees at the same time should really be considered hard, it a very rough surgery and shouldn't be taken lightly.

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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190802/9492b5c7bfa268b6f6e5d7b20f21b2a6.jpg)

Quote from: riverboss on August 02, 2019, 04:04:55 PM
Doing both knees at the same time should really be considered hard, it a very rough surgery and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Yea, I only had one done and that was enough for me.  I am just glad I didn't need both done at the same time.

Hang in there , Dan!  Won't be long before I need mine done.  Especially the left one!

Jim

Hey Dan how it going with the knees

It's going pretty good, therophy is hell!
I've had alot of swelling that alot of people don't have it makes getting your range of motion back alot slower.
Physical therophy is the most important thing you can do, without it you will never get better.
The pain is gone except pain from the surgery itself and I'm glad I got them done.
But doing both of them at the same time is hell and should really be thought threw.
Linman Steve  did one and is doing great, they tell me I'm right on track but man it gets old because with both you really don't have a solid or halfway solid leg to stand on.
Expect 2 weeks of nothing but ice and medicines but after that it start improving.
I'm 5 weeks out and have been driving for a couple of weeks and have went from a walker to crutches and now a cane.
The best thing I did was buy a used lift chair I slept in it for a week and a  piss jug is worth it's weight in gold.
Good luck when you do yours and if you need anything or have ant questions just give me a shout.

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Hang in there, Dan!!  Sounds like you are doing well!  You will be out and about in no time !
Jim

The worst is over, just keep doing your PT and you'll be running a marathon in no time. 

I can see the difference everyday, when it's all over I'm going to be happy I did both at the same time! But it's a very painful and time consuming journey, my wife's disability makes it harder as I don't really have any help.

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I can help if you want me to come drive that truck around that your restoring. You know...to kinda make sure everything is back together and working correctly. :eyebrownod:

You just want to upgrade can from that ford!

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I found a old ford the other day it's. 1980 model 300 six cylinder bull dog 4 speed one owner, just over a hundred thousands miles! Been sitting in a garage the last 10 yrs.
I need to go look at it, but it's a 2 wheel drive. Guys dad bought it new he want 3'000 for it

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Buy it.  Best truck on the road.

Sounds like a good deal Dan.  If'n it was me I would buy it. 

11 weeks out, back to work and got to get out muzzleloading!
Knees feel pretty good they still swell up some and mussels hurt but I'm getting there.
Can't wait to get out after some coyotes.

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Good job on the healing.  Don't do nothing ya think ya shouldn't for a few more days. :nofgr:

Quote from: riverboss on October 24, 2019, 07:50:36 PM
11 weeks out, back to work and got to get out muzzleloading!
Knees feel pretty good they still swell up some and mussels hurt but I'm getting there.
Can't wait to get out after some coyotes.

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That sounds great Dan I do a partial on my left knee Dec. 13th and a full replacement on the right March 24th
Not looking forward to it but hope it gets me straighten out

Good luck fuzzy I hope it gets you back on your feet. Check your messages I'm going to send you my number, give me a call I want to ask you about something.
Dan

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