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As much as I've tried to delay it, It looks like total knee replacement surgery is in my very near future. I will try one more dose of SynVisc (artificial synovial fluid as a lubricant) in order to delay for another six months or so until summer 2011 when I will have the assistance I'll need after the surgery.
For those who have had the experience, what can you tell me? Your experiences may prove to be educational for me, including things you may have done prior to surgery that may have helped to make the procedure more successful.
Thanks so much for your assistance.
[Note: To the alternative therapy folks, please don't tell me about alternatives or "cures" for arthritis or any of the "natural approaches", etc. With due respect, I've seen the X-rays with my own eyes and it's very clear that the time for replacement has come.]
I've had both knees replaced and my wife has had one with the other due soon.
First don't be afraid since the whole process has come light years from where it was just 10 years ago. How well you do is yours to control by pushing through any pain after surgery and being diligent about doing your rehab work to get your legs back in action ASAP after surgery. One thing you DO NOT want to do is lay in bed!!!! Get up & get moving.
Now a good hospital will have a machine to move your legs as soon as you come out of surgery to keep the legs from swelling to much and locking up. They will also pack the wounds with ice....lot's of ice!!
For the most part you can forget getting down on your knees since the implants make that to painful plus your weight on your knees will loosen the implant. Also don't be afraid to use a cane ,or walker, since everybody is different and some have a slight balance problem with new knees. I still use a cane when I'm outside due the unevenness of the ground.
I thank God everyday that I've got new knees since my life would have been much different confined to a wheelchair.
(also note: any kind of activity that places shock type loads on the new knee joint are to be avoided at all cost i.e. basketball, running, etc. One of the best activities for those with hip & knee replacements is cycling. A good long, or frequent, bicycle ride (not dirt or mountain bike) is the best activity with super low stress on the implants available for the replacement patients.
Last edited by Grandpa Pipes; 11-30-2010 at 10:25 AM..
Swimming is another good low-impact sport. A family member in another state had knee surgery a couple of yrs ago - 3 mos later she had it on the other knee. Must have been genetic b/c her father had knee surg. as an adult and her brother did (as a teen). In all cases, they did well (diff. hospitals in diff. states). No personal experience w/ it though. Best of luck if you go that route.
Yes, Water walking in the shallow end is a great way to rehab the legs after knee or hip replacement. I did a little water walking when I had mine done but had to stop due to the pool closing for the season. I do know I felt great after just a couple of days slowly walking back and forth in the pool with my walker!
... and if I only had access to a pool. (But you're absolutely right about the value of water walking.)
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