Knee Surgery

12 years ago

My brother (54) was an avid runner and had knee surgery on his right knee about 3 years ago. He was advised to stop running, but he can still bike.

His knee has been bothering him again, and he got a call yesterday from the surgeon's office yesterday to inform me of a cancellation.

Prior to the surgery, he mentioned that his other knee has been acting up lately, too so as a result, he had double knee surgery yesterday. After the surgery was told that his right knee is "ugly" and he will need a knee replacement.

I'm sure I read somewhere that knee replacement surgery is one of the most common surgeries and are pretty straightforward nowadays.

I just can't picture my brother sitting with 2 ice packs on his knees for very long. He does NOT sit still. Ever.

My knees bother me too. I wonder if it's hereditary. My grandmother had terrible knees. It hurts when I go up and down stairs and it's tough getting up from kneeling etc.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

chloecat
12 years ago
I had knee surgery in my late teens, and they told me then I'd likely need more surgery in "10 years." That was almost 30 years ago. I still have some random knee pain, quite often related to rain (no lie).

That said, when I'm above my ideal weight, my knees hurt. When my weight is where it should be, they don't.
susan_on
12 years ago
My friend had that surgery on each knee. She said that recovery wasn't too bad. She had a job at that time where she needed to be on her feet, but she wasn't off work for very long.
Related Discussions
Have you had arthroscopic knee surgery?
Q
Comments (6)
I haven't, but our very best friends have had 5 of them. In fact we were out with them Saturday night, he just completed therapy from his January surgery where he WALKED OUT of the hospital with no crutches. He did the same thing on the last surgery and the one before that. He's a fireman/paramedic, years and years of lifting people played havoc with his knees. He was recuperating on the couch for about 3 days, but even then, he could get himself around pretty well without much problem. He took one pain med and then Tylenol after that for a couple of days. From what I've seen of his (and hers) surgeries, you have nothing to worry about! Most of his have been torn meniscus', this last one was some other thing, I'd have to ask him again but the Dr. did say that he's had all he can have, next time it's a full-blown knee replacement! Hope all goes well for you, Joanne!
...See More
Knee surgery and gardening
Q
Comments (11)
Getting a little away from your original question.........But I need knee replacements too, but have chosen not to get them. I'm 66. I haven't been able to get up from a floor position for years! I tripped by myself in the backyard last year, and had to crawl over to a big stick, which helped me get upright. It's strange....but I actually can't tell you why I can't get up. Nothing feels weak.......I just can't get up! lol! Anyhow.....for years I did a lot of trellis gardening, which was great. But the weeds in my fairly big garden got to be just too much leaning over, and painful. So this spring I've gone to 8 Behlen country stock tanks up on cement blocks. I've had a couple of these for a couple years and they work great.........and no leaning over! If I do need to lean over a bit to weed them, I can sit on a garden stool. I still have several trellises for pole beans and cucumbers. I've also invested in some cordless equipment.......like a cordless mower. It has a removable string weed trimmer in it that you can take out of it's wheeled base to use separately. So now, most everything will be up higher and I can just "mow" the garden floor. I love gardening. I can't imagine ever not being able to garden. But......I've learned to do whatever I can to be able to continue it. Yes, I will miss gardening in the ground, but since that's not possible anymore........it's the raised stock tanks for me. YAY! So good luck with your knee replacement and do whatever you can to continue gardening in a way that won't hurt your knee or be painful to you. There's still so many options!
...See More
O.T. Knee surgery
Q
Comments (17)
Nancy, this process where they give you both a surface and a deep nerve block alowed me to awaken and to move NO pain for the first 24 hours. Then it gradually increased, but because I had been walking normally, I suppose the brain still wanted to walk normally. The workouts DH and I have been doing at the gym helped, and I really expect to need no more than three weeks of therapy to get back close to normal. The surgeon and his nurse wear"spacesuits" during the operation, I took showers with Chlorohexadine for the week before the surgery (soap used to clean skin before open heart surgery). We changed the dressing yesterday, and there was o hint of any sort of inflammation or infection. It really loks good, so I am very happy with it so far. kay
...See More
Knee surgery probably in May
Q
Comments (16)
Best wishes for a successful surgery so you'll be back in the garden real soon! I guess this means you will want me to wait to send the daylilies later on in the summer? They are barely poking out anyway since we've gotten a late start to spring this year. I can attest to how it is harder to recover as we get older. (I'm 59 and grandma to a dozen). It's been 8- 1/2 months since my collarbone was shattered & the metal was put in and I still have some pain (but I also tore the rotator cuff which needs a separate surgery that I'm putting off). I did go to all my PT sessions and did my exercises at home so it is getting easier finally. I got discouraged for the first 6 months since it hurt every single day and there were many movements I couldn't do. My doctor told me it requires a full year for each of my injuries, so 2 yrs. is realistic. I am getting back outside in the garden and nothing can stop this crazy lady gardener after enduring a long winter and recovery. I sure hope your recovery goes quicker and with no complications! Keep us updated.
...See More
jannie
12 years ago
I've known for at least 20 years that I have osteoarthritis (the old-age kind, not rheumatoid, the immune disease). It started with aches in both wrists.I went to my family doctor who did Xrays. Now both knees and sometimes my feet hurt. I fell on the ice a winter ago and injured my left knee. It's weak and painful, and I noticed I can't do most yoga poses with that knee. So I "sit out" in yoga class while others (even much older than I) can stand on one leg and do twists. Basically, I'm a coward. I don't want surgery. My neighbor, a burly former foreman, had knee replacement surgery mayube 2 years ago. I see him out gardening, playing with his grandkids, fixing cars, nothing slows him down now. So I know knee replacemnt is available.
phyllis__mn
12 years ago
I had knee replacement two years ago, and am happy with it. I had so much pain prior to the procedure, so was very glad to have it done. Recovery was a bit slower than when I had hips replaced, but not bad.
luckygardnr
12 years ago
I've had both knees replaced, and am also quite happy with the results. I walk with no pain. It's true that you are not allowed to run, as it puts too much stress on the parts. Also I can't kneel or squat, but that's okay. I have no pain! I still go to the gym and use most of their machines without difficulty.
sleeperblues
12 years ago
The surgery is not the difficult part, it is the rehab. If your brother needs to get his knee replaced, he should focus on the physical therapy afterward if he wants to get back to function. Also, they don't last forever. He will likely need the replacement repeated in 10-15 years. Keeping your weight down is paramount in protecting your knees. Sounds like your brother is active, which usually means slim so I assume his problems with his knees are from over-use. Good luck to him.
tobygirl
12 years ago
I can't comment on your brother's knees since he already had surgery, but concerning your knees I'd like to offer a suggestion, if you don't mind.

For many years until recently, I walked for exercise, unaware that the normal biomechanics of my feet was disrupted due to a condition known as excessive pronation or hyperpronation. The pain came first in my hips, but then in both my knees, before I was correctly diagnosed. Like you, I had knee pain on stairs and after sitting, also walking and just standing after awhile.

A simple test you can do yourself which may indicate you have this problem is to squat in front of a mirror and take notice of your knees. Normally, they will be straight, but with excessive pronation, they will turn in.

The remedy is orthotics.
maire_cate
12 years ago
I'm having bilateral knee replacement and my surgeon gave the following advice. If you want to do everything you can to help your artificial knees last as long as possible then avoid excessive pounding- bike don't run, walk don't run, play doubles rather than singles tennis. If your brother is sensible then he'll alter his exercise routine.
nicole__
12 years ago
I agree that weight is a huge factor with knees. I never had knee problems before I gained weight and...now I do. :0) I've been running for 21 years. Just 10lbs made a difference. The old saying, "pick your parents well", holds true also. A lot of a persons problems can be hereditary.
cookie8
12 years ago
I have never had a weight problem but have had problems with my right knee since my late teens. I get cortisone shots every couple of years with a draining. I have to have a very strict diet to keep out foods that seem to aggravate my condition. I am back to HIIT workouts which involve a lot of jumping and impact and have had no issues since the diet change:). I used to get the knee inflammation on any high impact or weight bearing activity. BTW, my mother and grandmother had knee issues so I'm guessing it's hereditary.

Knee Surgery

Comments (10)

chloecat

susan_on

Related Discussions

jannie

phyllis__mn

luckygardnr

sleeperblues

tobygirl

maire_cate

nicole__

cookie8

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US