If your surgeon is good you will do fine. It takes awhile to recover, and the therapy is the key to it. I have no doubt you will do very well, because you know about work already.

kay

With all the new procedures for Orthopedics I'm sure you'll be up and around quickly. Good luck with the surgery.

I'm glad you're seeking a solution to your knee pain. I've started working with my doctor about the chronic shoulder pain I've had for the past few years.

Debra

I had knee replacement in early December. I spent just one day in the hospital. Kay is right. Doing your therapy is the key to recovery. Best of luck to you.

Nancy

If they just trim the tear, you will be on your feet the next day. However, you should take precautions in gardening, as the tear is a sign of weakened cartilage. I often picture different forum members in terms of age. For a long time, I thought of you, Brad, as being middle aged, but then you noted that you no longer drove as far as a visit to Thoroughbred Daylilies. Hmm, I thought, Brad must be as old as I am. Well, LOL, I'm not asking anyone to reveal his/her age. Just strange, how often the person we imagine on the web is different from reality. (Of course, one can have a torn meniscus at almost any age. I've had two surgeries, but the doctor has warned that the cartilage is getting thin.)

Mantis, I'm actually 64. I have always disliked driving. Even when I turned 16, I put off driving class in school. On long trips my wife and I share the driving because neither of us like it. Odd since her dad loves driving and my dad didn't mind it. Perhaps it is because as children both of us were terribly car sick most of the time, even short drives. I guess that is another sign that we were made for each other. LOL.

I was only in my late 40's when I think I may have torn it the first time. But the other tear was probably later, weeding the daylilies, perhaps mid to late 50's.But these are only guesses

You are right; we do make vague mental pictures of others, and except for Celeste who has her picture on, and recently I think it was hoosier Nancy was in a picture, we really don't know. There's been a few others that just came to mind: Ed, Boyd, the lady from Australia, and a couple more I can't recall. And I got to meet Dick at his house!

My PT is working with me to have me just right for the surgery. She is really good!

Thank you all for the well wishes and tips.

Surgery sounds a little scarey but I am sure all will go well, sounds like you have confidence in your doctor so that is a plus .. I have torn something on the outside of my knee ......not sure what but it is a burning that I feel when I kneel down. Only just recently happened so I am hoping it will heal itself . I HATE Doctors .

I am a month away from being 66 . I am not the type of woman who worries about getting older . I worked hard to get here LOL ! and the alternative is not something I am ready for yet , I figure if we don't all kill ourselves with climate change and chemical overdosing in our foods ........I am good for another 30 or so year s. My husband says I will probably be like my great grandmother and be miserable and linger! Ha Ha . I sure hope so My grandmother and great grandmother both lived to be in their late 90's .

My husband had Laproscopic knee surgery when he was about your age. It kept him going for about 6-7 years and then he had a total knee replacement surgery on that knee. Then this January he finally had knee replacement surgery done on his other knee. He was just released by the Orthopedic surgeon a week ago from further treatment. He's walking fine now, but had a reaction to the pain meds and fell through a wall when he first got home from the hospital (still need to have that fixed). At 80 he's a pretty amazing guy, and worked very hard at in home and out patient PT to make sure that he would not have gone through all this in vain. A friend just couldn't hack the exercises on his 2nd knee replacement and now walks with a limp. Your surgery Brad shouldn't be as intense as knee replacement, but as everyone tells you, do not skimp on the exercises and watch the pain meds......Maryl

And cold on the knee was my best friend... it helps tremendously with any pain.

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.

Thanks for more encouragements everyone!

Celeste, I will let you know when I get a surgery date. May 3 is the date to see the surgeon and set it, so it can't be before the 8th--he does surgery on Wednesdays.

Good luck Brad. I had hip replacement, once in 2010 and the other in 2013. World of difference in the method in that time, and I understand knee replacement and improved as well. Dr told me in 2005 I needed knee replacement, but I don't have real pain from my knees. If I get down on the ground though, it really is not pretty seeing me try to get up.

I think you will do great, just keep us up on what's happening!

Brad, wishing for an uncomplicated surgery and a quick recovery! Guess I’m in the minority here, no “replacements “ here, I’ll be 70 in July. I deal with right leg pain related to my back, don’t think anyone is pain free at my age. I probably shouldn’t talk about any of this, seems that saying it makes it happen sometimes.

Sherry

Brad: I hope for a quick recovery. Do the therapy. BTW - you are not nearly as old as I am.

Thanks everyone. I will do the therapy. One thing going for me is I am having therapy now which will hopefully have the knee area strengthened already for a quick recovery. This coming Friday is the surgeon appointment and I'm hoping the surgery will be next Wed. I'll let you know.