Off Topic, sorta!

[Bill Little]

This definitely can affect your flying so I am posting this question(s) here!

How many of y'all have had a knee replacement?  My right knee has progressed to the point that O can barely get down to launch a model.  according to the surgeon i have a "terrible" case of arthritis in that knee, the left knee is just "bad'. 

I will be having mine done soon, so if you have had it done, give me your thoughts, good and bad!

Thanks!
Bill

[Robert Zambelli]

I had mine done in December, 2012.
It turned out GREAT!

More to come.

  Bob Z.

[kenneth cook]

                     Bill, my father had both of his knees replaced at the same time. He suffered a stroke many years prior and this rendered his left leg pretty much useless. As he walked, the leg pretty much went along for the ride. His visits became shorter and his temper really demonstrated his situation. I was present the following day after the surgery and he was assisted in trying to stand. I'm not certain if this was even an attempt as he was in a lot of pain and it really seemed more like him shifting his weight in the wheelchair. 1 week later he was walking around the gym and going  up and down some inclined planes. I assisted his walking. The therapy nurse was a small little thing that in no way could've helped him if he did slip.  He also had to walk 3 steps up to a landing and back down again. His complaining was getting very tiring.  I have to say I was pretty amazed. I can't say enough about having a positive attitude. I feel this would of greatly helped my fathers situation. Fast forwarding a year later almost to the date, he can walk. I will say that it just about completely stopped the leg dragging.  While the leg suffered due to the stroke, the surgery improved the function of the knee giving him the appearance that nothing is wrong. He still suffers pain at times and his standing is certainly shortened. When I inquire he's not very positive, but I see the difference and I'm glad he did it. I know if he didn't he would've been wheelchair bound. Ken

[Motorman]

Doctor told me it's a last ditch effort to save the knee and you won't be able to do certain things once you get it. We quickly changed our minds since biking, hiking, ballet ect are very important to my wife. Once he found out we weren't so interested he got very obtuse and ended the visit. They want to get you into surgery a little too quick to make bank. Any kind of surgery will age you and it's a long painful recovery. Did he tell you you can't kneel on a knee replacement or do gardening. I would look into all other options with several doctors before I jump into it and by all means read up on it.  Look into getting some rooster comb injected (hyaluronic acid).

MM

[Garf]

My surgeon for my hip replacement didn't want to touch me before the joint was completely gone. A year later I still have a little pain, but I can walk. The main problem is that such a long down time took most of my strength and all of my stamina away. I am 67.

[phil c]

My wife had a hip and a knee replaced.  She'd actually done some exercising before the hip replacement and it went fine.  Quick recovery and good outcome.
She never really exercised her arms and shoulders.  After she smashed her shoulder she had major complications an implant and two surgeries.  It took several years but it's finally working OK.

Do as much exercise and strength building as you can before the surgery with a physiotherapist.  Strong muscles before the surgery make the recovery easier, but it does take will power to do all the rehab.

[Will Hinton]

Coach, you're used to the sacrifice getting and being in shape takes and I know you will do the necessary rehab diligently.  I know people on both ends of this, some recovered with little to no repercusions and some who seemed worse off.  I can tell you those who are willing to work come out the best, even though some of the "best" doesn't measure up to before with the original equipment!  I feel each individual has different results that vary according to that person's physical make-up.  You'll do well, 'cause if yoiu don't, I'll come down there and whup on ya!   (Yeah, riiiight.)

[bob whitney]

 Bill, i also have been fold i am a candidate for a knee replacement , my knee fl aired up so went to the VA .they did an ultra sound and found that i had a blood clot behind my knee. then did an xray and found that i only had any cushen at all on the outer edge of my knee.

 i to have been asking everyone i know with a replacement how they are doing ,one of the Free Flight guys here has had both knees done and he chases his airplanes all day with no trouble. one of the other guys had a partial replacement and has had nothing but trouble ,another guys wife had both done at diff times .she says it is not great but much better than before she had them done
 they gave me a brace to keep the pressure on what little cushion i have left, . i can still fly and get up and down ,so i am going to put it off until i cant handle the pain any longer.

[Noel Corney]

Hi Guys ,I had one knee done 10 years ago and had no problems, Just do the physio BEFORE  as well as after the opp, I had the second one done 9 months ago and had a few problems but I didn't do as much pre opp physio and Being 10 years older also makes a difference. If you need it done get it done one thing you will need less painkillers as well as being able to get around better, You can kneel if you are careful. I am at the point where I am asked by the surgeon how I'm going and to be honest I have to tell him I forget I have had them done and have to stop and think about them when doing any sort of activity. I would hate to think of what condition I would be in if I didn't have them done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It even makes you a happier person. Regards and good luck to you all, Noel.

[Don Chandler]

I spent 40ish years in the health industry, the last 22 in an orthopedic heavy operating room in northern Caliifornia and saw sometimes as many as 20 total knees done in a week. Everybody I followed up with later said they were glad they had it done. not that something can't go wrong, but total joint surgery is a last ditch effort so if your knee is gone, go ahead and do it.

I myself have degenerative arthritis in my right knee and was on my way also to a joint replacement then 2 years ago I stated taking water aerobics 4 days a week and have little pain in that knee now. I did have it injected a couple of times over the years and that helped also, but the pool sessions have done wonderfully for me.

I do however wear a knee pad when at contests especially when flying off of asphault.

Don

[Mike Griffin]

Bill,

I had my left knee replaced a couple of years ago and the only regret I had was that I did not do it sooner.
I can do everything that I did before I had the surgery only about a million times better.  I can squat, I can kneel,
I can walk,  and I did the rehab just like they told me to.

When it gets to be bone on bone, get it done.  I highly recommend it.

Mike

[john e. holliday]

I have been through the injection of what ever that stuff is.   After the first series of injections it was into therapy.   If I had worked as hard at it as the little lady told me it might have been even better.   6 months later I had the second series done just before I left for Brodaks.  Was told to keep doing the exercises.  As long as I keep moving the knees work okay.   Doctor told me my knees didn't need replacing.   I do a bicycle machine and walks all over Wal-Mart and Sams.   Just finishing up replacing the front porch deck surface.   Also I use a chair when I am starting my engines when I don't want to go down on the ground.  Yes, it may look funny, but I can still manage to get up and down.

Yes, I have seen the pros and con of replacements.  One guy in particular says it is great until cold weather hits.

[Noel Corney]

Guys the injections that give you joint relief are usually Cortisone, This gives you wonderful relief but causes erosion of joints over time. I was advised before my replacements not to have more than 3 injections a year as it can affect good joints in your body as well. All worth thinking about. Noel.

[dennis lipsett]

Guys the injections that give you joint relief are usually Cortisone, This gives you wonderful relief but causes erosion of joints over time. I was advised before my replacements not to have more than 3 injections a year as it can affect good joints in your body as well. All worth thinking about. Noel.

I fly with a few friends who have had knee replacements. It appears that those who went and did the rehab with a positive attitude and worked through the discomfort are doing great. Most of them walk, kneel, bend and do all of the normal things a person would do without difficulty.
A neighbor ,female, was an individual who had no tolerance to pain and refused to do the rehab and has paid a dear price in suffering and pain. I guess that whatever you put into rehab you will get out in a definite improvement in your life.
The neighbor has been taken to a nursing home and is now a permanent resident. Simply because she could no longer live in her own home, climbing stairs was impossible for her among other things.

Dennis

[Don Chandler]

100% correct on the Cortisone. I had two in 3 years and as long as I keep up the pool therapy I should be ok. Any good doc would I'm sure let you kow when to much is enough.

Don

[bob whitney]

they now have a gel that is good for about 6 months ,said to be better than the cortazone shots

[Robert Zambelli]

Bill,

I had my left knee replaced a couple of years ago and the only regret I had was that I did not do it sooner.
I can do everything that I did before I had the surgery only about a million times better.  I can squat, I can kneel,
I can walk,  and I did the rehab just like they told me to.

When it gets to be bone on bone, get it done.  I highly recommend it.

Mike

I completely agree with Mike on this.
I spent many years motorcycle racing (motocross) and high performance skiing. Toss that in with water skiing, windsurfing, skydiving and my knees just took a beating.
My left knee was bone-to-bone and, coupled with arthritis, the pain became unbearable. I visited a highly recommended knee surgeon and he suggested that we try everything possible before going into surgery.
After a year of therapy, medications and injections, we realized that it was futile and the decision was made: Surgery.
Surgery followed by proper rehab and in a few months, I felt great.
I can kneel, run and do basically all I want.
My only problem was the pain killers they gave me. Oxycodone as I recall. Killed the pain but the side effects just weren’t worth it.  Next time, we’ll try something else.
Bob Z.