Don't quote me:

I have a few friends who have judge had knee surgery. That was followed up with a period of Physical Therapy. I would expect a knee replacement to take a littlle more time, and more therapy. You may be able to ask the therapists to teach exercises you can do at home to speed up the process.

I am 66 years old and had a total knee replacement on May 13th. I was in the hospital for three nights and then at a rehab facility for a week where I had physical therapy twice a day. I then had physical therapy three times a week for about six weeks. At that point, I was going up and down stairs and walking over a half mile each morning at my local mall. My recovery was exceptional. Most people continue physical therapy for three months. The better your attitude, the better your recovery. Fear can be your biggest challenge in rehabilitation. Being inactive after surgery is more painful than getting up and moving around.

You can be most helpful by being positive and encouraging.

Thanks for your replies! Granny, I really appreciate you share your experience. I'm going to share your advice about a positive attitude and being active feeling better than not with my mom. She's a wonderful lady with a heart of gold and I know your encouragement will make her happy. Thank you again!

my wife had knee surgery replacing both knee joints, She also has weight problems so that has added to her problems. but after 3 years she still feels no real benefit. also after the last operation she aquired 3 prolapsed disks.in her back extra pain. Now I have two golf mates both had hip replacements one is going great ,the other is stationary not being able to play golf at all? So It is a sort of lottery. The idea of new knee joints is great but life is never that simple.

My mom had both knees replaced 7 years ago (age 75). Was in hospital 3 days, rehab 11 days. She then had a physical therapist come to her home 3 times a week for 8 weeks. I was blown away by her determination and courage. She was fantastic. My mom is now 81 years old and knees still going strong. I have a hard time keeping up. She tells everyone who needs knee replacement, just do it. You won't be sorry. It is alot of hard work but you get back what you put into it!

I HAD A TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT IN 2005, AND IT WAS THE BEST THING I COULD HAVE DONE...I COULD HARDLY WALK BEFORE THE SURGERY AND NOW I GET AROUND REALLY WELL. THE SURGERY IS TOUGH AND IT DOES REQUIRE ALOT OF PHYSICAAL THERAPY AND ALOT OF DETERMINATION TO REGAIN THE USE OF YOUR LEG....THE HOURS SPENT WERE THE BEST EVER AND I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT I AM SO GLAD I DECIDED TO HAVE THE SURGERY. I AM 56 NOW AND GOING STRONG.

I HAD A TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT IN 2005, AND IT WAS THE BEST THING I COULD HAVE DONE...I COULD HARDLY WALK BEFORE THE SURGERY AND NOW I GET AROUND REALLY WELL. THE SURGERY IS TOUGH AND IT DOES REQUIRE ALOT OF PHYSICAAL THERAPY AND ALOT OF DETERMINATION TO REGAIN THE USE OF YOUR LEG....THE HOURS SPENT WERE THE BEST EVER AND I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT I AM SO GLAD I DECIDED TO HAVE THE SURGERY. I AM 56 NOW AND GOING STRONG.

I had a total knee replacement on 7/7/09 and still go to physical therapy 2 x week, plus do twice a day at home. The one thing I wish I had done before the surgery was to have Physical Therapy at professional location before the surgery. My leg was extremely weak from limited use for 8 months before the surgery. Had my leg muscles been stronger, I don't think I would have had so much pain after the surgery. It is the most painful thing I have ever experienced and my doctor does not like giving pain medication. Check out your doctors after care as well as his surgical skills. I am now 8 weeks into recovery and my knee is beginning to look like a knee again. They say I should continue home therapy for a year. Breaking up the scar tissue every day is necessary, but painful, and this is done with the physical therapy at home. Being Positive and doing the therapy, no matter how much it hurts, is the key to success.

Heat and humidity seem to make scar tissue painful. You will probably notice improvement with the pain issue now that summer is almost over. I did maintain my walking regimen right up until the day of my surgery. I've started to slack off with my home therapy so far, with no ill affects.

You summed up the most important advice in your last sentence: " Being Positive and doing the therapy, no matter how much it hurts, is the key to success."

Well I reported lack of success with my wifes knee replacements. and I also reported about a golfer who had been unable to play since his hip and knee replacements . Low and behold I met him today.he explained it was not the hip or knee ,but he had to have stint in a heart valve,that is what is preventing him playing golf.

I had a knee replacement in January and am back to work with no restrictions. I was on a walker for 1 week and then 3 weeks with a cane. Physical therapy for 6 weeks. I still have occassional muscle discomfort if I don't exercise. I am not sorry I had it done. Good Luck. Darlene dagaro_1@yahoo.com

I'm happy to hear your golfing buddy's hip replacement went okay, though I'm sorry to hear about his heart issues! Hopefully the stint will be doing its job and he can get back to swinging a club!

Darlene, thanks for sharing your experience! I'm glad it went well for you. And interesting that you experience pain now if you DON'T exercise. I'll be sure to pass that on to Mom.

Can anyone give me information about their experience with orthscopic knee surgery. I am going to have this done this month and do not know really what to expect.

Hi, I had knee surgery in January. It was a very positive experience. My mom had the surgery years ago and it is much simpler now. I did learn that if you do your exercises before the surgery, you do much better afterwards. The post-surgery exercises don't hurt as much. All the exercises make you feel better afterwards, but ache while you are doing them. The healing is so rapid that you can see the advancement day to day. Have your Mother keep a record of what she can do and she will get excited about the quick results. My pain level was lower two days after surgery, then the knee pain before the surgery. I was thrilled. I had a good doctor who was very careful about infection (which was my biggest fear). I think that is an important thing to be concerned about. My surgery started with a MRI several weeks before. They made a knee with my name on it, to fit perfectly in my joint. Because of this the surgery is not nearly as invasive as it used to be and the healing is quicker. I had home therapy 3 days a week, but did my own work on the other days. Good luck to your Mom.

To ReneeLease:

I had arthroscopic knee surgery two years ago for a torn meniscus. I was 58 at the time. I did knee exercises prescribed by a physical therapist for several weeks before surgery in order to strengthen the muscles surrounding my knee. Doing them probably made recovery easier. I chose to have local (spinal block), rather than general anesthesia because I hate the aftereffects of a "general". This means I was awake during the procedure, but was mildly sedated, so I felt very sleepy - dosing part of the time. A large percentage of the remaining cartilage in my knee was removed. I was in the recovery suite for a couple of hours - until I was able to support my own weight and make a trip to the bathroom. I went home on crutches with my knee wrapped, ice, and pain medication. My husband waited on me for a few days. :-) In my case, the pain I experienced post surgery was tolerable - I used Tyl/w Codeine for about 2 days. (Obviously this will vary with the individual and the extent of the surgery.) Initially, my pain was similar to what it was before surgery, but gradually, over the next few months the level decreased to the point where I now manage on 1000mg of Tylenol twice a day. (I am looking forward to getting a new knee in the next year or two!) The real key has been continuing to exercise - at first daily, now every other day. The more mobile you are - you have to push yourself a little bit - the better the outcome. Also, I can't stress the importance of attitude enough! 1) Make it your goal to be doing your favorite things as soon as possible. Give yourself something to work for. 2) Realize that your level of participation might decrease, accept that and adjust accordingly. 3) Fight discouragement - progress may seem slow at first. Keep a journal of your experience and review it periodically. That will help you see the progress you've made. Hope this wasn't too lengthy and helps a little. All the best!

Kirtsch You have done well my wife is 70 she had two knee's done but she is obese so the exercise was awkward she was one of the unfortunate people. Exercise is the key. as you say Your attitude is great I have had to fight physical problems,giving up is not an option. It is amazing you can achieve even at my age 79.

I am grateful that I found this sight. I 51 years old and will be having a total knee replacment on my left knee in a couple of weeks. I have read books, internet articles, etc., but reading the posts has been most helpful. I am a bit nervous about the surgery. I am especially concerned because of my weight. I am, however, very determined to make this work. I understand that the therapy is very painful. Some advice has been posted for dealing with this...attitude of the utmost importance. If there happens to be anyone out there who might have weight issues and has sucessfully made it through the therapy, please share your advice with me. I don't want my doctor to have any regrets about having done surgery on me despite my weight. I want very much for this to be a sucess. Thank you.

I'll be thinking about you and your upcoming surgery! May it go smoothly, the recovery be consistent and complete and you feel relief once it's all done.

Keep yourself in the best walking shape you can before surgery so that your muscles don't atrophy. The replaced joint will not hurt because it is artificial. The ligaments, tendons and to some extent the muscles will do some aching. This discomfort is relieved by walking. The more you walk, the better you feel. If you sit too long, you will be stiff and sore. You must move to relieve the pain.

I'm overweight but also determined. I see no reason for you to not do well.

Barbara

I am 55 years old and will be having a complete right knee replacement Oct 15. I had othroscopic surgery last Aug (2008)on my right knee (torn miniscus)and on my left Feb 2007. The left knee went great the right never did feel right. Now is has tears on both sides of the knee, a piece between the joint and avascular necrosis in the knee. About the size of a silver dollar (the bone is dying). So knee replacement. August 10 I had foot surgery (on the right foot)to remove a broken bone that had been moving and tearing up the tendons for over 2 years (that another Dr did not find) also had a cyst on top removed and tarsl tunnel. I was not alowed to let my foot hit the floor for the first week, then had a hard cast for the next 3 wee4ks, now I have a walking boot that I have to wear for another 3 weeks and then can be weaned off of it for the next 3 with physical therapy. My problem (besides being extremely overweight and not very active--because of the pain in my feet -- planters facitus, fallen arches, etc) the therapy runs into the knee replacement, so I won't have much time to try and strengthen the muscles in the right leg. Does anyone have ANY suggestions? I've been trying my best to loose some weight, but.... Also doing leg exercises on my left leg (can't get the right one to move much) but I try. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. To all of the posts that I have read you and you family will be in my prayers. Thank you and God Bless.

try gastric by pass surgery to get rid of the excess weight. it worked wonders for my hubby. i fought him tooth and nail; i didn't want him to have this surgery. but, i'm happy to say it worked wonders for him. he is down about 200 pounds in about 14 months. he says he can walk/move so much better. his energy level is fantastic again, too. my thoughts & prayers are with you.

try gastric by pass surgery to get rid of the excess weight. it worked wonders for my hubby. i fought him tooth and nail; i didn't want him to have this surgery. but, i'm happy to say it worked wonders for him. he is down about 200 pounds in about 14 months. he says he can walk/move so much better. his energy level is fantastic again, too. my thoughts & prayers are with you.

lisa m, Thank you so much. I have given that idea alot of thought, but I hace ulcerative colitis. (since I was 19) So I was told it was a no no. I thought about eating like that but then my body goes into starvation mode and I gain. I had a metobalic card done once and I only burn 1000 calories a day. But under that it's the starvation thing again. Low carb worked once for a while, then without changing what I was eating I gained it all back. I was told that with all the meds it would be very hard if not impossible. BUT I'm going to keep trying and hope that something clicks. I am so happy for your husband though, that is just AWESOME!!!! Please keep me posted on his progress. God Bless, Sarah

I weighed about 265 when I had the surgery. The exercises before and after are the key. I really don't think my weight had as much to do with it as my determination to get my life back. I believed in the exercises and all the therapy. I did everything the P.T.'s told me to do and I'm walking great - even though I still need my right knee done next year. I couldn't be happier with the results. Ice packs make a big difference with the pain. Use them immediately following exercise. Also, the hardest and best exercise ( and most painful) helped the most and required no "work" at all. Put your foot on a footrest, or do it in bed. Place a rolled bath towel under your ankle. Place a 5 pound bad of rice over your knee. It forces it straight and hurts! Hold it there for 20 minutes if you can stand it. I had a hand=held solitaire game I played to keep me distracted. It really gets your knee ready and requires no panting :-). Best of luck. Mary