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New knee. 10 years after my first.

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New knee. 10 years after my first.

Old 10-28-20, 11:14 PM
  #1  
zjrog
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New knee. 10 years after my first.

I did start a thread in the Fifty Plus crowd. 5 Oct, a month shy of 10 years since my left knee replacement, I had my right knee replaced. I feel I was in better shape for this one, thanks to my return to cycling after my 140 pound weight loss. But also, the new surgical techniques are awesome. I'm down to one narcotic at night, otherwise, pain is well managed by Aleve. I'm just amazed at the difference in recovery this time.

Old knee is in the right side of the image, new one on the left...
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Old 10-30-20, 07:41 PM
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Great! How long do they expect the new knee to last? I’m about due.
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Old 10-30-20, 10:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Mmassey338
Great! How long do they expect the new knee to last? I’m about due.
my first one is 10 years old, they said 30 then. My new knee is the same basic model, but has improvements that might go beyond that..

I will say, compared to this point 10 years ago, I'm off narcotic pain meds already. And am beating my ROM points from years ago by weeks.

Now, I put that first one off way longer than I should have. And I've said for years, when the other is ready, I won't live in pain like I did the first time.

I do not regret having either knee done.
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Old 10-31-20, 02:30 AM
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That is good to hear. I had heard 15 a long time ago and I’m 59, so 15 isn’t good, but 30 should see me through.
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Old 11-02-20, 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Mmassey338
That is good to hear. I had heard 15 a long time ago and I’m 59, so 15 isn’t good, but 30 should see me through.
I can't say 30 years worried me even 10 years ago at 47. My 84 year old uncle has 30 year old knees, and good luck keeping up with him. If his have made it from the 80s, I think these will.last a lot longer than expected.
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Old 11-13-20, 04:23 PM
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Had my 6 week follow up, a few days early. Surgeon's PA was very pleased with my healing. But also with my 0 to 135 Range of Motion. Cleared me to return to work next week.

So at PT, got worked over pretty good again. And made more progress. 138*... My 10 year old knee can still hit 145, so I'm way above even my normal recovery.

I'm not the normal knee replacement patient. My surgeon and my PT are both aware of this. I've also been off scheduled pain meds for 3 weeks, and I quit bedtime pain meds 2 weeks ago. Naproxen (Aleve) has been sufficient ever since. Yes, I can make it hurt, but that doesn't prove anything. Progress is made as it is made. I seriously doubt I get past 138* until I have a lot less swelling in my knee. And that is where the bike comes in. More on that later.
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Old 11-14-20, 09:12 AM
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Pics to share.


I was about 310 or so for my left knee replacement 10 years ago. I'm a good 60 pounds lighter now, though I did get about 380 for awhile.

I pushed really hard with my left knee. I'm really not pushing with this right. But it sure looks to be on track to match my left soon.

I am not the normal knee replacement patient. My results are my own, everyone heals differently. And I sure hope my adult kids didn't get knees from MY side of the family.
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Old 12-15-20, 11:44 PM
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Its good to hear of your successful operation and fast recovery.
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Old 12-16-20, 09:20 AM
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Timely posts. I’m living with arthritis knee pain for a few years now, with my left knee joining in only in the last year or so, but both are pretty rubbish. The problems knocked me totally out of competitive riding by 2017, and though I had some furtive training restarts since, it’s been pretty much constant pain since then. It’s time I get serious about knee replacement and stop dreaming.
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Old 12-20-20, 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by chaadster
Timely posts. I’m living with arthritis knee pain for a few years now, with my left knee joining in only in the last year or so, but both are pretty rubbish. The problems knocked me totally out of competitive riding by 2017, and though I had some furtive training restarts since, it’s been pretty much constant pain since then. It’s time I get serious about knee replacement and stop dreaming.
My main advice when seeking knee replacement is to find a reputable sports surgeon that does LOTS of knees yearly. And find a Physical Therapist up to date on knee replacements and has an active clientele.
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Old 12-20-20, 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by zjrog
My main advice when seeking knee replacement is to find a reputable sports surgeon that does LOTS of knees yearly. And find a Physical Therapist up to date on knee replacements and has an active clientele.
Thank you, I will do that. I’ll make inquiries through my cycling clubs and see who has had the sugery and with whom, and hopefully some cream will rise to the top, so to speak. I had a sports doc do arthroscopic on one of the knees for a meniscus tear back in ‘11, and I saw him for a bit, but then sought a second opinion, after my first couple of arthritis flare up episodes, from a more generalist ortho who has worked on a lot of wealthy folks in the area, and so has a kind of celebrity, like appearing in the glossy, social magazine, Hour Detroit, on their annual 10 Best list. Either of those docs I’d be comfy with— one a sports specialist, one who does lots of knees— but if you think having a sports specialist is crucial, I’ll focus my research in that channel.
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Old 01-21-21, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by chaadster
Thank you, I will do that. I’ll make inquiries through my cycling clubs and see who has had the sugery and with whom, and hopefully some cream will rise to the top, so to speak. I had a sports doc do arthroscopic on one of the knees for a meniscus tear back in ‘11, and I saw him for a bit, but then sought a second opinion, after my first couple of arthritis flare up episodes, from a more generalist ortho who has worked on a lot of wealthy folks in the area, and so has a kind of celebrity, like appearing in the glossy, social magazine, Hour Detroit, on their annual 10 Best list. Either of those docs I’d be comfy with— one a sports specialist, one who does lots of knees— but if you think having a sports specialist is crucial, I’ll focus my research in that channel.
A top 10 guy and a sports specialist should be on equal footing... Just make sure he knows what you expect after surgery...
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Old 02-09-21, 10:54 AM
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I had a TKR on nov 5. At age 49. Did my first short and easy mtb ride about a month ago, have hit a pump track on my BMX 29’er as well.

ROM is onl 125 (non surgery leg is 136 ). I am still in PT twice a week andhave started working out at home more aggressively.

the surgeon says i am doing great (i feellike he probably tells everybody that) but i work as aninsurance adjuster with a lot of my job being on roofs and ladders in the spring and summer months. Im not quite there yet

i spoke to 6 different surgeons before having mine done. I went with a volume guy who was about my age. I wanted a younger surgeon who was aggressive in using all the latest technology he could get his hands on to make his patients life easier
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Old 02-09-21, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by DMC707
I had a TKR on nov 5. At age 49. Did my first short and easy mtb ride about a month ago, have hit a pump track on my BMX 29’er as well.

ROM is onl 125 (non surgery leg is 136 ). I am still in PT twice a week andhave started working out at home more aggressively.

the surgeon says i am doing great (i feellike he probably tells everybody that) but i work as aninsurance adjuster with a lot of my job being on roofs and ladders in the spring and summer months. Im not quite there yet

i spoke to 6 different surgeons before having mine done. I went with a volume guy who was about my age. I wanted a younger surgeon who was aggressive in using all the latest technology he could get his hands on to make his patients life easier
what kind of things did you ask surgeons about to help make your choice?
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Old 02-09-21, 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by chaadster
what kind of things did you ask surgeons about to help make your choice?

I am on a mobile device now, but I will get you the list of questions my fiance compiled for me to ask. She is a hospital RN - not in orthopedics- but she had enough general knowledge to really help me with the process.

one guy who works on a lot of local football players, - she just looked at me with eyes as big as saucers when he left the room for a minute and said “lets just leave — Now!” . I just said “Yes maam, lets go”

She couldnt be there for every appointment, so at the end of the day, we discussed the 3 guys who made the final cut and i told her i wanted the younger guy (still comfortably in his forties) who did not try to dress his office up like a sports bar with all the player jerseys and what not, but who had a track record of doing approximately 100-125 knees a year for the last decade. Also, some of these guys were trying to hawk CBD products too and that was a turn off for me

At the end of the day, it was ultimately my decision who to use, but im glad i had her by my sidebthrough some of it —. And , your mileage may vary on this one, but i prayed a lot over my decision too
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Old 02-09-21, 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by DMC707
I am on a mobile device now, but I will get you the list of questions my fiance compiled for me to ask. She is a hospital RN - not in orthopedics- but she had enough general knowledge to really help me with the process.

one guy who works on a lot of local football players, - she just looked at me with eyes as big as saucers when he left the room for a minute and said “lets just leave — Now!” . I just said “Yes maam, lets go”

She couldnt be there for every appointment, so at the end of the day, we discussed the 3 guys who made the final cut and i told her i wanted the younger guy (still comfortably in his forties) who did not try to dress his office up like a sports bar with all the player jerseys and what not, but who had a track record of doing approximately 100-125 knees a year for the last decade. Also, some of these guys were trying to hawk CBD products too and that was a turn off for me

At the end of the day, it was ultimately my decision who to use, but im glad i had her by my sidebthrough some of it —. And , your mileage may vary on this one, but i prayed a lot over my decision too
Oh, I’d appreciate that!

I totally get that choosing is not a science, and that a good part of it is getting a feeling for where the doc’s priorities are, and what kind of person they are.

Thanks again.
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Old 02-11-21, 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by chaadster
Oh, I’d appreciate that!

I totally get that choosing is not a science, and that a good part of it is getting a feeling for where the doc’s priorities are, and what kind of person they are.

Thanks again.
I asked him some basics - mostly to get an idea of the guys attitude towards answering mundane questions, because some guys brushed off questions like these as almost being beneath them, which was irritating considering they are likely paid a decent wage per patient

But these were mine , and my fiance fired off an email to the surgeons RN with some more detailed questions but i dont have a copy of that yet (4 days till Valentines Day and we're not getting along for reasons i wont disclose



Q: Estimated time to return to work? min 6 weeks, but he would prefer 3-4 months if i had the time available to ensure proper healing

Q: Est. time to drive? A: about a month, maybe less since mine was a left knee

Q: (PErsonalized question for my particular circumstances) Why have other ortho's been shy about wanting to do my knee? A: He couldnt say for sure , but i am somewhat young (49) and have a lot of trauma and arthritis in there for my age. As well, my initial inquiry was as a workers comp claim (which was denied ) so he said if some surgeons even hear the phrase "workers comp" they want to run

Q: How many knees do you do per year on average A: 125-150

Q: What is the anesthesia schedule like? A: General anesthesia for surgery (gas) combined with a nerve block an intra articular cocktail and Norco prescription post surgery

Q: Have you worked with many cyclists or mostly stick and ball sports A: Cyclists are problem patients because they try to get back on the bike too early and in some cases has led to post surgery "adjustments" -- so he advised to be careful not to try too much too soon

Q: (Im a clydesdale class rider so i had to ask this one ) Q: Given my physique, is there a weight youd like for me to be under before surgery to better enhance my recovery time? A: He said under 250 would be good if i could manage it (i was 265) - but the weight issue was a non issue for the most part

Q: Whats the risk of surgical infection? A: varies from clinic to clinic but at this particular one, about .5%
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Old 02-11-21, 12:41 PM
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Thanks DMC707 !
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Old 03-08-21, 08:14 AM
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Great thread, just had TKR on my left knee (today is post op week 1) Looking forward to getting the right knee done, thats my goal right now. Rehab the left and get the right repaired. Then I can get back to riding.

The DR told me 30+ years on the knee, but that depends on how I treat it. At 74 I'm good to go the distance.
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