Recovery on knee replacement & back surgery question(s)

[IndianaSmith]

I know this is a pretty "general" question, but has anyone ever had a knee-replacement (or maybe have a close friend/family member who did)? What was their recovery time to the point where they could be active again, as in MDing?

Same with back surgery? I'm unsure about treatment here, have disc & nerve problems, so I'd have no idea what's instore regarding that at this time....Dr appointment isn't for a couple more days, but does anyone have any kind of estimate? I'm 50 years old, so I'm no "spring-chicken"....but no geeser either

And I'm asking because this will have a direct effect on my MDing this spring (that's why I'm posting here).

Thanks
Smitty

[The TINMAN]

Smitty , I'm 56 and have been Blessed to not be at that point ..Yet. But I'm sure ther are enough folks in that age area that can help Ya out with their own or Family or Friends stories on recovery time. Keep us updated as to what you are going thru. Will keep Ya in my prayers for a Speedy recovery.

The TINMAN

[Buster]

Like Tinman said, some one will post an answer to your question...Buster....

[JohnWPA]

Hey Smitty

My dad just had full knee replacement surgery at the age of 75 and his recovery time was about 6 weeks! He really pushed it through physical therapy and now he really enjoys walking again ....NO PAIN!!

I wish you the best and my prayers are with you!

John

[ERnurse]

Knee replacement surgery has about the same recovery time as a broken bone, as far as soreness and all. But once your all healed up, you'll wonder why you didn't have the surgery sooner. Most say the feel 10 years younger, as far as walking and chronic pain goes. Back surgery depends on what kind you have. I've seen people back at work in a week or two. Others longer, again depends on what they do to you. Good Luck with it.


Rob

[gordiesgirl]

My Mom had Knee replacement In October, She is doing great. Like others said It was about 6 weeks for full recovery, but she was up and walking within the first week. Now back surgery I am not sure of I know many people who have had it. Some great results others well we all have heard of nightmares. Best of luck

[IndianaSmith]

Thanks everyone for the replies. At the Orthopedic Clinic I'm going, the Dr who looked at my knee (which is extremely arthiritic) said he didn't want to consider replacement because of my age (being only 50). I was told several years ago I needed a replacement, but to go as long as I could walk, since they were being improved-upon all the time. Well, the time I can no longer walk is just about here, and at times my knee won't even support my weight. The Dr gave me a cortazone (sp?) shot & told me to come back in a month. The shot hasn't helped a bit, and the knee brace they put on me makes my knee hurt even worse. I think on my next visit I'm going to tell the Dr if he isn't going to help, I'll find another Dr who will. I've had problems with this knee since I was 12 (when I had the 1st surgery).

Thanks
Smitty

[bdahunter]

Back surgery is like rolling the dice at Vegas, the odds are never in your favour. If you can hold off, I'd wait until the techniques improve. Any doctors I know and I know one who has been advised to have back surgery, won't touch it with a ten foot pole themselves.
It's your back and your pain but those are my thoughts on the matter.

Cheers,

BDA

PS: There's always the possibility that the arthritic knee is causing the back pain and you may recover from both after the knee is fixed. IMHO

[IndianaSmith]

Thanks for the reply BDA. Knee didn't cause back problems, they are due to an auto accident, but that's not saying one isn't aggrivating the other. My back was fine all my life, worked hard, lifted weights, never a problem. After accident I now have degenerative disc disease & degenerative arthiritis, a number of the degernerated disc are causing bone-spurs to grow on my vertabrae to keep the pressure off my discs. In my case, these spurs are growing on both the front & back side of my spine, which is pinching the nerves running out of my spine. This also includes my neck.

That's what concerns me.....I never was a good gambler, and could probably be the poster-boy for Murphys Law.

Smitty

[JohnWPA]

Originally Posted by IndianaSmith

Thanks everyone for the replies. At the Orthopedic Clinic I'm going, the Dr who looked at my knee (which is extremely arthiritic) said he didn't want to consider replacement because of my age (being only 50). I was told several years ago I needed a replacement, but to go as long as I could walk, since they were being improved-upon all the time. Well, the time I can no longer walk is just about here, and at times my knee won't even support my weight. The Dr gave me a cortazone (sp?) shot & told me to come back in a month. The shot hasn't helped a bit, and the knee brace they put on me makes my knee hurt even worse. I think on my next visit I'm going to tell the Dr if he isn't going to help, I'll find another Dr who will. I've had problems with this knee since I was 12 (when I had the 1st surgery).

Thanks
Smitty

Smitty....once arthritis gets in there and spreads will eat cartlidge and bone away. Cortisone shots only help temporary if they do...my father had a bad case of arthritis in his knee and of course it was bone to bone ....cartlidge was gone! If you can't walk and you're knee is swollen ...not good... Hopefully you'll find a good Orthopedic doc!

John