New Knee for Christmas

[Mad German]

Good luck to you. I hope all goes well. Be vigilant on the post op PT. At least that's what they say. And you know, they say and know a lot!

Sending good vibes your way.

 

[lonerider]

Hope yours works out as well for you as mine has for me. Only downside is I can't kneel on it, but couldn't beforehand so no great loss. Good physical therapy as soon as possible will help enormously with regaining range of motion. This and hip replacements have become so commonplace that one whole wing of the local hospital is dedicated just to knee and hip replacements. Good luck, and hope you're healed in time for spring riding. Tom

 

[rogdeb]

Good luck John -- you'll be fine we're sure.

This is catching though ! Peeps all around me recovering from joint surgery right now !!

 

[thompsonian]

Hoping for the best for you! I had both of mine partially replaced in 2014. Best decision I've ever made. I cant kneel, or even squat down like I used to, but the ability to walk again and chase my son has made it all worth while. Make sure to stay ahead of the pain. If your dose is every 4 hours, take it every 3.5 so there's no overlap. Also, as I saw mentioned elsewhere, really push yourself in therapy. It will only benefit you to work hard and not slack off.

 

[08FJR4ME]

Doctors can make a big difference. Find out how many operations he or she does a year. If he or she is not doing hundreds of them find another doctor...

Good advice, but it sounds like BJSD's doc choice has been set for a while. One of the reasons Pillion went to New England Baptist in Boston is because they have one of the lowest orthopedic surgical infection rates in the nation. New England Baptist: "...our performance on nationally recognized best practice measures is near perfect." Plus, her surgeon is an OR warrior, lots and lots of procedures each week and he is.... um, cutting edge(!) technology.

+1 on New England Baptist. One of the top places in the country.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Thanks to all for your comments, PMs, advice and concerns. Preoperative MRI done this morning. The pictures have gone to Biomet for manufacture of the new parts. Next step is the preoperative physical. Right now when I walk a couple of miles hunting birds it feels like someone drilled a hole in the side of my knee and poured in some molten metal. I've been bone on bone for awhile but it has gotten really painful the past three months. The Doc told me I'd recognize when it was time, he was right. Any improvement will be welcome. More later.

 

[dcarver]

I'm scheduled for Feb 2017 so will be watching what Big John gots to say...

 

[gregory]

I work in x-ray and knees are one of the things they pretty much have perfected.

Good luck John, hope it goes quick and you have the best recovery possible.

 

[Norumbega]

Everyone's post-op recovery is different but your Christmas won't necessarily suck!

I had a both a hip and knee Farkle and, although the hip was easier, just a few days after my knee replacement I was walking fairly well and in considerably less pain than before surgery.

Follow your Doctor and therapist's advice to the letter and keep exercising after you have finished therapy.

Expect to be largely recovered after 8-10 weeks but improvement will continue for a year.

All this is based on my experience and you may do better or worse but I'll bet that you will come to realize that going ahead with the surgery was one of your best decisions.

I was able to resume riding thanks to my hip and knee Farkles and have never looked back!

Three bikes later, I never even think about my artificial joints, they feel completely natural most of the time.

I can kneel but the skin on my knee is a little numb so it feels funny. Dr said go ahead but "use a pad since you may not realize you are kneeling on a pointed rock!". Right he was!

Good Luck!

 

[erixun]

Hopefully all goes well, good vibes your way!

 

[DennisJ]

I have my first conversation with the Orthopedic group on the 10th. Injured both knees in '69 wile in the Army and feel lucky I have been able to make it this long without problems. It has been all downhill the last couple of years and Synvik injections are no longer an option. My sister had her left knee done several years ago with great results and I am hoping for the same.

 

[thompsonian]

I had tried the Euflexxa injections, they didn't work. No one wanted to touch mine since I was only 36 at the time. They all said I was way too young for replacements. Ended up at WVU with a joint replacement specialist and he finally agreed. 2 years out it's still the best decision I ever made.

 

[Hertz]

Good luck, John. It will be great to be pain free for the new year!!!

 

[Niehart]

+1

 

[GrumpyMike]

John,

I had my right knee completely replaced in 2012. My pain level has gone to zero but I do have mobility issues. I had Sargent build me a seat that was 3/4" taller to relieve the bend in my knee on the Feej. I also ordered a set of pegs that are a bit more forward which helped a lot. I will look up the manufacturer when I get home and forward to you. They are top quality and I can stand on them easily at my size with no flex to the pegs at all. As you know, I just completed an Iron Butt ride of 1500 miles with no knee issues. Good Luck!

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/mfw-vario-passenger-footpeg-mounts-yamaha-fz1-fjr1300

 

[NightShine]

That we live in an age where we can benefit from such miracles!

All the best, and work diligently in your recovery...

 

[Uncle Hud]

Late to the party, but sending out big waves of good juju, Mr Bionic Spearfishman.

As has been said earlier, do your physical therapy with dedication and grit, and continue it as long as you can. PT makes the surgery's improvements long-lasting.

 

[TomInPA]

Good luck John. My wife is going to need a couple knees. She is overdue, but can't get the time off for a while. I'll be following along on your recovery.

 

[03silverbullet]

I have a friend who had his knee replaced a little over a year ago. He now races motocross and won his division.

Good luck and wish you a speedy recovery.

 

[bigjohnsd]

I just need the knee so I can catch my wife once in awhile, she runs a lot faster with her two new hips!

JSNS