Knee Replacements

[Dandy Don]

Just got back from the Doc. My right Knee hurts like hell. Xrays show Arthritus he says I am a candidate for knee replacement. BTW that was my good knee, the other one refuses to straighten and I can not raise my heel off the ground. My calf has shrunk tremendously. Now my question is how will a knee replacement effect my lifting. And I am probably facing a double. I am 73yo and I just bought a Squat rack. I should change my name to "lucky" instead of Dandy. Anybody have any experience in this area?
HELP!

 

[thebrick]

My sports ortho doc told me that after a joint replacement, there is only very, very light weight lifting allowed, if at all. But, there sometimes comes a time when it might be worth it to get relief from the arthritis pain and immobility.

 

[gettnlarge01]

I've been putting off knee replacement for almost 10yrs because I was told that would put an end to my heavy lifting. I also have arthritis in both knees and hips. I've had several knee surgeries to help put off the knee replacement,but there will come a time{ sooner than later} for me to get it done and put an end to this part of my life. I"ve talked to and seen several orthopedics thru the years and all have said the same thing. It depends on if its worth the pain to you.

 

[Sesshomaru]

Guys, asl your doc or ortho about treating you with something called Synvisc. Its three shots over three weeks and it's supposed to last 12-18 months. After that the benefits go down with each series. 2nd series 12 mo and 3rd 8-12 mos.

Its basically a lubricant for the joint that allows things glide without producing inflammation or pain. Ive known people who had to face knee replacements due to little or deteriorated cartilage from injury, etc. and this worked well for them allowing them to postpone knee replacements.

 

[phatkid77]

its pricey too.... sodium hyalauranate i believe...depends how far gone the knees are i guess..

 

[thebrick]

This is a good time to remind you guys out there to take care of those joints. Our heavy lifting puts a hell of lot of stress on our joints. Muscle can rebuild… but once that cartilage is worn off your bone in a joint and degeneration and arthritis sets in, you are pretty much fucked.

 

[Dandy Don]

Thanks for the advise

It looks obvious that I will ask about the Synvisc and try to stall the KR for a few years or at least until the Squat Rack gets some use. By then I'll be 76 and ready to take up sky diving. Thanks to the members, I knew I came to the right place.

 

[Sesshomaru]

its pricey too.... sodium hyalauranate i believe...depends how far gone the knees are i guess..

It is pricey but at least you can be pain free. Ive seen it used for very deteriorated knees so in all likelihood, it will work for knees that arent as deteriorated.

You might be a good candidate for partial knee replacement.
It is minimally invasive and sometimes done as a outpatient.

Might be worth investigating.

This is also an option. Try to get the least invasive procedure you can.

 

[muscle96ss]

It is pricey but at least you can be pain free. Ive seen it used for very deteriorated knees so in all likelihood, it will work for knees that arent as deteriorated.



This is also an option. Try to get the least invasive procedure you can.

It won't work in a very deteriorated knee; not possible. As Dr. Carter(one of the best knee surgeons in the country) once told me, "Using Synvisc is analogous to taking chondrocytes to a buffet. If you don't have many healthy chondrocytes then it is a complete waste".

 

[phatkid77]

my mother in laws friend had a procedure done to her knee, might be worth looking into...im sure it has a name, but i dont know it..
the "notched" a v in the joint i believe to giver her more mobility?? she says it worked...
maybe i should be a doctor
**broken link removed**
phats

 

[JETHRO TULL]

I find this thread to be terrifying.

My left knee is bugging the hell out of me.

 

[gettnlarge01]

Synvisc is not new its been used over seas for awhile now.My knees are to far gone for that to provide any benefit. I've seen some of the case studies done and it looks good however there is such a thing as too far gone.

 

[joelster]

My grandpa had both of his knees replaced. His right one was really bad, and his left one was not so bad. After he got the right one done he immediately signed up to get the left one done. He was around your age dude, 73ish. He's still kicking in his upper 90's too, zero pain, some nasty scars, but that's about it.

 

[Steak Helmet]

my father just had his done...he did rehab for 4 months, then became a lazy ass.

1 year later he is constant pain...although he has gone back to rehab and his pain is decreasing every day.

So, all I say is get it done and keep the legs strong and you will be fine. THey will have you stretching by day 2 and walking by day 3 if not sooner.

Figure 4 to 6 months of good therapy, and you should be set for life...as long as you keep on training.