Knee replacements

bagua · Oct 11, 2010

I have a couple of knee replacements coming up in the new year and although I have done my research on the surgery and the rehab process I haven't found much to do with lifting type folks. I haven't been able to do a whole heck of a lot for my legs over the last couple of years other than maintain with a fair amount of pain. I have to bite the bullet and get them done and was wondering if anyone has gone through the process.

mffdvr · Oct 11, 2010

I had a shoulder replacement done. All I can tell you is that recovery SUCKS. I had it done almost two years ago at the age of 45 ( too young ). But in the long run, I don't regret having it done. My shoulder was killing me due to having no cartlidge on the humeral head. So now , I have a steal stem and ball joint.

bagua · Oct 11, 2010

That is kind of what I am anticipating. A brutal recovery. How do you find your shoulder to work in the training department?

thebrick · Oct 12, 2010

mffdvr said:
I had a shoulder replacement done. All I can tell you is that recovery SUCKS. I had it done almost two years ago at the age of 45 ( too young ). But in the long run, I don't regret having it done. My shoulder was killing me due to having no cartlidge on the humeral head. So now , I have a steal stem and ball joint.

Hey mffdvr, how do you like the results of that shoulder replacement? I am in the same boat in that I am grinding bone against bone and the surgeon tells me a shoulder replacement is the only option left. Do you train with weights now that you have had that done or you have to be careful with the amount of weight you use? Is your range of motion better after the replacement? I am putting it off as long as possible.

I have never had a knee replacement but I have talked to a couple of people in the past and they are glad it was done, but again, the recovery isn't an easy one.

mffdvr · Oct 12, 2010

Mine was a partial hemiarthoplasty. meaning that I still had cartlidge in the glenoid socket. My surgeon told me that the implant would last 20 years if I didn't do any high impact exercises on it. He also told me that I couldn't do anymore heavy bench pressing but I've gone up to 275 ( in the 90's 410 ). I no longer do any overhead pressing. I do laterals instead. I've also do more cable flys for my chest as well. When I was a month out of surgery, I could only do a machine press of 30 lbs, could do only push ups off of a wall, then off of a bench, and then the floor (the 4th month ). Recovery and PT is hell for joints. Plus the scar ain't so pretty neither. The attachment shows the staples used for closing.

thebrick · Oct 12, 2010

mffdvr said:
Mine was a partial hemiarthoplasty. meaning that I still had cartlidge in the glenoid socket. My surgeon told me that the implant would last 20 years if I didn't do any high impact exercises on it. He also told me that I couldn't do anymore heavy bench pressing but I've gone up to 275 ( in the 90's 410 ). I no longer do any overhead pressing. I do laterals instead. I've also do more cable flys for my chest as well. When I was a month out of surgery, I could only do a machine press of 30 lbs, could do only push ups off of a wall, then off of a bench, and then the floor (the 4th month ). Recovery and PT is hell for joints. Plus the scar ain't so pretty neither. The attachment shows the staples used for closing.

Thanks for that info!
At least I am familiar with those types of incisions with staples. This is me 4 weeks after my bilateral quad tendon ruptures. When I was doing my PT it looked like the people with knee replacements had about the same size incision.

bagua · Oct 12, 2010

You know that slightly queasy feeling you get in your stomach? I am getting that now.
Yahoo! Could be a challenge.

thebrick · Oct 12, 2010

bagua said:
You know that slightly queasy feeling you get in your stomach? I am getting that now.
Yahoo! Could be a challenge.

Didn't mean to flip you out. Actually, it wasn't as bad as it looks. From what I saw in PT with the knee rehab, the stiffness and swelling was the worst part right after the procedure. They get you back up and moving right away.

mffdvr · Oct 12, 2010

bagua said:
You know that slightly queasy feeling you get in your stomach? I am getting that now.
Yahoo! Could be a challenge.

It's a challenge you'll overcome. Hope you like mountain biking. I know a vet that had a knee replacement surgery and he does alot of it.
Hey Brick, how are the quads now?

thebrick · Oct 12, 2010

mffdvr said:
It's a challenge you'll overcome. Hope you like mountain biking. I know a vet that had a knee replacement surgery and he does alot of it.
Hey Brick, how are the quads now?

Quads are fine now. Back to training them in the gym. I am just smarter about it

(hopefully) My doc said I can do what i want to do in the gym except no heavy leg extensions

Bagua, I have a feeling that once you are done with the process, the results will be well worth it. You'll do fine.

Speaking of biking, I knew a guy at my gym years ago that had a hip replacement done and loved the result. He was late 40's, early 50's at the time and was an avid mountain biker. Didn't slow him down at all.

bagua · Oct 12, 2010

Thanks for the votes of confidence guys. We all have to be smarter as we get longer in the tooth.
I used to mountain bike a lot and that is in my planned repertoire of activities post op.
Just like now it is going to be one day at a time.
Any suggestions on supps to aid the recovery process?

mffdvr · Oct 13, 2010

bagua said:
Thanks for the votes of confidence guys. We all have to be smarter as we get longer in the tooth.
I used to mountain bike a lot and that is in my planned repertoire of activities post op.
Just like now it is going to be one day at a time.
Any suggestions on supps to aid the recovery process?

Just be smart about it. I'm sure you can do some pressing movements. I would just make it more volume like. That's what's Iv'e done with my shoulder. I'm sure Brick would say the same for quad extensions as well. Trust me, if you are in pain now , you won't regret the procedure later.
Just make sure you have an ortho surgeon that's more althelic in mind when performing this type of procedure.
God Bless.
mffdvr

leanbody · Oct 13, 2010

bagua said:
Thanks for the votes of confidence guys. We all have to be smarter as we get longer in the tooth.
I used to mountain bike a lot and that is in my planned repertoire of activities post op.
Just like now it is going to be one day at a time.
Any suggestions on supps to aid the recovery process?

Good luck with that, buddy. I'm sure you'll be happy in the long run. If you haven't already done so, tell your doc you are an athlete and you need sports rehab. There are lots of PT's around here who specialize in working with athletes to get them going again. Others work with the couch potatoes just to get them walking again....LOL

About the supps - i am def not an expert, but I would look into GH and IGF as well as other peptides. From what I have read, that seems to be the way to go for aiding the healing process and regenerating the muscles/cells.

Also when you do get out of surgery, don't despair if you have some nerve damage - I f--ked up my finger bad a few years ago and it was totally numb - the nerves regenerated at the rate of 1 inch per year and now it is almost normal.

Good luck bro & work hard on the rehab. Post a log here so we can offer some support when you are ready to punch the wall...;-)

Viking55 · Oct 13, 2010

Aloha bagua,

Joint replacement surgery and rehabilitation is all about preparation and followup:
1.) pre surgery protocol
2.) in hospital protocol
3.) post surgery protocol

Qualify myself:
-complete and total hip replacement in 97
- hip (same) revision with significant bone grafting due to osteolysis done
Sept 24th 2010
- work with pysical therapists and orthopedic specialists tag teaming patients back into their athletic lifestyles

Initial Preparation:
Preparation for the surgery:
-strengthen immune system- infections are all to common with joint repalcements
-eat healthier than you ever have and back off the high protein diets
-eat foods that are high in antioxidants
-increase fatty fish intake- stop 7-10 days before surgery
-eat alkaline foods
-take a correct matrix of vitamins, minerals and herbs to help prepare your 'systems for the trauma of surgery and the drugs you'll be given
- remember that every system will be traumatized and shocked with surgery
-I highly recommend some types of therapuetic body work, massage and acupuncture. Remember that the injured area has been compromised in function for some time. As a result of the dysfunction, other muscles have had to do the work of the injured area, which creates further dysfunction in the entire kinetic chain. Weak links abound..
-definitely start hgh before the surgery at least 2 ius pre and 4-6 iu's post
-Deca has ben shown to have profound healing benefits in small doses. I was already doing Test as part of my HRT. I then started Deca the day before my sugery. I'm talking about a low dose of 150 mg, which I then repeat every 10-12 days.
-get extra sleep
- take time off from work if possible to destress
-visualize your procedure after you've researched the surgery and see 'your healthy new joint'. I'm a big believer in meditation too.

I'm 56 years old and way ahead of schedule regarding my recovery. My therapists and doctor refer to me as 'not the normal athletic patient'.

One last thing due everything in your power to not aggrevate the injured area while you are waiting and preparing for you surgery---this is huge.

If you are interested I will post what to do while in the hospital and post op too. Hope this helps.

Train 'like an intelligent warrior who has a plan'!!!

V55

mffdvr · Oct 13, 2010

I was waiting for the Viking 55 to chime in. I remembered you had it done last month. It's good to hear that you are ahead schedule in the recovery department.

bagua · Oct 14, 2010

Man, I have had some truly awesome advice and support from the board. Viking55 your stuff is great and appreciated whole heartedly.
Thanks to everyone.

liftlarge · Feb 20, 2011

mffdvr said:
I had a shoulder replacement done. All I can tell you is that recovery SUCKS. I had it done almost two years ago at the age of 45 ( too young ). But in the long run, I don't regret having it done. My shoulder was killing me due to having no cartlidge on the humeral head. So now , I have a steal stem and ball joint.

shoulder surgery/replacement i hear is by far worse than knee replacements. with knee's, they want you mobile shortly after the procedure. my mom had 4 knee surgeries in total - 2 orthoscopic, 1 partial and 1 full knee. the partial was a joke and should not have been done to begin with, as the schmuck of a dr did it on the outside of the knee, which never takes they say. (OP) is yours going to be a full knee? if she could have done it over, i would have give her some GH for recovery.

wickeddose · Jun 23, 2011

I work in Orthopedic surgery, and can tell you to do a lot of research on your surgeon. Don't try to do too much to early, and keep the site very clean (nothing messes you up more than infection). Good luck bro! Hope everything works out for you.