Total Knee Replacement

Elk_Nuts · Mar 5, 2024

Going to have a total knee replacement on my Left Knee in about 8 weeks. Hoping I will be able to Elk Hunt come November. What kind of recovery time and experiences from any of you that have had this procedure do you have to share?
Thank you.

feddoc · Mar 5, 2024

I had one late in September. Pain and lack of flexibility was too much for late October hunt.

April would seem feasible, assuming PT goes well for you.

Buzzy · Mar 5, 2024

Had one too and I’d say 5-6 months. If you are going on a horseback hunt you might be able to pull it off but if you are planning on hiking a lot not sure it will be a good idea. Be religious on your PT and icing. Maybe you will get lucky.

Trigger · Mar 6, 2024

Had one in on march 9 couple years back. Made 42 bear trees that summer
I’d go to your therapist 6 weeks prior to your surgery and start doing everything he’s going to have you do for recovery in advance . I did not do this but my recovery would have been far easier . I missed 2-3 days of work, didn’t use much pain relievers after the first week except when I went to therapy then I’d take a couple so I could actually gain a few degrees of bend each session
If I remember correctly they wanted me to get to 40 degree of bend and I made it to 30 degrees
It’s all about how much you want to recover
I was 59 when I had it done

hkm · Mar 6, 2024

I have both my knees replaced in the last 3 years And went Elk hunting in late oct. First one was in mid April and was able to do a short 3 mile backpack deer hunt in mid sept. Second one was in January and I was able to shoe my horse 3 months later. You can do it keep up on pt it will hurt but hunting in Nov should not be a problem. Age plays a part as does your physical shape. Had my first one done when I was 65 and I was in decent shape

Elk_Nuts · Mar 6, 2024

hkm said:
I have both my knees replaced in the last 3 years And went Elk hunting in late oct. First one was in mid April and was able to do a short 3 mile backpack deer hunt in mid sept. Second one was in January and I was able to shoe my horse 3 months later. You can do it keep up on pt it will hurt but hunting in Nov should not be a problem. Age plays a part as does your physical shape. Had my first one done when I was 65 and I was in decent shape

I just turned 57. They said they normally want to wait until you're 65. But my knee is so bad and has zero cartilage left the joint is wearing the bone away top and bottom.

feddoc · Mar 6, 2024

I was told in 2003 by USN docs that I needed my knee replaced. I retired in 2007, waited a couple years until it got worse, then couldn't figure out why my then ortho doc didn't see what the USN doc saw.

Until I realized that because it hurt so bad, I was shifting my weight onto the good knee because of the pain on standing on the bad knee. As a result there was no bone to bone contact visible on the xrays of the bad knee.

In 2017 I finally had my knee replaced. 14 years of some pretty interesting pain.

norby · Mar 6, 2024

Today marks my 2 week after total knee replacement surgery.

I know you are 8 weeks out from surgery. I would take care of all dental issues ASAP. Also get your pre-op done as soon as possible. I had a couple of issues, broke a tooth that had to be extracted and then found out I am in A-fib.

I have been to physical therapy 5 times already. Yes, PT sucks!!
Good Luck! I hope all goes well!

norby · Mar 6, 2024

Also, Get a cold therapy unit and use it!!

DeerMadness · Mar 6, 2024

I hope you heal well, and get to enjoy a good hunt Elk Nuts. You are young for knee replacement, but if you need it there isn't an alternative.
Stay on top of the PT, but don't push things too fast.

hkm · Mar 6, 2024

Elk_Nuts said:
I just turned 57. They said they normally want to wait until you're 65. But my knee is so bad and has zero cartilage left the joint is wearing the bone away top and bottom.

I should have did mine sooner. I was limping so bad and slowing down after our elk hunt 3 years ago that when We got home my brother called and set up an appointment with the doctor to get my knee checked out. They were both bone on bone. Dr said pick either one when you are ready.

Zarn · Mar 6, 2024

I went Elk hunting 8 weeks out. But I was pretty sore and not up to long hikes.

Elk_Nuts · Oct 23, 2024

Just a quick update if anyone cares.
19 weeks post OP.
Stopped pain meds on day 2
Back at work on week 2
Golfed 18 holes at week 4 and about every week since.
Didn't want to do PT much so at 9 weeks I requested a Manipulation under Anesthesia. (MUA) best decision I made. 9 weeks of PT done in about 30 Minutes.
Headed Elk hunting in a couple weeks and knee seems great. The loaded backpack on the way in and the heavy one (hopefully) on the way out will put it to the test.
Soon as I'm back from the Elk hunt, I'll be trudging out to the rice blind to shoot some ducks/geese.

feddoc · Oct 23, 2024

Elk_Nuts said:
Just a quick update if anyone cares.
19 weeks post OP.
Stopped pain meds on day 2
Back at work on week 2
Golfed 18 holes at week 4 and about every week since.
Didn't want to do PT much so at 9 weeks I requested a Manipulation under Anesthesia. (MUA) best decision I made. 9 weeks of PT done in about 30 Minutes.
Headed Elk hunting in a couple weeks and knee seems great. The loaded backpack on the way in and the heavy one (hopefully) on the way out will put it to the test.
Soon as I'm back from the Elk hunt, I'll be trudging out to the rice blind to shoot some ducks/geese.

Good to read about. I completed my PT, in late September, and still missed late October elk season. My knee has become stiffer over the last couple years. Eh, old age.

Blindnonresident · Oct 24, 2024

I care because it will be me sometime soon. Curious how it goes elk hunting.
Good luck!

johnnycake · Oct 24, 2024

For those looking at this and staring down the barrel of knee replacement in the near future, look up the Jiffy Knee procedure. I've got a few buddies now who have had it done and the recovery times were way better than the traditional flay your leg open to do the replacement. Like, get the surgery done in March and be solo sheep hunting in the Alaska range in August zero problems.

DeerMadness · Oct 24, 2024

I worked with a guy who had it done this year. He used a machine where you pedal with your hands, and it would stretch your legs underneath you in both directions. He said he would do it until almost ready to cry. He healed up very fast so PT is paramount. Good luck Elknuts.

2lumpy · Oct 24, 2024

Elk_Nuts said:
Just a quick update if anyone cares.
19 weeks post OP.
Stopped pain meds on day 2
Back at work on week 2
Golfed 18 holes at week 4 and about every week since.
Didn't want to do PT much so at 9 weeks I requested a Manipulation under Anesthesia. (MUA) best decision I made. 9 weeks of PT done in about 30 Minutes.
Headed Elk hunting in a couple weeks and knee seems great. The loaded backpack on the way in and the heavy one (hopefully) on the way out will put it to the test.
Soon as I'm back from the Elk hunt, I'll be trudging out to the rice blind to shoot some ducks/geese.

I’m facing both knees soon. Would you mind explaining the Manipulation under Anesthesia procedure. Tks.

eelgrass · Oct 24, 2024

2lumpy said:
I’m facing both knees soon. Would you mind explaining the Manipulation under Anesthesia procedure. Tks.

I think it might be kind of like when they put you asleep and stretch your urethra scar tissue out so you can pee a full stream again.

Just a wild guess.

2lumpy · Oct 24, 2024

eelgrass said:
I think it might be kind of like when they put you asleep and stretch your urethra scar tissue out so you can pee a full stream again. Just a wild guess.

One of your life’s many pleasures, right? And…….. you probably paid someone for the procedure. Just saying……..

Blindnonresident · Oct 24, 2024

Probably self performed.

feddoc · Oct 24, 2024

Blindnonresident said:
Probably self performed.

Well, who is gonna give him a hand for that procedure?

Blindnonresident · Oct 24, 2024

Hopefully the Mrs.

eelgrass · Oct 24, 2024

feddoc said:
Well, who is gonna give him a hand for that procedure?

Only a qualified urologist.....I hope.

Elk_Nuts · Monday at 1:49 PM

2lumpy said:
I’m facing both knees soon. Would you mind explaining the Manipulation under Anesthesia procedure. Tks.

2Lumpy,

They knock you out under Anesthesia, and bend the hell out of your leg to break up the scare tissue from the surgery.

feddoc · Monday at 2:58 PM

Elk_Nuts said:
2Lumpy,

They knock you out under Anesthesia, and bend the hell out of your leg to break up the scare tissue from the surgery.

Mr. Lumpy,

I have some injectable lidocaine.

2lumpy · Monday at 3:05 PM

Elk_Nuts said:
2Lumpy,

They knock you out under Anesthesia, and bend the hell out of your leg to break up the scare tissue from the surgery.

Tks ElkNuts, I’ll have to ask about that.

Regarding the Jiffy Knee surgery Johnny Cake mentioned: I looked it up on Google, it seems on the Google information it was only offered by very few surgeons but these was one listed in a Clinic in Logan Utah, so I intended on calling him. However I had lunch today with a good friend that just had his second knee surgery done this year, here in Richfield, Utah and by a local knee surgeon. Both of his knees were done the “Jiffy” here in town. No muscle, tendons etc were cut, they just stretch them and pull then out of the way. The same knee hardware is put in and if the Insurance companies pay for it that pay for it l the old traditional way. The cost of the surgery is the same, baring unanticipated problems. He’s very happy with the results. He’s a big old boy too, makes me look like Peter Pan.

2lumpy · Monday at 3:13 PM

feddoc said:
Mr. Lumpy,

I have some injectable lidocaine.

feddoc, you know me, I’m a coward, and I am naturally very stiff so…… if knee surgery is gonna make me worse, I think I’ll stay with the anesthesia……… I can’t stand the sound of screaming, particularly when I’m the one doing it. But thanks for offering, next time I need to pick out a sliver, I’ll be sure and call you.

johnnycake · Monday at 4:35 PM

2lumpy said:
Tks ElkNuts, I’ll have to ask about that.

Regarding the Jiffy Knee surgery Johnny Cake mentioned: I looked it up on Google, it seems on the Google information it was only offered by very few surgeons but these was one listed in a Clinic in Logan Utah, so I intended on calling him. However I had lunch today with a good friend that just had his second knee surgery done this year, here in Richfield, Utah and by a local knee surgeon. Both of his knees were done the “Jiffy” here in town. No muscle, tendons etc were cut, they just stretch them and pull then out of the way. The same knee hardware is put in and if the Insurance companies pay for it that pay for it l the old traditional way. The cost of the surgery is the same, baring unanticipated problems. He’s very happy with the results. He’s a big old boy too, makes me look like Peter Pan.

After seeing some of my older buddies' side by side results from Jiffy knee and traditional knee procedures done at the same time, unless some other major development comes around by the time I need my knees done it's a no brainer that I'll go the Jiffy knee route. Fingers crossed I've got at least a decade before crossing that bridge

feddoc · Monday at 7:49 PM

I looked at a video of the same type of knee and ankle replacement surgery (2017 and 2014, respectively) just to get an idea of what the doc was doing. Drilling, twisting, hammering, chisleing, sawing bone slices, etc. It reminds me of a finish carpenter working on an expensive set of cabinets.

Once in 1991 I got to scrub up for a simple knee scoping on a coworker. The docs are not gentle when inserting the arthroscopic tools.

2lumpy · Monday at 7:55 PM

feddoc said:
I looked at a video of the same type of knee and ankle replacement surgery (2017 and 2014, respectively) just to get an idea of what the doc was doing. Drilling, twisting, hammering, chisleing, sawing bone slices, etc. It reminds me of a finish carpenter working on an expensive set of cabinets.

Once in 1991 I got to scrub up for a simple knee scoping on a coworker. The docs are not gentle when inserting the arthroscopic tools.

Appreciate the encouragement feddoc. I can hardly wait for my turn on the table.