how many have had a artificial knee put in? I will be getting one soon. any words of wisdom about this? how long was the down time?

Haven't had one personally. But have seen two different results and it all boiled down to physical therapy during recovery... dont skimp on it

Buddy had one installed last fall. He could barely walk up and down the stairs to get to his moored boat and had to have someone carry his fish up if he caught any.

About a month and a half after the replacement he could get up the stairs with his fish but still wasn't 100%. He said he wasn't getting the best therapy at first so he switched to a water/pool based regimen and it was lots better.

Good luck Brewer,

ps. I would recommend micros for the recovery period instead the mass production stuff.

I've heard that your unit goes limp and shrinks up to nothin'.
Like a frightened turtle.

Rehab hard. It will hurt like a mofo, but your recovery depends on it. They are so good at doing these joint replacements these days, that getting back to 100% depends only on your will to do the rehab.

Good luck.

The boys already hit on it. PT. PT. PT and then even more PT. It's gonna hurt worse than a Barbarossa hot iron to the arse, but if you want to make a full recovery...YOU HAVE TO DO IT. Good luck Brewer,

Had both of mine done about 6 years ago. Do the therapy, the sessions were only 2 or 3 times a week. Do the home stuff as much as you can, several times a day. It will be a LITTLE uncomfortable but you cant hurt the new knee joint, it is just the soft tissue that's hurting. Go easy on the pain meds, but use them especially when going to therapy. I took 3 weeks off both times. It takes time for a full recovery, 7 or 8 months, but will be worth it. I waited 3 months before getting the second one done. If I were to do it over I would have them both done at the same time. I love my new knees but they are not the same as the original ones, some things are limited. Best of luck! When first done after the surgery you will think your knee is really fragile but its not, just HTFU!

Sounds like Bob and I did the same thing. Did both of mine in 2011 Sept and Dec. Like Bob took 3 weeks off both times. Could have actually gone back to work in 2 weeks but needed to cut down on the happy pills. Wouldn't do both at the same time as I probably would piss the wife off and she would leave me sitting on the toilet. PT is really important, don't be afraid of the pain, as the saying goes No pain No gain. Short walks numerous times each day are important. Ask the Doc if there was anything I shouldn't do and he said just don't fall down.

My wife has had both knees done, a few years apart. The surgery itself hit her hard and she got off to a slow start. As all have said, do the PT. Then do it some more. Especially work at regaining flexibility. And do more PT. Push yourself.

Loose weight.

back in 85 this knee was black n dickered pretty good. 3 screws and 2 pins. never been the same since. it however it was the worst ordeal of my life. the PT was brutal. so i'm very prepared for the PT.

I was at PT doing the recumbent bike and a guy limps in and asks how long since my replacement, told him 3 weeks. He was 6 months since surgery and still couldn't do the bike. My next appointment there he was on the bike making it spin. So don't puss out.

Good luck Brewer

Yep, good luck Brewer.
Hope you don't get the shrinkage.

The shrinkage?

See post #7
The Shrinkage

awe yes the Hampton's episode.

still in the works. hoping for Feb.

Do they offer any kind of upper body or facial area discount?

You know..the old "replace my knee and make me look like Tom Selleck?" package deal? Asking for a friend.