Can't hardly get up and down on my tractors

Eldo case · Jul 21, 2011

Needing knee replacements. How are they when all healed? Are you better off after or should I just keep eating ibuprofen and pain pills at night? I am scheduled for the first one at the end of September. It makes it hard to enjoy using the tractors when you hurt all the time.

Chris(WA) · Jul 21, 2011

I had a hip replacement 2 1/2 years ago. Best thing I ever did!
Get yourslf ready for it and the therapy afterwards. That is the most important part of the whole deal is getting into the best shape you can be in and doing all the therapy and exercises religiously.
Best of luck with it!!

DownSouth · Jul 21, 2011

My dad had both his done at age 87. Had them done about a month apart. He was wheelchair bound prior to the surgery, and now can walk like someone half his age.
Two things to pay close attention to. The doctor who does the surgery, check him out and know what his or her success rate is. Find out the names of past patients and call them and ask questions. We have two local docs that do knees, one sucks big time and the other is wonderful. I'm sure you know which one Dad used.
And second, after the surgery you will have therapy. It may seem silly and mundane but if you work really hard at it (yes there is pain involved) the results will be excellent. In talking with the therapist, he said some folks think that just because the knee was replace they are good to go, but said those that don't work hard at the therapy many times are no better off after surgery than they were prior to surgery.
So in a nut shell, I say go for it but know your surgeon and complete your rehab and you should be climbing back up on your tractor pain free in a few months.

55 50 Ron · Jul 21, 2011

A farmer friend of mine had BOTH knees replaced at the same time about 6 or 7 weeks ago. He is up and around now and doing fine. He walks good, but says getting up and down from a chair is the hardest move. He is of slim stature and in his late 70s.

JMS/.MN · Jul 21, 2011

Had a hip replacement 2 years ago. Did 20 exercises every day for six months. Works perfectly, no pain. Will get the other one done this winter. Exercise is the common denominator to all I"ve talked to who had good results.

Eldo case · Jul 21, 2011

I forgot to say I am 59 years old and have some meat on my bones. Doctor says that is why he won't do both at once. He has done knees on several friends and they have done good. He has scoped both of mine in the past and they have done good till a couple of years back. They just don't farm and I am pretty active and also do allot of mechanic work on concrete. They are older and don't use their knees like I do. I am used to just getting the bull by the horns so to speak and doing it. I am afraid that the new knees won't take what I want to do.

Old Roy · Jul 21, 2011

The place I last worked -- our Marketing Manager had both done at once. prior to the operation he was to exercise various muscles that didn't get as much use because of his desk job.

He had surgery on a Friday on Saturday he wished he hadn't done it, by Wednesday He was using a walker only for mild support. no real pain was back to work in 5 weeks and although a little taller he is so glad both were done at the same time.

He heard one at a time makes you walk short legged if you don't get a corrective shoe and causes a lot of back pain till you get leveled up.

rustyfarmall · Jul 21, 2011

A friend of mine was having some knee trouble. Doctors said he needed a replacement, so he did it. The doctors messed something up, and had to do 3 more surgerys over the course of 6 months, and now that he can actually use the knee again, the doctors are telling my friend that he will need to undergo the entire procedure, on the same knee, in about 3 more years. It was only about 2 years ago when he had it done the first time, so apparently those knee replacements are good for only about 5 or 6 years.

I am 60, been having knee problems for at least 10 years and it's getting worse, but I think I'll wait for surgery until I no longer have to be up on my feet for any reason. Maybe in another 20 years.

Chester5731 · Jul 21, 2011

Sometimes they won't do both at once because of risk of infection. I had my first one at 37 and the second about four months ago at 40. I wouldn't hesitate to do them again. One week from surgery I could get on the 450 and operate the clutch to plow snow. The key is exercise and PT. I havn't found anything I can't do yet. The doctor said don't run, jump or carry more than 50 lbs too often or for too long. I try to listen but once in a while I just have to see if I can. Both of then I could walk the next day carrying the cane instead of using it.

fixerupper · Jul 21, 2011

I'm another one of those who 'knows someone who had it done' but don't have problems myself. Seems like knee replacement has been an epidemic around here, probably because a lot of the older guys in these parts used to be hog farmers. Most of them have had very good results. I do have a friend who had a terrible time and had to have both knees redone, but the rest of them are walking just fine. It's kind of like my shoulder surgery. A few people told me to not have surgery because they know so-and-so who had trouble. Well these nay sayers aren't the ones who can't sleep at night because of the pain. My shoulder surgery was very painful and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but now three years later I can do anything with that arm without pain. Go for it!!!Jim

Dave in GA · Jul 21, 2011

Neighbor on one side had a hip replacement a few years ago. He"s doing great. Said he should"ve done it 20 years ago. Neighbor on the other side had both knees done a few years ago. He hobbles worse than he did before the operations. My mother had a knee replaced and a week or two later, when they had to pull the drain tube out, it busted, leaving half inside her knee. They had to cut her knee open again to get the piece of tube out. Boy, did they pamper her to keep her from a malpractice suit.

The word I hear about knee replacements (and I work in a hospital) is that top priority is to find the BEST surgeon you can find. If you don"t shop around for the cream of the crop, you might be stuck with worse knees for the rest of your life. Also important is the rehab and therapy. If you don"t do it, your new knees will stiffen up leaving you in bad shape. And find a doc that will give you replacements that are guaranteed for a long time.

Eldo case · Jul 21, 2011

Thanks for the information. It is just a big hurdle to overcome and you want to do the best thing. I know it will seem like hell but if the outcome is good the pain will be worth it. My mom had both of hers done and she really did not want to do the second one but did and was glad when over. She done good but was older and didn't do what I hope to still do. Thanks again!!

Bus Driver · Jul 21, 2011

I am no expert. But it appears that perhaps knee replacements do not tolerate side forces on the lower leg very well. A relative of mine, a "sturdily built" woman, with a replaced knee was hospitalized for other problems. While moving her in the bed, one of the attendants pulled her lower leg sideways with enough force to mess up the artificial knee. Another replacement.

Jonak · Jul 21, 2011

Had a hip replaced in 03. Knee injury in 1961. Put up with it till could hardly walk. Finally in 2010 had that knee replaced. I am a believer for sure. Find a few folks who have used the same Dr. W/ good results. Do the therapy and continue with the exersises, very Important!!
Do it, you will be glad you did. I was 79 when had the knee done. 81 now and do anything I want, NO Pain!!
I get up and down just fine on my JD 2010.

Chester5731 · Jul 21, 2011

Also, when looking for a surgeon start with the ones that specialize(sp) in no more than knees, hips and shoulders. I have found that the ones that try and do it all don't do real well on anything. At least in my neck of the woods.

John Harmon · Jul 21, 2011

Sounds like your friends Doctors have found a "Cash Cow" or they are completely incompetant.I feel sorry for him.In this era no one should have to endure that kind of treatment.

El Toro · Jul 21, 2011

My sister-in-law had both hips replaced a few years ago and is getting along fine. She will be 94 later this year. A friend of mine had both knees replaced by the VA. They sent him to Baltimore for the surgery. He was drafted in 1952 a year before I was. My older brother joined the Air Force in 1951 and he had surgery
at the VA on his knees. Hal

gene bender · Jul 21, 2011

I had one done in Jan and the big thing is the rehab having a good therapist and you need to be willing to do lots of exercises at home nice not to have pain and wondering whether it will unlock when going down steps. Check with your insurance to see just how long they cover rehab. Mine said no limit we will cover whatever Medicaid wont with no time limit.

smallercrawler · Jul 21, 2011

Friend (72) had one done and then the other about 18 months apart. Slow recuperation and pretty painful, is now about ready for first one to be reworked after 6-7 years. Another friend (74) had both done at once, great recovery, now been about 5 years since operation and he is in tiptop shape. Same doctor in both cases. Whatever you choose, good luck with it.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 21, 2011

Had one done and it relieved the pain but rehab was quite an ordeal. Some have a lot of problems and others seem to have it pretty easy. If you need to take medication everyday, I would have it done and hope for the best. Don't believe I would have both done at the same time.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 21, 2011

You don't heal very fast when you are eighty. If knee pain is limiting your desired activities, I would get it done and fully enjoy the remaining years.

37chief · Jul 21, 2011

My wife had one done about 6 months ago. The rehab and pain right after having it done is bad. My wife didn't go to a care center after the surgery. I had to do everything for her, and outside chores she usually does. It was a pain in the you know where for me. I didn't realize she did so much. She is doing fine now. Have it done. Stan

jackinok · Jul 21, 2011

I have a great uncle in his mid 90s,in great shape except for bad knees he stumbled around on since he was probably 55 or so,two years ago he finally broke down and had his knees fixed,he had little pain ,so he said, and ive never known him to get around so well.he was always scared they would make him a total cripple,so he kept putting it off for years and years.saw him about 6 months ago and he was mad he had waited so long,sure did him good.dont know of anyone else who has had it done ,but judging from him i wouldnt put it off.like i say though he was always active and has never had any health problems otherwise,for someone else it could be different i'm sure.

chvet73 · Jul 21, 2011

Had one done at age 60 2 years ago. Big improvement. I was back to work in 3 weeks. Just like everyone said the key is the rehab after.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 22, 2011

Guy in town had both done recently (2 weeks?). He's over 70, not huge but not small. He carries a cane now just in case but drove his car yesterday and was fooling around with his tractor and piddling in the garden....
We aren't in the horse and buggy days anymore........

Can't hardly get up and down on my tractors

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