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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Has anyone had a knee replaced?

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/04/2008 : 18:35:40

Yes, a knee is a boat part but this one is part of me. Got the news yesterday that the reason I can't walk is that my right knee is worn out. Go back in 3 weeks after the swelling goes down for the exam that the Doc says is almost given because of the x rays show that a new part is needed. How long does it take to get back on the boat? Will I sink after it is installed? Can I build it myself from the stainless steel fittings? Do the other sailors start calling you peg leg?

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 20:36:41

Jim,
Sorry to hear about your knee replacement. I haven't had to have mine done yet, but my bone doc says it's going to happen. My dad had both knees replaced. He did fairly well with the first one because he stuck to his physical therapy routine, but not so much with the second one because he didn't. I think you can be back on your feet in a matter of weeks depending on what needs to be done. I think the biggest thing is sticking to the PT regimen, I know it made a world of difference in my shoulder, I had to have my rotator cuff rebuilt, and I have probably 90%+ mobility back. Before the surgery, I couldn't lift my arm more than 30 degrees from straight down, now I can chop firewood again, or more likely, hold a heavy drill over my head while stuck back inside the battery compartment of my boat. I still get twinges, like planing a table top with a hand plane in particular was painful, I thought I'd torn something again, but it just turned out to be pissed off muscles and I was fine a couple of days later.

FWIW my dad complained about the knees both being very stiff to operate (bear in mind this was about fifteen years ago), and he asked his bone doc to put a zerk fitting in on the second one so he could grease it when needed.

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 20:55:07

Jim - apparently there is a new procedure which allows the surgeon to
repair the knees through very small incisions. Sorry, I don't know what it's called buy your orthopaedic guy should be aware of it.
As a retired MD I'm ashamed to admit that I don't know more...

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 21:55:03

A colleague had her knee replaced. Took her about 3 months to be able to get back to work. She said she is glad she did it. She walked with a noticeable limp, now she walks normally.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 22:05:55

Jim, my elbow and shoulder have been bothering me and I have concerns about how they will affect my sailing. It kinda scares me knowing that one day I might not be able to enjoy sailing. I am sure you will end up having a stronger knee. Good luck.
Steve A

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2008 : 22:33:45

Don't know if knees and hips respond the same to therapy, but I've been told by 2 hip replacement patients, one a friend and the other my best friend and wife, that if you do more exercises than the doctor recommends that your recovery time will be shorter, i.e. do what the doc says and a little more!

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3448 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 05:46:20

Never had a knee replaced. From what I have heard, knee replacements are usually only considered later in life so hopefully a person does not have to go through the ordeal a second time. I would check out what is the current service life of these replacements. Improvements have been made in recent years and it is possible that they now last a lot longer than what was the case in the past. Past info I seem to recall was something like 10 years...but it may have increased significantly with newer and more modern methods.

What I do have experience with (and loads) are knee injuries...and specifically ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. From back in the days I use to play basketball (up into late 40s/50 yrs old) I suffered a number of injuries. Actually, among sports, the score is Basketball 4 - Biking 2 ! In regards to the basketball injuries, I first suffered a cartilage tear and 50% tear to my ACL. Then 8 years later and wearing a custom sports brace, I finished off the ACL and had it reconstructed using 1/3 of my patella tendon. That was back when i was 49 1/2 and next month I will be 59. My knee has been great ever since the reconstruction - just like my other knee. no difference. The only time I think of it is when I converse with others seeking advice on an ACL Knee Board.

Due to my involvement thru the years on the ACL Knee Board, I developed a very lengthy website with a wealth of info regarding ACL injuries, surgery and recovery based on my experiences and info I picked up along the way. I also have some info from others on my website. In regards to knee replacements, i really have no info except...there was one person going thru that many, many years ago and another wrote a poem or two regaring the knee replacement. If you check the opening page to my ACL website below...some where on that opening page is mention of knee replacement. Otherwise, it will take some searching if you want to find it.....

I just took a look - it would be hard to find ! It is a link in the bottom right of my website listed as "TKR" - Total Knee replacement. When you click on that link, it opens to a page that appears under construction...has a blue box. Just click on that and anything else even if they do not seem like links that open...some of them do open and brings you to addl info.

I'm editing this response again !...I forgot what I put on that page link ! It's pretty funny ! Though, I know anyone faced with a TKR is not a fun ordeal. In any case, read the info...it also gives an account of one person's dialogue prior to facing a TKR ! and then click on the right blue box for the poetry.

http://olarryrknees.homestead.com/acl.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 03/05/2008 06:02:15

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 07:40:15

Joint replacement has come a long way. My sister in law had BOTH her knees replaced last year. Was up and walking in days. As delliottg said it's all about rehab, it's gotta be professional and strictly followed. In 4 months she was doing quite well. Still would be a test on a sailboat at that point but she's walking without complication now and can do anything. And so can you!

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 08:34:53

Not to seem repetitive but REHAB (as noted above.) is the answer. I've seen a number of TKR surgical cases when I used to sell orthopedic "stuff", I even saw one guy get two at once like Dave's SIL. Do everything the Doc and physical therapist tell you to do with respect to rehab. Also use the CPM device you will most likely be given and use it as directed, when directed and for the duration indicated.( I think they still use those)

Many of the patients I saw who didn't follow the rehab/Physical therapy program had atrophy problems and needed other revision work done which came with some pretty painful stuff.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 10:28:55

Funny this should come up since the General just had her second one three weeks ago. The knee replaced last year at the same time is going strong. Her leg is now straight and strong as it was in her younger days. The key is PT, if not done the leg muscles will freeze. She was up on her feet the day after surgery with a walker and had to walk 50 feet alone with the walker before release. She had the surgery Monday late and was back home Thursday morning. Her surgeon's name is R. David Heekin and is well known for developing the less evasive replacement procedure and tools to accomplish it. He cuts no muscles or tendons and you keep your own kneecap. As of yesterday she had 103 degrees of motion in the new knee and is walking around and up and down the stairs with a cane only. Her PT lasts six weeks and is expected to have 120 degrees of motion, as a minimum. Last years knee had 128 on sixth week doctors visit, but she says she is going to do better than that this time. Good luck and do the PT.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 11:41:34

It's got to be better than the alternative!

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 16:15:06

Thanks for your info. The notes have helped me today as it was a tough night with the ache. I am seeing a specialist doctor that uses the latest techniques and smallest incisions and is part of a clinic. I was feeling sort of alone with my pain but it has improved with your suggestions and so many other stories. I will do my best to follow the doctor's orders. I am going to be back on board as soon as possible. Thanks.

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 18:36:15

Don't forget the pain killers [Prescribed] they do help, even for all the bad press they do work and help.

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Fantasy II
1st Mate

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USA
80 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 23:44:11

Jim, I've had BOTH knees replaced - the first around ten years ago and the second three years later. The plus? NO MORE PAIN! After all, chrome cobalt steel, titanium and teflon have no nerves!

The difficult time is the first months after the surgery. You will feel that you will NEVER get the full range of motion back - it just feels impossible to move the knee more than a few degrees, at which time it feels absolutely LOCKED there!

But as others have said, with diligent PT (I did mine in a heated pool), the range of motion does return - slowly at first, and then one day you will look down and realize that the knee is once again swinging through 120 degrees!!

The procedure is most definitely worth it, and the cements they are using now last much longer than in the past. Fact is,they really don't know HOW long they will last - mine is holding together after all these years.

When I woke up from the surgery I was amazed that I had absolutely NO PAIN and haven't had any since.

And just getting rid of the pain from a "finished" knee makes the whole thing worth it. Good luck and a speedy (but not TOO speedy) recovery!! Do the PT religiously!!!

P.S. I resumed sailing the following year after eack knee replacement, and they don't bother me at all any more.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2008 : 10:47:41

WHEW ! CLINIC'S CLOSED..KEN CAVE ARE YOU AUDITING THIS. HOW ARE YOUR NEW KNEES DOING?

VAL ON THE HARD DAGNABIT # 3936, PATCHOGUE, N.Y.

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glstout
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2008 : 16:44:47

The most common and simple comment is "in 6 months after (the procedure) you will be very glad you had the surgery". I had a full knee replacement of my right knee in November, 2007. Decided to sail on Brookville Lake rather than Lake Erie in 2008 and believe that was a good idea for an old guy. Be very sure your Doc has several years of experience and has exhausted all alternatives; also be sure the hospital has an excellent reputation relative to preventing infection.

Relative to PT, do everything they tell you as long as they advise and in fact do it longer. My knee hurt quite a bit for a week after procedure and the people I know have had the same experience (pain pills help)the key is the pain was terrible prior and now I have very little; I can however predict weather change without consulting barometer. There's good advice here by others, good luck and let us know how you get along

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2008 : 19:51:31

Appreciate the words. Yes I have a clinic that is well known and has as I have found out helped a lot of friends. Going to the clinic on the 24th for the testing and then leading to the next step. I plan to do the PT+ so I can get back on the boat. Will let the gang know.

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