Posted by Wayne Willison on February 18, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Hi, all. I haven't been active here or anywhere else lately because of a knee replacement. The surgery took place Jan 10th and it's killing me to not get into nature with my camera.
I wonder if any of you have experienced knee replacement and have any words of advice and or sense of timing for recovery.
Wayne
Posted by Bud Friesen on February 18, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Hi Wayne - I had knee replacement 11-15-10. I was released from hospital on the fourth day after basic therapy. I had in home therapy for about 2 1/2 weeks and then went to a therapist in town. I started walking with a cane after being home for about a week. On about the 18th or 19th day after surgery I started walking without a can. I carried it with me for a few more days. In less than a month I was kneeling down working in the garden (I did use knee pads that I got at Lowe's). Originally bought them for macro photography. I had very little pain after the surgery. Stopped taking pain medication after being home for less than a week. Started going up and down stair in the normal fashion after about 3 1/2 weeks, got tired of the one step at a time. The key to get full mobility is the therapy and get out and walk. At age 74, yes, there are problems getting up and down, I think twice before getting down on my knees but not because of the surgery. Hope all goes well for you. There are plenty of photographic subjects without bending or kneeling. Just get out and do it. Bud
Posted by Wayne Jones on February 18, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Hi Wayne,
I have not had knee surgery, but my father and a friend have. The both did well, as they followed a course of active treatment like Bud did. My dad was particularly diligent. Under his close direction, I built him an exercise table almost like the one at the rehab center (he always had ideas for improving just about everything) so he could continue his exercizes whenever he wanted to, which was a lot. My friend did well without going to such extremes, because he was also diligent about exercise. He has a relative who did not do well after the surgery, and she sort of babied herself to avoid pain. Sounds like the key is to closely follow the advice of the medical professionals, and endure any pain they tell you is normal and necessary. Don't be timid about telling them exactly how you feel, and asking questions.
I hope you are recovering well. I appreciate your beautiful photographs, inspirational calendar, and the kindness you showed me when I was in chemotherapy.
Posted by Wayne Willison on February 18, 2012 at 1:08 PM
Thanks, Bud and Wayne.
Bud, yours sounds like a one in a million recovery from other accounts that I've heard. Congrats on that. In my case my ortho feels that the home therapist became too agressive and damaged my knee in the first week of recovery. Now at the 5th week I can't reach 90 degrees without a push, but I have lots of hope for improvement in the immediate future. Still on pain killers, especially at therapy, though.
Posted by freda kraus on February 18, 2012 at 1:14 PM
I had knee surgery 7/12/11 2 days in the hospital, 2 weeks home therapy, Was able to walk with just a cane after 2 weeks. 4 weeks physical therapy ( 3 weeks of it pool therapy) they had me going up and down stairs on the first session. Got the ok to drive after 5 weeks and got back to work after 8 kneeling is still a bit difficult.. but everything else is great. I get out and go now.
Posted by David Prichard on February 18, 2012 at 3:43 PM
Had a hip replaced. My experience is, within the limits that you and a physician feel comfortable, keep moving. Found swimming to be extremely helpful for several months after the surgery as the water assists in supporting your weight. Make a point of some level of activity daily, I walk the dogs for an hour. If you can find a good massage therapist with joint replacement knowledge that may be of help too.
The biggest challenge is mental. It is very easy to get into a bit of funk when you realize you can't do everything you once did, like carrying a pack of gear for any distance.
Wayne, this may be off topic but recovering from foot surgery pinned me to the couch long enough to finally learn some Photoshop skills that I would not have learned otherwise.
It might be fun to go through some old photos and apply some newly learned skills.
Hi Wayne. So sorry to hear of your pain and my mother went thru it so I know you are in pain. It did take a while for her but she wanted better yesterday ... like I am sure i would be too. I would say a couple months but she is rockin it now. I fear i will be in line myself some day as i am a big fan of those super low shots. bummer. Take care, don't rush it.
Wayne, Keep the faith. I know it's tough to be laid up for any length of time, but the end results will be worth it. Do your very best to keep moving and don't let that new joint stiffen up, which it want to do from inactivity. I like Richard's idea to use some of the "down" time for improving processing skills. Hope you're fully recovered soon -
Hello Wayne,
Mine was a tale of failure and medical incompetence. A total of three surgeries and two different knee joints on the same leg. A 27 month ordeal involving 2 different surgeons. When I changed doctors my world changed for the better. Long story short, I returned to above normal activity by following the rehab regiment prescribed to the letter, except when my body said "whoa". By all means listen to you body first. You will know when to push it and when to back off a little. Being an action sports photographer by trade, I was able to resume downhill skiing, mountain biking and other activities I thought I would never again participate in. Bottom line is be active. Spare parts are a wonderful thing.
Good Luck!
Neil
Posted by Morris McClung on February 19, 2012 at 8:19 PM
Ouch! Hope you're back soon.
Time to go hard drive diving and work up some you missed the first time through.
Posted by Nathan Buck on February 21, 2012 at 7:37 PM
Sorry to hear Wayne! I do not have words of advice on the healing. I did want to mention that as I have not had a bit desire to shoot lately, I have had some luck at culling through the backup of photos that I have had from the last 18 months or so. Hours and hours of work and making some progress. I find that it has inspired me to shoot again a bit too. If you have macro desires, shooting in doors could work out for you. Best of luck!
Nathan
Posted by Wayne Willison on February 22, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Lots of good advice and tips here, and I appreciate them all.
Healing is slowly progressing and that's a good feeling. One day I'll realize the dream of once again squatting to get those low camera angles, and of course the abilty to haul gear through Everglades swamp and grasslands.
But as several have mentioned, this is a good time to go through the hordes of images on hard drives, and I'm also planning to do some macro work as Nathan suggested.
Thanks again.
Posted by Lynn Jones on February 29, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Hi Wayne,
I had both of mine at the same time about 7 or 8 years ago in my very early 70's, at the time the pain was so intense that I sometimes had to use 2 canes. After battling several orthopods, I finally got one who knew what he was doing and he replaced both of my knees. I did all the right therapies and was back to normal in 6 weeks. The interesting part was that it was harder to go down stairs than up.
My crazy orthopedic surgeon told me that he'd kill me if he caught me running, at my age running was not in my athletic schedule, very slow swimming was for me.
Discussion
13 repliesI wonder if any of you have experienced knee replacement and have any words of advice and or sense of timing for recovery.
Wayne
I have not had knee surgery, but my father and a friend have. The both did well, as they followed a course of active treatment like Bud did. My dad was particularly diligent. Under his close direction, I built him an exercise table almost like the one at the rehab center (he always had ideas for improving just about everything) so he could continue his exercizes whenever he wanted to, which was a lot. My friend did well without going to such extremes, because he was also diligent about exercise. He has a relative who did not do well after the surgery, and she sort of babied herself to avoid pain. Sounds like the key is to closely follow the advice of the medical professionals, and endure any pain they tell you is normal and necessary. Don't be timid about telling them exactly how you feel, and asking questions.
I hope you are recovering well. I appreciate your beautiful photographs, inspirational calendar, and the kindness you showed me when I was in chemotherapy.
Bud, yours sounds like a one in a million recovery from other accounts that I've heard. Congrats on that. In my case my ortho feels that the home therapist became too agressive and damaged my knee in the first week of recovery. Now at the 5th week I can't reach 90 degrees without a push, but I have lots of hope for improvement in the immediate future. Still on pain killers, especially at therapy, though.
The biggest challenge is mental. It is very easy to get into a bit of funk when you realize you can't do everything you once did, like carrying a pack of gear for any distance.
It might be fun to go through some old photos and apply some newly learned skills.
Sandy
Mine was a tale of failure and medical incompetence. A total of three surgeries and two different knee joints on the same leg. A 27 month ordeal involving 2 different surgeons. When I changed doctors my world changed for the better. Long story short, I returned to above normal activity by following the rehab regiment prescribed to the letter, except when my body said "whoa". By all means listen to you body first. You will know when to push it and when to back off a little. Being an action sports photographer by trade, I was able to resume downhill skiing, mountain biking and other activities I thought I would never again participate in. Bottom line is be active. Spare parts are a wonderful thing.
Good Luck!
Neil
Time to go hard drive diving and work up some you missed the first time through.
Nathan
Healing is slowly progressing and that's a good feeling. One day I'll realize the dream of once again squatting to get those low camera angles, and of course the abilty to haul gear through Everglades swamp and grasslands.
But as several have mentioned, this is a good time to go through the hordes of images on hard drives, and I'm also planning to do some macro work as Nathan suggested.
Thanks again.
I had both of mine at the same time about 7 or 8 years ago in my very early 70's, at the time the pain was so intense that I sometimes had to use 2 canes. After battling several orthopods, I finally got one who knew what he was doing and he replaced both of my knees. I did all the right therapies and was back to normal in 6 weeks. The interesting part was that it was harder to go down stairs than up.
My crazy orthopedic surgeon told me that he'd kill me if he caught me running, at my age running was not in my athletic schedule, very slow swimming was for me.
Lynn