If I could go back in time, I would tell the younger me to knock it off.
I was ridiculously active in everything involving my legs - running, backpacking, hiking, hill climbing, even leg presses. I had built up strong thigh muscles and often put them to the test. But, over time, it was taking a toll on my knees. Arthritis in my family's gene pool didn't help and eight years ago in Indiana, I had a full knee replacement in my left leg.
About nine months later, I returned to hiking, biking and hill climbing. Unfortunately, I had to stop running which was most therapeutic for me. But at least I was active again pushing the limits, of course. Then, last year, the right knee finally started going out. The doctor found torn meniscus and quite a lot of arthritis. I delayed the inevitable by taking an injection of Synvisc, a lubricant, that helped a little while waiting for the most opportune time for the surgery. It had to be when my wife could take time off to help in the recovery. Men can be such wimps.
Meanwhile, because I couldn't exercise, I ballooned in weight and that just put more pressure on the knee. It got to the point where it's "bone on bone" and a rather painful groove has formed.
So here we are. On July 24, the right knee will be replaced. This is not an uncommon procedure. More than 600,000 replacements are performed each year and in ten years, as many as 3.2 million surgeries could be performed annually. Since this looks like something many of us baby boomers will be facing, I thought I would chronicle the experience and share it with you over the next few weeks both in this blog and on Twitter.
Having undergone this procedure before, I am not looking forward to the journey - especially the therapy - but I anxiously await the destination. I can only hope that since my last surgery the process from operation to therapy has improved (I'm looking at you, doc). I will offer some insights comparing the two experiences and I'd be interested in hearing from those of you who have undergone this type of surgery or even thinking about. Meanwhile, for the rest of you, invest in really good running shoes. You'll thank me later.
Wishing you a successful surgery!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your surgery! I have had serious back surgery in my past and thyroid surgery as well as getting a stone blasted off my kidney. I do understand what is like to go under the knife and hoping it all turns out for the best.
ReplyDeleteAs for the knees, I sympathize because I popped my knee out doing tae kwon do four years back and my knee has been problematic since. On top of it, two years ago my other knee popped out. I went to school with knee braces on both knees for a long period of time. I agree that knee strengthening exercises have helped. Physical therapy has been helpful for me as well.
My knees crunch all the time. I notice it when I am walking up stairs. I always wonder if it is bone on bone... I figure I will probably will need future knee surgery... let us hope that will be far down the road.
I understand the weight gain when it comes to being in physical pain. It is frustrating. It is hard to work out when one or two parts of your body is being problematic and when you are in chronic pain.
I wish you the best on your surgery and hope it turns out well.
I think physical therapy will be helpful for you. I would recommend Wenger Physical Therapy in N. Mankato. They have a nice warm therapeutic pool. It feels wonderful for the knees, back, arthritis, etc.
Thanks Tree Hugger & JadedIcon. The key is the physical therapy and sticking with it. I'm hoping to use the time also to work on my upper body strength which I neglected following shoulder surgery awhile back. But that pool sounds oh so inviting!
ReplyDeleteHow can I get relief from my joint pain? Partial Knee Replacement in Delhi
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