Have a decision to make SOON

milkman · Feb 5, 2011

66 yrs. old and in good health, just have joint problems, 5 surgeries on my shoulders and 2 on my right knee and just had arthroscopic surgery on my right hip a month ago. Went to the Dr. yesterday still have considerable pain if I walk or just put weight on it. The Doc had me on crutches for two weeks after surgery and now wants me to go back on them to see if it's just not healed yet.
Earlier, I went the injection route with no success and now looks like the surgery didn't fix it either. The next thing will be a joint replacement so I'm now kinda in a corner and have to make up my mind real soon. I'm really looking forward to making a garden again this year, but I can't do it the way I am now and if I have the joint replaced, I need to do it real soon in order to be recuperated in time to start the garden. I am close to just going ahead and get it done, but need enough good news from some people that have had it done to push me over the edge. With all the surgeries I've been through, just hesitant to go there again, although I am well acquainted with the therapy department.:laughing: Hope I don't hear any horror stories, but what do you think?

beenthere · Feb 5, 2011

Wish you the best, but have no personal experience.
Hang in there, and give the Doc's instructions for the two week potential healing time a good go. Hope it works for you.
Only horror stories I've heard from others is having to go back for some additional surgery on another body joint.
Heck* ta git old.

Western · Feb 5, 2011

Milkman,

Brother you've been through it for sure..

My Father has had both hips replaced within the last 14 months, They started his PT 2 days out of surgery, they want you "workin it".

He has had pains for years and he say's it has given him back his life. He is someone that could never sit down, a work-a-holic and was a heavy jogger most of his life, which according to his Doctor was a major contributor to his joint collapses.

He was very nervous but had faith in his Doctor. (The Doctor is/was on the US Olympic medical team)

He was up and around the first week because of the PT, but really "functional" in about a month +.

Don't know if this helps you decide or not since everyone is different physically, but I know what dad would say, "get it done and over with"

It is a big decision.

tommu56 · Feb 5, 2011

Search is your best friend!

bird's chronicle

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/related-topics/174237-bad-knees.html

milkman · Feb 5, 2011

Appreciate the well wishes, WOW two hips in 14 months. My surgeries have all been since '04 and have been able to be in pretty good shape for the summer months. The Dr. said that I would be doing pretty much what I wanted to do one month after the replacement, sounds quick to me. I can do all I want to do now, just don't want to do much because of the pain.

I kept up with Bird's thread on the knee replacement and have been told that the hip recovery is a little faster, that sounds good.

Elklakedoug · Feb 5, 2011

Git R Done....

Just had shoulder surgery 8 weeks ago myself. Sooner you get on the healing track, the better...just my 2 cents.

nybirdman · Feb 5, 2011

My father had one knee replaced at 75yr.and the other at 77yr...said it was the best thing he had ever done.Today with modern medicine and pt I think I would do it,why live in pain.

milkman · Feb 5, 2011

If I have this done, can I request the old parts? When I had the timing belt replaced on the car, I requested the old parts.:confused2:

Baby Grand · Feb 5, 2011

My mom has had both hips, both knees and one shoulder replaced and sports a pacemaker. She would have been bed ridden 20 years ago without the knees. The hips came later and the shoulder last - she says she needs to have the other one done sometime soon. She was and has always been a huge hockey fan and takes her PT as sort of a personal athletic challenge, trying to do better than the doctor's expectations. She also has a very positive attitude toward setbacks and takes charge of her recovery. I think the attitude part has been key to her ability to bounce back.

Look toward your upcoming surgery as a very positive event rather than as an ordeal to be endured. Do it soon and get back to living on your own terms as soon as you can.

Hope to see some great garden pictures this Summer,

-Jim