[Preacher1953]

Today is day 14 since (left) total knee replacement (TKR). I followed surgery prep instructions diligently, except did not drink a sports drink a few hours prior. I was told I'd be there several hours, so would need 'nourishment' the sports drink would provide. Instead, I drank a zero calorie electrolyte mix. I was also allowed to eat up to 8 hours prior to surgery, but I stopped 32 hours prior, and continued to fast afterward, a total of 72 hours. After that, I ate one light meal per day for the next 4 days. My thinking, was to keep the digestive system empty so the body could focus on healing. Day after surgery was the worst, it felt like I'd been ran over by a truck. But next day I began feeling better, and an exercise bicycle was delivered, per doc's order, and I logged all five, 12 minute sessions that day, and every day since. On day 3 post surgery, I began PT at a nearby facility, 3x per week. On day 4, I set the walker aside and stopped the pain pills. The physical therapist recently said I am doing well, and most TKR patients are still using walker or cane at 3 weeks, so that was encouraging. I am also continuing PT at home for my left shoulder, and range of motion is good as new.

On day 5, I sat on both motorcycles (GL1800 and BMW Airhead) and, with effort, could get my foot on the floor board / foot peg, albeit with much pain; day 6 it was easier, but painful; day 7, pain was more tolerable; day 8, pain was much less, and I could operate the shifter, so I rode the GooldWing about 75 miles, and have ridden both bikes a collective total of about 400 miles since.
While riding, I constantly exercise the knee, alternating foot position on the peg/floorboard, for more/less knee flex. I also use the highway pegs to straighten the knee some and do 'foot pumps'. I also often hook my heel over the highway peg and pull the leg forward, for max straightness of the knee.

No regrets on the surgery, I pray for continued improvement, and getting fully back into the swing of life, which includes riding motorcycles. Hope to see y'all on the road!

Pushing VA for replacement. Year later, on hold. Going for Medicare now. Triked Goldwing

 

[fastback40]

surgery is always evolving, especially Orthopedic surgery. I did not do muscle sparing total knees, but I did push my patients a lot! They were out of bed the day of surgery and started pt right away. I'm glad you are doing well......but, as some have said, You might want to wait before you ride again....wait until your leg is strong enough to support the bike. We all now that anything can and does happen, especially at the most inopportune moments. get the quads in great shape before you tackle the bike. You don't want to get hurt. I'm very glad you are doing well!!

It depends on a few factors. If your Obese/age you wont get the invasive knee replacement but its not just sparing the muscle but also soft tissue. Robotics are used mostly for obese patients and where the bone has become deformed. There are alot of knee replacement for different applications. Our version is under the Depuy brand.

 

[JoeHall]

Pushing VA for replacement. Year later, on hold. Going for Medicare now. Triked Goldwing

I have both VA and Medicare, but used Medicare to cut through the BS, and choose my own surgeon. I would not let the VA come anywhere near my leg. No regrets.

 

[JoeHall]

It depends on a few factors. If your Obese/age you wont get the invasive knee replacement but its not just sparing the muscle but also soft tissue. Robotics are used mostly for obese patients and where the bone has become deformed. There are alot of knee replacement for different applications. Our version is under the Depuy brand.

I believe it pays to shop wisely for a surgeon, if your insurance company allows (Medicare does allow). The robotic surgery is newer tech, expensive to tool and train up for, and the cost to insurance is more because hospitals wanna recoup their investment. It seems the surgeons that do not have access to the robot do not mention it, but those who do are quick to tout it. I only searched in Louisville KY, but it seems very few surgeons have access or training for the robot; I found only two docs in the Louisville area.

The determination of which type of surgery does not seem to have anything to do with patient condition, though that may determine length of hospital stay. I was initially told I'd spend overnight, but after Pre Admission Testing a few days prior to surgery, the next day I got a call from the scheduler saying doc said I am a candidate to go home on day of surgery. I believe that was because of my favorable lab results, healthy height & weight, and other positive factors determined in PAT. My knee was about as bad as it gets, bone to bone on both sides, and I believe either of the procedures woulda dealt with it adequately. The big difference is, with muscle and tendon sparing, recovery time is much better.

I am not a surgeon, but got the above impressions from recent experience, and from my bro-in-law, who had his surgery 2-3 years ago, using muscle sparing. He apparently lucked in to the surgeon who did his knee, and said he was told people came to that surgeon from all over USA. So perhaps it was newer tech then, so even fewer surgeons were offering it. I know nothing, except that I am very happy with the results, so far.

 

[Arch Wood]

I have both VA and Medicare, but used Medicare to cut through the BS, and choose my own surgeon. I would not let the VA come anywhere near my leg. No regrets.

Medicare covered cost and I picked my surgeon....I wanted a surgeon who frequently performs surgery. My surgeon told me he does about 700 a year .... and has done so for many years. By now, with that much experience, Im pretty sure he "knows the dance". Great outcome.

 

[Gnarly]

Sure glad to hear the surgery went well, the recovery is coming along swiftly, and the patient is in good spirits!

 

[JoeHall]

Medicare covered cost and I picked my surgeon....I wanted a surgeon who frequently performs surgery. My surgeon told me he does about 700 a year .... and has done so for many years. By now, with that much experience, Im pretty sure he "knows the dance". Great outcome.

When did you get the TKR and how was your rehab? Did you get the muscle sparing procedure, or some other?
Thanks

 

[gkarasik]

Just checking in. How you doing?

 

[JoeHall]

Just checking in. How you doing?

Doing great Gary. Just came home from PT, where they measure range of motion after each session. Today I was 125 degrees of flex, and -2 degrees when locked out straight. My other knee is 140 and -10, so still have work to do, but the therapist says I am way ahead of most. I credit the muscle sparing technique for the comparatively amazing progress.

 

[Arch Wood]

When did you get the TKR and how was your rehab? Did you get the muscle sparing procedure, or some other?
Thanks

December 7, 2022. Traditional surgery. First few days were "no walk in the park" but just worked through it. Then had about 6 weeks of PT/rehab. All good ... not as good as "original issue" but WAY better than before surgery. Will do the other when time comes.

 

[JoeHall]

Good info.....

Here is an x-ray 1.5-weeks after my right TKR......my wife has BCBS of Minnesota through Medtronic.
Great $$ coverage but need to go where there is Doctor coverage.......referred by my normal physician.


View attachment 414747

Looks familiar, here's mine, taken today, day 22 after the operation:

 

[JoeHall]

Today was my 3 week followup with the surgeon's NP in their Louisville clinic, a 50 mile ride on the GoldWing. While waiting in the lobby, I was surrounded by others who were apparently there for same reason. Mostt of them were using cane, crutch, walker, or wheelchair, while I sat there in my Darien pants and t-shirt. With the NP, we discussed PT and other related stuff. When I told her the PT measured my range of motion yesterday, and flex was 125 degrees, she said 110 was a standard end goal, and 125, at this point, was incredible. When I told her I stopped the pain meds at day 4, and pain level now is 0-2 she couldn't believe it. She said I get an A+, and jokingly offered to take my pic for their poster board. LOL. The final followup is with the surgeon 90 more days. Feeling blessed, and hoping all continues to go well.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Congrats JH and hope it continues to go well for you!

 

[1potter1]

Hey Joe,
Good to hear your recovery is going well, I appreciate you posting the information on the less invasions muscle sparring TKR procedure, Im in the queue for a future TKR, and until your post, I had not heard of the procedure.
Did you end up using the same ortho as your bro in law? It doesn’t sound like many of the tenured orthos have adapted to the newer procedure, but with everything I’ve read, it makes a lot of sense, only problem may be finding a ortho in my area with experience in the technique.

 

[JoeHall]

Hey Joe,
Good to hear your recovery is going well, I appreciate you posting the information on the less invasions muscle sparring TKR procedure, Im in the queue for a future TKR, and until your post, I had not heard of the procedure.
Did you end up using the same ortho as your bro in law? It doesn’t sound like many of the tenured orthos have adapted to the newer procedure, but with everything I’ve read, it makes a lot of sense, only problem may be finding a ortho in my area with experience in the technique.

Hi, Knowing how huge the difference is, I'd be willing to travel in order to get the muscle sparring technology. I believe key is, having insurance that allows picking our own doc. Only such insurance I know is government medicare. I say government because I doubt the contracted to versions allow it: Medicare Advantage, Humana Medicare, etc. I could be wrong, but that's my impression. I used Dr Sweet, with Louisville Orthopedics. My BIL used a doc who's now in New Albany IN, I believe his name is Kreger. For sure, you'll be miles of smiles ahead on your GoldWing if you get this procedure. I have ridden about 300 miles total in the last two days, pain free, Also, took myself off PT after 28 days, and just do the same exercises at home now.
Since Medicare is federal, pretty sure you can use it anywhere USA, no matter where you live.
Good luck!

 

[ReserveBum]

Day 11 after TKR. Getting better every day. First week sucked. Felt great day of surgery and a bit into day 2, then next few days quite painful. Backed off pain meds @ day 6 and take only one before bed to help sleep. Nice day here yesterday and went to Chattanooga with grandkid....walked around Civil War battle site on Lookout Mountain without problem....iced it and no added pain from the walk. Two PT sessions down, more to come but I see and feel the daily progress. Thanks for posting this...it was great info to have going into the surgery. Hope to see you all on the road!

 

[JoeHall]

Day 11 after TKR. Getting better every day. First week sucked. Felt great day of surgery and a bit into day 2, then next few days quite painful. Backed off pain meds @ day 6 and take only one before bed to help sleep. Nice day here yesterday and went to Chattanooga with grandkid....walked around Civil War battle site on Lookout Mountain without problem....iced it and no added pain from the walk. Two PT sessions down, more to come but I see and feel the daily progress. Thanks for posting this...it was great info to have going into the surgery. Hope to see you all on the road!

Do you know if you had the robotic, muscle sparing technique? One indicator is if you kept your OEM kneecap. Also, they are quick to tout it if they could offer it, at least that was my experience. Regardless, sounds like you are doing well on the mend.

 

[Brian_Fenner]

I'm at 4.5 months since my TKR on the right knee, traditional method.....
Progressing well and all swelling is now almost gone......can do most things and now back on my 4-mile morning walks, weather permitting. Not ridden yet due to Minnesota weather but feel I'm fine for riding.

Still feels different and have some tightness by late evening after a days activity....otherwise I'm very happy with the progress and how well a body can heal from a very invasive surgery/trauma.

I will be getting my left knee done late this Fall 2023, but it will most likely be the traditional method again as I'm covered under my wife's medical, which limits who/where I can go.

Question for those who have had a TKR surgery.....
Can you or do you feel comfortable kneeling on your knee(s).......that is one thing I can't do, feels just to weird and uncomfortable.

 

[Gnarly]

Glad to see these reports of progress!

 

[PilotAlan]

Hi Joe! Been gone a while, missed this entirely. I had a TKR in December of 2020, everything shut down the day after I finished PT (COVID). Sounds like you're doing great! Like you, I busted my butt in PT and did my exercises religiously.

One thing I'll add, you're in a race against scar tissue. Scar tissue will continue to form for about 12 months after surgery. If you stop doing the range of motion exercises, you risk it dropping off and not being able to get it back. After about 12 months, what you have is what you will have forever.

For Brian's question, kneeling on my surgical knee is uncomfortable, especially on hard surfaces. I figure the skin is getting pinched between concrete and the steel head of my tib/fib, so it's not surprising. I have a mat I use when working on the bike, and wear kneepads when doing something with lots of up and down.

Otherwise, it's awesome. My old knee was so degenerated, I had to plan before stepping off a curb, walking over uneven surfaces, ice, etc. None of that anymore. I realized one day that the only time I think about my knee is when I realize I'm not thinking about my knee anymore.

Lastly, that's why I traded the Wing for the BMW. I needed the 90* knee angle of the Wing, for so many years I could not take the knee bend of anything sportier. After TKR, I could get something sportier, so I did! I'll be back to a GW in the future.