Patient types

Status
Not open for further replies.

Max Wallace

graduate
Joined
Jun 20, 2008
Messages
572
Location
MEMPHIS, TN
There are basically three types of knee replacement patients.

1. Sedate, mostly concerned with basic movement and stability. Able to walk and do most generic chores pain free.

2. Mildly active, expects to return to active life style, light exercise, light sports etc. minimal pain.

3. Highly active, expect to return to semi pro sports, heavy physical activity no limitations.

Each will base their PT on what their expectations are. We all have comfort zones. I personally fell into the #2 catagory, did moderate to heavy PT and have met all of my personal goals. I cannot participate in sports that involve heavy running and jumping but I never did that before surgery. However if all I wanted to accomplish was walking with no pain I could have done that with little or no rehab.

The main point being this surgery is fantastic and changes lives for the better and we all decide what we are going to get from it by our expectations and how much effort we are willing to put forth.

Some of us have been in pain for so long just to be pain free is enough and a miracle in it self.

These are my opinions and observations not the views of a professional.
 
Interesting perspective, Max. I definitely agree with you that us kneesals are different in our lifestyle, expectations, and that probably is reflected in our recovery "style." But I think you're correct that we all agree that we live in a wonderful time that offers such fabulous possibilities through technology.
 
Well, I,m then a fourth cataglory. I have had bad knees for many years, having probably torn both ACLs back when I was a late teenager, young adult
Still< I was able between knee flare ups to be very active, and in ignorance, even jogged after work
My legs became progressively more bowed, but still remained very active, riding, and doing routinue work around the farm, including starting new horses and lifting lots of stuff. Went on long trail rides and even hiked on foot up mountains. Coming down, necame more difficult, dur to instability
Did find walking long distances on holidays hard, esp when I walked around Havana Cuba on the cobble stones
Still, I was happy with life, continuing to show horses and earning rewards, even this past year.
The pain at night is gone, as is any pain while not weight bearing. I am taking nothing for pain. Walking-well my gait is abnormal, but the pain is not beyond being able to function and walk as needed.
Thought i could just continue my life un interrupted, after getting it back after breast cancer and reconstruction,
Went to see my OS yesterday, thinking if it was possible to once agin just go on with my life and put off replacement. He was impressed at my level of function. I then asked him if my knee devations have become worse since first seeing him some 5 years ago. He called up the x-rays and they show beyond a doubt that I can't put this off any longer.
Thus, I* am feeling I must do this surgery or wind up in a wheel chair, but instead of viewing it as giving me back my life, I see it as taking it away from me.
I will need to address this depression before the surgery, or I don't see how I can cope
 
Depression is a fairly normal reaction to fear of the unknown, having to put your trust in strangers and permit them to do things to you that you're really rather not have done!

Apart from the early days of recovery, you will have nothing taken away from you! You'll get it all back and more! Trust me - you'll never regret having this done and the things your knees won't let you do know - you'll be able to do them again! Look forward to that! Eh?
 
Appy (I assume you have Appaloosas?)

All of your fellow horsewomen are behind you! I made a "knee list" (cheerier than a bucket list) for after my recovery and a cattle drive with my dad is on it. I'm shooting for next year, once I am good and strong again.

Please do take care of the depression beforehand but expect some down times afterward as well, as Jo said, it hits us all a bit during recovery. But know that life on the other side will be so much more than you have gotten used to settling for now.

No sense living in pain or curtailing what you would normally do to compensate for knees that can be repaired. Get your spirits up and then get 'er done!

Giddyup!
 
Appy wow you have def been thru it..Im so sorry you had to do all that i wish you the best..you really deserve it........)
 
I spent three years struggling with severe knee pain, using two canes to walk long distances, one cane for short distances.

I suppose I'd be in a combo of 2 and 3 for how I thought things would be. They're more 2 than 3 right now. I'm not looking to go into semi-pro sports, but I was hoping to be back at my usual level of activity (which involved a daily four mile walk and yoga). I'm not anywhere near that yet. At this point, I don't expect to ever get back to that.

I just want to lose weight.

I went into my TKR excited and literally, grinning with "thumb's up" (I have photos). Reality set in four days later.

But at the moment, I'm focusing on the little things- like standing when I do anything (cook dinner, laundry, waiting in line)... I can stand on both legs equally. My posture has improved because I'm not standing with my body weight mostly on one leg.

The activity will come, slowly but surely. I suppose I'd rather take it slow than risk another injury.

So put me in a 2-A catagory- mild activity with hopes of more activity, taking it cautiously. :wink:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

BoneSmart #1 Best Blog

Staff online

  • Layla
    Staff member since November 20, 2017
  • mendogal
    Staff member since November 10, 2023
  • Jockette
    Staff member since March 18, 2018
Back
Top Bottom