My dad has had both knees done with good results. The first couple of days are a killer he said but after he had the first done he asked himself why he waited so long. As far as how long, each person is different as was each knee for him....just tell hubby to listen to what he's told and do the required physical therapy at home....Good Luck!

Mysew, Most of what I have heard, this is a wonderful sucessful operation. Of course anytime we have to have a operation it is a worrysome thing. A little prayer for you and your Hubby. The Dr.is not going to let him go thru pain. He will have meds. for this. I have heard acouple weeks H&*.

My Mum has had two (on the same knee) a long story. She originally had one done in Adelaide about 8 years ago and when we bought them up here to live in Newcastle, I noticed she wasn't walking properly. To cut a long story short she had to have it redone. Anyway she was in hospital for about 5 days.

On the same day as the surgery they had her knee in a machine that kept it moving (automated slider) and she had to have needles in the stomach to stop clotting. She has since had other surgery and has asked to have that needle in the leg. She was up and walking around the hospital 2 days after surgery little steps at first, then around the ward. She had this done about 4 years ago and is walking really well. It depends on how fast you heal. She can never kneel on them or garden on them anymore - so make sure he is aware of that. I am sure the surgeon will tell him all of this. With regards to pain level - she only took Panadol - didn't like the effects of Panadeine. Made her too woozie. I will keep you husband in my prayers and hope all goes well. He will feel much better for having the surgery.

Love and blessings Chris

I have come across a lady in her 60s had both done at same time and was up the next day. Guess everyone is different but love and best wishes to you both.

I have had BOTH knees and both hips replaced. He will be so pleased with the surgery. A few suggestions: RELAX when that constant motion machine starts (I think that's what pennifold is calling a slider). It will not hurt at all if you relax, even if you have to talk to yourself & tell you to relax! You will find that machine is the greatest thing!! It helps move the knee and actually helps with the pain! I loved it. The shot is a blood thinner to keep blood clots from forming. I came home with shots already loaded with the medicine and my hubby game me the shots. It was MUCH easier than taking pills. The nurses will teach you how to give them while he is still in the hospital. They are tiny needles & no harder than a diabetes shot. It is a short time you have to do that. I am now 66 (today!) and had my knees done in 2002 and 2006. The big important thing: DO WHAT THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST SAYS! The PT is almost as important as the doctor. I had a GREAT therapist (wish you were in Knoxville, I'd tell you to go there!) and I walk like I've never had any replacements. Get up and walk! That's what keeps the blood clots away! Tell him to relax, in 3 mos. he will never know he had any pain!! BUT the first couple weeks can be painful, I won't lie to you. BUT if he's at the point of needing the replacement, the recovery pain may well be LESS than the pain he's in now! While in the hospital, take what they give you...he sure won't be in there long! Take a pain pill about 30 mins. before PT so you can get thru the therapy better. Ask the PT if they do "deep tissue massage" as that is wonderful! Won't do it until after the first couple weeks. Sorry to be so long..but hope it helps ease his (and YOUR) mind.

MySew, I just had my right knee replaced on Mar 19,09, and I had an eppidural(?), in my back, pain was minimal, was walking day after surgery, and just came back from a 2 week vacation in Penna with some of my family! We drove and took our 5th wheel. 1500 miles one way. TELL HIM TO DO THE EXERCISES, they may hurt a little, but the more he does them, the better he will feel! Hope this has helped.

My late best friend of 38 years had her knee done in February, and we were walking all over the Bahamas in April of the same year. Her knees were so bad, and the pain was so unrelenting, that she said the pain of the surgery was really no worse, and she knew there would be an END to it. Believe me, they will give your DH the pain meds he needs, they are learning that 'biting the bullet' and not taking the meds is silly. If you're not in pain, your body can relax and heal itself. Now, the physical therapy is brutal. It's hard, and has to be done, no shirking!! My friend Doris did it with a will, because it was her goal to walk all over Nassau, and she did it without even a limp! But they are removing a part of your body and replacing it with something else, all the tendons & muscles have to reconnect, and be taught to work the new part. It's not necessarily painful, but it is hard work. I watched Doris, and decided then & there that I was too much of a wuss to ever have this operation, but that's me. My knees aren't killing me, either. When I saw the pain lines erased from her face, watched her walk again without fear of falling or injuring already hurting arthritic knees, I cried. I know DH is scared, who wouldn't be? Darn, they're cutting your leg in half! But it is work worth doing, and he will be so much better. Let him talk through his fear, feel his fear, and have other people (you included) acknowledge that the fear is real, and understood. Try not to let anyone tell him to "man up" and shove the fear inside. If he faces it, questions the doctor, you, whoever about his concerns, he can master the fear and not just hide it. Fear is our worst enemy when it comes to healing, it makes our muscles so tense, raises cortisol levels, blood pressure, etc. If he has made the choice, let him face the fears and then relax into the choice he has made, knowing it is the right one, and that the outcome will be positive. He will be happy, once he's thru the worst of the PT. Dori was, then she got the other knee done when we got back from Nassau. I hope my rambling helps you & DH somehow. I wanted to be more specific than just "it'll be ok". Many hugs, much love, Marji

Mysew u have gotten excellent reviews. I'm an R.N. & have seen many joints replaced through the yrs. the surgery gets better ea. yr. the physical therapy is very important, It will hurt at first but something for pain is usually given prior to the PT. You tell your DH n time the pain is gone & he will be able to walk with no pain & no problems. *4U

My Mom has had both done a yr apart...she said she wished she hadn't waited for the second one so long...She can do EVERYTHING she did b-4...Said that Rehab was worse than the Surgery...but learned early that IF you don't do what they push you to do YOU won't be able to do everything YOU want to!!! Wish him Good Luck and hugs from "US"!

I too have knee replacement scheduled.
I was supposed to have the surgery Monday, June 15, but when I went for my pre-op visit they took an EKG and didn't like what it shows so the surgery has been postponned until June 29 depending upon the outcome of the stress test scheduled for next week. I'm looking at this back-set as a blessing in disguise in case something shows up. I have had an irregular heart beat for years and years and went through all sorts of tests and they said I'm ok.

I'm going to be issued one of those motion machines and it will come home with me. I'm to use that machine on days that I don't go to Physical Therapy.
The Orthoepedic re-hab that I will go to PT has a walking pool that I will use after my leg heals - maybe 4 weeks out.

Good luck to your hubby and you as well, just ask God to look after you both.

I had one knee done 5 yrs ago and the other has to be done soon. Most likely when he comes from surgery they will have him in stockings and a procedure going that will eliminate blood clots. He most likely will walk the 2nd day. As already mentioned, the Physical Therapy is very important and the machine that is used to raise the leg up and down is very important. Some people have both done at the same time, I would never do that. He gets a lot of TLC once he's home. This you must remember!

I have had my knee replacement done 2 years ago and it is the best thing I have done. no pain anymore.
Tell him not to worry but he must do the exercies that is the most important part of it. He will have pain for a while but they will give him something for it, but it will be worth it after. I did have a fair bit of pain for the first week or 2 and then it gets better, walking the first day is sore but very important to help with the swelling around the knee and the exercises especially are to be done every day severall times. Good Luck

Dear mysew. I have had both hips and both knees replaced within a 2 year time frame. I was just in for my 2 year check up. Everything is great. (basically the hip had very little socket or ball from birth) I started having troubles with my joints when I was in my thirties but never realized I had a hip problem causing all the pain. Since surgery I have never felt better. Most important part of this surgery is to do the exercises religiously. Take care and lots of prayers your way for a speedy recovery.

My Uncle has had both knees replaced.One last year and the other 10 years ago. He said the improvement in the procedure and the lenght of recovery time is incredable. He said if he knew it was going to be this good this time he would have done it 3 years ago.He was home in 2 days. Did PT for 4 weeks and walks like he never had a knee problem. Good Luck

I'm a nurse and work in a Preop clinic getting medical history from patients prior to their surgery for total knees and total hips. I see people come in scared for their first surgery and then the next one, they feel much better about it and wanting to get the other one done. The main thing is to have a positive outlook and follow the physical therapy. Sure there is some pain with it but in the long run it will be worth it! Everybody's pain tolerance is different. Don't hesitate to take the pain meds. Take the pain meds prior to physical therapy and this will help him get through this. I hope this will help you out.

From what I've read here all our answers seem to be the same. PT is the most important part. My neighbour had one of her knees done a little over a year ago and the things she can do now are remarkable. She just had a shoulder replacement done last month and is making a great recovery. I do remember her saying the pain after surgery was so much easier to handle that what she suffered for years before. Good luck to your DH and tell him to do his exercises religiously. VA LaJolla is a great place. At least it was when I was still in the US.