Knee Replacement Timing

[nlktx49]

I currently have a broken kneecap - no idea how that happened! - so I'm seeing an orthopedic specialist. He says my knee is worn out, no cartilage, arthritis, 3 big bone spurs, bone on bone, and that I'm a candidate for knee replacement surgery, probably on both knees. We haven't discussed any further than that, as he says I need to get my kneecap healed first.

 

He thinks it will be healed mid-October. We have a 5-day cruise on November 5. If I had double knee replacement after that, would I be in shape to go on a 7-day cruise February 17, which is already booked and paid for? I would like to know what people's personal experiences have been with recovery from knee replacement surgery and cruising.

[Jimmy Geegitz]

Have not had it done personally. But my sister-in-law is having it done right after our cruise next week. She was going to have it done prior but moved it back because she was informed it takes several MONTHS to recover.

[SadieN]

Also ask on the Ask a Cruise question board. It attracts a wider variety of people.

 

Everybody heals differently. My 80+ FIL had knee replacement followed by an emergency triple bypass a week later and was not home for over two months.

Our 65yo neighbor had both knees replaced, four days apart. Within two weeks she was walking around at home.

 

How much pain are you in? Can you wait til after the February cruise? Are there insurance considerations? (No need to answer the insurance question)

FIL held off for years until the pain got too unbearably.

 

If you (and your doctor) do decide you can go on the cruise in February after surgery there are several options: wheelchair assistance for embark and debark, renting a wheelchair for occassional use, easier shore excursions etc.

The Disabled Cruisers board has a lot of info about wheelchairs.

 

One cruise to Alaska there was a man who had broken both his ankles just before the cruise, traveling in a wheelchair. Saw him many times on shore.

Edited September 15, 2012 by SadieN

[cod]

I had a TKR in May and I was not close to being my old self for the first 3 months, not to mention the many weeks of therapy required immediately following....3 weeks of home therapy and then about 6 weeks of on-site therapy, 3 times a week. During that time I got to meet and commiserate with others who'd also had it done. I think I did a little better than most.

It's a hard operation to recover from and I am just beginning to be glad I had it done. However, if you are in a lot of pain now, that day will come for you also.

 

Bottom line, I think the time frame you mentioned is a little soon. JMHO and I want to wish you the very best in first, your recovery and then with your surgery!

[cod]

Sorry, I misread the date of the cruise you're most concerned with...February after surgery in November. I still doubt it, especially if you have both done at the same time which to me would be twice as hard.

 

But I hate to sound like a doomsayer, especially not knowing anything about you...age, health etc. So best to get a professional opinion. And again, good luck to you!!

[higgib]

As others have said, it depends on the individual and the circumstances.

 

My Mum had one knee replaced several years ago and recovered really quickly. Did not even need crutches after 2 weeks. A couple of years later she had the second one done. We could tell instantly this one was going to be much different from the first one:

 

She was bruised and horribly swollen for weeks. After 2 months she was still in pain and was put in a cast for 6 weeks. Still painful after that, and has tried every therapy possible, but even now, about 6 yrs post op she still has pain, and there doesn't seem to be anything more that can be done about it. She is unable to stand or walk for long, and uses a mobility scooter outside her home.

 

This op is not without risk, and is not guaranteed to work. Mum was told it is something you only do if you are desperate, and accept that it may not give the results you hope for.

 

Sorry to tell you all this, but I think that if you have asked the question, you need to be aware of all the possibilities.

 

Good Luck.

[momatibm]

both of my knees were in bad shape -- bone on bone -- I scheduled my first knee in October (my doctor doesn't believe in doing both at once) -- had surgery on Friday, home on Sunday on crutches. Rehab, etc. Had second one done in March - surgery on Wed, home on Saturday. Dr warned me the second one would be worse -- it was more painful, but I persevered. I had done the surgeries to be in the off season -- husband was a bicycle racer.

 

I went to the first race in April with no crutches, no pain. The bicycle racer who is a physiotherapist was amazed. As she said a lot of the recovery is mind over matter and judicious use of pain killers.

 

as a side note -- to the person whose mother has all the problems -- go to a different ortho guy -- sounds like a mishandled surgery/rehab and should be able to be corrected if she is healthy enough to do another surgery.

[nlktx49]

Thanks for the responses. Wow, it can really vary, can't it? I'm 63, work at a desk job, pretty sedentary, overweight, so don't know how all that will factor in. But from the replies, I'm thinking I'm being over-optimistic about recovery time. I'd hate to go on the cruise if I had to be in a wheelchair. I realize it's very serious surgery with lots of risks, and the cruise shouldn't factor into when I have it, I do have travel insurance. Just wanted to get feedback from those with experience. And of course the doctor will have the final say.

Edited September 15, 2012 by nlktx49

[Charxu]

My mom has had both her knees done although not together. She found her recovery about 3 months. She has had to have one redone because of a lot of pain, they discovered an infection in the knee so it had to be removed, left out for 3 months on IV medication and will have another put back in this November. We have a cruise booked for May which she will have a scooter for just in case. There is definitely a way for you to cruise it's really a matter of how you want to do it. Rent a wheelchair or scooter that way you will get around easier and be able to participate in whatever you want to.

[afcj1]

OP - I too think that the time frame is to close to your cruise, but as already mentioned everyone is different. The other consideration is that you're "assuming" that everything will go wonderfully. Unforfortunately, ship happens so be prepared.

 

Also, an ortho that wants to do 2 knees at once is crazy! Get a 2nd opinion.

 

Good luck:)

[CruisingFamily2005]

I'm a Home Health Care PT. I have seen and worked with a lot of patients that had hip/knee replacements. Healing varies. It takes months sometimes years. I don't think it's wise to do both knees at the same time, too much trauma. Normally they do the worst one first. If you decide to do your surgery, start doing simple exercises weeks prior to get yourself ready. Whatever you decide, Good luck!

 

CruisingFamily

[YubaSutter]

FIL had a double knee replacement at age 78. He was cruising 6 weeks post op. No problems in the cruise.

[HarpHarp]

How were you getting around before your accident? If you have surgery after your Nov. cruise, you will definitely be layed up for the holidays, figuring 8 to 10 weeks for an "average" recovery. If pain & mobility are manageable on the first cruise, I would wait until I came back in Feb.

Talk to the orthopod, but unless there is some overriding reason to get it done this year, why not wait.

Edited September 15, 2012 by HarpHarp

[Charleyann]

Just had a knee replacement June 20th. I am 43 female and I am no where near heal. Of course orthropeadic surgery said younger have more muscle mass and it takes longer to heal. I am frustrated. I know without a scooter or wheel chair , I 'd never be able to do a cruise 3 or 4 months out. My endurance is almost nonexistent . I use a cane , crutches and scooter.i still have pain but mostly at night. Feel free to ask anything else....

[jerseyralph]

Sorry you are faced with surgery on your knee(s).

 

About twelve years ago, my Mom had surgery to replace BOTH her knees. She was in the hospital for five days and then sent to a rehab for two weeks. As we were driving her home from the rehab she demanded we take her directly to the hairdresser. We did and she walked in with my sister and I running alongside. Less than two weeks later, my sister, who lives closer to mom, called me and asked if I had picked mom up for a visit. My sister was alarmed that our mother was missing from her condo. I said I had not picked her up and had not spoken with her. My sister went around the building to my mother's garage. The car was gone. Mom had decided she was able to drive and manage buying her own groceries. That was the end of the knee replacement drama. She finished her therapy by driving herself to the appointments. She went back to work in less than five weeks post surgery.

 

FYI.......my mother's surgery was amazingly successful. She has had no further knee trouble at all. And this was the woman who suffered with real pain, for more than two years, to avoid the surgery.

 

Best wishes to you.

[Cruisin' Lisa]

I had rt knee replacement almost 3 years ago on Nov 10, 2009 when I was 50. I knew I would need it at some point since I badly injured my knee skiing when I was 18 . . .and have had 3 acls within 5 years after that, and at least 13 arthroscopies since that time leading to my knee replacement. I had my knee replacement mainly because I was "bone on bone" and needing to increase my range of motion (since the surgery, I am now able to bend my knee 10- 15 degrees more than what I could do before. It's amazing what just a little more range of motion can do in terms of getting in and out of cars and to walk up/down stairs).

 

You are younger so that helps. It depends on whether you are needing the surgery because of pain or lack of motion, or ? You will be doing PT for about 8-12 weeks after surgery.

 

The first week or two, you will be in tons of pain. The first month after surgery, you will still wonder why you ever agreed to getting the surgery done in the first place. At two months, you will find your life slowly getting back to normal. At three months ( when you go on your cruise) you will be feeling better, walking hopefully on your ownb, without crutches or walker. You will see the "light at the end of the tunnel" about 6 months post surgery.

 

You should be able to enjoy your Feb cruise, but just dont anticipate that you will be able to as much as before your surgery because you probably wont-- not yet.

 

At your Feb cruise, 3 months post op. you may still need crutches occasionally or a "walker". You shouldn't be on continuous pain meds, but may still be taking some. I wouldn't plan on any long walking type excursions. Maybe bring your walker or arrange for a wheelchair just in case. Bring something to "ice" knee just in case, perhaps bring compression socks if you are using those. Utilize the ship's gym to still walk on the treadmill and to use their exercise bike. Consider a cabin location closer to the dining room or elevator, and on a floor closer to the Lido deck.

 

I WOULD NOT recommend doing both knees at one time. . . .even if you didn't have a cruise planned for Feb 2013. Having both done at one time will slow your recovery rate because you wont be able to use your non surgical leg to help you walk or be more "weight bearing".

Edited September 16, 2012 by Cruisin' Lisa

[jerseyralph]

"Also, an ortho that wants to do 2 knees at once is crazy!"

 

Not true.

[5waldos]

I know of many people who do both because they are afraid that they won't be willing to go back. I would not have wanted both done at the same time.

 

I had single TKR early Nov of 2010 and cruised late March. I had a cane to use although I did not use one on land and was very much aware of the slight swaying of the ship- I was not as steady on my knee. I would not have been ready in Feb. I did take advantage of handicapped boarding- getting up the gangway was a bit rough- in fact they wheeled me up since that was the only option they offered.

 

I don't think you will know how you will do until you do it. In rehab I talked with a number of people some of whom did well, some who were very slow to recover. And some who recovered easily from one and slowly from the other- and not always first or second. Now nearly 2 years out I am still uncomfortable at times. I have to sleep on my stomach because my knee hurts at night if I try to sleep on my back.

 

You do have options though- if you are not ready to walk around a lot- hire a scooter to use. Keep up your exercizing onboard but get around with that.

[JerseyGirlJen]

They often recommend doing both knees at once because most people would not go through with the surgery a second time. The healing and PT process is painful, and it can take months to recover. I've seen a rare few who recover beautifully in a short amount of time, but that is not the norm.

 

Expect to be in pain for at least a year after your surgery. Attending therapy 3x/week is not fun....it's painful, but necessary.

 

As someone who has worked for years in the PT field, I would not book a cruise that soon after this surgery....I'd wait to cruise until at least 8 months out. Again, it also depends on your conditioning, activity level, rate of healing, etc.

 

Good luck!!

[soozles]

I don't have experience with a TKR, but I did have a pretty major knee surgery right before thanksgiving 2 years ago, and cruised about 2 months later. I knew I needed the surgery, and I knew I was going to be in a brace and on crutches, but I didn't know if I would be recovered for the cruise. What I did knw was that I wouldn't be able to speed up my rehab, but if I was going to be on crutches and a brace, might as well be on a cruise.

 

Well, I got cleared for walking 2 weeks before the cruise, and cleared to take the brace off just before we went on the cruise. I did wear the brace for a good portion of the cruise because of the walking and possible unsteadiness of the ship, and since I literally was cleared the day before the cruise,mi didn't have much practice time without the brace, and I had a lot of muscle weakness because I was not allowed to use my hamstrings for that entire time.

 

It honestly wasn't so bad. I did wear the brace on the plane so no one questioned why I needed early embarkation, and I kept the brace on during the muster drill because I wouldn't have been able to stand the who,e time. We mustered in the dining room, and I was able to get a seat. And just before the drill ended, they let me go early so I can get an elevator without the crowds. I wore the brace for long walks down the pier, but took it off for swimming. I'm sure some people thought I was faking because I didn't always wear it, but whatever. I had been wanting to do the behind the fun tour, but obviously couldn't do it on that cruise. Thing is, you won't know where your knee will be in that time. But if you're still gonna be on crutches, isn't it better to be o crutches on a cruise than on crutches at home?

[golfb4cruzing]

I had both replaced at the same time in Dec 07. After 5 knee surgeries, docs told me same thing. I had a great surgeon and 5 hour surgery. I supposed to be in hospital 15 days but did so well I tested out after 7 days. My doc told me the more I walked the sooner I went home. I can't sleep in hospital, so I walked with my walker all night. PO'd some other patients with the walker noise LOL. Anyways I was back to work in 4 weeks. So I'm thinking you have plenty of recovery time but you have to rehab hard and make it work. Fixed the knees and gained back 3 inches in height too. LOL

[Jilpo]

My mom had both knees done at the same time when she was about 75. The reason her doctor did both was because both knees were equally bad. I went to stay with her after she got out of rehab (approx 2 weeks after the surgery) When she was home, she never used her walker or her cane, only when she left the house and only for something to hold on to. I was there 2 or 3 weeks and she was fine when I left. She had a way easier time than I expected - she did take the pain meds some and was very faithful with therapy and did exercizes and iced while at home. If I remember correctly, she did go on vacation a few months later. Her advice for anyone having a knee replacement - DO THE THERAPY!

 

Some people have a really hard time, and some do quite well-my mom would say that the therapy makes the difference - don't know if that's true.

 

Good luck to you!

[twinbee]

I had my knees replaced years ago when the surgery was alot more invasive. My surgery was on March 29th. On May 3rd I went on a 7 day cruise. Yes, I was not "fully" recovered, but I was not going to let that stop me from going on my cruise. I did take a manual wheelchair with me and a cane to help me walk. I had no problems at all. Everyone including staff and fellow cruisers were always willing and able to help me if I needed it. I do remember when going up to the pool area, people being creeped out when they saw my scars. It got to the point that I wanted to put a sign on the back of my wheelchair saying, "Yes, I had my knees replaced" LOL.

[mjlace]

I think the only thing that you can be sure of is that there's no way to be sure how you'll recover after a knee replacement. Everyone goes into surgery with a different level of physical conditioning and different rates of healing and this affects recovery time. If you really want to be sure that you can cruise without problems it would likely be better to schedule the surgery after the cruise in February. If your travel insurance doesn't have a pre-existing clause you can take your chances that you'll be ready to go. Another consideration is how much pain you live with now and is it tolerable until you would get back from the February cruise.

 

My experience with knee replacements has been very positive. I am ecstatic how pain free my walking is now compared to how I felt prior to surgery. My lifestyle has improved by leaps and bounds. I had my surgeries 8 months apart so that the surgeries fit better with the slower times at work. I feel like I could have done them closer, but I am glad I did them separately. I depended on my "good" leg to help me move around more easily when the operated knee was still swollen and painful. My doctor also advised against bilateral surgeries at the same time because of a higher risk of complications. I was 61 for the first surgery and 62 for the second. I used a walker for a couple weeks and a cane for a couple more weeks after the surgery. I never even considered not doing the second knee.

 

I went on a 13 day cruise about 4 and a half months after the second surgery without problems. I think I could have easily gone sooner and still enjoyed it. Although I was pain free in about 6 weeks, I would still have swelling if I was on my feet too long and tried to keep my leg elevated as much as possible. I don't want you to think that, as another poster mentioned, you'll have pain for a year or need to have therapy for that length of time. It all depends on the individual. I was able to do the exercises the therapist prescribed at home after about 4 weeks. My new knees are three years old now. My only difficulty is kneeling to clean or to garden. I'm told it won't hurt the knees, but it does feel strange and somehow not "normal".

 

I would advise you to consider physial therapy prior to your surgery, if your insurance will cover it, or get a good book on knee replacements and do some exercises on your own to prepare the muscles you'll need post surgery. I was referred to a fitness center after I finished PT post surgery and I feel it helps a lot to keep my legs strong and the knee joints flexible. A stationery bicycle will help in the same way.

 

I wish you the best, both with your surgery and your cruising.

[Essiesmom]

Back in 2009, when the Swine Flu scare blew up, I booked B2B cruise on Splendor to Canada about a month out. The first week of my cruise, one of my table mates was a 70is woman who had had one knee done in March, the second in April. This cruise was mid-May. she had been in a nursing home for rehab, and getting so depressed she begged her doc to let her go home. He told her she could, only if she had someone to make her bed, cook her meals, and a place to get some regular exercise. she told him she knew just where to get that, and booked at least three cruises back to back. She was walking slowly, with only a cane. she got off Splendor and got on Mariner of the Seas, going to the same ports we had just done. EM