Rhino Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 I haven’t mentioned this before but I’ve been going to a physical therapist now for about 2 months. Yep, even during turkey season. I’ve had a problem with my right knee for about a year and I had hoped to put off seeing an orthopedic surgeon until after turkey season was over but I finally reached a point where I had to do something. I just assumed I needed arthroscopic surgery to correct whatever the problem was. I’m not that lucky this time. After doing my homework I went to the orthopedic surgeon that is the best one in this area and specializes in knees. He put me in a knee brace and started me in physical therapy back in late March. I’ve been wearing one of those knee braces with the hinged supports on the sides and going through therapy to strengthen my knee area. Sometimes it seems more like torture than therapy. I’m also taking medication to reduce the swelling problem I have from time to time in my knee. After 2 months of therapy and 3 visits to the doctor (the 3rd one yesterday), the bottom line is I have a degenerative knee condition that they can’t do anything about short of artificial knee replacement surgery. I don’t know what the future holds right now except that I am still going through therapy which I understand, if I continue to improve, will delay surgery for maybe a few years or so. The longer I can put it off, the better because artificial knees don’t last forever and if I understand correctly, once they wear out they can’t be replaced again. For now, I need to give up my morning daily walks and buy a bicycle for exercise instead of walking. I have to loose some weight too. The good news is I do have some good friends that will help me hang stands to hunt but it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to put in the miles scouting on foot in the off season like I used to. That’s the real bummer because getting out in the woods 12 months out of the year is not just to do my scouting homework and prepare my stands for deer season. I also lets me forget about the rat race and recharges my batteries. I do have a modified electric golf cart that will allow me to get around but my walks down into deep bottom areas will sure be limited. I’ll also need to do some research regarding the newest safety belt designs too because I won’t be as sure footed as I was in a treestand anymore. Well, at least I have one good knee left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7th Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. Wish you the best in this, I lucked out, Dr. said my shoulder should be fixed with the orthopedic surgery. Hope to get that done first of the month so I can go west mid June. Won't get to jump in but still get there with the boys. Hope things get better, I do know that when Grandpa got his hip done it was the best thing for him, was up on it that same day. That was done in 1990 and I know they have done alot with this sense. Prayers for ya. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CBU93 Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. Rhino, I'm sure your surgeon reccomendations may be the best for the current situation. But be sure to check out some of the newer knees on the market. S & N is making a knee called Oxinium, which is supposed to be made with a new process for longer life to be used in younger patients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. Sorry to hear that Alan. My dad is in that predicament right now with his hip. From all I've seen and heard from talking to a few friends that have had joint replacement, all of them, 100% have said they wished they would have done it sooner. I sure hope it all works out for you buddy, you better be ready for the Ohio invasion next March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted May 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. [ QUOTE ] Rhino, I'm sure your surgeon reccomendations may be the best for the current situation. But be sure to check out some of the newer knees on the market. S & N is making a knee called Oxinium, which is supposed to be made with a new process for longer life to be used in younger patients. [/ QUOTE ] My physical therapist was telling me about a newer knee out there too. He didn’t name it but he did say the recovery time was a lot shorter than the older knee replacements. He told me that the new ones only require somewhere between 30 and 35 physical therapy sessions before you’re through. He didn’t mention how long the older ones took but I know of one guy down here that had one. It took him a lot longer than that to get through the recovery period. Thanks CBU93 for giving me the name of it. I’ll ask my physical therapist about it today. I go back to the orthopedic surgeon in 6 weeks. [ QUOTE ] From all I've seen and heard from talking to a few friends that have had joint replacement, all of them, 100% have said they wished they would have done it sooner. I sure hope it all works out for you buddy, you better be ready for the Ohio invasion next March. [/ QUOTE ] I know what you’re talking about Chris but for some reason the surgeon wants me to finish my physical therapy sessions and then come back to see him in 6 weeks. He’s supposed to be the knee guru so I’ll play along. If it comes to knee replacement surgery and I don’t have enough time left before bow season opens then the surgery will just have to wait until May 2, 2006. That’s when next year’s spring turkey season ends. There are fewer fall and spring hunting seasons ahead of me now than there are behind me so I’m not going to give one up unless I can’t walk at all. I’ll deal with it until after next turkey season if I have to. Besides, rumor is there’s going to be an invasion of Ohioans around here next turkey season. Not going to miss that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. I'm sorry to hear about your knee problem. I hope the therapy helps. good luck todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need2hunt Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. Rhino, Sorry to hear about your knee problem... I used to blow my right knee out twice a year when I played sports and then about once every 2 years from playing with the kids... it doesn't compare to where you are today but at least I can honestly say I know knee problems aren't any fun... hope everything works out for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. [ QUOTE ] I know what you’re talking about Chris but for some reason the surgeon wants me to finish my physical therapy sessions and then come back to see him in 6 weeks. [/ QUOTE ] OK, I read it wrong Alan. I thought PT was an option, now I see it's what the Doc wants. Got to go with what they say, they know better than us. [ QUOTE ] There are fewer fall and spring hunting seasons ahead of me now than there are behind me so I’m not going to give one up unless I can’t walk at all. [/ QUOTE ] I'm faced with stuff like this too. I guess someday we'll all have to give it up, but Lord willing, that's a long way off. Until then we'll just have to compensate here and there to keep enjoying this wonderful pastime. I'll start hitting the squat rack just in case I have to fireman's carry you into the woods come March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. Good luck I hope that everything works out. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. you'll love it when it's all over. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. I know a couple of "OLDER" fellas that have artificial knees. Now (a couple years later) they say they wish they had gotten it done sooner. Whatever happens, remember we're all rootin for ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. Sounds like alot of hard choices.... I have a total knee replacement, compliments of the US Army... ....I just had to have the cartiledge replaced between the joint, but other than that I lead a total uninhibited life.....from time to time it gets sore due to foul weather or over exertion, but nothing that would keep me from my dailey activities especially hunting and scouting... Hope all goes well for ya.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. Hey, artificial isn't so bad. My right shoulder is, my father-in-law has both hips, and 2 different people I know have both knees done. Everybody seems to have them work !! It did take my shoulder at least 1 year to get over " most " of the pain though. I wish you the best luck with your decision too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. Sorry to hear the news Rhino...but at least it isn't a life-threatening condition, just an active life style one:o) If you keep uo with your therapy, it should help you somewhat in the long run, until a knee replacement. I'll say a prayer for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CBU93 Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. If you can put it off for a year or so, S&N is supposed to hit the market witha hinged knee that will revolutionize the orthopedic implant industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted May 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. LMBO at Chris. Thanks everybody. I'll see what Doctor feel good says in about 6 weeks and go from there. Rehab has helped some and I hope to continue to improve. Gotta buy a bicycle for some home rehab now too. I went down to the camp to get away from things, relax, do a little fishing, and do a little light work so I just got back home a little while ago. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 23, 2005 Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 Re: Bad news, knee is wearing out. Sorry to hear that. Hope everything works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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