[at-l] "Corpsman, what's next?"

[Pete Randrup]

Hi Ken --

Seems that you Granny and I are both Depression kids!
We have a sturdy outlook.

Sounds as if Granny had major 'total' knee replacement.
Apparently today's partial knee replacements are easier
in all respects.  I hope so!

My doctor hikes some himself, upstate New York, and is
attuned to the needs of backpackers.  He blessed me as
I recently went out to test the chances of hiking through
the Fall.  Whether he chuckled after leaving the room,
I really don't know, but he is a good man.  His training
in sports injuries and that kind of joint damage is first
rate.  Here's hoping . . . and you're right, I'm still checking
<smile>

DewDrop

====================
On Aug 19, 2007, at 9:48, Ken Bennett wrote:

>
>>
>> Any advice would be welcomed.  E.g., do both knees at
>> the same time . . . or do one at a time. 
>
> DewDrop,
>
> My mother-in-law has had both knees replaced. I expect she's older 
> than you (at 60 and 68, respectively, for each knee), but she worked 
> for the post office and walked on concrete all day for many years.
>
> She has an amazing ability to withstand pain, and was able to do the 
> needed physical therapy on each knee even though it hurt a lot. So her 
> recovery time on the first knee was about three months, and she was 
> then able to get around the house without a cane. The second knee was 
> less invasive surgery, and she recovered more quickly (even though she 
> was older). Note that she is not a hiker -- I expect your PT would be 
> much more rigorous.
>
> The thing is, I don't see how she could have recovered as quickly if 
> she'd had both knees done at the same time. The physical therapy is 
> intense, hard work, and just getting around the house on a cane or 
> walker took a lot of effort with one good leg. That said, she did have 
> one knee in worse shape than the other, but she knew she would need 
> both done eventually, and she did consider having them done at the 
> same time.
>
> With the newer surgery techniques, it may be possible to do both knees 
> -- so talk to your doctors, get second opinions, find the best joint 
> doc around. Tell them you are a hiker, tell them you have a 4-story 
> house and need to get up and down the stairs every day. See what they 
> say, and good luck.
>
> --Ken
>