Just had knee surgery

govols

2 weeks ago I had knee surgery to remove cartilage debris and smooth the rough cartilage (I think). Anyway, I'm recovering nicely but I forgot to ask the doc about the recovery time for walking 9 holes. Looking for comments from those who've experienced a similar surgery. I haven't even swung a club yet and don't want to rush things but I'd really like to take advantage of this early spring in AL/TN

kenner

govols
Sounds like you had arthroscopic (minimally invasive) surgery, done through a couple of small holes with tiny instruments. I had that, for a torn meniscus, about 18 years ago. I actually got to watch it on their scope as it was being done, with the little Pacman nibbling away at the torn parts!

It was about two months before I could play again. Don't push it, and don't shirk on the rehab - do it religiously!

mulegolf

Feels better already doesn't it? I've had similar surgery to both knees and both times I was amazed by how much better my knees felt almost immediately. As for how long it will take before you can walk 9 holes, my surgeries came after the golf season so I'm not sure of that. What I can tell you is that I was able to go back to league bowling between 4-5 weeks after the surgery on my left knee which is the knee that is bent and holding all of your weight plus the sliding when you throw a bowling ball (if you're right handed). Do the therapy as directed and you'll be back out on the course soon.

SVonhof

My mom (avid golfer) had a full knee replacement and her doc told her to start slowly with small swings and once she could do it pain free, she could do what she wanted.
Simple as that.

GLFTPS

I have had both knees replaced. The best people to ask about time and recovery are physical therapists. Surgeons are finished after the cutting.

LBlack14

@braveheart

Heal!!

Rickochet

Not nearly the same thing, but I ruptured the quadracep tendon above each knee (on different occasions) and had to have surgery to repair them. I had to wear a solid brace 24/7 for months. After I got the brace off I went for weeks of therapy. The most important thing for me in therapy was getting the full range of motion back. I was told if I didn't do that very soon I may never have full range of motion. Bottom line, do exactly what the therapists recommend, no more, no less and stick with the regime.

govols

Good advice everybody. Thanks.

sdandrea1

I had a partial replacement last year and was at full recovery in 6 weeks, so yours should certainly be less than that. Hope you heal fast!

braveheart

Since you did not have complete total knee replacements or repair, you returning to walk nine holes will be much sooner. That is usually dictated by the surgeon, procedure performed, terrain involved and just making enough progress with the PT first and foremost. Yes, it is imperative, especially with knees that you listen and follow the instruction given to you by the PT. You will be back walking and posting up on those in no time. Might get some yards back too!

Rickochet

braveheart Might get some yards back too!

I can vouch for that but mine is distance lost. You don't realize how much of your driver swing power comes from your legs until you play with reduced leg strength. Both of my legs have greatly reduced strength due to rupturing both quad tendons. The surgeon told me neither leg would ever have the strength they once had and he was right. I can still hit my irons fine but distance loss in the driver really shows with weaker legs and getting older. The really sad thing is that I can no longer out run my wife. 👴

braveheart

Rickochet
Quad tendon repair is more difficult to regain strength and comfort in all functional activities than a total knee repair. It’s a difficult injury from which to recover, and it can take many months, sometimes four to six months or more, before a person is back to sports at the same or higher level. Being immobilized so long and then the steady but slow rehab of it, to make it stronger while stretching it is a delicate matter without a guarantee from any doctor. Reattachment and no ROM of quadriceps in QTR, vs everting (moving aside) of attachments while working on strengthening the quadriceps all the time is a major difference that limits the potential. You just can't be as aggressive pre or post surgery as you can be with a TKR. Glad to see you are back on the course and having your wife catch you or beat you is not so bad. Think of it as her still chasing you and you want to be caught.

hobbit

Not sure it compares, but I had ACL replacement and golfed 5 weeks after.... against doctors wishes. I did opt for the faster recovery option in taking the graft from the opposite leg. And my meniscus was in good shape and didn't need trimming.
I was extremely diligent in my therapy as well.

Rickochet

braveheart Glad to see you are back on the course and having your wife catch you or beat you is not so bad. Think of it as her still chasing you and you want to be caught.

Thanks for the info. I did the first knee in 2001 (wet floor slip) and second in 2007 (fell down steps). You lost me with the QTR and TKR but I guess at this point it doesn't matter. At age 68 and years past surgery, I guess what I have is what I have. I just try to stretch, walk and have a recumbent bike to keep things loose.

braveheart

Rickochet
Sorry about that, PT speak gets to be a habit. I thought I would need a QTR=quad tendon repair myself a few months ago when I slipped on black ice on my porch. Thankfully, it was just severe strained quadriceps. Stretch, walk and recumbent bike end up as the best things to do eventually for all of us.

LBlack14

TKR = Total Knee Replacement 😜

Rickochet

LBlack14 TKR = Total Knee Replacement

I had a TBF. Total Brain Fart. 🙃

kenner

Rickochet
TMI 😄

mulegolf

I had my left knee replaced on Wednesday, October 9th. The surgeon used a robot during the surgery. They mount the
robot to anchor points about 3"-4" above and below the knee. Every year they seem to come up with something new to make it easier for us to recover. I'd never heard of freezing the nerves in your knee either but they recommended it and I had it done 2 weeks before the surgery. It's supposed to lessen the amount of pain you experience. My pain level has been not too bad. I didn't take any pain medication for the first day and a half after surgery. I only took an oxycodone tablet then because I can remember how much pain I had on my trip home from the hospital after having my first knee scope procedure. I thought I'd get ahead of the pain as it's a hour and a half drive home on sometimes bumpy roads. My doctor told me that even with freezing the nerves in my knee that I'd probably hate him after the first week or two of therapy sessions. Today is supposed to be when the spinal block that they did for me before surgery wears off. That's supposed to bring more pain also.

braveheart

mulegolf
Regardless of method used, it is imperative that you stay ahead of it as we say. When the block wears off there can be a dramatic difference in the pain and comfort you were accustomed to. Premedication is vitally important in the beginning stages of your physical therapy. They will be making you do things that will be painful but necessary and beneficial in the long run. Knee replacement rehabilitation is intense and will require you to be motivated and focused. Staying that way throughout the whole ordeal offers you the best chance for a successful outcome.