Anyone else with joint replacements?

debrussell
debrussell Posts: 10 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I had both knees and a hip replaced last year. My exercise currently is a deep water fitness class at the YMCA and walking my dog. What exercise do others with joint replacements do?

Replies

  • dewgirl321
    dewgirl321 Posts: 296 Member
    I have a knee/femur/hip replacement. I mostly do weight lifting but take it easy on the squats and such compared to other bodybuilders. I started out using the elliptical but find I have better calorie burns on the bike so I tend to do that when I'm looking for cardio. I also take my dog for walks at the park.
  • seabreeze2012
    seabreeze2012 Posts: 9
    I haven't had knee joint replacements yet but see them in my future. Both my parents had them replaced and I have have had two Arthroscopys, a lateral release, many cortizone shots, and Synvisc Injections. I am still in pain and cannot walk more than ten minutes.

    I am afraid to make the leap to replacements. How did you make the decision? Was it worth it?
  • debrussell
    debrussell Posts: 10 Member
    Seabreeze - that's the save path I followed. It sounds like you've exhausted all conservative treatment. I work for the ortho who did my surgeries so I was in very good hands. I initially went it for hip pain, knowing my knees were bad and already having had scopes and injections. The thought was that my hip pain was caused by the way I was walking due to knee pain. It was decided to do my knees. I did them six weeks apart (consumed my entire summer last year). Unfortunately that didn't take care of my hip. I had an MRI arthrogram which showed damage to my hip which needed replacing. It was a long road, but the pain is gone. I'm 43 and would like to be more active to get my weight off, but high impact activities are a no-no.
  • knightreader
    knightreader Posts: 813 Member
    i've had both knees partially replaced. best thing i've had done. have steel plates at the end of the thigh bones and the undersides of my knee cap hollowed out and replaced with plastic. long road to recovery (2+ years until i felt i was truly recovered) after a long battle of 20+ years, including 14 surgeries.

    my exercise started with a lot of walking. gradually moved on to biking, which lead to elliptical. everything i do has to be low to no impact. had to get my thighs stronger in order to do any form of exercise other than short walks.

    good luck, feel free to ask me any questions...
  • curtnrod
    curtnrod Posts: 223 Member
    I've had 5 knee surgeries and both hips replaced. My ortho told me not to run unless I want to go for knee replacements as well. I ride my bicycle for my primary exercise but I did a lot of water exercises for rehab. I'm looking to get back into a pool now that I'm not looking like the beached whale I was 3 months ago. :)
  • debrussell
    debrussell Posts: 10 Member
    I guess there aren't many people here with joint replacements.... That's a good thing I guess! :wink:
  • seabreeze2012
    seabreeze2012 Posts: 9
    I guess I'm thinking I don't want knee replacements unless I absolutely have to. I may soon be getting there, it's a mental thing for me. I am trying to lose weight hoping less weight will equal less pain but losing weight is very, very slow for since my activity is restricted and on top of it I have hypothyroidism. I hope the knee replacements have improved since my parent's (15 to 20 years ago).

    I see curtnrod posted about water excises which would be really great for me if I could just get up the nerve to be seen in a bathing suit.
  • pdj1220
    pdj1220 Posts: 175
    I had my right hip replaced 14 years ago, and my left on done 7 years ago. I walk as my primary exercise.
  • Klondikeclyde
    Klondikeclyde Posts: 1
    I had both hips replaced 12 years ago. My back has been pain free since then. I don't run, but I do walk, swim, ride a bicycle etc. I would say that except for not running, all aspects of my life are quite normal. I was 62 when I had the hip replaced.

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