SOMETHING DIFFERENT: RECOVERING FROM KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY AT AGE 72

ITS A HARD KNOCKS LIFE!

You may or may not have noticed that I posted nothing in this space for a month between June 3 and July 3, 2024. Much has changed while I was gone. Did you miss me? Probably not.

Those of you who know me well know that on June 5, at the young age of 72, I had knee replacement surgery. Many of my contemporaries have had the surgery, and some subscribe to this newsletter. Others may be contemplating the surgery. It seems to have become a fact of life for seniors, either active or inactive. I encourage you to comment, ask questions, or share your experiences with this challenging procedure.

Why Did I Have the Surgery?

I play tennis, pickleball, or golf five or more days a week in the winter and at least two to three times a week in the summer. I’ve always been athletic, although I am a bit overweight for my height. I had a severe knee injury (skiing accident) in my 20s), tearing multiple knee ligaments and resulting in a painful and difficult surgical repair and rehab. While I successfully rehabbed the knee, there has always been residual (mild) pain and numbness.

I did not let that stop me; I returned to a life that included playing softball, golfing, jogging 3-6 miles at least three times a week, and playing racquet sports. These things helped control my weight; I’ve struggled with “yo-yo” gains and losses throughout my adult life. Over time, especially from jogging, I began to experience new pain in my knee.

My first concession was to give up jogging in my 50s, which caused me to gain weight. My second concession in my 60s was to wear compression sleeves on both knees when walking or playing sports. I thought I might need replacement surgery around ten years ago, but a series of gel shots and the compression sleeves eased the pain and bought me ten relatively painless years until the winter of 2023-24. I was playing tennis one day, and I felt pain in my knee—it felt like someone stabbed me. I survived the fall/winter season by wearing an ice pack while playing tennis and a compression sleeve while playing golf. It was time to consider a knee replacement.

Long story short, I visited my doctor; he agreed it was time, and surgery was scheduled for June 5. I spoke to many friends who have had the procedure, and all but one had very successful recoveries. I was buoyed by their enthusiasm about how the procedure changed their lives. My own mother, an inactive woman who could barely walk, had the surgery at 85, danced at her grandchildren’s weddings, and worked until her death at 93. Thus, I had lofty expectations.

The Surgical Experience

I had out-patient surgery at a local surgery center, robotically, cool! My last memory before the anesthetic sent me to Dreamland was “meeting” the robot and telling him or her to do a great job and go easy on me. I awoke with my leg in a wrap and a pain pump feeding me a cocktail of narcotics. I was encouraged to walk with a walker immediately and to try to flex my leg. Surprisingly, I found both relatively easy to do while on the pain pump. I constantly iced my knee, front and back, and attended physical therapy on the second day following the surgery. After three days, the medicine in the pump was gone, and I removed the pump. That’s when the real ‘fun’ began.

                  My knee became extremely stiff and sore. I could hardly flex it at all. Ice and pain were constant companions. However, after only a week or two with a walker, I discovered that walking did not hurt (put downward pressure on the joint), so I discarded the appliance. Sleep was difficult. I could not find a comfortable position and experienced pain throughout the night. While ice and medication managed the pain, they did not come close to relieving it. Three times per week PT sessions focused on improving range of motion, gaining strength, and increasing flexibility. I also did several of the exercises at home on my off days. (Here’s a tip: Sit on a lounger at home, extend the footrest, and force it up and down with both legs. It improves flexibility and range of motion.)

Physical Therapy

PT is tough. Therapists force your knee to bend further than you would like, which is quite painful. My principal therapist, Kat, loves that I sing rather than scream when she pushes me too far. After six weeks, I am off serious pain meds (extra-strength Tylenol does the trick) and flexing at 95 degrees.

An open wound from a popped stitch or two prevented me from swimming, but this week, it finally healed. I have hit the pool and begun a series of strengthening and flexion exercises. Slowly, surely, there is less pain and greater flexibility. I am a frustrated and impatient patient, but I am finally seeing progress. My doctor says that my recovery is a bit slower because of traumatic arthritis caused by the injury and surgery in my 20s as compared to a senior who experiences “normal” wear and tear. Lighter activity, in PT and on my own, has gradually increased in intensity. I played golf for the first time last week—I won’t disclose my score.

My Unsolicited Advice and Prognosis

If you have recently had this procedure, are having it soon, or are considering the surgery, here are some tips for a successful recovery:

1.        Listen to your doctor’s advice.

2.        Set realistic goals-work with your PT to set achievable milestones

3.        Stay consistent. Develop a routine and regularly perform your exercises.

4.        Stay positive. Your mindset impacts your recovery. And believe me, positivity is often difficult.

I’m focused on playing tennis and pickleball by late fall or early winter. I’m aware that some have struggled to regain athletic prowess, but I am determined to succeed. The key is to find proper balance—how much can I do? How far can I push myself while still protecting my new knee?

So far, so good, despite my stubborn and unrealistic frustration with my level of progress. I am beginning my 8^th week post-surgery. I plan to increase the intensity of my workouts, including daily exercise in the pool. Inactivity has impacted other parts of my body. I must work to strengthen my hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, and lower back. Swimming should help my cardio and stamina.

I also need to work on my agility. Side-to-side movement, essential to a tennis player, is still somewhat painful and clumsy. I’ve started to do side steps and side shuffles sensibly, as tolerated. I’ve also begun to do light footwork and racket swings. According to my therapist, repetitive sets, slowly increasing intensity, with added dynamic movements like mini-squats (I can’t imagine!) and step-ups, will increase durability and strength. I hope to be able to ride a bike soon. Biking and swimming will not only improve strength and flexibility but will also help to build cardiovascular endurance.

I am seven weeks post-surgery, walking without assistance (I still have a slight limp), golfing, swimming, and doing my exercises. Who knows? In another eight weeks, maybe I’ll be able to do those squats and hit some tennis balls with my friends. I’m optimistic.  

I wrote this mini-memoir to assist people struggling to recover from this surgery or nervously awaiting their knee replacement. After a very difficult beginning, I am progressing well and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I would be pleased to discuss my recovery journey with my readers, their friends, and their families or answer any questions anyone has. Please comment at the bottom of this newsletter post or email me at authormmb@duck.com. I hope this was helpful.

Thanks, Mark