Total Knee Replacement

I had a partial knee reconstruction a couple of years ago due to a large tear in my Medial Meniscus. I was only 17 at the time and fortunately the surgeon was able to stitch it up, but this also meant that the healing time was much longer. I actually took up golf seriously because it was the lowest risk sport for my knee.... after 6 months of serious physio (I started off having it every second day, down to once a week after the first fortnight) I was able to play 18 holes with little discomfort. I think that I might have been able to start a bit earlier but my surgeon was pretty adamant that I wait. I know professional athletes that have the same surgery as I did are back playing Australian Rules Football within 5 months but I was only supposed to play soccer with a steel knee brace at 6 months. Apparently the older and less fit you are the longer it takes, no offence of course, but if I was 30 that same surgery would have put me out for another 3 months apparently.... Just for contrast though, my dad had an arthroscopy and wasn't able to play for only 10 weeks.

My father-in-law has had both knees repalced over the past 4 years. He highly recommends it. He however followed the doctors instructions for rehab to the letter and has never had a problem. He is an avid hunter and spends every day walking up and down the hills of northern michigan without any pain.

I would tell your father to do it but follow the rehab and he will be real happy

My Father had both of his done. He had them done at Christmas time so that he could take time off from work. It has been about five years now. he had one done at a time, it does take some time to rehab, but he is very happy that he did it. years of football, basketball, running, and tennis had degenerated his knees to the point that he had no cartilage left in either knee and the bones were begining to wear down. the replacement has been a savior for him to say the least. it is all about having the right dr. to do it. good luck with it, it can be painful, but is definitely worth it longterm.

and recovery time was about 3 months tops. he was swinging a golf club by the time may came around. they have you walking on the next day.

My father -in-law did the same thing, both knees. No problems since and plays golf 2-3 times a week.

Thanks for all the comments guys. I'll have to share it with my Dad. Hopefully it will give him the confidence to got ahead and just do it. He's already had two surgeries on his right knee and one on the left. I guess since they never got back to "normal" he's been really scared to do something so radical. I think he's stuck in the situation where he'd rather play golf in pain then not play at all or lose a future of golf.

I had a total replacement of my right knee 11/8/2004 at age 60. I had known for many years that it was needed, (this was ny sixth knee surgery, total for both knees) and my orthopedist simply told me that I would tell him when it was time.

The recovery time was 14 weeks of therapy with a daily workout routine on the off days. I played my first round in early March, and logged my first ace and a personal best (even par) during the season.

It is more fun to play pain free.

I had a total replacement of my right knee 11/8/2004 at age 60. I had known for many years that it was needed, (this was ny sixth knee surgery, total for both knees) and my orthopedist simply told me that I would tell him when it was time.

 

The recovery time was 14 weeks of therapy with a daily workout routine on the off days. I played my first round in early March, and logged my first ace and a personal best (even par) during the season.

 

It is more fun to play pain free.

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That's great to hear. My Dad's orthopedist told him pretty much the same that he'd know when it was time to do it. Glad it all worked out well for you. I hope it does for my Dad too. I know he wouldn't be able to take it if he couldn't golf in his retirement years.