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Online now: 6 members: Morissette14, Rangview85, TABLE SETTER 11, TrayMax23, Z Man, kotonk; 116 anonymousDiscussion: need a new knee
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| Oct. 11, 2010 strap 5 posts | need a new knee NEW TO THIS SITE BUT HAVE BEEN PLAYING SENOIR BALL FOR AWHILE NOW.IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO HAS HAD A KNEE REPLACEMENT OR TWO THAT IS PLAYING AN INFIELD POSITION WITH IT.MY OBSERVATIONS HAVE BEEN AROUND THE CIRCUIT THAT THERE ARE BANGERS,CATCHERS AND FIRST BASEMEN THAT HAVE HAD THE KNEES DONE BUT I HAVN'T SPOKE TO ANYONE WHO PLAYS 2ND,THIRD OR SHORT THAT HAS.I CAN'T TAKE THE PAIN MUCH MORE AND AM JUST WONDERING IF BY GETTING THEM OR IT DONE WILL BE THE END OF THE ROAD..IM A MAJOR PLAYER WHOSE ROLL IS TO MAKE A PLAY AND HIT FOR AVERAGE,ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE REAL HELPFUL AND APPECIATED BEFORE I START THE BAT SELLING ROUTINE. |
| Oct. 12, 2010 lemons Men's 65 323 posts | strap, Before you consider a replacement please exhaust all possible diagnoses and options. An MRI may show something that can be removed or fixed. Cortisone can also help as can a series of "lubricating" injections......one a week for 3 weeks. Regardless of your choice, here's hoping you are able to get it resolved and continue to play as long as you want. Regards, Mel |
| Oct. 12, 2010 strap 5 posts | Thx Mel for the input...I have done everything possible..the doc said last week after another image that this is as bad as a knee gets..my issue is are there any middle infielders playing with a replacement..all input is welcome before I pull the trigger on this. No cartilage in the right knee since 1969. Left since 2006. |
| Oct. 12, 2010 slomo 47 posts | Strap, not sure if I know of any middle infielders playing with a replaced knee but there is a very good outfielder with the Quad Cities Iowa team who I've played against for years whose name is Terry ???. He was out for a while after the surgery but came back some time later (about 1 year). I saw no difference in his play. He can still run and make all the plays he did before. Hopefully he will see your post and respond. THe very best to you whether you decide on the surgery or not! |
| Oct. 12, 2010 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | I played with a guy 3-4 years ago, 55's in Vegas, who played 2nd and also OF I believe. Both legs were done. I was very impressed with his agility and speed. He has no pain but said was the best option for him. Do not know\remember his name, but played for Blackhawks then. You might try contacting mgr Ernie through NCSSA web sites roster link and ask him for it to get first hand feedback. I know many that have them and all seem very happy with choices they made. Down side from my understanding, is the running or bounce motions are the wear and tear for the new knees. They can too, wear out. |
| Oct. 12, 2010 Bobby D 3 posts | I had both knees replaced 2 years ago November, the best thing I ever did. Played many many years in pain,did the injection for 5 years. Since having replacement, back to playing pain free. I play 1st, 2nd and catch. I now run pain free and also hit a little better. You do lose some mobility after having the replacement surgery,but playing pain free is a good trade off. It takes a good year for your knees to feel normal and to get your confidence back. Good luck. |
| Oct. 12, 2010 strap 5 posts | Thanks guys for the input so far.It has been very helpful in my thought proceess about this issue....the dial is moving toward the knife after the TOC if I can make it that far. Again,thanks to all,there is no better source for this type of info than my comrades who have been in the dirt for a half of a century struggling along with the linaments,pills,braces,exercises,docs,and magic concocsions all to play another day.Suckin it up has been half the fight,draggin the bat bag back to the parking lot is the other half. THANKS. Joey S/NJ HITMEN 55'S |
| Oct. 12, 2010 Brock Men's 80 84 posts | This guy isn't playing tournament ball as we know it but he does play senior softball in Colorado Springs. He had both knees done several years ago. He plays second base and runs bases for others during games and is FAST. If I didn't know his history, I would not know that he has two new knees. Good luck! Hopefully, you can end up like the guy I just described. Greg B. |
| Oct. 12, 2010 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | There's a guy named Howard Smith playing in NCSSA for 70s champion-level team, the Royals. He plays both second and short. I think he has had one knee replaced. He was awfully fast before, and now is just fast for a 70-year-old! You might check him out on the NCSSA website. |
| Oct. 13, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | our LC fielder has had it done and still plays the OF,he also CR's for us,maybe to much,LOL but it really hasn't slowed him down. i would plan on a year or so to get back to feeling compfy playing again. go to a sports med doc tho and let them know your intentions(that you still want to play) before they cut. |
| Oct. 14, 2010 Don5 Men's 75 69 posts | Strap, the most important part of the replacement is the amount of time and energy you spend rehabbing the knee. I know several players who did what they were told and are playing full strength again. Steve Owens of MTC had both knees done two years ago and he is back as good as new, and maybe 2 inches taller now. Howard Smith is getting his other knee replaced very soon and he too will probably be good as new for a 1000 year old man. I had my right knee done two years ago and am back playing outfield again. In fact I played every position on my league and tournament teams this year, no comments about playing ability though :). No problem with the knee. Good luck and get a rotating platform knee joint. Take Mad dog's advice, tell your ortho about your plans for playing after the replacement. |
| Oct. 15, 2010 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | I think Don5 has the answer—dedicated rehab. I would guess that guys who exercise that much are far, far ahead in being in shape than teammates whose main non-softball exercise is jumping from the couch to stamp on the floor when their team on TV blows it with a bad play. |
| Oct. 18, 2010 J R 251 posts | had knee replacement 3 months ago today.hit rehab hard. started riding bicycle on hte street this a m. did 5 miles on 1st day.started playing softball last week running will take awhile. but i did not run well before surgery. had it done at methodist arthopedic in houston 1st class facility. highly reccommend it.check makoplasty. partial done by robotics. very short recovery. |
| Oct. 18, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | omar,that is not exercise ??? DOH,LOL |
| Feb. 4, 2011 MurrayW Men's 65 221 posts | I had makoplasty done two months ago on my right knee. Replaced the inner and middle part (the outer part was still OK). I am at about 115 degrees flexion now, but have only gone from 110 to 115 the past month with a lot of rehab. For those of you who have had knee replacement surgery, how much flexion did you end up with and how long did it take you? I plan to be back playing in May. |
| Feb. 4, 2011 ShaneV Men's 55 393 posts | Friend in Idaho had both done, moves well in the outfield. He was in such great shape before surgery, needed almost no PT to recover after! Consider doing all you can in advance to help speed the recovery. |
| Feb. 4, 2011 GaCMan 86 posts | Have got a friend that has had both knees done is 65 and plays 3rd. He is a heck of a ball player has lost some of his range but still hits very well.Also lost a little speed but still moves on pretty good. |
| Feb. 5, 2011 J R 251 posts | Murray it was 4.5 months before i got to 130, 5 degrees on straightening it. After 5 months i could run. Now 6 months all is good |
| Feb. 6, 2011 Bobby D 3 posts | When I had mine done 2 years ago it took about 3 months and I got to 135 degrees. You really have to be aggressive in your rehab. I have the Zimmer knees. You really have to live by the no pain no gain mentally in order to increase mobility. lots of bike riding and stretching.Good luck |
| Feb. 7, 2011 dj 32 posts | had a full knee done 2 1/2 months ago I do rehab 2 times a day one early and one in the evening,ridding a bike for 3 weeks now, at 110 with no help can get 120 with help, hurts like hell, I can hit, cant even think how I am going to run yet, |
| Feb. 9, 2011 MurrayW Men's 65 221 posts | You guys are not kidding about the no pain/no gain. Almost brings tears to my eyes when I really try to go beyond that 110 - 115 degrees. It's hard to believe it gets so tight and you lose so much muscle mass in such a short time. Sounds like I am not too far off and soon my progress will catch up with my expectations. |
| Feb. 9, 2011 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Murray-I have had 4 operations on my rt knee and am looking at a fifth. I am not close to a replacement yet, but the one thing that I can throw in here is that the rehab will be the most important thing for you. I wear a CTI brace at all times, but I don't think it ever slowed me at all. Bicycling is, for most, the best-no impact, but works the right muscle groups. I have gotten almost addicted to riding the bicycle outside (over 25,000 miles)-a 2 hour ride is much more enjoyable that a 30 minute spin inside. Don't be afraid to be what you were again. It really is in your head--a lot of it. If you want it bad enough you will do the work to get strong again. I wish you the best of luck!!!! Yes-I was always amazed how fast your quads disappeared after a surgery. In a week there was nothing left. |
| Feb. 10, 2011 jimjoes-gman Men's 55 80 posts | OK guys,knee talk is right up my alley. I did my left one 2 yrs ago next month. After I had it done in Feb.,I was playing in May. Secret,lots of therapy before surgery & after (dont stop the therapy). Doc said I would be ahead of the game because I have always worked out & will always continue to do so. I include every leg related machine in the gym during my work outs. I can run great,but I always use a C-runner. The CR will get me through the entire weekend with minimal pain & I will be able to go to work on monday.Guys , you must remember,a knee replacement is not PERMANENT ! I am a pitcher & can still do my job defensevly,backing up all incoming throws from the outfield & covering 1st,2nd,3rd & home. After doing all of my research & listening to my Dr. ( he plays younger softball ),I cannot imagine anyone with a total knee being a C-runner or playing outfield.It is my understanding that they are good for 15 yrs. IF you take care of them. Thats how I do it STRAP. Good luck with yours....Ron ,Expert Car Care,Ind. |
| Feb. 11, 2011 MurrayW Men's 65 221 posts | I came across this article yesterday that suggested that knee replacements were not harmed by most sports. http://www.arthritistoday.org/news/knee-arthroplasty-replacement-sports047.php Also, 15 years is not the norm for longevity...it is probably closer to 30. If I am active on mine and I need another one in 20 years, I would much rather go that route than be sedentary for the next 30 years and not need another one. Besides, who knows what advances they will come up with in the next 20 or 30 years. I am sure it will make what we went through seem prehistoric. |
| Feb. 12, 2011 LChell 2 posts | To all of you with knee replacements and those of us with a problem knee or ankle, I bought my wife a "Incredibrace" here in Chico, CA, and it took the ache out of her knee. She promply went down and purchased an ankle brace the next day! The website is www.incredibrace.com and there are many testimonials. A teammate who had knee surgery 3 weeks ago swears by it - that's why I bought one. Check it out. |
| March 2, 2011 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Strap-what have you decided? Keep us informed. |
| March 3, 2011 Rarity Bay Norm Men's 65 7 posts | I'm 65 and with left knee uni-compartment OA, no cartilege left there. As my various orthopods have said I am a candidate for a partial knee after the '11 season, I was very interested in MurrayW's experience with Makoplasty, the robotics-assisted replacement surgery. Would love to hear more from MurrayW about this, or from any other ballplayers who have had this particular procedure. Closest docs who do this procedure are in Atlanta, and it would be worth the trip(s) if players who have had this are able to get back to the game. Thanks. |
| March 3, 2011 MurrayW Men's 65 221 posts | Rarity Bay Norm, what do you want to know about Makoplasty? I am 3 months from my surgery and still have some swelling especially behind my knee that is preventing me from getting the full flexion (bending) that I want. I had it measured last night and it was 115 degrees on my owne and 120 when my PT was forcing it. I am shooting for 135 which is what it was before surgery and what I have in my other knee. I am shooting to be back on the field in May or June although I have heard and read that it takes about 1 year for it to fully heal. I chose Makoplasty because first of all I was a candidate for it since the outer part of my knee was in good shape. There is not as much bone loss compared to the normal total knee replacement and they don't take out any of your ligaments like they do with a total knee replacement when the ACL is removed. Also I liked the idea that it was a computer assisted surgery so that would allow the surgeon to be more precise. From what I have heard and read, the rehab is about the same for both procedures. I took batting practice the past two weekends. I had the surgery done on my right and I am a right handed batter so it is the foot I push off of. Most of my swings I was aware of the knee and didn't go all out, but there were a few where I did. Everything held up pretty well although I did see some increased swelling. I will let you know how things go as I progress. My recommendation would be if you are a candidate for it to chose it even if it means you will have to travel to get it done. Good luck! Murray |
| March 3, 2011 Rarity Bay Norm Men's 65 7 posts | Thanks very much for the additional feedback, Murray, and the best of luck in your rehab. I'm inclined to go the way you did when the time comes. Have read as much as I can in the last 24 hours about Makoplasty unicompartment replacement (based on your posting) and really think it's the way to go assuming the MD in Atlanta concludes I'm a good candidate after he takes a gander at my knee. Just got to get through the '11 season as best I can. Tks again. |
| March 4, 2011 garyheifner 649 posts | I play against a guy on one of the 65 teams out of Moline, Illinois. He plays left or left center, runs like a deer chasing down fly balls or on the bases. Just found out a few years ago he has had both knees replaced. Apparently works well for some. |
