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A knee replacement is NOT FUN BUT, having had both done, it shouldn't stop you playing for long. The secret is to use it, and do a lot of exercising. Last one I was home in 4 days, doing everything for myself,admittedly a bit more slowly. Within 10 days I was driving, shopping and pretty well everything else. The more effort you put in early the faster the recovery. Use the muscles before they weaken and it all goes easier. It REALLY is a case of use it or lose it.

Yes, it does hurt but, in a few months you'll have it all behind you.

All the best,

Ken

Good luck, Bob!

Bob-
Don't know about knees, but gave a hip 'resurfaced.' Do the P.T.! Very, very important! Yes, the wound will hurt at first, but no more arthritic pain--a HUGE plus!
Good luck.
Mark

I wish you all the best. The tuba world will have to keep spinning without you, until you get back. Make it quick.

I sat next to a fellow tuba player that had some sort of knee issue or knee replacement. He was a large man, and had two chairs stacked up on each other so that his legs would come down straight, keeping the knees a perfect 90 degree angle when he played. Perhaps this might help in your situation.

I had both done together, so I feel your pain. But, whatever pain you experience afterward will not approach what you lived with for so long. And, the recovery pain is for a short time, then a distant memory. Most important:
DO YOUR PT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It may hurt, but a frozen knee for the rest of your life will not make you happy.

My mom had a total knee replacement and was diligent in doing the exercises at first. She then stopped and now has great trouble walking and with her mobility. Stick to the exercises and you will be just fine.

bigbob wrote:I'm BAAAAACK... They sent me after three days in the Hospital Right to a rehab center... What they didn't tell me was it was in a nurseing home!! What ever you do don't ever get a double ocupancie room!! For 8 days I was alone.. It was just like the Hospital with blood pressure checks..needles for blood and being awakened every hour!!I was sleeping while I was standing ...They twisted and bent me 2 hours a day.. The rest of the time I layed in the room listing to everone in the other rooms Moaning and crying!!They said it was there rehab wing.... Bull shite... Some had been there for a year!!Just one corridoor away was demensha and aulztimer patients... Man what terrible soundsThe rest were permanent residence... After the 8th day I got a 91 year old room mate... for which they were happy to check and prod him and me out of a sound sleep!!Finally I had had enough!! Luk warm meals... water for tea that I could put my finger in... Nurces aids that wouldn't heat it up... Meals that wouldn't get a nat full <s>and my room mate that talked in his sleep(what little there was of it!!.... I am following everyones advice and doing PT everyday I have a stretch and pull machine for the leg.....I got home last night best sleep I had in 15 days!!..Got up this morning kissed the wife goodby for her work... Sat on the toilet.. after finishing..I almost stood all the way ... Lost my balence... Fell over landed on the bathtub right on the bad knees Hip... I thought I had broke it !!You can bet your booty that I wasn't going back to the nurcing home haha.. Everythings seems to be all right thank God I'm going in now to use the CMP Machine... So thank you all who wrote and cared.. your friend in art.. Music..and TUBA'S!!!............BB

So...I guess it is welcome back, my friend. I'm glad to hear you got out of there alive.

As soon as they will let you, find the best rehab center in town [It doesn't cost you a cent more than the NovaCares of the world!] and get into the 3-a-week routine for as long as they allow you. That is the only way you will gain both ROM and strength. Kinda like going to a gym where they actually work with you on your weaknesses!
Good luck!
Scottw