Squatting with no cartilage in your knees

[Domjo54]

I'll try to keep this relatively brief, let me know if I forget any relevant information.

Basically, my mom (age = 56) has had bad knees for some time, but they starting getting TERRIBLE 8 years ago (torn meniscus in both: she had arthroscopic surgery on the left knee at this time, and the right knee shortly after, and they've never been the same since). They have gotten to the point where doctors have been telling her that she absolutely should have hardcore knee replacement surgery on both knees for several years (however, she cannot right now because she cannot afford to be completely immobile and in a nursing home for several months--plus, she is not too excited for the pain that would ensue, but the immobility is the major thing). She has absolutely NO cartilage in either of her knees, so it is literally bone-on-bone. I know that squatting fixes a lot of different knee problems, but would this be an exception where squatting would not help her? Plenty of specialists have told her not to squat (and it causes her pain to try to), and while I completely agree with your argument that most MDs have no right to give kinesiology/physiology advice, I'm thinking that this may be one of the rare situations where squats wouldn't help/might actually hurt (or is this blasphemy)? Swimming seems to help her a lot (and hot water therapy), and the warmer months are far better on her knee joints than the winter (though the real killer is when the seasons are changing, as it puts her in excruciating pain).

Sorry about the long question, just a lot of information I felt was relevant...let me know if I forgot any. Thanks in advance (from my mom as well).

[Mark Rippetoe]

She cannot squat. But who told you that she'd be immobile for several months after knee replacements?

[Domjo54]

Thought so, thanks coach. I just asked her who told her she would be immobile, and she was using the wrong word (not actually completely immobile)...basically, she was implying that since she has a 10 year old daughter (and me, a 17 year old son--though I'm old enough that I'm less of a concern), and she would be rehabbing in a nursing home for several months, she would be unable to take care of my sister (single mom). She got the time figure from several orthopedic surgeons, as well as another 2-3 other women she knows. Both of the other women are of a similar age level (and ironically, one is a nurse)...one rehabbed very well, and the other had one (not both) knees replaced over 3 years ago and continues to have chronic constant pain to this day.

[Mark Rippetoe]

She didn't get that number from "several" orthopedic surgeons, because if it took that long to rehab a knee replacement none of them would be doing the procedure. My experience here is that a couple of weeks of rapidly decreasing pain is about it. They won't let you leave the hospital until you can walk, and they really REALLY want you out of the hospital. She needs another opinion from a surgeon that specializes in the procedure.

[Domjo54]

Well, I don't know what to say then because she's sitting about 5 feet away from me and I just asked her and she verified that multiple orthopedic surgeons have told her this. But, just to be clear, she's not nervous about staying in the hospital, she said that shouldn't last very long (which is what I believe you're saying); it's the nursing home where they would be doing additional rehab that she was told that she would have to spend a couple of months (she was told this by the doctors, as well as the people she knows that have had the procedure).

Am I leaving out any important information? Or are these doctors just incompetent at their job?

[Mark Rippetoe]

You're leaving out the explanation of why she has to be confined to a nursing home for this now-common procedure at the age of 56, 2 years older than me.

[Domjo54]

From my mom:

I would be unable to drive, and with daily rehab being a necessity, I would therefore need to be in a nursing home (according to my doctors). This would be impossible for me because I have a 10 year old daughter to take care of (even if I wasn't in the nursing home, I wouldn't be able to take care of my daughter post-surgery for the duration of my rehab).

She also says to thank you for taking time to give advice and answer this question.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Sorry to hear this. Best of luck.

[Domjo54]

I relayed the message...when she finally has the surgery (assuming this forum is still around), I'll let you know if she winds up needing the full couple of months. Thanks for trying, Rip.

[grubinski]

My Uncle had two total knee replacements and was playing tennis a month later... which was ill advised as it turned out, but he felt well enough to do it. I believe he was walking around within a week. "Several months in a nursing home" makes me wonder if the surgeon owns the nursing home.