I'm 74 and discovered and fell in love with disc golf around 6 years ago. Since I am retired and have lots of spare time and it is good exercise, I have played just about every day weather would allow. I had noticed that playing was getting more and more uncomfortable, but it happened so gradual that I just didn't pay much attention. Well, I finally had to admit that I had a problem so went to see the doctor. Found out that I have significant arthritis in both knees and am being sent to a specialist. It looks like knee replacements are in my near future. I'm hoping to get through it and be back on the course at some point. Just curious if others have gone through knee replacement and how they are doing returning to disc golf?
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Temporary farewell to disc golf.
- Thread starter wproct
- Start date
- Joined
- May 4, 2010
- Messages
- 1,648
No knee replacement here personally, but my pops (69 years old) just had one knee done a few weeks ago. I'm amazed at what they're able to do these days. He had the replacement put in on a Thursday, discharged on Friday and was up and moving around with a walker that evening. A weekend with the walker, then used a cane for a couple weeks or so. Three weeks post op and he's moving around surprisingly well all things considered.
He should be back to full function, which for him means 4 or 5 rounds of ball golf a week (with a cart), in another 4-5 weeks.
He should be back to full function, which for him means 4 or 5 rounds of ball golf a week (with a cart), in another 4-5 weeks.
Dcinmd
Double Eagle Member
At almost 49 I have been putting off a knee replacement for a few years.
I do believe David Greenwell from Prodigy had one of his knee replaced and is still playing at a very high level.
And a two older members of our Club have had a knee and a hip replaced within the last year and they are back out on the course.
I do believe David Greenwell from Prodigy had one of his knee replaced and is still playing at a very high level.
And a two older members of our Club have had a knee and a hip replaced within the last year and they are back out on the course.
I am a nurse and worked on an ortho floor for a couple years. You should recover completely and will have significantly less pain. Knee replacements are state of the art now. The recovery is quick and you should be back playing in a couple months.
Some tips from this RN/Disc Golfer. Do your physical therapy...short term pain for long term gain. Use your pain meds at the beginning. They are good for you. If your body is busy fighting surgical pain, it has less resources to do the other work it needs to.....heal, fight infection... Ask about a stool softener when using pain meds, it could save you an additional problem.
Good luck.
Some tips from this RN/Disc Golfer. Do your physical therapy...short term pain for long term gain. Use your pain meds at the beginning. They are good for you. If your body is busy fighting surgical pain, it has less resources to do the other work it needs to.....heal, fight infection... Ask about a stool softener when using pain meds, it could save you an additional problem.
Good luck.
SD86
Banned
I'm not there yet, but my dad is 80 and is fast reaching the stage where he is going to have to consider knee replacement. And my sister and I will probably need it before we get to that age. I was in the Airborne, but my sister's knees are worse than mine.
So I empathize with you. At least you have the goal of returning to DG to fuel your rehab. See ya when you get back on the course. :thmbup:
stevefolfer
Par Member
A friend of mine in his 60s has had his hip and knee replaced and he plays regularly. Sometimes when he throws his hip squeaks.
2naphish
Birdie Member
a friend i used to play with is now over 65 and has had both hips replaced. still plays regularly and has a 900 player rating.
i'm 60 and have had my right shoulder ripped out of joint in a high speed motorcycle crash,right knee surgery and a partial lung removal (lung cancer) and still play constantly. i say getting back on the course is a wonderful goal to have post surgery. Best of luck <*}}}>{
i'm 60 and have had my right shoulder ripped out of joint in a high speed motorcycle crash,right knee surgery and a partial lung removal (lung cancer) and still play constantly. i say getting back on the course is a wonderful goal to have post surgery. Best of luck <*}}}>{
Sixty seven here and a left hip replacement two years ago next week. I was back on the course playing flat holes within three weeks and back to playing as poorly as ever by four months post surgery. Currently working my way toward a right knee replacement at some indefinite point. Knee's take longer than hips to rehab, but you will get there. When you go to physical therapy post surgery do every freaking thing the little sadists tell you to do. You'll be glad you did.:thmbup:
racer93
Double Eagle Member
Physical terrorists.
Good luck with the new knee!
Don't forget (P)ain & (T)orture...:thmbup:
I'm an RN as well and would say to ask your doc for Toradol (as long as you're not allergic to it). It is FAR better for ortho pain vs opioids. The hospital system I work for uses it with TREMENDOUS success in controlling pain.
By the way, my hospital system is doing OUTPATIENT total knees AND hips. Yes, home the SAME DAY! Wow...
Lazerface
Eagle Member
Good Luck Man! I think the horror stories about knee replacements are becoming a thing of the past. It's really unbelievable how quick they have folks up and walking after hips/knees. They really know what they are doing these days.
I'm not sure what your insurance situation is, but don't forget to do your own research and find the right surgeon, especially for ortho. Figure out what your options are for your insurance network, then compare them.
I'm not sure what your insurance situation is, but don't forget to do your own research and find the right surgeon, especially for ortho. Figure out what your options are for your insurance network, then compare them.
:thmbup::thmbup::thmbup:
jeffmonty
* Ace Member *
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2010
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One of our locals had a knee replacement last year. I think he's 68 y/o. It was about 5 months until he was able to feel comfortable throwing again. It was a bit slow getting back to playing full rounds, but he is now back to playing 36 holes like 4 days a week. Best of luck to you.
etdefender19
Eagle Member
A guy I play baseball with had both knees replaced (one each of the last two off seasons) and is back playing ball again. I'm sure you'll be back playing DG on an even shorter timetable
Dthunderchicken
Double Eagle Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2009
- Messages
- 1,963
Knee replacement, no, other surgeries, yes. My best advice in coming back to the course is not to push it at first. It won't be like when you first starting playing but it'll a lot like it. My most successful come back involved not using drivers for the first few months. (I still remember the feeling of throwing the first driver during my second come back. Orange disc on a green field parked under the pin for a drop in birdie. Damn it felt great.)
Good luck with the surgery. I'm sure you'll be back soon.
Good luck with the surgery. I'm sure you'll be back soon.
racer93
Double Eagle Member
BTW, I've come back from not one but two brain surgeries. This is completely doable with the right mindset and willingness to work.
I have no doubt you'll be back on the course faster than you might think...
I have no doubt you'll be back on the course faster than you might think...
Thanks to all who have given me information and encouragement. My biggest problem is that I can't really play right now and I'm afraid that it's going to be awhile before I can go through the process to get the surgery set up.
Think I am going to go out and just try to play a few short holes that are on the level in the meantime. Will see how that goes. I feel so fortunate to have discovered disc golf even if it was later in my years, and I'm just not ready to give it up. I am determined to get this done and behind me and get back to playing the game that I love.:thmbup:
Think I am going to go out and just try to play a few short holes that are on the level in the meantime. Will see how that goes. I feel so fortunate to have discovered disc golf even if it was later in my years, and I'm just not ready to give it up. I am determined to get this done and behind me and get back to playing the game that I love.:thmbup:
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