I've had seven knee surgeries including two reconstructions and even though I warned my outfitter that I could not run, climb, crawl, jump, twist or move quickly on it, my outfitter accepted my money and let me hunt Buffalo.

Since I'm not physically fit enough to hunt Dangerous Game according to some posters on these boards, I have decided to have my left knee replaced with an artificial joint on August 7th.

My GP says that she would not recommend that I go to Africa for at least a year (and preferably 18 months) after this surgery.

Has anyone here seen this type of a doctor's recommendation?

I wouldn't listen to everything everyone on this board has to say. As a physical therapist, I agree you will have a hard time doing the things you mentioned, especially after so many operations. However, if you can walk, and lean over a little bit, your PH will help you find and harvest your buffalo.

You should allow yourself at least six to nine months following TKR before considering a safari. I have a client who had his knee replaced in mid November and has returned to competitive softball. He is 74 and he says his knee feels great. PM me if you have questions.

Quite frankly, and speaking as a general medical (Family Practice) doc, I would not take the GP's comments as gospel.

Ask the guy who is going to do the surgery what he recommends. Follow his advice. If you don't like what you hear, talk to another orthopod BEFORE they start cutting. Heck, talk to a second doc before even if you do like what you hear.

Almost everyone I know is released to general medical follow up well before the 1 year mark, but if there is something about your case, the surgeon is the authority.

Before I had mine done 4/18/12, the Dr. said I get well enough to go to hunt elephant again, but he didn't promise a time frame. I couldn't do it yet and the plane ride would kill me. Knee still stffens up if I sit in one postion more than 20 minutes or so.

quote:

Originally posted by mstewart44:
I wouldn't listen to everything everyone on this board has to say.

I appreciate understatement. Thanks for a nice laugh!

Never heard of a convalescence of that duration.
Good physio and go walk them down.
Good luck.

Frank,

It is your hunt, you choose how to do it, and enjoy it.

One does not need to be an olympic champion to hunt in Africa, although being physically fit does increase your chances of success.

I have hunted with friends who can hardly walk, and they still managed to shoot several buffalo and other game animals.


What we do is find fresh buffalo tracks, have them followed, and when the buffalo are located, we try to drive as close to their location as we can.

We then make plans for the short stalk.

I went last August, just 6 weeks after a pretty bad for me motorcycle accident and the PH knew in advance that I couldn't run, jump, etc. Had 8 broken ribs and a partially separated shoulder and still had a great time. He took it pretty easy on me and I probably should have spent more time on my feet, walking, stalking but wasn't up to it. They will work with you.

I had my right knee replaced in Dec. 04, hunted buffalo in the Omay in Sept 05.

My right knee has been replaced twice now in the last three years. It's failing again as it seems my bones don't like cement. The prosthetic is loose and this is very painful. I can hardly walk anymore and am in constant pain. I'm not even 50 YO yet and really regret having the surgery now.

The point is everyone is different and heals differently (or not as is my case). Some people have no trouble at all. Only you can be the judge of if and when you are capable or not. Good luck with your surgery!

I had a double knee replacement 3/4/11 and was hunting elk, mule deer and antelope in Wyoming in 10/15/11. It was a walk and stalk no horses. I had knee pads so I can crawl.I think it has to do with attitude and confident and you can conquer all.
Robert

Frank,

As others have suggested do get that second opinion. I'm looking at a possible surgery and just got a second opinion recently. The second opinion and course of treatment was far differnt than the first.

Mark

I tried to hunt 6 months after spinal surgery - it did not work out very well. walking was very limited. now i had a knee replaced in january. 6 months latter i wouldn't try africa yet. my nephew is an orthopedic surgeon & he told me last week that if i was younger, in shape, very active that i could expect to be close to 100% after a year. Well i'm not younger, not in that good a shape, and activity is being limited by the surgery. Hope that answers some of your question

Frank:

My girl friend is an orthopedic surgeon. She does hands only ( yes, I know. Hand jobs ). I asked her. She was a bit surprised. She said she thought 6 months was a minimum but thought 18 months was a extremely long time under most circumstances. Apparently the risk is clotting.

She is going to ask one of her partners that does nothing but knees. I will post what she says.

I went to Zim about 8 months after a total knee and the worry was clotting on the airplane. Had to wear the elastic sock that goes up over the knee. No problems because of the knee other than not as much range of motion as before and some pain from time to time.

BigB

Definitely get the 2nd opinion,everyone is different and heals different. I had a total left hip replacement Nov.7 and 6 months to the day I hunted and killed a brown bear on the Alaska peninsula on day 3 of a 12 day hunt.I was 47 and had 2 bad knees also. Hope everything goes well for you!
Wesley

I had both done and on each accasion went to Africa 7 months later. The secret is therapy. Pay your dues in the beginning and you will be happy later. I play golf four days a week on a 12 year old knee with no problems. Stryker supposedly has come out with a "forever knee" that is much less invasive to install. Do some research before committing.

I hunted 5 and 1/2 months after a spinal fusion in my neck. The hunt had been scheduled in advance and I didn't want to cancel ...
I was weaker than I expected, and there were some issues due to the recovery process, but I was mostly functional. At the end of the day, I'm glad that I went. A lot depends on the understanding of your PH.

My doc told me that if I had both done in May, by August I could do about a mile but not 5 (probably). So i decided to wait, get cortisone shots before the trip, and do the surgery when I get back. But its an interesting discussion.

My doc was the orthopod for a NFL team so he knows something, but I'll bet individual variation with health, body, and compliance really makes the difference between 6 months and 12 or 18.

Thanks all, I've had three different orthopedic surgeons over the last 5 years tell me that the only thing that can be done is a replacement. After 31 years of limping on it after my first surgical repair, it's pretty much gone.

My GP's biggest concern is the worry about blood clots on the long flight, she tells me that I won't be able to go unless I get a lay flat bed in first class.

If I get her to prescribe it, can I deduct it as a medical expense?

I had knee surgery to replace my main ligament, repair my meniscus and some other things I cannot pronounce.

My surgeon was the one that traveles with the Stars Hockey Team and did work for the Dallas Cowboys. In fact I had to wait on my operation till the Hockey season was over for the Stars.

When I went to threapy, because of my job requirements, the therapist had me comming 2 days a week instead of one. She nearly killed me. [And as a side note she was a HOT Redhead...}

However, there was another lady, that had BOTH of her knees replaced, at the same time. She was walking around better than me...

So I recommend you talk to your doctor and your therapist and get their opinion.

I can say a buddy of mine, I have known for several years, on my deer lease, had his hip replaced, and it was the best thing he has ever done...