The Steel Guitar Forum

After total knee replacement surgery on March 2nd of my volume pedal knee, I was finally able to pull myself up to the computer and steel guitar today. The pain and stiffness didn't allow me to stay long. Have any of you experienced this and if so, how long until you could sit comfortably at the steel and play? Nice to have a dose of the forum after nearly a two week absence. Thanks in advance, Pat

Hi Pat,
I can't give you first hand experience but only what I observred during my wife's experience with this procedure. First of all, her results were excellent and her recovery time was faster than usual according to her Dr. It looks like one of those "You get out of it what you put in" kind of things. She was very good about the recommended exercises and therepy. It's been 1 year on Feb 27. She's completely normal now. I'd say that from what I've see with her, sitting for extended periods was not tollerable for the first 2 months. Then, it just got better over the next 3 months. After that returning to normal was very fast. Do your exercises and therepy faithfully and you should do fine. Good Luck, Steve

Patrick, give yourself a couple more weeks.
I just had my Right Knee Joint Replaced Feb. 19th and am just now feeling like trying to play a little. I had my Left Knee Joint replaced 3 years ago and it took me about 3 months before I could actually play for very long without having some pain.
It depends a lot on what type therapey you are having as to how long it takes to get over an operation like this. It just takes time.....which seems to move sooo slowly for me. Good luck on your recovery.

Hi Patrick, I sympathize with your condition, though I did not have a knee replacement, I did have a left knee ruptured tendon the night before last thanksgivng with patellar reconstruction Dec 9, 2003. It too me untill some time in late January to be able to bend my left knee to reach my AB pedals, and I had to slant the steel way out from my left side and play it almost diagonally, but I was a happy camper with the AB pedals and the left knee levers. Just recently I am feeling comfortable utilizing my whole U12 7+5 setup, and often my knee down my shin will ache within a half an hour. You will probaly need ALOT of patience, and I did speak to a guy who had a real good recovery with a relacement, who was real happy with it about a week ago . Good Luck, and best wishes on your recovery, Jim

Hi Patrick, Greetings from the coast of NC.
I think you're probably looking at a few more weeks before you'll be back to playing close to normal. I had shoulder surgery on the 21st of Jan. with rotator cuff damage and some bone removed and I am on my 8th week and still in physical therapy twice a week. I use my right hand not only in steel playing but piano and I get tired alittle easier because of the trauma to the muscles.
I just turned 50 last week so not being 20 anymore probably doesn't help either.

A co-worker, approx. age 52, had a knee replacement and it's been uphill for him.
During his rehab he said that he felt his best when pedaling his bike, which surprised me.
It took time to adjust to the new joint and regain strength in the muscles.

Patrick,had my knee replaced alittle over a year ago,first 6 weeks is the hardest.Therapy is the key,have to do alot on your own though.Believe me when I tell you,you will be glad you had it done and in time it won't effect your playing,hang in there buddy.Hardest thing for me was getting to the guitar and getting myself seated ready to play.Take care....Steve

Patrick, I had one of my hips replaced. I think knee replacement is tougher and takes longer to recover from. Remember, it gets better every day. Do the exercises like they say above. That's your main key to fast recovery.

It will be hard for awhile, but worth it.

And a good time to practice your C6 non pedal playing too. Look on the bright side!

Pat, I had knee surgery about 8 months ago, but the healing hasn't been as rapid as I expected. (I had a torn meniscus and ACL.) I think a lot depends on your age, your fitness level, and your weight. I do know many that have had joint surgery, and the younger ones seem to heal a lot faster. My knee ain't like it used to be, but I do notice an improvement from month to month. Most people I talk to say it takes 3-6 months for a 90% recovery when you're under 50 years old, and about twice that when you're over 50. The important thing is to keep moving it, but not put too much stress on it too soon. I did that (about two months after surgery...preparing for last year's hurricane), and I think it set me back a couple of months.

I wish you the best.

Thanks everyone for your replies and words of encouragement. Guess that this healing process will take longer than I thought it would. I go to physical therapy five times a week plus exercising at home for three hours a day. I never realized that skillfully using the volume pedal was such an important part of one's tone. Have just been playing direct to the amp. Hope to start using the knee levers and volume pedal as my knee begins to loosen up. Also has given me a chance to practice my blocking skills.

I had an operation on my right knee in the Summer of 2000, and I'm still trying to get over it. Sure wish I had that to do over again... Jimmie