just wondered if anyone feels that age contributes to the healing process. I have noticed that so many of you on the forum are pretty young. 50-60's. I am 71 and find that even though I have done well(read previous entries) I find that at 4 months, I still tire a lot .
Any one else around my age? Would love to hear ur experiences.
I am 73 Damy (don't look it and certainly don't feel it); my daughter, who is a Nurse Practitioner, says" Mother, it is going to take you longer to heal, because you are older." So, I guess that's that!😳
Hi Damy. I'm almost 4 months out as well. I'm a 46 year old female who has always been very active. I went back to work at 6 weeks but am still sore at the end of the day & swollen. My bend has been stuck at 90 degrees since 6 or 7 weeks post op & I go in on Thursday for MUA. My dad had a TKR a couple years ago when he was 72 and breezed right through it! I think everyone heals differently & I think this surgery just takes time and patience. Good luck!
Thanks for the reply, Mary,
i too, am told by many that I do not look or act my age. Lol, I'm immature!!😀
Actually, I will be 72 this coming week! I will take your daughters word for it, it really does make sense. I feel at lot different than I did at 58 or even 68. It's really just the knee issues that have slowed me down. It's more difficult to do as much as one did, before the k eyes had become bone on bone. In any case, thanks for the in put.
Damy(Donna)
Thanks Shannon,
interesting what you have experienced. So sorry that you have to go thru a mua!! Wishing u much luck. I think ur rift, we r all so different and heal and experience pain differently.
you are so young to have had this surgery, but I see ur not alone, from what I read on this forum.
let us know how u make out.
Damy😊
Snap! My Dad had two knees replaced in his late 70's, then two hips and finally an ankle replacement at 81 and he breezed through the lot-hardly any pain killers and three weeks after each TKR walking around like nothing had been done! He had no swelling, and took just a few paracetamol. In total contrast to him, I
......was 57 with the first TKR and now 59 with the second and have suffered from swelling with both, pain requiring large doses of pain killers coupled with a lot of work to get the first knee to bend etc and at least 6/7months to realise that it was OK and probably a year to forget about the leg having a knee replacement, although I was reminded every time I tried to get up off of the floor! I felt a complete failure and my dear old Mum thought and probably still thinks that I make a fuss about nothing, bless her! Anyway, I did ask my consultant about why a younger person recovers much slower than an older person and he said it's because younger folks try to do too much! Anyway, I've spoken to many TKR recipients since and it seems to me that the recovery etc varies from each individual and also each knee seems tore act differently too!! Basically I haven't managed to get an answer! I'm more hopeful with this latest knee despite the swelling as it did bend more after the op and feels a lot more comfortable in general, although that could be the pills!💊
Hi Damy, I am enclinded to agree with you. I am 52 had my op on the 8th April, staples removed 22nd and now walking unaided. It does swell and I still need the ice packs, however going to try driving next week with a view to returning to work about the 9th May.
I do get tired, however this is due to not sleeping that well. Hopefully returning to work will make me tired and I may sleep better.
i wish you well with your recovery, and remember do exercise and sleep when tired x
My ex-mother in law is in her 80's. She is like a spring chicken. No setbacks. The occasional ache in the very cold (Waterloo, ONT), I would say that various other friends mothers of similar age have also recovered, bar a few.
Don't forget, you will not read about the success stories on a pain forum!
I had my knee replaced at 72. Still have swelling a bit but leg is strong. Can even kneel. Took a while to get energy back. Friend of 82 has had both knees done and breezed through, even did physiology at home and not hospital. However. I do think that expectations of an older person are not the same as one up to 55 or so who has to get back to work. Stay off as long as you can, in order to rest and exercise. If you're st work and too tired for any rehab in the evenings you will not do as well. in my humble opinion.
I agree there. Happy successful people are going to be out doing, not venting.
Over the years I have had long conversations with consultants with regard to TKR's. The general consensus is they operate differently on older people, there is a tendency of making the knee stiffer/less flexible as they (the older young'uns) are not going to be as spritely as the youner patients.
I'm a few years older than you but started this journey at age 65 when the tumor took the knee. Then had the revision just before I turned 76. Just to relate a story about a friend: this guy and I have been friends since grade school. He became a corp Sr. VP and charged through life like most corp execs do. A couple of year's ago he went in for his annual physical and told the Dr he was a little concerned that he just wasn't able to accomplish as much as he was used to (keep in mind they went on month long cruises plus 2 other long vacations annually) and he was concerned. He said the Dr. , a long time friend, looked at him and said, you damn fool, you're 75, you're not supposed to be doing as much.
I look at my group of 70's to late 70's and the ones that are still on this side of the grass and think it's pretty obvious, the step is a little slower but the smarts make up for it. We worry less about little things saving our stamina for what's going to bring us some enjoyment. Saturday, my youngest grandson was pitching in a baseball tournament 40 miles from my home and besides the distance, it was an 8 a.m. game. 1st I had to think about my wife with her advanced parkinsons and making sure she had breakfast.....then getting to see him and reliving my youth vicariously through him. I quit spending time worring and figured out how I could have her something she could microwave and I made the game. I was home in time for lunch......then collapsed in my recliner. There is nothing wrong with admitting age is taken a little till as long as it doesnt become an excuse.
Thanks OFG!! It's always a joy to read ur posts😀 I just loved what u just related. You are a great guy and am sure u r appreciated by many.
i will be 72 this week on the 28th and I guess I haven't totally embraced what it means to be aging. My son , when I told him I'm tired, said " mom, you do a lot" I said" I do!!??" I expect to be my 40 yr. old self, which is ridiculous.
i so applaud you for getting to ur grandsons game. We do the same. Our 4 grandchildren live 3 hrs. Away, but we travel to see them as much as possible. Just this past weekend, we celebrated Passover w/ them. I spent 3 days cooking food to bring. Chicken soup, matzo balls and brisket.then we packed up, drove, helped w/ dinner and went to watch one grandson play lacrosse. AND I WONDERED WHY I WAS TIRED WHEN WE GOT HOME ON FRIDAY!!😜 I have always expected a lot of myself, though I also know how to balance my life and take care when I need to.
actually, I am doing well. I go to an exercise class and can up and down off of the mat, do planks, leg presses, etc. it's hard getting used to doing this again, but I am persevering .
After reading ur post, a I am going to appreciate what I can do, not what I can't !! A good message for all of us.
best wishes to you and ur dear wife!!
i appreciate you and all u do for those on this forum💁🏻😀☺️
Thanks to all who have responded, I will post u individually later. I'm off to do the grocery shoppin😀
Damy, I too agree that now in my 70's, the healing is slower and the tiredness ! Oh my goodness....Just a few months ago I was very active and energetic but seems like "my get up and go, got up and went" . My TKR was Feb 12 and everything seemed to go OK for the most part. I went overboard when I was feeling good and went to the beach! What a dumb thing to do, walking in the sand. The next week I walked way too much at art fest and I am stil paying for those two mistakes. Pain, swollen knee, restless nights, no energy, little motivation and drive. This forum is the best! Answers are right here for our problems. tks everyone and GOD Bless.
Ice is still your best friend when you overdo....even when you don't. After a long stand.....do yourself a favor for a few minutes; ice and elevate.
thanks Mary.
We just have to be thankful for what we have left. As I have mentioned many times, my wife, age 78, is in advancing stages of Parkinson's. She has gotten to the point of not being able to enjoy going much of anywhere. She had to quit driving 2 years ago so has to depend on me for everything transportation wise. Something in he brain has sort of turned off a little of her brain and she cant cook anything that requires following directions. She is fatigued to the point of near exhaustion most of the time. Like I say, if it wasn't for Dr's appointments we wouldn't have a social life. She contiually worries about having to wind up in a nursing home in a short time. So recovery from something that has a recovery is certainly important and meaningful to those going through it and shouldn't be looked at like as insignificant but on the other hand there are things that can't be cured and ply worsen with time till eventually they lead to your demise. Glad you got to spend Passover with your family and yes, you do way too much.
I am always grateful for having something that can be fixed. That is a mantra by which I live my life. Thanks anyway, for reminding me. Sometimes one forgets. Ur situation is not to be envied, but I can tell u r a guy who makes the most of ur life; regardless. Getting older is no picnic, but it certainly beats the alternative!