At six months post left TKR op I at last plucked up the courage to watch a film of an actual TKR operation and now I fully understand just why it takes such a long time to recover! I only wish that I'd watched this film before my operation as I would have never had assumed that it would all be a " breeze" and I'd be romping about after a few weeks! It is a major operation and requires a lot of recovery time and you need to look after yourself and never feel guilty about accepting help, and for anyone with partners, family or friends who think that you should be up and running in 6 weeks, make them view the operation!😷
As has been discussed many times........Drs are educated to slice, dice, whack and chop but aren't required to have the surgery themselves therefore they have no way to understand what the patient really is going through. To them, every surgery is a text book case and is handled accordingly. Consequently they don't sir down with every patient and give them the entire gamut of exceptions. If you are given a pill there is a laundry list of possible side effects and do's and don'ts but they can cur your leg off and glue it back together and don't have to discuss reality. Overall, with all of that, the success rate is very, very good
Actually I think having friends and family view the op should be compulsory !! I am certain I can hear folk thinking " she looks fine, whats the problem ? " next time I see any eye rolling I shall suggest it !! best wishes
Forgot this in my last post,.. my physio showed me an actual prosthesis how it works, how its fitted and what it weighs, all these things do help me understand why the recovery is so difficult, and are things I wish I had known sooner, knowledge really is power I guess its not for everyone but like you with the film knowing these things does help us to keep things into perspective, best wishes
Hi Glenda , I watched two operations prior to having mine. I wanted to know what I was letting myself in for, however, I was still a bit naive as to how I would feel afterwards. All of the literature told me that none of the muscles were cut during the op, so having attended the gym to 'get fit' prior to the op, I fully expected to be able to use my leg muscles! How thick was I.
Before my original tkr the ortho group I went to made it mandatory you go through a 2: hr seminar where you met someone from all of the disciplines. It was helpful but all that info in a short period of time was a little mind boggling and sort of went out the window when they came in and dragged me out of the bed the 1st day post op.
My daughter is the worst, for the first week she ran about like a headless chicken, cooking, cleaning etc., after week 3 she had clearly had enough and all sympathy and assistance slowed to a halt.
Obviously not a natural nurse or housekeeper, At 6 weeks post op I am doing the majority of the household chores, it would be easier going back to work.
I viewed the operation before I went ahead but still had no idea of how much it would wipe me out. It is a major trauma to the body and takes about 6-9 months for everything to heal. So my surgeon told me today.
That's exactly what happened to me but by my husband and after only one day back home!! My teenage children were more helpful! Thankfully at six months I am 99% back to normal eg. rarely have to ice,can sleep at night and take no medication and so I'm fine, but if I ever have another TKR I'll check myself into a hotel after the operation!!!
I was just given a couple of useless leaflets before my op! The most useful information that I've ever found is from this forum that I found at around two weeks post op during one of my sleepless nights that the Consultant doesn't warn you about! I hope you're doing OK now? 😀
Doing o.k. just bored to tears waiting for the time they can put the new knee in and I can get back to rehab. I see the surgeon Tuesday and he'll set the surgery date then. I have an appt. with infectious disease Dr on Monday. Hopefully he'll pull the PICC line and I can be done with the antibiotic infusions. Each step now is just a little bit closer to getting back my life
Hope all goes well for you keep us posted
Thank you! I'm 56, in good shape and 7 weeks post a BTKR.....i thought it would be a breeze...silly me. I've watched part of the surgery on line....but I think I've been in denial. Thanks for your post!
Good luck and wishing you all the best😀
my hubby will do anything I ask,ASK is the key word here ! It seems that he lacks any domestic initiative whatsoever,Still it is a huge incentive to get up and mobile,the domestic chaos I am inhabiting is enough to spur any one on ! ! ! , It seems 3 week is the breaking point (I am just over 3week post tkr) Glenda has the right idea a hotel sounds wonderful ! !
It must be terrible waiting, particularly after all you have been through.
Best of luck with the new knee.
You have just given me an idea! Off to YouTube ......
Did you watch it.....?.is that why you couldnt sleep......? Bit of an eye-opener, isnt it?!