Hi. 1st tkr June 14th 2017 . I read too many blogs about the pain and now think I am crazy to go through with it . I'm thinking my pain and discomfort is not that bad and it is foolish to have such a major operation . I am 63 . What say you ?
My right knee killed me and I had to have numerous injections of cortisone and symvisc. Wasn't fun. I am 4 months post TKR and I'm finally feeling it was a great idea. I will be facing the left someday asbit is full of arthritis. I know what you mean but if you want your life back - do it. None of us have the exact same experiences. You'll do fine!
I had my TKR on Feb 24, best thing I could have done. I have had ups and downs with it, but when I look at the pain that I was in before this is nothing knowing that the pain I had then is gone. I still have swelling when im on my feet for along time. But am so glad that I made the choice to have it done. Will be having my right knee done in the fall. Give it some more thought and weigh the Pros and the Con's. You will be happy after you have had it done and on the way to recovery. Good luck to you, know you have us here to help if we can.
The pain is bad but it is decision you can decide with family and the doctor! How badly damage is the need it will not get better but only worst! If needed be prepared with good information and mskebsure you have help that makes the world of difference! Good luck and a speedy recovery!
i thought that for up to 4 weeks after operation i was violently sick taking meds but I knew this before as it had happened with eevry operation minor or major operation i had ever had BUT now I say its the best thing i ever did yes sometimes i have pain and the rubber band tightenness but i can do so much more now with that knee that the other one in fact I am calling my supposedly good knee my bad knee now cant wait to get it done im 14 weeks post tkr go for it you wont regret it 
I am 68 and at 11 weeks and 5 days post op. Woke up today with little or no pain. I have been off pain meds for several weeks and dealing with light to moderate pain mostly at night. It is very uncomfortable in the first weeks very gradually improving as time goes on. The meds they give you work so use them. The key is patience and doing the prescribed exercises. They actually help with pain control in later weeks. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.
Hi I'm 61 and had bi-lateral tkr 11 weeks ago. I had oesteo arthritis, multiple steroid injections, multiple keyhole surgerys for scraping and washouts before the surgery. I am so glad I got it done. Yes I had pain after the surgery made worse because I am allergic to so many painkillers but just remember the outcome is well worth the pain. Everyone is different just remember to do your exercises, ice, ice and ice. You will have good days and bad days but it will be worth it. Keep in touch and good luck x
I say please go for it, I have had a bad day today, I have been in pain with my knee since 2012 I recently went to Rome and ended up in floods of tears as could not walk very far - yes I am in pain now I am 12 days post op I have had a particularly bad day due to physio however......the pain I was suffering constantly had gone not only was it in my knee but my hip due to my awful walking gait - I can see light at the end of the tunnel so yes I would have it done again -
this really is a difficult one to answer. First of all, is your current knee situation stopping you from leading the life you want to lead/ Does it stop you walking around, keep you awake at night and generally cause you pain and nuisance? Have they told you it is bone on bone and only going to get worse, If so, then probably it is the way to go. If not, then probably it would be better to leave it a bit longer, and perhaps try other treatments like injections. Also, remember that many of the people on these groups are here because they have had problems, and have been looking for support. there are those who do NOT have that experience, and there is no telling if you will be one of those lucky ones! there was/is a person on this forum who says she did not experience much pain at all, and is progressing wonderfully! so, it's obviously going to be your decision . . .hope you make the right one for you!
No matter where you getting surgery, there will be always pain. I suffered pain in my right knee for several years with osteoarthritis. I pop pain pills, cortisone shots, synvice one, knee relief shots, and wearing brace enough to made things worse. My knee was bowed in where it touches to my left knee. I've postponed surgery for 2 yrs and this year I gave up and went ahead have TKR done on April 24th this year. This is my starting of 7th week. Yes it was painful but when you're on pain meds, it gives relief. Going to physical therapy 3 times a week is horrible to dealt with but its a must. Sleep is another with very little sleep lasted about 3-4 weeks with some pain. I am almost at least 2 weeks to really able to do my activities and to 5 more weeks that I should not have little or no pain in between 8 to 12 weeks. Each person is different on their recovery. I was told not to talk to others about their TKR. I ignored them because reading this patient forum and talking to my friends is the best thing ever happened to me. Good luck!
You cannot predict how well it will go but the majority of people will find it a tough recovery but worth it. There are a very few that have very little pain and also a few who regret it and have problems.
More people with issues are likely to post online as those without problems are likely going about their lives.
I'm also 63 and had very bad knee before op. I cannot lie, at 12 weeks post op, I am not loving the new knee and feel worse off, but I would stress that I am not the average, I seem to make excess scar tissue and my knee has been very stiff and painful requiring a manipulation. Just bad luck, I took the gamble that I would likely just be average as I have had past different surgeries and sone very well.
I also have other health problems that likely affected my recovery. Only you can decide if your knee is currently affecting your life enough to have the surgery.
Good luck. The surgery itself is not too bad at all, the recovery is the difficult bit.
PS meant to say - not loving the new knee - YET! As I know my 3 months is relatively early in a recovery that continue up to a year or more. I am hopeful it will see me change my mind. Once again, good luck if you go forward with it, there will be lots of great advice and support on here to help you cope.
I know how you feel, but I assure you once you have the surgery you will be thankfulthstylu did. Before my right knee tkr I was miserable and did not want to go any where not even to Church. I tried everything, all kind of shots meds, and therapy but nothing really helped. I am now very thankful that I had the surgery. I am now at 15 weeks post TKR and I do not nearly have the pain I had before the surgery. Trust me if the pain is controlling your life and you want it back this is the way to go. God Bless!
Hi, I agree with what others have said first of all. The big question is how is your knee if affecting your quality of life right now?. Is it limiting your activity and things you want to do? Have you been through the steroid injections, Synvic, etc. with not much imporovement? I am 10 months post TKR and I will tell you that you that this site helped me through the worst of it.
Unfortunately, no MD will honestly tell you about the miserable recovery time...unless he has had a TKR personally! I have been an orthopedic RN in the past and thought that I would be well prepared for my own TKR.....NOT! Recovery is measured in MONTHS....not weeks. You might as well mark off the first 3 months on your calendar as being totally devoted to recovery. If I had known ahead of time what to expect it would have been so much easier to cope with recovery. So..,....get informed, be prepared, and remember that down the road...about a year from your surgery, you will be so glad that you had it done. During the post-op recovery time just keep telling yourself that this recovery is a "marathon"....not a sprint. It will take time, more patience than you thought you had and determination to not let your "TKR knee" dominate your life during this time. We are all here for you to help you through the rough times with suggestions but your attitude towards recovery will be your best defense when you hit that "wall of dispair" around 4-6 week period.
So, go for it! You will be glad that you did a year from now. At 10 months, I am just beginning to experience the freedom from pain and limitation of activity from before my TKR. Find where there is a YMCA with an indoor pool and plan on going to excercise as soon as possible postop. Find joy in the little things after surgery, (being able to finally watch a good movie at 2 oclock in the afternoon and) not feel guilty) Take advantage of family and friends that want to help out...don't deny them the joy of helping you. There is no badge of courage given out to the TKR patient who "did it on their own". Your knee will tell you when you have overdone it, just listen to your body and back off if necessary.
The Lord made our bodies in a marvelous way. All our parts serve an important function to make up the whole. Don't let the fear of pain or having to put your activity into low gear for awhile keep you from experiencing all that He has in store for your life. You CAN do this with a smile and be a wonderful example to other people who will want to know "how are you doing". I will be praying for you.
Only you can judge...is your life getting smaller as a result of your knee? What has yourGP And surgeon advised?
I'm scared too get the first one in July and there will be a second one eventually I know it's going to be painful but it already is I stand up at work for hours and it hurts so bad that it will be worth it when healed
Have the operation , most people do not have bad pain or difficult recovery . For every one who has had a bad time there are many , many more who didn't . Most who didn,t have a bad time don't post on here probably don't even come here . I had mine done 19½ and 17½ years ago , the recovery was fine pain can be controlled . I am glad I had mine replaced it made a big difference to my life , and I have had no problems since . You could be crazy not to have the operation , your pain may not be bad now but it will get worse . The sooner you have the operation the easier it will be .
Hi its a shame you read so much about TKR before you'r operation i can understand why you'r scared,im 55 yrs old and 14 weeks post TKR i never read anything until after op and this forum is really good when you need it,once you have op the pain med's do the trick also every single person different my mum;s friend in her 70is and had her knee done last year and never even needed physio good luck with everything,x
Hi. I took 7 years of putting off the operation. You will know when it's time. I could not walk without my knees collapsing, so it was time for me. If your mobility is still ok then wait. If not then do it and bank on a year of recovery. I am at 15 months post op and each day is a little finer. Still have some pain, aches and problem with balance and tightness but I can do stairs, walk 5 Kms and slowly getting my life back. Hope you find your answer.
Do it. I'm 69.
Very simple...some people get through this really fast; some take a very long time and need manipulations. BOTH are exceptions to the rule...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-recovery-bell-curve--563756
Is it gonna hurt? Most probably yeah...a lot...for the first few weeks...that's why you take major painkillers. Then it starts getting better...slowly. By 60-90 days almost everyone is out of "The Pain Zone" and off the opioids. PT starts a few weeks after the op and is tough as the therapist has to break down the growing scar tissue or you'll never walk correctly again. Once you get your ROM back, you need to rebuild the strength in your quads, glutes and core. Need that to walk correctly and climb stairs. Most people are doing really well in the 6-9 month range and pretty much back to normal by a year. Some take longer...some less. Don't have any expectations that you'll be driving and back to work in a few weeks. Just not possible. Here's more...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
You CANNOT fear this!!! It's just an op that has quite a bit of residual pain for a while and takes a long time to recover from. The good part...you will be able to walk and do some activities again with zero pain for the rest of your life. For me, a good tradeoff. Another benefit will be that you will find out that you are way stronger than you ever thought you were. Damn good feeling. Bob Marley said it best...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-strong-594566
You can do this. Follow the rules: eat healthy, hydrate, ice, elevate, take your meds on time, do your exercises, finish your PT, start an exercise program after PT. OWN YOUR RECOVERY!!! NO EXPECTATIONS!!!
Lots of discussions on the forum...lots of great people to help you. You're not alone. I'm at 15 months post-op and feel great...you will too.