I'm about to have knee surgery (TKR) next week and admit it's a bit scary when I read other people's posts and the pain they are in plus the time it appears to take to come right. I'm 65 and reasonably fit as I have a block of 15 acres with quite a few animals on it. Luckily my partner is able to keep an eye on things but I'm worried about the time it takes to get back to normal. I'm going into this with not much idea of what it entails. I live in the South Island of New Zealand.
Any tips people can offer to make this journey better are appreciated. I realise though it's something I will have to grit my teeth over and just go through it! No choice!!!!
Meant to read as newbie 😊
Don't worry about the surgery , have a spinal anaesthetic with sedation rather than a general , initial recovery is better . After do your physio and exercise as often as possible with over doing it . Use your medication to control pain , don't wait until the pain gets severe . Ice the knee . Moisturise and massage your knee and scar . Don't judge your progress by the progress of others , everyone is different . Recovery is not a race , it takes as long as it takes , you will have good and bad days but you will get there in the end . It's 19½ and 17½ years since I had my knees done and I have had no problems .
Well that's good to hear David. Thanks. I had the spinal and sedation when I had my right hip done. Can't remember a thing as the surgeon said it would be and definitely think it's better to go that way.
I have had two TKR's, 8 years apart. Completely different experiences. At 15 weeks post-op on my most recent, I am now feeling a dim memory of the struggle of the first few weeks. I pretty much have resumed my life and although there is discomfort at times, it is not pain like I experienced prior to having the surgery. Just remember that there is the other side after surgery and doing the work to get there is well worth it! I know some people have quite a miserable time and while there were many days I merely endured, suffered with discouragement, and sleepless nights... I have never regretted it. I know I am probably one of the more fortunate survivors. As stated, your journey will be unique. I found the forum to be helpful and the support is awesome! Good luck!
Look up the posts and observations of Chico Marx.
Chico and I have both been through many surgeries. Chico gives you a tutorial of expectations all with a touch of Italian humor and humor us something you will need. Others will thrown in their own experience and the ups and downs. Is this a rough go...of course it is but in the end you will be much better off. Pain, of course. After all they are dismembering and and reattaching a limb. I don't know anyone in their right mind that's gone into it without fear but you will find its a process and that process can't be short circuited or eliminated. Talk, ask question, read the same questions. That's all ok. We are are veterans of this and know where you're coming from. Suddenly, world wide strangers are now next door neighbors.
BTW....I'm from the heartland if the US
You will gave ain no doubt about it . One thing that got me through it is I had ice machine ice was my best friend or use it elevated hear what your therapist tells you would be a few weeks and will feel a little bit better
One good thing , you have this forum to visit and ask for advise . It wasn't here when I had my knees done unfortunately . You should find lots of help and good advise here , we have all been there done that and got the tee shirt . Nearly 20 years since my first TKR , still ok and appears to be problem free , but if in the future I need a revision I will go for it .
Hi Linda,
I am 71 and 2 weeks post op tkr... luckily I found this forum that has almost alleviated most of my fears. There were and still are many questions, but most answers are found by these great people!
For me, the really tough days were the first 8-9, the past few days are showing improvement. Very sore, using my cane, icing every chance I get with elevation. Saw my surgeon today to take off bandage and check my bending... he said all was good. Start PT In 2 days, but was told my surgeon not to massage or use creams on my knee. Also said to do PT as often I I feel, but not till it hurts.
Starting to get a little cabin fever, but know that lots of rest is needed for a good recuperation. I am fortunate to have a great husband that does the cooking, etc. but I still make myself get up and do a few things too.
Good luck with your surgery, will keep you in my prayers!
Blessings,
Cherry🍒
I'm 67 and just had bilateral knee replacement 34 days and I'm driving right leg has a little pain in back but gets better EVERYDAY right leg feels great everyone is different exercise as often as you can when you get home and get off pain meds FAST !!!!
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/what-do-you-wish-you-had-known-before-your-tkr--601336. Have a look at that and you'll see how others felt about it. If you want to know more info about anyone click on their pic and generally you can email them. Certainly you're welcome to message me like that.
Don't be worried...trust the surgeon, their team and the hospital and think positive thoughts. Pain can be managed very well with care, and apart from a few hours now and again , between medications, mine was not a problem. I used a TENS machine which was not expensive and helped a lot during the first couple of weeks, which is the hardest time. There is pain, but it is a lot easier to bear knowing it is comparatively short term. Better than deterioration pain and disability of osteoarthritis! The pain needs to be approached in a completely different attitude. It is simply the body healing. Sounds odd, but best advice I can offer is resolve to love and help your knee and whole body as much as possible. The pain is just part of the process. And as I have said, can be well controlled to the greater part. If not controlled, then that is when you need to demand that it is. Also, don't hold back on the pain medications, however you normally feel about taking pills! After a few weeks many people start to taper off their medications. Often around three months there is no need for pain relief...this does vary of course from person to person.
I am now 11 weeks post op and doing well. The first few weeks were uncomfortable and difficult. Don't overdo it or push yourself too hard physically. Do the exercises faithfully as prescribed by your therapist. I live in the US and came straight home from the hospital with family caring for me. My physical therapy started while I was still in the hospital. I had in home therapy for 4 weeks 3 days a week. I am still doing outpatient therapy 3 days a week. I think the key to a successful recovery is to follow thru on the therapy. I took pain meds for 5 weeks and went from 6 tramadol a day down to 2 when I stopped taking them. Absolutely use them as needed and when you feel you are at a point where you can do without them, gradually taper off them. DON'T quit them cold turkey. I experienced extreme fatigue, anxiety and lack of sleep for several weeks, but finally turned the corner. This is not a race to recover, but a gradual process. Don't compare your recovery to anyone else. We all heal differently. This was my first TKR and dr says if I take care of my other knee by exercising (particularly strengthening the quad muscles) and losing weight I will not need a TKR on that knee. Be particularly careful to avoid falling. Use a walker or cane for support as long as you need. Best of luck.
☺ forgot to add....you may like a skim through my blog if it helps. It was written to convey the need for patience, something our cultures in the western world are not really geared up to! Patience is one of the most essential tools to have post op!
It has a lot of useful suggestions and information also, which you may find useful. Everyones journey is very different but it can be reassuring to read of others experiences and be able to see progress made...at its own pace, unique to the individual. Everyone is different, but i feel my recovery was probably fairly average. Very hard first two weeks. Better at two months. No stopping me now at five months! It's great! Well worth the effort! I am mobile in a way i have not been for years!
Skim reading "the very patient knee replace ment story" is recommended, because it is rather long! it was a writing project which helped me a lot as it gave me a focus each day. But it is possible to just dip in and out of, as you read, as is the case with this forum! Having something to apply yourself to after surgery, which you can do while immobile, is very helpful for the acheivement orientated folk (most of us!) And helps to divert the mind in another direction rather than fuelling anxiety or dwelling on the general feelings of helplessness.
Blessing and good wishes to you!
Just go to my profile and follow info there... after I posted the above post I realised it is best to just go to my profile, rather than posting the info in the posts.
Hi Linda....don't be afraid of the surgery. The pain is part of it, sure.....and you'll wonder why you did it in the first couple of weeks.....but just know that brighter days are ahead. Where you will be eventually is far better than where you are now with the pain you are living with pre-op!! It will take some work & dedication on your part....and lots of ice packs....if you can get an ice machine, even better....take your pain meds regularly.....and rest!! Won't be too long before it's you offering advice to a new person going through the same thing as the rest of us. Good vibes going your way as you begin this journey!!
Start with this...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-strong-594566
There is sooooooo much. Click on my picture or name and then "See All Discussions". Start with the "Kidney Stone" one...
Thanks to everyone for your very helpful replies. It is heartwarming and certainly allays my fears somewhat. Only two days to go 😟. Unfortunately I have acquired a head cold complements of my toddler grandson who picks up every bug from daycare. Hopefully it won't delay or affect my op though it is getting better as of today, cross fingers!!!!
Anyway thanks once again. This is my second go at replying as the first reply just seemed to disappear so I hope the first version doesn't suddenly appear now.