Looking for accurate & positive info on TKR (mine is in 7 wks)

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I've looked through the thread titles, and I am so sorry to see so many with problems. I found the THR thread so helpful in getting me ready (equipment, tricks for making life easier, realistic expectations, etc.) for hip surgery (2 new hips now). I would prefer not to read the war stories (just yet) as I do not want to be anxious with what might go wrong. I appreciate any advice. I just started my pre-op exercises to strengthen leg muscles - many are the same as the post-op hip exercises.

2

Hi, I know what you mean. Most of the people in this forum are here because they had a problem.
If you don’t have a problem, you aren’t going to usually go surfing the web for forums, you are on to other things in your life.

I can tell you that my wife did have lots of problems with a partial getting infected and multiple surgeries - that’s why I found this site. BUT since her TKR a few weeks ago, she was up and walking hours after the surgery (carefully of course) and had almost full mobility immediately.
So far, small amount of seepage but other-than-that, she is pain free, walking carefully and has been since about 2 days after surgery.
Remember, elevation and ice are the magic words and get a good, no-GREAT, surgeon and I wish you the best!

3

It’s not all doom and gloom after a TKR. Many people come here for advise because they have, or think they have a problem. Don’t judge your recovery with that of others. Most of the ones who have had no problem don’t come and tell about it. All recoveries are different, some better and some worse than others. Important to keep up your physio and exercise, but don’t over do it, pain medication is very important so is ice and elevation. You should have many pain free years to look forward to. It’s 20 and 18½ years since my TKRs and I have had no problems with them. Good luck, you will get there in the end.

4

hi- try not to read the horror stories! The exercises are painful and it feels like it will never end, but push yourself, power through it, and it pays off. I had a TKR over two years ago and its great now! Got my life back . i get some discomfort from scar tissue sometimes but give it a good massage and do some exercises and its ok again. it was a hard slog but im out the other side and really happy . KEEP GOING- its worth it!

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Click on my name, Discussions, See All. About 30 topics.

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PS: Read the one on PTSD…

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Thanks

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Thanks so much Chico_M I’m working my way through your threads. There is some valuable information - even if I don’t want to hear it.

I feel I am better prepared for the long-haul and understand I’ll need to keep an eye on my emotions. Thankfully my sister lives close by and will come and take me for a ride when I feel too couped up - this is the hardest thing for (or has been the hardest so far with the THRs LOL).

I’m off to read

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Thanks Robert,

I’m almost afraid to ask but what is “seepage”?

I look for info before surgery because the Doctors are short on info and I prefer to hear from actual patients.

k

10

Thanks David,

Nice to know my days or evenings of dancing are not in my past just not my very near future LOL

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I know it’s tough to read some of it but the better informed you are, the better off you’ll be. I learned about post-op depression when I had my hip done so when I got those same feelings at knee time, I was already prepared. However, I got suckered into expecting a fast recovery because I always did that with previous ops. For me, the knee was harder than anything I’d ever encountered. Once I accepted that and got to work…focused and gave up the expectations…things got way better. I’ll be 3 years in March and I don’t regret a thing. The work and patience paid off big time for me. Hoping the same for you…

12

The wound hasn’t closed completely; there is a small area where some clear fluid is seeping out. Getting better each week. The important thing is that there is no swelling like in previous operations.

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Hi Kebra, I had my TKR done 13 weeks ago, I saw my specialist on Wednesday last and he was very happy with it. He looked at my x-ray and said look at that it’s great all lined up very nice. I asked how much longer before I stop complaining about it, he said 2 more months then you should be happy.
It’s been tough going but I have 125 bend and good straighting. Lots of physio and walking ice is the way to go. I am still on medication but slowly coming of. Evenings are the worst so get done what you need to in the mornings . I find myself very cranky at the end of the day , managing your time is good. Do 30 minutes of stuff then rest , it’s a hard road my days are still tuff and nights aren’t much fun. But slowly it is getting better.

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Thanks Jeannie

15

Hello. Mine is a success story so I’m guessing that’s what you want to hear at the moment.
I had TKR 7 years ago. It was a long recovery but I am now fine.
I chose to be awake for the operation and just had epidural.
You are doing well to be doing pre op exercises.
Before my TKR my knee was so painful it was all I could do to walk around the flat never mind anything else.
Regarding equipment you will need a raised toilet seat and some raisers on one of your chairs in the front room.
Also a trolley for carrying things.
Not sure if there is a similar scheme in your area but here in Wales there is a scheme where someone does shopping for you for six weeks after you come home. I think it may be run by the Red Cross.
Good luck with this all.
Take care and keep in touch
Sarah

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I am now 6 months past 1st TKR and although it occasionally aches if I have overdone things most of the time it doesn’t hurt at all. Its great to be able to walk more than a couple of hundred yards without the knee screaming in agony. I hope I have same result after my 2nd one on Tuesday

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Denise,

I cannot wait to hear how successful #2 is going for you. Thanks for sharing.

K

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Hi Kebra
I am now home after my 2nd op. I was in 3 nights instead of the 2 like the first one as the nerve block didn’t go away as quick. Now I am home and I am about to start the ice and exercise regime. Both nights home so far I have been able to get some sleep which makes it easier to face the day. I spent yesterday alternating between the occasional walk on my sticks to the bathroom or kitchen (I live in a bungalow), or sitting on my sofa sometimes with foot rest up and sometimes down. So far the hardest thing is to get the leg to lie with the back of the knee down. I automatically want to turn the knee outwards as it is less uncomfortable. Still time and the physios will cure that. I am still very wobbly when I first get up to walk but it improves after I have walked a few steps. Onwards and upwards! Be prepared for it to be painful, but time, patience, exercise and ice helps and before you know it, you will be walking around for much longer distances than pre-op with only mild discomfort. Hope this helps

19

Here to tell my tale at 9 weeks post TKR. Initial recovery was reasonably good, only one night in the hospital and I was ready to go home the next day. That first night home was bad because the anesthesia the surgeon had injected into the knee wore off … but had been in that situation before and was prepared with lots of painkillers on hand :). After that, pain quite well managed generally, although physical therapy is of course painful. There have been plateaus and ups and downs along the way and in fact I just had a manipulation under anesthesia to help with the bending, but a few days before that I felt that I had actually turned a corner in terms of improved energy, easier walking, ability to sit for longer, etc. Although of course you have to take it day by day, don’t judge day by day … look back after a few weeks and see how far you have come! Best of luck to you!

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My golden tip is making sure you have everything you need to ice and elevate your leg…and also that you have a tablet or similar mobile entertainment, plus an electrical socket, near your bed. Good wishes!