My TKR has finally come on 20th September and I am quite scared. It isn't having the op. it's afterwards although I do agree that it is up to me how quickly I can get going again. I am not good with hospital and it is 2 years since the Consultant said it needed doing. I wasn't in a position to have it done then so I went on the list in May. Just being a bit of a wuss really. Wish me luck nice people, I'll be back when it's been done.
Oh Annette
Don't worry you will be fine. I am five weeks post op and getting better everyday. I have actually enjoyed the rest from work. I am returning to work in two weeks time and I am driving again. I listened to all the advice on here and it has boosted my recovery.
Good luck and I am thinking of you
Jackie x
Im 8wk tkr and i was petrified b4 i went in but it wasnt as bad as i thought.dont get me wrong the first 4-5 wk was hard but as long as u excercise ,ice and rest im sure u will b ok.just dont rush things either your own body will tell u your limit so listen to it.good luck 1976annette.xx
Thank you Jackie it's good to hear you are driving again, tht's one of the things I will miss as I am the driver in the house. There is a lot of good advice on here which I shall follow. xxx
Thank you Janice, I have got the ice and rest firmly implanted in my head which seems to be the key to this whole thing. I am not one to let things get me down so hopefully, it will be OK. xx
Hi dont worry to much you wont know anything untill you wake up staff usually connect you to a system where you can deliver your own pain control very effective for the first few days its not the nicest op but 3 months down the road im sure you will be glad its over some people get over it quick some dont luck of the draw i suppose take the meds on time just one other thing them drugs give you severe constipation take plety of laxatives nothing like having two lots of pain good luck things will be fine
I was the same way! The hospital even charted me as having anxiety. I made the mistake of thinking I didn't need anyone with me in pre-op or after. Also, I live alone with my two pups and the person who was supposed to stay with me at night for up to a week declined the minute I got home from the hospital! My suggestion is that you make sure you have someone with you the whole way, including at home. Ask your questions now about pain and anti-nausea meds and have the prescriptions filled before you go to the hospital. It's important to take those pain meds at first AS PRESCRIBED. Don't wait until you feel the pain. I was told to "stay ahead of the of the pain" so I never felt more than a little bit. Fortunately, I was able to stop the opiods at two and a half weeks post-op. Plan for a month or two down time and rest, rest, rest. I'm having the second knee replaced next year and will be more prepared emotionally and mentally and this time I won't freak out. Hope this helps you.
You will do fine......I'm 3 weeks today post op.walking around good & doing the PT twice a week.
You will be glad you did.No worries!
This is what you're probably looking at...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
Painful but doable if you work hard to recover. Slow and easy...this recovery takes time. Take your meds; ice, ice, ice. Concentrate on getting to full flexion in PT...you do not want to limp or walk with a cane the rest of your life. Be determined to do the best you can. We've all been through this and come out better for it. You will too.
If you're in pain before the surgery, the post-op pain will be a lot more manageable because you'll feel some relief. I was one of those whose pain suddenly disappeared the two weeks before surgery (apparently not uncommon), so the pain was pretty strong post-op.
Chico, please post the link to your message!
Good luck. Come back and let us know how you're doing.
I was worried as hadn't been in a hospital for forty years when Ihad my cartilages out! I was just worried I would be one of the unlucky ones and it would go wrong - but it didn't and I'm sure yours won't! Like all forums though I would ignore most of what you read on here other than the good wishes. We are all different, coming from a different amount of pain and range of movement and it easy to think you are not doing as well as someone else till you find out they are 45 years old and had been an athlete till a couple of years before their op! By all means read and try the tips that suit you but rely on the medical advice first and foremost.
Good luck,
Dave
Hi Annette Chances are that you will be better off after the op than you are now ! The pain you have now will be gone and although you may still have pain take comfort in knowing it's a pain from surgery and should at some stage disappear. I don't know how old you are but from experience I'd say that the younger you are the more effort you need to put into moving that knee quickly, even a little to prevent the scar tissue setting in. I am so glad I had my knee done but will always wonder if I could have made it easier for myself by starting off with more effort sooner! Good luck xx
Hi Annette!
The keys to post op success seem to be good pain management, moving and stretching often throughout the day, getting as much rest as you can, drinking plenty of water to flush out toxins from anesthesia and pain meds, and having a good physical therapist who will work WITH you and understand you. Ice is important, but in my opinion elevating the legs helps even more. Compression stockings that go up the thighs help with swelling.
Staying positive and keeping busy will give you endorphins that help pain management.
Focus on small improvements. Treat yourself to naps as often as you can!
You can DO this! 💟
TKRs June and October 2015
Enjoying my garden and thankful I made the decision to get surgery. Excited to DANCE without severe pain at our son's wedding this Saturday!😁🙌😊😁🙌
Hi Annette, you'll be fine just remember to use the pain meds if needed I know in hospital the nursing staff were really on top of this... when you do get home remember to ice ice ice and elevate for swelling. I know I had to do straightening exercises from day 1 in hospital which really helped and also to slowly slide my foot up the bed to get a bend.
Just remember that each of our journeys and recoveries are different and it does usually take a full 12-18+ mths for most.
I wish you all the best for your surgery and give Chico's main post a good read lots of info in it. So wish I had of found this forum b4 my op and not 9mths later
Take care... Tracey
Hi Cheryl haven't been on here for a while glad you are still doing well hope you have a fantastic day at your sons wedding and enjoy your dancing .i went to the funfair on Monday with my daughter and 3 grandchildren was so nice to be able to walk around without the chronic pain now looking forward to my holiday in Portugal in 2 weeks time take care x
Hi Sharon!
So happy to hear that you are doing well, too! 😊 It sure IS great to be out and about, doing normal things and being rid of that awful pain! Glad you had such a good time at the Fun Fair with your daughter and grandchildren!🙌😁😊😁🙌
Have an AWESOME time in Portugal! Isn't it GREAT to be able to focus on fun things instead of having pain hijack every moment?!!!
Thanks so much for the well-wishes for our son's upcoming wedding! 💟 Very excited about watching it unfold over the next several days! I'm happy to be able to stand and walk and DANCE without looking around for a chair to sit down on after just a few minutes!
Surgery DEFINITELY was a perfect option for me, and I am VERY grateful that I took the risk...TWICE!
Have a wonderful time in Portugal! Keep in touch!😊
Annette, I had both knees replaced at the same time, 22 months ago. Yes, recovery is a bit of a monster, and you will have to push yourself and may even have a pity party - I did once or twice. But in the long run, it was all worth it. Being able to walk and stand for long periods of time again without any of that horrible pain (I'd waited nearly 9 years for my surgery...because I was told I was too young). When things seem a little questionable, you know right where to go. Praying for a smooth recovery. In the meantime, I'm guessing they've got you strengthening your muscles. I wish someone had told me before hand about working on my core (stomach muscles) and arms as well as my quads. It will make your recovery easier if you have the upper body prepared.
-Mo
Oh my goodness, I must have missed your post mentioning you were on your own after the surgery! I was living in India at the time and was fortunate enough to have my sister fly in from the USA to help me out. I can't even imagine having had my bilateral without her. And even if it were only one knee, that would have been horrible.Sounds like you make it through but what a nightmare.
-Mo
Awesome Chico!
I was going to send her the link to your discussion! I just found it myself 2 days ago! I wish so much that I had found it 6weeks ago! I am 6 weeks post op, bilateral knee replacements staged 3 days apart. Went in for 2 medial partial replacements and came home with a right partial and a left total knee replacement (of which I was woefully unprepared for mentally!) . Your post hit every question and issue that has run through my mind! Thanks so much!! And good luck when you do go back for the other TKN.
Robin
You are waaaaay braver than me. Can't imagine a bi-lateral.
I realized that I was saying the same thing to lots of people so I sat one night and put it all in one post. I really hope it helps people get a sense of what they're dealing with. The lessons I've learned...
1. No one is really prepared for the pain going in...deal with it.
2. Recovery takes a long time...and on YOUR schedule.
3. You can't push the knee...swelling is the sign you did too much.
4. PT is essential...0/+120 goal...no avoiding it...and it hurts.
5. You have to rebuild your muscles afterward.
Waaaaay back in grad school, my mentor had a simple phrase tacked on a corkboard...great life motto but especially true here...
NO EXCUSES. DO THE WORK.
Kind of sums it up... Only other choice is to sit back and then limp or walk with a cane for the rest of your life. For me, not an option.