I am preparing for thee surgery but not ready yet. I am trying to get my legs stronger and arms , my handicap plate. I have been reading on your posts and I am petrified. #pennyrunningoutofexcuses
Hi Penny, please don't be scared, there is no getting away from the fact that TKR is major surgery and it can be painful, but as long as you do as you are told and do the excercising the benefits are well worth it. My first TKR eighteen months ago, although not without pain (what operation is) was well worth it, but you do have to do as the surgeon and physio tell you. Ice packs and good pain relief helps. Like childbirth we all forget the pain when we can walk without it. Hope all goes well for you.
Don't be scared , look forward to the many pain free years to come . It may not be easy , or it may be relatively easy , nobody knows , but it will be your recovery . Don't judge your progress by that of others . Do your physio and exercise as much as possible but don't over do it . Take your pain medication to control your pain , especially before physio and exercise . Use ice and moisturise the scar area . Its 19½ and 17½ years since my ops and I have had no problems .
Hi do you mind me asking exactly which bit are you so afraid of, and be honest and then those that have been there can answer you specifically, I've not had one yet and not sure when they will do it, but I'm like you petrified: (
Also what's your handicap plate??
My problems are related first to the fact that my knee was having problems long before I recognized what was going on. So for two years my muscles were and tendons were getting shorter. So after the surgery, the new knee wants to have the correct muscle length. My body is having a hard time adapting to that, so my thigh and hip are really in a lot of pain from the stretching. If you did not have this problem before surgery, it will make a lot of difference. Plus I have severe arthritis in both feet which complicates my recovery. So a lot of it has to do with your health condition before surgery. Just be aggressive in doing what your physical therapist tells you to do. Better to have the pain at the beginning of recovery than wait until scar tissue develops. Having to break down scar tissue is VERY PAINFUL.
Hello Pennyscafe,
I am 4 weeks post-op tkr. I understand you being apprehensive about your surgery, but recovering from this surgery is dependent upon your attitude, a positive one.
I can tell you this surgery is major and yes you will have pain, but you will survive. The first 2 weeks are difficult, weeks 3-4 show much improvement and going into my fifth makes me glad I had the surgery. I know I have months of patience and work, but as I see improvement, It reassures me that all this pain and work is worth it.
I am now off of pain medicine, attend PT 3 days a week. My therapist is patient, but persistent with my exercises. I do my exercises on my off days and am probably tougher than my therapist!
Check out articles by Chico Marx and Oldfatguy, they address all your fears with honesty and much needed humor!
Keep us informed as you go through this journey, keep positive, and know that this surgery will be worth it. I'm glad I had the surgery, even though the recovery is interfering with my shopping! Lol. Thank goodness for the Internet!
Many blessings,
Cherry 🍒
I have had both knees done this past summer. Had been in a lot of pain walking so got the right one done and then 7 weeks had the left one done. Each day was better as I did the pt, pain pills and ice according to their directions. I am now 4 weeks out and doing real well with knees.. have a 125 degree bend and a full extension of both knees. But about 1 1/2 weeks ago out of no where a problem with sciatica nerve in right side and a shin splint on that side. Working with pt, pills and patches to see if we can get some relief.. we are thinking that my body is like a house..I now have a new foundation and my body that was not walking normally is trying to readjust. I am 74 years old and would not hesitate to have it done again. The knee pain I had is gone. Just remember domwhat they ask and each day is better. Good luck😊
It's OK to be scared so I will not say please do not be scared.
People are different and we get scared by so many different things.
For some people more knowledge helps, for others, it just makes them more scared, so I don't want to go into details of the operation in case it is just gong to make you more scared.
However if you want further information let me know.
I had TKR 5 years ago and it has been a complete success. it is like having my life back.
Praying for you.
Take care and keep in touch
Sarah
Of course you're scared. I was too! Just prepare yourself, prepare your home, and fill the fridge and freezer with easy meals. I'm a nut when it comes to a clean house, so I even hired a cleaning lady for several weeks. That all made me feel more in control of the situation. My surgeon gave me a signed paper for a handicap permit so I could go to the DMV and have that taken care of ahead of time. Like the others said, it will be painful, but keep ahead of the pain with your meds. After two weeks you'll be amazed how much better you will feel! I'll keep good thoughts about you. It will be fine😊