I am so happy to have found this group. Thanks to everyone in advance. I am 75 years old, in relatively good shape. My knees don't hurt, they just don't work. I understand recovery can be pretty painful but a relative recently blew my 'don't hurt' argument out of the water pointing out how limited I am just getting around (especially standing up/sitting down. Plus my balance is waning and I am about to begin using a cane/trekker stick
I would appreciate any advice you can give me, either pro or con.
Margene
Hi Margene!
My right leg was pretty bad for about 7 years and I finally had a total knee replacement in July. That was the best decision I ever made! I too had very limited use of my leg-could not sit, hard to walk and my knee gave out 2 times in December. I have a wonderful surgeon and within 2 weeks I did not need my walker orcane anymore. One therapist messed me up though and I was backsliding but now with the right therapist and exercises, I am so happy! Last night was the first time I slept without pain! I still use heat ad ice therapy daily and I know what my limits are. I still get very tired after too much exercise but that is to be expected. I have a wonderful husband and daughter who dote on me but I am very stubborn and want to do things for myself. So they just watch from a distance and if I need help, I do ask for it. I wish I wasn't so stubborn but the therapist says that's what keeps me going! It was hard to climb into my husbands truck today so I am going to wait with that for about another week. If your doctor advises a tkr, do it. You will be glad you did.....you may not think that at first but you will in time. Good luck to you!
Hello and welcome. Have you seen a Doc for x-ray or bone scan? or had a referral to Ortho specialist? You and your medicos need to know why you are less mobile. Do you exercise a lot? Are you overweight? What medication do you take. Have you had your condition investigated? I ask all this because it mightn't be arthritis. Which usually causes pain. As in bone pain. You say you're not in pain. You might have another condition affecting your mobility. You really need some medical input. Good luck and if you need a knee replacement do it. Bank on 18 months to fully recover. If you can commit to that and it's necessary, then go do it. Hope you find a good MD who can accurately diagnose your issues. x
Good advice, Lyn. Check with your doctor first, Margene. No need to suffer needlessly! Find out what you are facing.
First, you go see a very good orthopedic surgeon who will do the imaging studies and exam to tell you exactly what's wrong and your options for fixing it. Until you have some definitive diagnosis regarding your knees, everything else is irrelevant. You don't jump to TKR...you get dragged and pulled there kicking and screaming because you have no other choice. Go see the ortho...what's wrong...options for a fix. Starting point.
Hi, I was the same as you with both my knees, both legs bent, difficulty getting up and down and locking and letting me down occasionally and not walking far. X ray showed both my kneecaps were on the side and arthritis, horrified I had to have two new knees. First one Feb 2017, testing but did well by six months and knee working very well. 2nd I'm three weeks on, more difficult physically, mentally and emotionally, cried all yesterday and couldn't motivate to do exercises but I take great comfort from this site, especially Chico he really keeps me positive , good days and horrid days it is a testing experience but I know in 12 months time I'm really going to reap the benefits, so get a good surgeon (imperative) do your research and if needed kick butt and do it, quality of life is everything!!
good luck xxx
Thanks Chico. It is a very good idea to get some imaging done. I have had x rays in the past, but definitely need an update. Can you tell me when arthroscopy is done instead of traditional surgery?
I really respect your having both knees done almost back to back! I am probably much older than you and am frankly wondering if I want to spend my last (maybe/maybe not) year(s) in recovery. I get along OK: certainly can't run, walk slowly, and avoid low chairs. It is very difficult to impossible to sit on the floor and get up again!!!
If you are not also limited by pain I would not recommend it personally. If just starting to use cane I would say wait... but only you can be the judge on how it is affecting your quality of life. Do you feel your life is closing in on you and that you are saying no to all kinds of things because you know you cannot manage the walking and standing? You could keep a record of how much you are walking and standing to help you review things maybe. How long can you walk for, with and then without a stick? Does it affect your sleep?
Hi Margene,
im 67 BMi of 25 so no great weight limitations. It's been very challenging and of course the older you get you don't bounce quite so well. Having said that my husband is 85 and had his done last September and sailed through with very little pain, progressed much quicker than me and had a much more positive time, makes me feel like a wimp. As quoted regularly here every knee is different, see your surgeon, weigh everything up and if it's right for you and your life.
i think that is a very sensible considered reply Jenny!
I can be sensible sometimes Jackie! 😁
I recently walked about a mile--with my trekker stick. But it truly just about did me in. It doesn't affect my sleep. Sitting or lying in bed, I am not aware of any problems. Which of course, means I sit (reading, TV, computer, driving, movies) WAY too much!!.
Go with your doctor first
Maybe get Xray, and see how it looks. The issue is that because the surgery is major, while routine, it is a big deal with respect to the rehabilitation and recovery. .It actually helps to be pretty desperate for it before I think... but as said, you need to assess what you want and at which point you need it. If in the UK and on NHS physiotherapy would be the first port of call to see if things could be improved that way.
As others have said, it is a really brutal surgery and although most do well, there are no guarantees, mine is 21 weeks out and not yet any less painful or more mobile than pre -op yet - just different issues. Of course, healing can take months and even over a year to resolve, so we all have to bear this in mind. Some have really good recoveries much faster, it is down to many factors and a bit of luck.
Your first port of call is to have the tests and x rays to see what is going on. You may have other options. But if it turns out you need surgery, it is still a very good option for many people as you can read on here. Good luck.
Cynthia what sort of issues have u got at 21 weeks out?
Swelling, stiffness, tight rubber band sensation, nerve zaps and some numbness. I had an MUA at week 10 due to excess scar tissue which it seems my body makes faster than average.
I am not able to take many pain meds, which did not help, I'm sure, nor would the doc prescribe anything strong once home from hospital.
I have other conditions, so maybe they weigh in and my recovery might have been better otherwise. I would never advise anyone else not to have TKR, as so many seem satisfied and have little bother after, but it should not be a decision to take lightly, as a small percentage have complications. I have made some progress, but it has been so slow.