Anniepannie
Posted , 3 users are following.
I am 9 weeks post op ltkr.
I am havi g my other knee done in December.
Will my knee be strong enough yhen as it is still stiff and painful?
0 likes, 4 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
×
Notes on Anniepannie
CHICO_MARX anne3001
Posted
People do this all the time and I don't see how you can do a #2 when you haven't rebuilt all the strength in #1. Then "you don't have a leg to stand on".
Search Google for the COOLIEF website. This is an FDA-approved, 15-minute, cooled radiofrequency ablation of the nerves surrounding the knee (or hip, shoulder, etc.). Supposed to be excellent for pain from osteoarthritis and can last up to two years...plenty of time to get past #1. The site will locate a certified doc in your area.
I'm 3 1/2 years post-op on #1 but #2 is completely pain free right now. When it starts to go, I'm doing COOLIEF to put it off as long as I can. Worth a look...
jean02698 anne3001
Posted
when i had my first TKR my surgeon recommended a year wait.I had my second one done 11 years later.
Eaglebearer anne3001
Posted
Hi Anne , I had my first left tkr in August this year and I'm booked in for my second in December too. My surgeon would have done them 6 weeks apart, if I was willing. It's only now at 12 weeks that I feel I should be able to cope. Some people have both done together.
Anyway I am only 3 weeks ahead of you.
How is your rehab going, are you ok?
CHICO_MARX anne3001
Posted
"I should be able to cope"
That's an expectation and expectations carry no weight in a TKR recovery...and neither can your dead leg. Get rid of all expectations and listen to your knee. If it's screaming "DON'T DO THIS TO ME!!!" and you're not listening, then you're in for a world of hurt. Until your leg is back to normal with your strength and balance restored, and you can do stairs up and down alternately without holding onto anything, your leg is NOT fully recovered.
Many people do two knees a few months apart and have found success; others not so much. I totally agree with spacing them out a year to give #1 time to fully recover. Then you can put all the pressure on it while #2 heals. Very logical...very conservative.
However, some people cannot stand the pain in #2 and don't want to wait. For those, I recommend that they climb "The Ladder of Care": cortisone followed by Synvisc followed by COOLIEF. If there is no relief, then doing #2 sooner is the only way out.
In the end, the decision is yours and yours alone. There is no "right" answer to this as everyone lives their own pain and knows their own limits. Just consider the ways in which you can put off #2 until #1 is FULLY recovered and see if any of them work for you. In the end, the choice is yours.