1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Knee Problems

Happy Anniversary

Posted , 13 users are following.

ellen57898
ellen57898

Today marks my one year anniversary of my TKR.  One year ago I would not have thought that I would be walking, jumping and yes, even hopping. Running is coming along slowly. To those of you beginning the long journey of recovery, I can say ( without hesitation), that you will be pain free. You will be enjoying your life. I know how difficult it it is to believe , as you cry through PT and count the hours until you can have more pain medication, that you will ever get through this brutal recovery. Take your time and be patient. It really does take a year to get through this surgery.  This forum got me through my darkest days. You were all here for me. Thank you all for the support, kind words and honest conversation. 

Ellie

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

Next
  • robin15577
    robin15577 ellen57898

    Posted

    Congratulations Ellie! This is so good. Also, thanks for sharing your success. Brings hope 😘

  • bobbymac57
    bobbymac57 ellen57898

    Posted

    Thanks so much for your encouraging words. I am only 4 weeks post op and realize I have a long way to go. Still having lots of pain especially at night for some reason. It's nice to have hope that there may be light at the end of all this.

    Thanks again and praying for your continued good health.

  • 1961Mika
    1961Mika ellen57898

    Posted

    3 months OP TKR, going through so many complications, MUP, and more complication I finally feel like I am on recovery. Though as you said there are some times or everyday I am in too much pain, stiffness, knee buckling, still on Oxy more often than I would like, and etc that I feel like this would never end.  Thank you for your encouraging words and sharing your words with us. I feel hopeful. 

    Merry Christmas and happy new year to you all. It will be a happy and wonderful year, let’s hope! 

    Mika

  • sharonc67
    sharonc67 ellen57898

    Posted

    Thank you for sharing your good news!  Well done. It makes us all think about the future positively. Merry Christmas!
  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 ellen57898

    Posted

    Fantastic news! Congratulations and thank you for the update! It is very valuable to have people who have posted of their early days, weeks, and months, posting at the one year mark, as that is the point where people are normally told most of the healing process is resolved, so thank you again!

    This keeps the forum balanced, reflecting honestly the difficulties, but also rewards, of a marvellous, potentially life changing surgery, which is helpful for those looking before surgery and trying to decide if they want to go ahead or not.

    It's great your outcome was a good one!

    Have a great Christmas!

  • davidjk22
    davidjk22 ellen57898

    Posted

    It's 19½ & 17½ years since mine, still ok with no problems. I don't do running, jumping, hopping or anything which causes high impact to my knees, Good luck, and come back in the future and let people know how well you are doing. 

  • katie195320519
    katie195320519 ellen57898

    Posted

    Who was your doctor. I believe 50% of a good result is having a good doctor. Thanks. Katie
    • ellen57898
      ellen57898 katie195320519

      Posted

      I live in the Washington DC area. Where are you located. My surgeon/Hospital team was fantastic. Everything was coordinated for me from my first x-ray through PT/ Home consults and medication management. I cannot stress this enough:  you must speak to your doctor about pain management before surgery.  It took a few trial and error meds to find what worked for me.  I was on prescription pain meds for nine weeks/every 4 hours. Then six weeks at 2X day.  Then nightly.  I was terrified about taking so much medication. However, my doctor kept close tabs on my intake and gave me just 5 days worth at a time.  Sorry, got off topic here.  Let me know if you are in this area and I will post the practice and surgeon ‘s name
    • katie195320519
      katie195320519 ellen57898

      Posted

      I live in Clearwater FL and am still looking for a caring competent doctor who will give me more than 3 minutes.  Thanks much. Katie
  • louise_48509
    louise_48509 ellen57898

    Posted

    Hi Ellen, great news. Good to hear positive outcome. Have a fantastic Christmas xx
  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX ellen57898

    Posted

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!  But...

    Running will NOT be in your future.  It is ALWAYS on ALL of the most banned activities lists post TKR...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/do-s-and-don-ts-after-a-tkr-a-typical-list-541794

    The G-forces pounding on your knee will significantly shorten the 25+ year life of the device.  When I had my hip replaced 9 years ago, I asked the doc "when can I get back on my skates?"  Told him I'd played hockey for 45+ years.  He told me that my hip would last me at least 25 years if I gave up the sport...else...3 years max.  Same with running, jogging, etc.  Any activity that puts ANY pressure on the joint or forces it to torque/twist is in the forbidden category.  For people like us, shuffleboard is the new 5K..........

    Believe me...I cried for weeks when I had to sell all my hockey equipment...weeks...and weeks...

    • davidjk22
      davidjk22 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Quite right, my surgeon warned me against running, jogging, skiing, or any other activity which caused impact or twisting to the knee. I took his advise, along with his advice that he had done his job, and it was now my turn to do the hard work, physio & exercise. Managed to return to work 6 months after each knee. Both have been fine for many years , and I hope will be for many more. 

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX davidjk22

      Posted

      Ah...skiing...and maybe strapping on my skates again.  The problem there is not the pounding but the twisting of the knee.  So I called DonJoy...the #1 brace company on the planet...and spoke to one of their top specialists.  Told her that I wanted to do some light skating and "green" level list skiing and wanted something that would completely lock my knee in place and not allow it to twist AT ALL!!!  She recommended the Defiance model (picture)...used by pro athletes for exactly that situation.  Comes in off-the-shelf models for a few hundred dollars or the completely custom-fit, custom built one for $900.  I have my skates and protective gear...I'm saving my pennies...maybe in the spring...  Again, no pounding, no downward or upward shock to the joint...just zero knee twisting...  A boy can dream...

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

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.