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Having TKR in next week or so

Posted , 12 users are following.

Miner_Martin
Miner_Martin

Hi all, 

I have just found this site and have read many of the great contributions from its members and am really grateful as I am about to have TKR on my left knee in the next week or so, I've just been to hospital and had all the pre op stuff so just waiting for a phone call to tell me when to go in. I will then be having TKR done on my right knee later ( the surgeon seems to think 3-4 months after first one).

Its been a long journey to get this far with many years of pain and reducing amounts of mobility. I had to stop working and go on "sick" approx nine months ago and it has taken this long to finally get the surgeon to do the operation. I've had numerous X-rays, MRI's etc which initially led to me having keyhole surgery (Arthoscopy) on my left knee in January. I had a spinal anastetic so was awake for that and as soon as the surgeon could see inside the knee he said that because of the amount of damage there was little that he could do at the time and it was obvious that a TKR was required. 

So that's where I'm at, anxious about the surgery but desperate to get it done and try and get back to work/ doing normal things again etc.

Thanks again for all the advice and posts and I will try and post more details as things happen as I think that this will help motivate me, and maybe others.

Cheers

0 likes, 32 replies

32 Replies

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  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX Miner_Martin

    Posted

    Try this...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-pre-op-expectations-622045

    ...and then post this on your fridge...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038

    Everyone makes it through...

    • Miner_Martin
      Miner_Martin CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thanks for everyone's comments. I am quite a positive person and am eager to get it done as I am confident of the future/outcome. 

      I will continue to post as things progress and intend to say it as it is as I think that this will be more beneficial to anyone reading the posts.

      As I've said earlier I am quite positive, and motivated so will try and mention all the positive aspects and not dwell on the negative ones that I am sure there may be.

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX Miner_Martin

      Posted

      Yeah...OFG1 and I take some flak from time to time from the very rare people who get past this in a few months.  They say we're "scaring people".  In fact, we do the opposite.  We are trying to be very realistic because the docs NEVER prepare you for what comes after the op.  I'm 2+ years post-op and have read over 4,000 posts on here...same with OldFatGuy1.  It's like doing a giant statistical study.  When you hear the stories of sooooo many people, you tend to start seeing the trends in the data.

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-recovery-bell-curve--563756

      We all wish to be in that minus-3 standard deviations area where we skate right through this...and I truly hope you are one of those people...I wasn't.  This whole recovery takes three things: time, work and patience.  That's it.  Do those things and focus on your health.  You'll be just fine...and a stronger person for the experience. 

    • Miner_Martin
      Miner_Martin CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Cheers. I have read through your posts and appreciate the advice given. I'm sure I will be asking for help soon enough. Just glad that I have found this site.

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX Miner_Martin

      Posted

      Just click my name and the "See All Discussions"...there's 30 posts out there on all sorts of TKR topics.  Over the years, I found that I was typing out the same stuff over and over again, so I just gathered it into topics and now I just post the links...  Hope they can be of help...  You are DEFINITELY not in this alone!!!

    • Irish_Al
      Irish_Al CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Hi Martin,

      Just for the record. I would never had made it through the first one without OFG, Chico and the others. I learned so much and received so much support, it helped me get through it big time.

      One of the biggest things I learned was NOT to measure my progress daily, it was driving me mad.

      This time round, I think it's patience I need as I feel I am stuck at the same point for ages. However, I do realise that everyone is different and a lot of people have it worse than I've had. I'm very lucky and am eternally grateful for the advice and support on here, led by the Chico and OFG.

      Good luck.

      Al

  • joan17325
    joan17325 Miner_Martin

    Posted

    Good luck. It's a long painful journey you're embracing. This site will be your bible. There will be posts which are not credible BUT read Chico and the old fat guy posts. They tell you as it is. I've had 2 legs TKR done and 5 months after second one and still working on it. Be realistic in your aims. The first getting more mobile and less pain than before TKR. We are here to help and support keeps us posted x

  • Irish_Al
    Irish_Al Miner_Martin

    Posted

    Best of luck Martin,

    I too had my second knee done almost 5 months ago.

    Definitely worth it. There will be ups and downs but as Chico say's you'll get through it.

    Great group here for support.

    Best wishes,

    Alan

  • 1955linda
    1955linda Miner_Martin

    Posted

    Good morning Martin, and just wanted to wish you the best for your Op. Your fellow followers on this blog are all here to help and for me, I must say that it has been a great. help. Don't be afraid to ask even the silliest of questions, we are all going through or have been there. My advice is to be kind to  yourself. Everyone is different, remember that, but you will get there. It takes time, determination and courage and the art of positive thinking which I must admit can be a challenge sometimes. Onward and upward.

    Very best wishes to you and we look forward to hearing from you 

    Linda

  • 1Romisz1
    1Romisz1 Miner_Martin

    Posted

    Have you tried stem cell?

    • Miner_Martin
      Miner_Martin 1Romisz1

      Posted

      No haven't tried it. Have you? Any recommendations/Observations ?

    • 1Romisz1
      1Romisz1 Miner_Martin

      Posted

      Yes, both of my knees I was told I need TKR, my right is worse, high pain, hard to walk. Had stem cell procedures on both same time. Seemed to work on left, little bit on right. That was in 2015. Since, left still same, but right has gotten progressively worse cause there was more damage on right to begin with. From my experience, as long as you catch your knee before a certain point, I feel it works. Lot of orthos do not want stem cells in their practice. Not enough of $.

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