I have a date!!
Posted , 8 users are following.
Had my pre op assessment last week - very thorough- good old NHS! Today a letter plopped through the letter box - all is well and KneeDay is set for 27th November. I'm really pleased as I thought it would be after Christmas. Still don't know if it's a partial or full replacement. I'll know when I wake up! I've decided that spinal is the best way as long as they can find a suitable place to inject in my degenerative discs. Am now searching for new slippers with backs - something funky.
Any tips - just send them my way...
GG
1 like, 18 replies
CHICO_MARX gorillagirl
Posted
Here are some...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-pre-op-expectations-622045
However, the title is wrong since you should have NO EXPECTATIONS!!! Give them up, throw them away. If your surgeon says you'll be fine in 4-6 weeks, he's delusional. Just doesn't happen. It's brutal, it's painful and a full recovery usually takes a year.
At the beginning (first 90 days) it's REALLY important to manage the pain. This may mean switching drugs or dosages to find the right mix to keep the pain under control...it will NEVER be painless. Also, you'll do all the PT work required to regain your range of motion (ROM). This is the time of the most swelling, warmth and pain. Just get through it...we all did...you can too.
The next six months are spent rebuilding your dead quads, glutes and core so you can walk unaided, regain your balance and start working on stairs. All that musculature must be rebuilt from scratch to stabilize the knee and take the daily pressure off of it and put it back on the muscles where it belongs. This takes time and work...and determination.
Most report feeling "more like their old selves" at around nine months and then finish the stairs work by your one year anniversary. Some stiffness/tightness/clunking sounds may linger for another few months.
Again...no expectations. You may be "typical" or not...no one can predict in advance. Don't compare your recovery to that of anyone else. OWN YOUR RECOVERY!!! Time, work and patience...need all three...
Click my name and then "Discussions" on the far right...then "See All". Got lots of stuff out there that may help. Sleeping, exercising, post-op depression and many more. Deep breath. Stay calm and focus on your recovery...nothing else. The year will pass before you know it...then you will have a pain-free knee...
gorillagirl CHICO_MARX
Posted
Thank you Chico you are a mine of info!
GG
CHICO_MARX gorillagirl
Posted
I really don't want to scare you but the word "brutal" has been used by many people on the Forum. I, personally, have has 30 general anesthesia surgeries (mostly minor like carpal tunnel) in 18 years including hip and knee replacements plus two spinal fusions and two decompressive laminectomies. I TOTALLY rehabbed the hip in 6 weeks (5 hours a day, 6 days a week). I thought I'd do the same with the knee. WRONG!!!!!
I hit the big brick wall like everyone does who is not prepared for this op. Unlike any other part of the body, a knee CANNOT be pushed to recovery, Try it and the knee bites you back with pain and swelling. A knee is a marathon, not a sprint...which is why we say it's a year-long recovery. Getting past the pain takes time as does the ROM work and the muscle rebuild. Time...it takes a long time.
You will hear a few people say that it was easy, they had some pain, back to work in six weeks... Those people are the absolute minority. I have literally read over 5,000 posts on the Forum and I can count the people who skated through this on less than one hand. You may be one of them...that would be great...but the odds are not in your favor.
So just BE PREPARED for the time, the pain, the work, the patience it will take to get through this. It is a test of mind, body and spirit...gotta keep all of them strong. You will get through it, no doubt of that...but you need to keep your strength up. Body: hydrate a lot, eat healthy, lots of protein, no junk food, your body needs energy to heal. Mind: Focus on your recovery but not the pain, do things to take your mind off the pain, concentrate on your exercises. Spirit: Have a place where you can go in your head to center yourself and find your balance and peace.
Again, pain management will be of primary concern right from the start so make sure you and your doc are on the same page. Then PT...then muscle rebuild. Everything will come in time.
*
"Never give up. Never surrender."* - Tim Allen, Galaxy Quest
daisymay2 gorillagirl
Posted
I bet you're excited gorillagirl!
I had my first TKR 30 months ago and got my letter to go for pre- op assessment next week for my other knee.
Like you I've started on my list for hospital and the stuff I need post-op at home.
I've lost a couple of things and have to buy again!
A bit like going on holiday!
Good luck!
gorillagirl daisymay2
Posted
Thank you Daisymay
What's on your list?
GG
ann18637 gorillagirl
Posted
Hi when you do get back to your bed afterwards remember you'll feel as if you have dead legs for a few hours until anaesthetic wears off it's normal so don't worry but it is an awful feeling. The first couple of days drink lots of water try and get your waterworks going rather difficult at first because of spinal anaesthetic but don't worry it takes time. The first month is horrendous but it does get better. I'm 7 months now after a total replacement and all is great. Walking at least 5k no pain at all cycling no pain so gorilla girl it's worth it. Listen to your body rest ice and meds good luck x
gorillagirl
Posted
Thank you Ann that's very encouraging!
GG
jenny80029 gorillagirl
Posted
make sure you have an electrical socket near your bed so you can charge your phone or tablet...lots of entertainment particularly comedy and other nice things you like to watch is very handy! Good wishes x
jenny80029 gorillagirl
Posted
its onwards and upwards..... not an easy journey but as long as you are patient and kind to yourself you will be ok! cannot remember if I said before but if you go to my profile there is info to help you locate my own knee story if want an extended insight into another person's experience. everyone's is different though so, so try to keep an open mind and be aware that people's experiences are unique to them, as yours will be!
jenny80029 gorillagirl
Posted
obeards and upwards!
jenny80029
Posted
onwards... i mean!
gorillagirl jenny80029
Posted
I get the gist yes I have bookmarked your journal haven't had time to read but will soon thanks. GG
Laura3333 gorillagirl
Posted
I don't know if Im just thinking differently, but its not brutal or horrendous, just do the physical therapy and youll be fine. There's pain, yes but its copeable with. Time helps enormously. I had both done. I'm glad I did. Good luck.x.
gorillagirl Laura3333
Posted
Thanks Laura I am a bit concerned about the lack of interest when I say my other knee is deteriorating as I think it will inhibit my recovery - did you have yours done at the same time? GG
kathleen_65043 Laura3333
Posted
you must be one of the lucky ones it is a very brutal operation and they do tell you this before they do it but they don’t exactly tell you the whole truth it is a pain that I would not wish on anybody ive had one knee done but it has not been successful and desperately in need of the other knee to be done but until the first one improve the second one is out of the question BUT we are all different people and heal in different ways I love hearing the success stories keep fighting stay strong take your pain medication and do the extra sizes
Laura3333 kathleen_65043
Posted
Nothing lucky about me, my love. I just get on with it, don't witter about things. I've had worse things happen.
Laura3333 gorillagirl
Posted
no, I had them done separately, I could do the physio ok, and having them both done together wasn't an option. I have stairs at home and needed to climb them every night, which is ok if you only have one done at a time, you're probably doing the one step at a time anyway, so no change really.
Get some good tv and books, it's all really a matter of letting the time pass, and lots of ice!
gorillagirl Laura3333
Posted
Thank you all for all the encouragement. I am trying to get everything in order before the day. And trying to stay away from sharp objects! GG