Is anyone happy with TKR?
Posted , 16 users are following.
Hi everyone.....I'm 64, I've had a total hip replacement 12 months ago and I'm now awaiting a total knee replacement, (on same side), but having read the forums on here, it appears to be all doom and gloom! Has ANYONE got a good thing to say about their experience of TKR?
0 likes, 40 replies
Clarkey1962 linda68082
Posted
The best advice I received was managing my pain meds. I was in paracetamol ibuprofen and codeine and my plan was to take each one at 2 hourly intervals - for example - paracetamol followed 2 hours later by ibuprofen and then 2 hours later codeine. I followed that plan reliously along with elevation and icing and had no problems with pain which in turn helped when exercising.
You will need to be determined and there will be days when you probably will question why you had it done but in the long run its worth it in the end!!!
Good luck and hopefully you'll sail through the op and the recovery!
It is worth it. 😉
RethaT linda68082
Posted
Remember, most people use these forums to get help for their issues. The people who don't have problems or questions, wouldn't be looking for forums in the first place. I'm sure there are alot of them out there but this is a great place to come if you just want to vent or you need some support that you don't get from your doctor's office or family (sometimes!). There is a slow process of healing that goes along with TKR but I think most people have a good ending result. I am almost 8 months from my first knee, which is fantastic, and 4 months from my second knee, and that one is so much better than before I had surgery but still needs a little more time before its as good as the first one. You will get there, but it takes time, and there will be times when little questions come up that you hate to call your doctor about. This is a great forum and lots of people who have been through it, have some great advice! Good luck with your surgery and keep a positive attitude!!!!
stephen17314 linda68082
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sueisobel linda68082
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??
Doom and gloom is a bit harsh!
suzanne99982 sueisobel
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sueisobel suzanne99982
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We are all here
hilary76715 linda68082
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I am sorry if some of us sound negative but we are just being honest with our experience from a patient perspective.
I think if I had known a lot more before the op I would have been mentally prepared but the pain n very slow recovery was a huge shock.patients need more info beforehand n more support after!
Clarkey1962 hilary76715
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I've loved this site because not only does it offer support when things are happening that you don't know if they should of not but you can also have a laugh with like minded people going through the same situations as yourself!!
suzanne99982 hilary76715
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suzanne99982 linda68082
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pauline41553 linda68082
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sue37592 linda68082
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From i came round the pain was totally different, sore but a different sore. Yes it has been hard from day 1 to today but so worth it. Noone really prepares you for what will happen, you don't hear about the swelling, the scar really hurting and becoming inflammed, needing to ice it, elevate it, lack of sleep but thats what everyone on here has helped me with and helped me get this far. I was so glad I found this site as so many people here are brilliant.
One thing I was told by my physio and anesthetist was to keep on top of pain relief, dont get sore, in hospital ask for pain relief and at home take it regularly.
I still have bad days but am having good days too now, pottering round and tidying which I have not wanted to do for so long. I hope it goes well for you. My other knee is starting to go same way so I know eventually I will need it done too but am now aware what is infront of me.
Let us know how you get on. Have you got a date yet?
S xx
cheryl90571 linda68082
Posted
I, too, am 64. My left knee was replaced last June, and my right knee was replaced last October. Both were total knee replacements.
Prior to surgery my x-rays showed BONE-ON-BONE with no cartilage left. I was in a lot of pain. I had reached the point of wondering if AMPUTATION might be the best recourse for me! ( I have seen amputees with those amazing Cheetah Leg prostheses running MARATHONS.)
I expected more run-arounds from my insurance company, but was pleasantly surprised when my doctor said I FINALLY was a candidate for Total Knee Replacements! I booked my first one before I left the office that day!
My surgery went well with no complications. The nerve block took care of the PAIN at the incision site, and the pain shots of Toradol took care of the rest while I was in the hospital. I was up by the evening to stand briefly. Was dizzy and faint but DID IT. Was calling the nurse for the bedpan every twenty minutes or so because I was drinking water to flush out toxins s from the medications and from the anesthesia.
I had LOTS of swelling with my first leg but minimal with my second. Each KNEE is different with different healing patterns, I guess.
My physical therapy began the next morning. Standing, walking a few feet with the walker, sitting in the chair, etc. were the first "exercises". My right leg experience was MUCH EASIER all the way around for some reason. I was surprised at this because my right leg had ALWAYS been my most painful of the two.
Maybe I am the odd one out here, but I can honestly say that my pain BEFORE surgery was LOTS WORSE than my pain AFTER surgery. Yes, there was discomfort, but actual pain FOR ME was much less than I had been enduring for the first five years prior to surgery.
As for visiting this site, I have found it EXTREMELY helpful to hear everyone's stories about their experiences. Although some have had HORRENDOUS complications and I have felt SO BAD for them, I have also found the whole gamut of experiences, too, which has been very interesting.
I have appreciated the time that everyone has taken to explain how things went for them. I have also enjoyed telling MY STORY in holes that it may help others.
I am VERY pleased that I had my knees replaced! I have some pain from time-to-time, but it is NOTHING compared to what I endured for the five years prior to surgery! I can shop for hours without pain. I worked in my yard for six hours a couple days ago getting my grass cut and trimmed and preparing soil for planting my garden. I stood talking to my neighbor for an hour. Prior to surgery I would have had to cut short each of these activities due to pain. No more!
This is my take on things.
I hope it gives yet another perspective to help you.
Wishing you much success as you move forward in your journey!
sue37592 cheryl90571
Posted
Post op I was not up thankfully till next morning (24 hrs post op) and walked 6 steps with walker...slept 2 hours after ha ha. I luckly had a catheder in so did not need bed pan, just as well as nurse said she had never sen someone drink so much water.
A hard road but a very wothwhile one, not with out its bumps but they are getting there. I too know I will need my other one done but thankfully at the moment is holding its own. Consultant says he will check it at my one year check for other knee.
Take care xx
cheryl90571 sue37592
Posted
Yes, there are good days and some not-so-good days with this procedure, but I am SO THANKFUL I did have my surgeries!
We have our first grandchild now, and I can stand and hold her CONFIDENTLY. I would not have been able to do that before my surgeries. I was just in too much pain BEFORE and VERY UNSTABLE, too.
Also, our youngest son is getting married in September. I feel confident that I will be able to stand in the receiving line, walk around outside, and DANCE without worrying about PAIN.
I listened to my body. I listened to my PT. I got off narcotics after just two weeks because they made me LOOPY. I prayed A LOT. I tried to stay positive and calm.
It was ALL very worth it to me!
Wishing you continued success in your recovery! Stay positive, and look for small improvements that add up to BIG joys!
sue37592 cheryl90571
Posted
I too listened to my body and got off the narcotics in about 3 weeks. I take it quit easy and just do my physio, go for a 20-5 min walk and do 25 mins on static bike. My house is like a tip, I have started doing bits and pieces but find get tired very easily, although husband has been good he has eased off now and the children (21,23,25) all at home feel Mum is at home all day it is up to mum, very frustrating.
I am trying to stay positive, calm and the house can wait. If they want someting done they can do it, I have prayed a lot too, think i went under praying, I was so scared and I am really thankful for this chance to get back to some sort of normality.
Thank you for your lovely words, I am going to stay positive, this means so much to me, I'm only 50, and i am going to take my time epecially going back to work.
Enjoy that wee bundle of joy xx
cheryl90571 sue37592
Posted
I got tired sooner than usual but found that strength increased overall the more I just got up and MOVED.
Yes, take your time if possible planning your return to work. At work you probably can't nap when you should!😁
Keep in touch, OK?
sue37592 cheryl90571
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I will keep in touch thank you xx
cheryl90571 sue37592
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Yes, could certainly be fun...especially if the principal came to visit...😯
sue37592 cheryl90571
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Made my night, thank you xx
cheryl90571 sue37592
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💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤
It could work!🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻
sue37592 cheryl90571
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Thank you Cheryl you cheered me up as I have been feeling a bit sorry for myself the past couple days. xx
cheryl90571 sue37592
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I think that emotions just ebb and flow, and healing is always taking place over quite a long time with this surgery which means we are ebbing and flowing for quite a few months!🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
When I get a bit pensive I get a nice glass of ice water or iced tea to hydrate. I go walk outside and appreciate how much better my legs feel THIS YEAR compared to LAST YEAR at this time before both of my surgeries.
I read over my journal entries to prove to myself how far I have come in my journey. Most of all I thank God for giving me the courage and strength to undertake such a life-changing challenge such as Total Knee Replacement surgery!
Keep visiting this site. There will always be some new insight here that will lift your spirits. It is a great group of people from all over the world who REALLY "get it" and know first hand about the experience.
Best of all there are individuals here who are at all different stages of the process! It's like having a big reunion of people to gain ideas from who have travelled the same path or soon will travel that path. Those at the far end can offer help to all coming his/her way. New ones on the path offer opportunities to those who have passed that point of offering suggestions and supporting the new ones.
Glad to be of help! Know that YOU are helping someone out there just by expressing your concerns! It always helps to know that others are going through similar things and having emotions that pop up from time to time!
Have a happy day!🙌😊🙋😄🙌
suzanne99982 cheryl90571
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Clarkey1962 suzanne99982
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1. When you feel like something isn't right and you can ask questions without feeling stupid;
2. Just to vent your frustrations when things don't seem to be going your way; and lastly
3. You can have a laugh when sometimes all you want to do is cry!!!
😭😂 in the blink of an eye!!! X
cheryl90571 suzanne99982
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I think I will be practicing the bending and straightening for a long time to come! I put my legs up on the ottoman when I read or watch TV. As I'm straightening, I flex my quad muscles. This helps me walk better, too, by retraining my legs to stop the bending I did for all those painful pre-surgery years.
Have a great day, and come often to let us know how things are going for you.
This is a nice big KNEE FAMILY!
🙌😊🙋😁🙌☺😊🙌🙋😁😃😉🙋🙌😊
cheryl90571 Clarkey1962
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So happy to have everyone!
💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
sue37592 cheryl90571
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Clarkey what you said is all so true, I have been so down some days (lots) and people have cheered me up even after having a rant. Also any niggles we think are silly maybe are not and others help us with them.
Thanks everyone xx
Clarkey1962 cheryl90571
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Clarkey1962 sue37592
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Who needs professionals!!!! 😂😂😂
sue37592 Clarkey1962
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Clarkey1962 sue37592
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