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

Left knee gave way today

Posted , 7 users are following.

arlene94040
arlene94040

I am 20 weeks post op from rtkr. I have been having a rough time with pain and meds and just in general. I swore I would never go through this again. Well today my left knee gave way. I knew it was bone on bone but tried to ignore it. I am using a walker once again and the pain is now over shadowing the operated leg. I have an appointment with surgeon in February for recheck of tkr, I guess I will wait to do something till then. I am so upset. Can my body take another horrible surgery? It will only have been six months. I’m praying the left leg starts feeling better, maybe I’ve just been doing too much. Please reply, I need all of your wisdom.

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

Next
  • lyn32416
    lyn32416 arlene94040

    Posted

    Glucosamine, chondroitin and msm kept me mobile for 7 years. Worth a try? I had both my knees replaced in March 2016. You'll cope. Or stay crippled. Your choice. xx

  • safiya86335
    safiya86335 arlene94040

    Posted

    I had both knees done, seven months apart. I understand how depressed one can be from the pain, discomfort and pure agony. But interestingly, even while I was struggling with the first knee, I never doubted nor had second thought about doing the second knee. 

    The logic is simple; this pain will eventually be done, but without the surgery the pain will be forever 

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 arlene94040

    Posted

    I feel sorry for you...I can imagine the feelings a bit. However try and believe things might change ...they might. My unoperated knee got a lot worse for a while, but now at 9 months it is better. Not completely better, but less painful most of the time and stronger.

    Maybe you could get referred to physiotherapy for some input? Work on the soft tissues can reap a lot of improvement, and may at least mean you don't need to contemplate another TKR until you feel ready?

    • arlene94040
      arlene94040 jenny80029

      Posted

      Thank you Jenny for the encouragement. I am praying left knee gets better. I certainly would not do anything until after the new year.  I know how debilitating this can be because befor having rtkr I tried everything possible to keep from doing it and after none of it worked I couldn’t walk for more than a few minutes at a time. That’s when I scheduled tkr. I have to admit it’s been very hard handling this, I am 70 and by no means a wimp but the sleeplessness and pain got to me many nights. I don’t what I would have done without this forum. People have helped me through many a LONG night. Good luck to you, happy healthy holidays 😘

  • Supertractorman
    Supertractorman arlene94040

    Posted

    I have been waiting 40 weeks to have my right Knee done, but now my left knee has gone the same way I expect due to compensation. Waiting still for appointment to find out if both may need to be done together or 6 months after first op. Arlene, hope things improve soon.  Interested in your other replies and if anyone has had 2 knees done at once.

    David

    • lyn32416
      lyn32416 Supertractorman

      Posted

      Don't have both fine at same time unless you are ok with major possible side effects. Balance, gait change, 12-18 months recovery time. My sister had one then the second years apart and had a far better result than me. It's been 21 months and I still have balance issues. I'm seeing a physio for knee cap movement. I'm glad I got them both over and done with because they were both bad but be prepared for major upheaval. I look back now and think I should have allowed 6 months between. xx

    • lyn32416
      lyn32416

      Posted

      Both done, done.... not fine.
    • Supertractorman
      Supertractorman lyn32416

      Posted

      Lyn, Thanks for that info just what I wanted, so will opt for 6 months in between which would be Summer and ideal for recovery. Not looking forward to it but better than pain and hobbling with sticks. Now to be done at an NHS Specialist hospital.

      David

    • lyn32416
      lyn32416 Supertractorman

      Posted

      David, my specialist (NHS Sydney) did not want to do bilaterals. I insisted. I felt that I would not return for the second replacement. Knowing what I know now, well it's possible that a person who underwent a TKR might not want to go through it again. The recovery time, for me was months out of my life. Months I can never get back. But quality of life now and far less pain, is the reward. Good luck!

    • Supertractorman
      Supertractorman lyn32416

      Posted

      Lyn, It seems as though one can even put you off another. How long was your stay in hospital ? Were you immobile at the start or do you get up and move straight away. You say it will take longer into months, what was estimates given ?. Had thought with left leg being done I may be able to drive early as have an automatic car, guess with both done it would be quite a while before you could do an emergency stop. Ops don't bother me as have had quite a few and waiting for Prostate removal just now as have catheter in which is by-passing, so am sore just now as I have a urine infection with it.

      David

    • arlene94040
      arlene94040 Supertractorman

      Posted

      My doctor had advised against same time surgery. Said that recovery would be too hard. I am 70, that may have had something to do with it. Good luck in whatever you do
    • lyn32416
      lyn32416 Supertractorman

      Posted

      Hi David. Stay in hospital 6 days. They got me up afternoon of surgery day. Mine was 10:00am. By 4:00pm I was vomiting due to anaesthesia. They made me use a big walker. Next day same. Had catheter for 48 hrs. Surgery and first two weeks brutal. But finally they got drugs right and I started to heal. Physio consistent. You need to work hard. You need to have courage and be tenacious. I felt like I wanted to die in first month. Then started to develop a mindset of getting on with it. I drove about 6 weeks post op. No recovery months estimate given. Very little info supplied.

      I have never had major surgery so it came as a shock!! But I could not walk before. Now I travel 8 months of the year. Up and down 40 stairs with a 7kg backpack. Albeit slowly. I am 65.

      Never give up! Chico and others gave me good advice. Do what you have to do to return to a good, mobile life. x

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.