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Looking for accurate & positive info on TKR (mine is in 7 wks)

Posted , 9 users are following.

Kebra
Kebra

I've looked through the thread titles, and I am so sorry to see so many with problems.

I found the THR thread so helpful in getting me ready (equipment, tricks for making life easier, realistic expectations, etc.) for hip surgery (2 new hips now).

I would prefer not to read the war stories (just yet) as I do not want to be anxious with what might go wrong.

I appreciate any advice. I just started my pre-op exercises to strengthen leg muscles - many are the same as the post-op hip exercises.

1 like, 20 replies

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  • robert61422
    robert61422 Kebra

    Posted

    Hi, I know what you mean. Most of the people in this forum are here because they had a problem.

    If you don't have a problem, you aren't going to usually go surfing the web for forums, you are on to other things in your life.

    I can tell you that my wife did have lots of problems with a partial getting infected and multiple surgeries - that's why I found this site. BUT since her TKR a few weeks ago, she was up and walking hours after the surgery (carefully of course) and had almost full mobility immediately.

    So far, small amount of seepage but other-than-that, she is pain free, walking carefully and has been since about 2 days after surgery.

    Remember, elevation and ice are the magic words and get a good, no-GREAT, surgeon and I wish you the best!

    • Kebra
      Kebra robert61422

      Posted

      Thanks Robert,

      I'm almost afraid to ask but what is "seepage"?

      I look for info before surgery because the Doctors are short on info and I prefer to hear from actual patients.

      k

    • robert61422
      robert61422 Kebra

      Posted

      The wound hasn't closed completely; there is a small area where some clear fluid is seeping out. Getting better each week. The important thing is that there is no swelling like in previous operations.

  • davidjk22
    davidjk22 Kebra

    Posted

    It's not all doom and gloom after a TKR. Many people come here for advise because they have, or think they have a problem. Don't judge your recovery with that of others. Most of the ones who have had no problem don't come and tell about it. All recoveries are different, some better and some worse than others. Important to keep up your physio and exercise, but don't over do it, pain medication is very important so is ice and elevation. You should have many pain free years to look forward to. It's 20 and 18½ years since my TKRs and I have had no problems with them. Good luck, you will get there in the end.

    • Kebra
      Kebra davidjk22

      Posted

      Thanks David,

      Nice to know my days or evenings of dancing are not in my past just not my very near future LOL

  • mandy95401
    mandy95401 Kebra

    Posted

    hi- try not to read the horror stories! The exercises are painful and it feels like it will never end, but push yourself, power through it, and it pays off. I had a TKR over two years ago and its great now! Got my life back . i get some discomfort from scar tissue sometimes but give it a good massage and do some exercises and its ok again. it was a hard slog but im out the other side and really happy . KEEP GOING- its worth it!

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX Kebra

    Posted

    Click on my name, Discussions, See All. About 30 topics.

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      PS: Read the one on PTSD...

    • Kebra
      Kebra CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thanks so much Chico_M I'm working my way through your threads. There is some valuable information - even if I don't want to hear it.

      I feel I am better prepared for the long-haul and understand I'll need to keep an eye on my emotions. Thankfully my sister lives close by and will come and take me for a ride when I feel too couped up - this is the hardest thing for (or has been the hardest so far with the THRs LOL).

      I'm off to read

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX Kebra

      Posted

      I know it's tough to read some of it but the better informed you are, the better off you'll be. I learned about post-op depression when I had my hip done so when I got those same feelings at knee time, I was already prepared. However, I got suckered into expecting a fast recovery because I always did that with previous ops. For me, the knee was harder than anything I'd ever encountered. Once I accepted that and got to work...focused and gave up the expectations...things got way better. I'll be 3 years in March and I don't regret a thing. The work and patience paid off big time for me. Hoping the same for you...

  • jeannie65935
    jeannie65935 Kebra

    Posted

    Hi Kebra, I had my TKR done 13 weeks ago, I saw my specialist on Wednesday last and he was very happy with it. He looked at my x-ray and said look at that it's great all lined up very nice. I asked how much longer before I stop complaining about it, he said 2 more months then you should be happy.

    It's been tough going but I have 125 bend and good straighting. Lots of physio and walking ice is the way to go. I am still on medication but slowly coming of. Evenings are the worst so get done what you need to in the mornings . I find myself very cranky at the end of the day , managing your time is good. Do 30 minutes of stuff then rest , it's a hard road my days are still tuff and nights aren't much fun. But slowly it is getting better.

  • Kebra
    Kebra

    Posted

    Thanks Jeannie

  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 Kebra

    Posted

    Hello. Mine is a success story so I'm guessing that's what you want to hear at the moment.

    I had TKR 7 years ago. It was a long recovery but I am now fine.

    I chose to be awake for the operation and just had epidural.

    You are doing well to be doing pre op exercises.

    Before my TKR my knee was so painful it was all I could do to walk around the flat never mind anything else.

    Regarding equipment you will need a raised toilet seat and some raisers on one of your chairs in the front room.

    Also a trolley for carrying things.

    Not sure if there is a similar scheme in your area but here in Wales there is a scheme where someone does shopping for you for six weeks after you come home. I think it may be run by the Red Cross.

    Good luck with this all.

    Take care and keep in touch

    Sarah

  • denise27159
    denise27159 Kebra

    Posted

    I am now 6 months past 1st TKR and although it occasionally aches if I have overdone things most of the time it doesn't hurt at all. Its great to be able to walk more than a couple of hundred yards without the knee screaming in agony. I hope I have same result after my 2nd one on Tuesday

    • Kebra
      Kebra denise27159

      Posted

      Denise,

      I cannot wait to hear how successful #2 is going for you. Thanks for sharing.

      K

    • denise27159
      denise27159 Kebra

      Posted

      Hi Kebra

      I am now home after my 2nd op. I was in 3 nights instead of the 2 like the first one as the nerve block didn't go away as quick. Now I am home and I am about to start the ice and exercise regime. Both nights home so far I have been able to get some sleep which makes it easier to face the day. I spent yesterday alternating between the occasional walk on my sticks to the bathroom or kitchen (I live in a bungalow), or sitting on my sofa sometimes with foot rest up and sometimes down. So far the hardest thing is to get the leg to lie with the back of the knee down. I automatically want to turn the knee outwards as it is less uncomfortable. Still time and the physios will cure that. I am still very wobbly when I first get up to walk but it improves after I have walked a few steps. Onwards and upwards! Be prepared for it to be painful, but time, patience, exercise and ice helps and before you know it, you will be walking around for much longer distances than pre-op with only mild discomfort. Hope this helps

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