one op or two?

Are you in UK? I have had my left Tkr done on 14/12/2015 and I need my right one done and I said could both be done at once and my surgeon was most adamant that it was too risky and would not do it. I am glad he didn't I am now 12 weeks post surgery and am still recovering and I don't know how I would have managed with both done. Hope this helps, best of luck Jannette

I'm in the UK and going down the nhs route although I had to pay for my initial consultation as my gp wouldn't refer me due to being too young (56). I am going on holiday in may for a week and am already worrying how I'll manage (we're going to Croatia..lots of steps and cobbled streets) we went to split last year but I was on quite high doses of steroids and was able to do steps and walk without pain. It's a distant memory now, I had to go upstairs to the bathroom at daughters house yesterday, it was agony and I had to do it on all fours, painful and embarrassing!

I'm assuming I won't have my surgery until after my holiday. We would normally plan another few city breaks but assume that this year will probably have to be pretty much written off. How long would you expect to be recovering from the first tkr? From what you said would I be better waiting 3 months before the second? Like everyone else I'm just desperate to be rid of this unremitting pain and want to be able to do what other people do. My grandsons have three grandma's (one a step) and I'm the only one who walks with a stick!! I want to be able to take them to the park and not need to sit down. Sorry for the moaning and misery!

Although I was classed as an emergency as I ended up only being able to walk on crutches, I was put on a cancellation list but they sent me a date for three months later, in case a cancellation didn't happen and I ended up going right to the date they sent me which was 14/12/15. This was with nhs. The recovery is very slow, even if you do everything you are told, and I've been told it's a full year before you feel completely over surgery. I have to see surgeon in 6 weeks to discuss my other one, but he wants me to be over the worst of this one first so I will have one good leg. I'm not looking forward to it but want to get my life back and like you play with grandchildren and be able to go on holidays again. Best of luck Jannette

Oh I am 62 years old and have had two keyhole surgery s done on my right leg which wasn't successful. Then while I was waiting for tkr surgery my other leg gave way, so they had to do that first. So far I have been struggling with my knees for 5 years, and just need next one done,and hopefully this time next year I will be pain free and well. Wishing you all the best Jannette

hi deborah  it all seems very confusing for you now .  my husband had knee pain in one leg but the hip on the other side was also in trouble .surgeons here prefer to do the hip first and then do the knee because if the hip is gone it causes problems with the recovery if the knee is done first  like you his left hip and his right knee was the worst he got the hp done but so far has not got the knee done he is reluctant to go back due to my trouble with tkr .

getting your knee done seperately is best in my opinion ,i say this as one who got both together and one went badly wrong .it literly left me without a leg to stand on .its only if something goes wrong that the bi lateral (both together) is not a good idea ,the problem with that is we dont know the future .i was only 55yrs when i had my bi lateral ,and it never occured to me that it might not go wrong .so keep that in mind .   my personal advise would be dont do any op unless you are in so much pain that your life is curtailed ,and that you have done all the alternatives . when you reach the point of having to go down the road of surgery then make sure you have the very best surgeon get a second opinion if needed .i wish i did .!!! . i wish you the very best and hope you get sorted with the best of consultants

Once you have the mri scan, the surgeon will get a better picture. I know it's worrying to have to go through the surgery, but now you are at this stage it will be the next step to getting better. I worried about the surgery and stay in hospital but time goes quickly. As long as you don't try to rush recovery, keep on top of medications, rest, ice and raise your leg above heart regularly, plus do lots of stretching exercises, you will be on the road to recovery. Just try to think in a year's time your life will be back again and no more pain. Best wishes Jannette

P.s. This forum is really helpful, so many people who know what you are going through and there is always someone who will be going through the same and can support you. I found it so helpful on bad days and at night when I couldn't sleep.

I agree about this forum, I also go on the polymyalgia forum as I have that too. It's nice to know that you're not on your own and can ask the most ridiculous questions when you're worrying about something. I unfortunately spend far too much time awake during the night, I can't remember the last good nights sleep I enjoyed!