Pros and Cons of when to do the other knee
Posted , 13 users are following.
I've known all along that both knees were shot and needed replacement, but my doctor refused to them at the same time. Now I'm wondering when to do the other. First was May 17, and I'm still in discomfort and not sleeping well. My doctor says when I'm ready to schedule the other knee. What have you experienced? How long did you wait between? If you could do it over would you make different choices and why? Thanks in advance to all. This forum has gotten me this far.
1 like, 19 replies
Oldfatguy1 kathylake
Posted
I've seen everything from 3 months on out from people on this site. Apparently it's something you and your Dr have to have a comfort level with. Over the years I've met a lot of people in rehab that have had both done at different intervals and almost unanimously agreed each one has been a different experience. The body is a unique mechanism indeed.
karen14697 kathylake
Posted
I, too, need my left one done. I am 5 months post TKR. I waited too long for my first one but would like to hold off for another year or so. Leftnone is not that bad yet. Too many years of tennis I guess! I would be sure your "new" knee is near normal before taking on a second, if you can wait. Best of luck.
lyn32416 kathylake
Posted
If you can wait a bit longer I would advise you to. I had both done together and it was a mistake. Allow a few more months for the May 17 knee to heel, if possible. No one can tell you when you'll be ready. Both my knees were truly awful and I could not wait any longer, after 7 years of making excuses. Kneevember maybe? x
mommermom kathylake
Posted
8 years ago I found myself in the same situation. Both knees were so bad I honestly didn't know which one should be done first. The doctor suggested the right one was bit worse so we went ahead with it. This actually bought me about 6 years before I needed to think about having the other one done. Took so much pressure off of the other bad one that I managed to get along very well. It was then I waited too long to have the second one done. Part of that was my doctor retired and the new doctor didn't think it was bad enough. I wasted almost two more years before having the next one done. 9 weeks out on the second tkr and I'm hopeful that the years before me are going to allow me to be much more active. Good luck to you on your decision. I am sure every situation is unique.
dqlynn kathylake
Posted
Same thing with me Kathy! First knee done April 6.. Operated knee doing wonderful but limping badly because my left knee. Can not wait for next one.. supposed to be getting scheduled this week, but surgeon is 2 to 3 months out.. everybody keeps warning me this might not be as easy as my first knee, but I can't walk without a cane right now due to the left knee... so looking forward to getting it all behind me..good luck with yours
CHICO_MARX kathylake
Posted
I did my first in March of 2016. Forty-five years of hockey will guarantee bilateral TKRs. I encountered spinal stenosis 8 months post-op and got that fixed this March. I am 100% recovered from the first TKR but still haven't regained all my leg and core strength yet because of the spinal fusion so I don't feel like I'm ready for #2 just yet. Two reasons:
1. I'd like to be back to full strength OR BETTER to take on #2. It's such a brutal assault on mind and body that we're almost insane to voluntarily do it again. For the next one, I want to be a lot stronger and better prepared.
2. I'd like the memory of that original "first month" to recede a bit more. Right now, it's still pretty fresh and I'd like some distance from it before I do #2.
Then again, we have bilateral HEROES on this site...those people completely ROCK!!!! I could never have done both at once and literally not have "a leg to stand on". I'm in awe of those folks.
Also... We've had a lot of people on here who have done them apart from each other by months and even years. A lot of them report a very different experience between #1 and #2...some better, some worse. So many different individual stories...you cannot assume anything with #2.
liz00723 CHICO_MARX
Posted
liz
CHICO_MARX liz00723
Posted
I'm 16-months post-op. I can kneel down on it with no real knee pain (IT'S METAL!) but there is some nerve "tingling" so I do it gingerly. If I have to do work on my knees: inside - put an old pillow or a piece of 3" foam down; outside - a set of HD plastic knee pads. Easy fix.
lyn32416 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Yes you're so right Chico. We can kneel but carefully.. I knelt on concrete recently to exit a pool without ladder or steps. In Bali. Almost fainted from the "weirdness" but proved to myself that if I had to do it, I could.
yasmin66402 CHICO_MARX
Posted
ChiCo! Lucky you ! My knee is plastic and alloy of metals hence the protracted recovery along wit the many trials of living and coping alone !one overdoes things where being cared for , one would not strain oneself !so..I'm. Still on two crutches, oxycodone for pain and knee blows up still..physio said I MUST DESENSITISE MY KNEE..he says more massage , more dancing sitting atop a gym ball.I've only got 90-100 ROM. demoralised. .I'm disabled! Until I can put myself first..I also don't think my body likes the plastic ..I wish I could have had titanium. .in the UK they don't give u these if you're younger in age ..built to last. .this is called a 'journey ' by Smith and nephew !
CHICO_MARX lyn32416
Posted
CHICO_MARX yasmin66402
Posted
Cobalt-chromium is the best metal choice for the knee. Harder and more durable than titanium, which is what I have in my hip. The knee takes waaaay more stress, hence the tougher alloy.
Demoralized? Read...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-and-ptsd-569521
I know it doesn't feel like it, but you're only getting stronger... I'm 16-months post-op...you'll see...
yasmin66402 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Of course you is RIGHT , Chico ..I've readt it before so it was good reacquainting myself with the principles of healing from this damned op. I always knew I'd get stuck in recovery ..I asked not to be discharged so early, sending me into a precarious flat ..way of living ..spent 7 weeks at elderly witj heart problems mum to get fit again ..but did all stuff for her.
Now I'm rusty and tearful . Yes the cobalt chromium is the stronger knee..is what I've got .metal heals faster tho..all your support and advice much appreciated. Thank you !!
Oldfatguy1 liz00723
Posted
I've discussed this with my surgeon on several occasions and his opinions run along th lines of individuals nd their make up. Weight, age, soft tissue elasticity, age and the actual procedure its self. One person can put more torque on the knee than would the next person thus creating a completely different pain level. Age, hydration and overall physical condition also play into the situation. A rare tumor ate up my knee to start my problem. I bled profusely and had to have sacral surgeries to drink the. blood. In less than 3 months I had over 1000c.c. of blood removed. I also had 3. Surgries and then 30 rounds of radiation then 7 months later, a synovectomy that required 90 surgery I th a scope. So much damage was done I could barely have the material in my pants touch my leg. After 8 more surgeries, even with a number years to heal, I can't stand more than the slightest pressure on my knee. Drs have always told me to use my own judgement as far as kneeling but I'd rather touch a rattlesnake than touch my knee against anything with any pressure.
liz00723 CHICO_MARX
Posted
I can kneel if I have to but it is such a weird sensation that I don't do it very often. I had to do a first aid course and of course had to do resuscitation. Had to kneel and I could do the resuscitation but it just feels weird. It is metal same as yours. Took me a long time to be totally healed, as I would say, about 15 months approx.
liz00723 Oldfatguy1
Posted
I wouldn't be kneeling either if I was you but you have done remarkably well considering what you have gone through. Plus I do thank you from the bottom of my heart as you got me through my weepy times. 😊👍
Oldfatguy1 liz00723
Posted