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TKR How To Decide When

Posted , 19 users are following.

Altrky17
Altrky17

I am 54 years old and have bone-on-bone in my right knee.  My orthopedic surgeon has had me try physical therapy, a cortisone injection and then a gel injection.  None of these have really given my any relief.  My knee is swollen and stiff.  I walk with a limp and my leg is just starting to bow.  I am hesitant and anxious to get my knee better for the same reasons.  Am I too young?  Am I in enough pain?  I have three young children ages 3,8, and 10.  I am unable to play and do things with them that I want to do.

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • scott289
    scott289 Altrky17

    Posted

    I am 49 years old and both my knees were shot I tried everything but could barely walk. I also have two children ages 10 and 13 my only real option was a bilateral knee replacement I had both knees done on June 5th of this year. I am a chef and also need to be on my feet all day. I highly recommend getting your knees fixed. I'm 14 and a half weeks from surgery and they are really starting to feel great. all that nagging achy pain is gone. I begged my surgeon to do both he was not really wanting to do them at the same time but I begged. I'm glad I did you have to push to get your strength back and the best part about doing both is you cant favor one you need to make tghem both work equally. Its not easy but I can say in 3 months you should really start feeling a big difference. I know they say everyone is different so it may take longer but well worth it.

     

  • arizonaone
    arizonaone Altrky17

    Posted

    It comes down to a quality of life issue. After I fell I had 2 athrocopies with a synovectomy and meniscus repair. My knee began to degenerate. Constant pain and swelling. Figured I would do it now while I am relatively "young" at 60.

    I got to the point where I was doing nothing. 4 months out from tkr still alot of pain and swelling. So it's going to be a long time before I can decide whether it really was worth it.

    • arizonaone
      arizonaone

      Posted

      Wanted to add that I too has cortisone injections which did nothing. I was also bone on bone. I went to 2 doctors who both told me a tkr was warranted
    • davidjk22
      davidjk22 arizonaone

      Posted

      It is worth it , I had mine done when I was 55 and 56½  am now almost 76 , and I have had no problems since recovery . It may take time to fully recover but it really is worth the effort to do your physio and exercise as much as you can . Ice helps and moisturise the scar area , take your pain medication to control the pain especially before physio or exercise . You have many pain free years to look forward to . 

  • debbie08326
    debbie08326 Altrky17

    Posted

    Hi ! May of 2016 had a PARTIAL knee . Was in same place as you . My knee has gotten very bowed in. Couldn't do many things anymore , mostly wanted to be able to enjoy my new grandchildren . I was 58 when I had surgery . My doctor told me to wait as long as possible which I believe I should have had it done years early . I to had all the gel shots etc. just putting band aid on it really . Anyway best thing I did . With the partial I was laid up for a several weeks with pain swelling etc .Went back to work at 4 weeks . Everyone's recovery is different and certainly from what I've read on here those that had total knee replacements are longer recovery or maybe I just was lucky . At any rate from listening to your story it seems your quality of life is suffering . If you can get some help with your children that would certainly help your decision . You've got lot of responses on here . I haven't read them but I'm guessing they all are saying have the surgery and get your life back . 

    All the best .

    Debbie

  • Midge65
    Midge65 Altrky17

    Posted

    Hi, I had TKR on my left knee last May. My doctor kept telling me I was too young for op even though I could only barely walk. I am just turned 52 and when I went to my surgeon he said I should have had it done three or four years earlier as I could no longer straighten the knee. I would advise you to go now rather than waiting because it is not going to improve. I have to get my second knee done which I hope will be around Christmas. Midge
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