Posted , 15 users are following.
I am 10 months post op and I am amazed that I was not informed fully about this operation. I am sorry but I think i would prefer not to have it done then go through all this.
I think people are much better opting for stem cell, not this type of surgery over the age of 60. It's a way of killing us off I think, saving on the old pension eh,
3 likes, 40 replies
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diana70696 mary12001
Posted
Mary hi I know what you mean
It will be 2 years in April that I had tkr right and in June on the left
I still do not have full bend but that's from my lack of exercise
But I am still glad I did it cause I can do normal every day things without sitting down every three minutes
Is it hard? Yes it is
I am located in the States My experience with this sounds better than most of the ppl on this forum
All I can say is hang in there and try your best
roma5763 diana70696
Posted
shari_48634 mary12001
Posted
Hi Mary, Im 5 months and if I could go back in time I too would never had this surgery. I was just told oh you will be back to work with in 10 weeks. Right. I had nothing but problems from day one. I'm heading to the university of Michigan this coming Thursday to see if I can find out what's going on with my knee. I've been to PT about 50 times. Has to stop in January until I see this knee specialist. I have not rode my horse in 5 months, still use a cane cause my knee gives out.
mary12001 shari_48634
Posted
Mkhp mary12001
Posted
clive45466 mary12001
Posted
We all heal differently.
I am 61 off work 12 weeks travelled with my ice bucket and knee cuff for the first month. My Knee bend is slowly getting there , straight is fine, although I am not pushing it as that gives me more discomfort. I am on my feet most of a working day my knee swells a little but recovers over night.
I know I am lucky compared to some.
They do not tell you about all the pain as they could not make so much money.
Good healing
Mkhp clive45466
Posted
yup! 😂😂 🏦
roma5763 mary12001
Posted
Mary,
I'm sorry you and the others responding are having such bad results. I had bilateral replacements March 24 2016 and feel I am doing quite well. I have 0 degree straight on both and 125 plus on both knees. Doing both at same time is rare here... Southern Wisconsin...But I was well informed and had the greatest physical therapists afterwards. Yes there is a down side .. my prosthetics are a smidge too large. Was told my bones are extra small...And out of 20 sizes, they were the smallest. Now and then I can feel the overhead rub but usually I don't. I have trouble with stairs and curbs but I think it's my fault for being lax on my excercises and my quads need strengthening.
I am glad I did both at same time as I might have backed out on second. Overall... Happy
Am surprised at the cold I feel but get used to it..
dee53186 roma5763
Posted
I am also from SE Wisconsin and also have had an overall positive exprience with my TKR, which was done in August. My surgeon was amazing, the hospital couldn't have taken better care of me, and my PT was great. I have put a lot of hard work in and would never want to go back to the pain I had before the surgery. I also had to take the joint class prior to surgery which was mandatory/ Wondering who did your surgery, as it would be quite the coincidence if we had the same doctor. I have a ways to go to continue to heal and get stronger, but I am back to work on my feet for 12 hour shifts now as a nurse and am happy with where I am right now. Wishing others were having better outcomes.
roma5763 dee53186
Posted
Milla2017 mary12001
Posted
3 1/2 weeks post TKR. Granted, my surgeon is one of the best and the hospital was exceptional, so is the home therapist, blood clinic that comes 2 a week. I was under the impression that my recovery time would be "4-6 weeks". What a joke. I went to a 4 hour long joint class at the hospital and and they were very thorough with some things. Almost nothing about what it is like when you get home. Not a word about the swelling, the stiffness. Too tired to write it all right now (up more than half the night with my nerve pain burning). With this operation it does not suffice to say it is a "very painful" surgery. I am slowly getting better but I have been in absolute agony. It is exhausting. The most helpful advice about aftercare I found on this forum.
clive45466 Milla2017
Posted
Buy the Aircast ice bucket and knee wrap you fill the knee wrap via gravity so can change the warm water for ice cold easy without getting out of bed. You at least get some short periods of sleep. As a warm knee wrap soon becomes an oven, when your knee is burning.
Good healing
roma5763 clive45466
Posted
roma5763 Milla2017
Posted
clive45466 roma5763
Posted
I am in the U.K., I had a class, but what you are told I guess is different all over the world.
Good healing
mary12001 Milla2017
Posted
I'm too up half the night with nerve pain having to resort to co-codamol to get some sleep x
mary12001 clive45466
Posted
No class and I'm in the UK
mandy95401 mary12001
Posted
I had a class and I'm in uk. It was mandatory- no class- no surgery. I now attend a 'knee class physio session' with 6 others and it's really helpful. Much more motivating than a 1-1 appointment. I'm 11 weeks post op , 0.0 straight and100 degree bend. I can walk without my stick around and about, but need it on a 'proper' walk. I have pain and sleepless nights but take my meds, which help. A bit. It's a slow steady improvement, but eventually will be ok- whereas before I was in agony by the end of my working day with only the prospect of getting worse till I couldn't work. It's a lengthy recovery but it's a part of your body being removed and replaced,not your tonsils being removed. Try and be positive guys and keep doing the exercises and taking pain meds for as long as it takes. Good luck everyone. Xx
Milla2017 mary12001
Posted
Mary so sorry. I wish I had an answer to this. Initially wearing the ace bandage helped some but now it is a toss up. Like someone said the ace either doesn't stay smooth or tightens as I get swelling at night. I take my usual narcotics (Dilaudid) but I don't feel like it helps with that. Wondering if I should call doc office and asked about Neurontin. I don't like to take more drugs but if it helps. I shudder reading about people massaging their legs to help with it!! The mere touch of my fingers hurts. I just started using Bengay for the shin and calf pain and I can barely rub that in. It does help though. My doc and therapist says I am doing "excellent" with complete straight leg and 95 degree bend. So it is not all bad. I am just having normal recovery issues but people are so different and I am in agony with the nerve pain, stiffness and swelling whereas it is not so bad for others.