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Too young for TKR?

Posted , 13 users are following.

yolande1230
yolande1230

I am new to this forum and I am soo glad I have found it .There looks to be great help and advice here. I am a 43 year old female and saw a knee specialist last Tuesday. I have been informed that I need either a partial or TKR due to previous injuries to the knee as a 17 year old. This is really freaking me out and I am having difficulties coming terms with this due to my age I thought this was something old people went through (no  disrespect ment).

1 like, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • sportin89
    sportin89 yolande1230

    Posted

    44 here with a left TKR. I was prepared to get mine done for a few years because of the issues I was having. I too had a knee injury when younger.
  • sharonc67
    sharonc67 yolande1230

    Posted

    I’m 50 & post TKR 3 months.  I’ve struggled with my knee since injury at 25, turned into arthritis at an early age & now I’ve got a new knee!  Doing ok now but first weeks were hard, I won’t lie. This forum has kept me going over the low points.  It’s worth it in the end.  Good luck!  

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 sharonc67

      Posted

      It gets even better over the next few months Sharon! I am now 9 months post op, and I feel like a new woman!

      Ten years younger, whizzing around, living life again to the full!

      Keep up exercise, stretches, and looking after yourself, and the benefits start piling in!

  • wendy09646
    wendy09646 yolande1230

    Posted

    Sorry so young. They can do wonders though. I’m about 2 years out on first one. Getting a little discomfort but have put weight on. I am 54. 
  • yolande1230
    yolande1230

    Posted

    Thank you all for your kind comments. Good luck all what ever stage of recovery you all are at. What makes it worse is the waiting for the operation nearly 12 months.
    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 yolande1230

      Posted

      Are you using a stick to help you? How is it affecting your life? I found a TENS machine helpful. Might be worth a try.

      What pain relief are you taking?

    • johnny17592
      johnny17592 yolande1230

      Posted

      Hi yolande

      I to suffered with my left knee from a young age finally got it done last year at 59 .

  • linda42607
    linda42607 yolande1230

    Posted

    They don't like doing it when you are young because of having to do it again in later years. But now the take lasts much longer

  • amy1447
    amy1447 yolande1230

    Posted

    Hi there. I’m 47 and two months out of TKR. It hasn’t been easy I have to admit. Because of my age (they say recovery more difficult for younger patients) but more so because of past injuries and surgeries, I’m having trouble with my range of motion. It can be very frustrating but will get there....eventually! There are a few of us in our 40’s. And 50’s on this forum - lots of great advice and support found here. 

    It’s hard accepting getting TKR so early on in life but I have faith it will be much better than what we were living with!

    Take care and good luck!

    • victoria21411
      victoria21411 amy1447

      Posted

      Hi Amy,

      I’m 42 and struggling with recovery. I didn’t realise that it was more difficult the younger you are until after the surgery. I’m 6 weeks in and ROM is only about 60. I know it will improve life but feeling that’s a long way off. 

      How’s your recovery been? 

    • amy1447
      amy1447 victoria21411

      Posted

      Hi Victoria I think we’be spoken on your other thread....😊 My recovery hasn’t been super easy and 8 weeks out I only have 75 degree flexion. Argh!! And I find I’m able to do more - get around ok, drive, get groceries....but the more I’m on it - the more it swells and gets very stiff. And then the less I can bend it. It’s like I can’t win! Sigh.....

    • victoria21411
      victoria21411 amy1447

      Posted

      Hi Amy, sorry didn’t realise. 😊. I’m exactly the same. The more I do, the more it swells and then restricts what I do and how much I can bend.,I have been advised I will need an MUA in 3-4 weeks if I can’t get to 90 by then. So frustrating 

    • amy1447
      amy1447 victoria21411

      Posted

      At least we are not alone! It’s frustratung when I’m doing the work but nothing’s happening (When I know darn well most people I’m in physio with hardly have to work at it - the bend just naturally happens)! I’ll likely be getting MUA  within 3-4 weeks as well. 
  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 yolande1230

    Posted

    Apparently more active lifestyles have shown a greater increase in younger people joining the tkr fraternity. I can understand your angst regarding your future. Don't let anyone try and tell you its a piece of cake because it isn't but well worth it to get an active, relatively pain free life back. You can talk to a dozen different people who have gone through it and get roughly that many opinions of the journey they have taken. The 1st thing you will need before starting, patience. To start the process and yes, it is a process, is to understand it isn't lineal. You will have ups and downs, bumps in the road and a million questions about why things are happening the way they are. With this forum you have the most understanding, candid people you would hope to meet if you could hand select them. People from around the globe with all sorts of different medical systems they have to deal with and concepts of rehab will be offering real, honest caring info.

    Scroll through here till you come across the writings of Chico Marx, the resident philosopher. His posts will enlighten you to many aspects in a nutshell.

    As for me, due to a rare tumor my knee blew up a and consequently I've been through 11 surgeries, 2 staph infections and 5 complete rehabs so I have a little education the hard way.

    As far as location, in in the middle of the US.

  • louise_48509
    louise_48509 yolande1230

    Posted

    I was about 47 when I was first diagnosed with arthritis but my doctor kept saying, too young. I eventually got a doctor who didn't care how old I was, I needed a tkr and that was that. Once I got my appointment with the surgeon I waited about 6 weeks for my op. The x-rays spoke for themselves. Don't concentrate on age, it's about how long you can bear the pain

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