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As by now you all know, I am due to suffer the dreaded surgery on the 28th of this month. Do they expect you to weight bare on your operated leg the next day roughtly when can I expect to walk without a limp, I am asuming this will be before full recovery, the limp at the moment is having a really bad affect on my other leg an both my hips, and is soooo tiring I just long to be able to drive and walk my dogs like a really normal person, but at the moment I feel this may never happen and that from now on I will be a hippy hoppy disabled old bird I am so despondent, will it be worth all the pain?
1 like, 24 replies
betty07083 liz34614
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It sounds like you are having second thoughts about your upcoming surgery, and I can completely relate to how you are feeling, as the night before my surgery, I had a strong desire to get in my car and drive as far away as possible and not come back! I honestly felt I was on my way to the gallows!
It has been 17 weeks post op for me today, and the advice I can give you is yes, it will be worth it considering the pain you are going through now. If you did nothing, your pain and condition will only worsen. After TKR, you will most likely never be 100% again, but absolutely much better than how you feel now. You will be able to look forward to driving and walking your sweet dogs again. Without the surgery, I feared I would end up in a wheelchair for the rest of my life if I did not do something about it. So again yes, it will be worth it.
My hips also are bothering me and I can't help but wonder if hip replacement is in my future, but if it is, I will have that done as well. I will do anything to have a better quality of life. Good luck to you (and resist the urge to flee the night before your op ~ you will be glad you did and stay on this forum for support!
Betty
Oldfatguy1 liz34614
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debbie02705 Oldfatguy1
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anita78925 liz34614
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carol45436 liz34614
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liz34614 carol45436
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carol45436 liz34614
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Jlndidit liz34614
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I am overweight and am 60 years old. I did fantastic. It was no where near as painful or hard as I had anticipated. I read this post for months before my surgery. What I learned was everyone is different, handles pain differently, and that some seem to get a little depressed. Anesthesia affects everyone differently, but my doctor said that most all his patients get a little 'down' with the anesthesia and the confinement, but soon get over it and that is exactly what I experienced. I was blessed with a wonderful husband who took great care to make sure I had my meds on time (seems that a lot of folks on here do not take their meds on a regular schedule - you do not want to let the pain build - because it takes a while to get under control if you do), elevated my leg to help with swelling, iced regularly, wore my stockings for first 2 weeks and he made sure I got to physical therapy 3x/week. I don't know about you, but I am not one to sit at home constantly. I like to see family and shop. One thing that really helped with the confinement was taking short rides after physical therapy just to enjoy some sunshine and big blue Texas sky instead of the inside of my house.
sandra37762 liz34614
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jennifer86104 liz34614
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As for the limp I wouldn't worry about that. My leg was quite bent before the op and now it's straight so the limp gradually goes.
I'm 17 weeks post op now and I won't pretend it's been easy. My advice would be to take all available painkillers regularly - I spaced mine out over 24 hours- do your exercises regularly, use ice and rest whenever you can. If you're lucky, like me, to have a partner or family member to help in the first few weeks accept it gladly. I'm still getting some pain in the muscles in the leg ( as they adjust to being in a straight leg I think) but I'm walking more than I did before the op and looking forward to doing so pain free soon. I've been driving since about 7/8 weeks and found it no problem at all even though it's my left knee I've had done. What motivated me before the op was my surgeon saying "You've only got one life". I knew there was no chance of any improvement if I didn't have it done. I'd tried all the supplements going and lots of physiotherapy. All I want to do, like you, is enjoy some long walks again and now I've got the chance to do so. Good luck on the 28th and let us know how you get on. This forum has helped me enormously. Jen x
christineuk62 liz34614
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I'm having my right TKR Friday 21st November. Two more sleeps!
After spending 6 weeks in hospital & 9 months indoors I'm very excited things are finally moving forward.
I'm just worried how my left leg is going to feel after surgery as I have two torn ligaments in my left knee, awaiting surgery.
After 1 cancellation in September just a week before surgery date, I now know for definite this one is going through.
See you on the other side
glenda29798 liz34614
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I live in Buckinghamshire & had my TKR 4 weeks ago today. Prior to my op I thought about backing out right up to the day off the operation, but the thought of my Aunt's situation,who is now house bound after turning down her TKR ten years ago made me go ahead with it. I was put on "fast track recovery", perhaps because of my age (57years old) and with no other major healt concerns, and this involved getting back onto my legs the next day! It was very painful, I can't lie, but I managed a few steps with crutches but as someone else has already mentioned, your leg feels like a dead piece of wood but don't worry! Also, when the physiotherapist asked me to lift the leg nothing happened, but apparently this is normal and eventually I could lift it up! By day three I was using two sticks and walking up and down the corridor and had been up and down some steps. My stay included two hydrotherapy sessions and I went home on the 5th day.
Take the medication and follow the professional advice and you'll get there. It has been painful for me and I know everyone is different, but at week four I feel that it's easing off and I'm looking forward to full mobility for the next twenty years or so, instead of having to use a mobility scooter and with the lack of exercise then developing other health problems! Good luck!
susan20089 liz34614
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debbie02705 liz34614
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susan20089 liz34614
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glenda29798 susan20089
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My physio measured my knee to floor and recommended that I got a chair with arms that measured 14" from seat to floor (absolutely no swivel chairs!) in fact I found that sitting in any chair was terrible after 20minutes until now I've reached 4 weeks post op! (Even my reclining chair!) I certainly couldn't linger over my dinner! I can now sit for longer but I wouldn't hurry to the cinema yet to try and sit through a film!
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