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What do you wish you had known before your TKR?

Posted , 24 users are following.

cheryl86544
cheryl86544

Most of us found that we didn't know enough about recovery from a TKR before we had it  done.  What do you wish you had've known?  What would have armed you better?

2 likes, 78 replies

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  • lyn32416
    lyn32416 cheryl86544

    Posted

    Knowing how painful the first few weeks would be. My surgeon said my pain would be "controlled". Liar, liar, pants on fire!

    I wish I'd been better prepared. Leaner, fitter and stronger. Its taken me 16 months of perserverance, tenacity and attitude adjustments to get where I am now. New and improved! Yippee!

    • cheryl86544
      cheryl86544 lyn32416

      Posted

      Very good point!  That's what they all say - "controlled" pain.  I was in hospital and rehab for nearly 5 weeks with each TKR and I made myself a promise that I would have ONE PAINFREE HOUR!!  It took weeks, but I got it!!

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 cheryl86544

      Posted

      I found my pain was controlled...there was the occasional hour or two when it felt just a bit more than I felt happy to bear, however, as TENS worked for me this solved the problem, and I did not need to up my medications, I would recommend anyone buy a TENS unit, and try it out before surgery. It helped me a lot!
    • cheryl86544
      cheryl86544 jenny80029

      Posted

      That's great Jenny!  I feel excited for you that your pain was controlled and that TENS helped so much, brilliant!

    • linda12841
      linda12841 jenny80029

      Posted

      Hi Jenny. You speak often of the tens machine for pain relief. Is there anything I should look out for in buying a good one. Thanks

      Linda

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 linda12841

      Posted

      Not allowed to mention exact products on here but mine has four pads, not two, which makes it stronger. It was only about 25 pounds so was not expensive. I think They are pretty similar. Mine is battery operated which was fine..,.
  • sue33011
    sue33011 cheryl86544

    Posted

    Good question Cheryl. I spent six weeks reading every bit of information I could lay my hands on as well as an extended visit to my orpathaedic surgeon where I questioned everything-from anaesthesia to pain relief to life without a tkr and then some. I tried to leave no stone unturned. I have always lived by the motto-its your body, your operation-step up. But having said that, the one thing I wasnt prepared for was the lack of sleep during those early weeks post tkr. I'd poured over forums such as this but for some reason " sleep issues" didnt register as a possible issue-WRONG!!!!!!!! I can honestly say for me that was the worst part.

    • lyn32416
      lyn32416 sue33011

      Posted

      Hi Sue. I slept quite well because of the medication. We all have such different experiences. x
    • mary96817
      mary96817 sue33011

      Posted

      AWh Sleep im now 6 months and yes I can finally say im sleeping ok and on any sie I want my next operation is due for the other leg well im on the listy so making the most of the reprieve before i start again On the plus side I know what to expect  sad sad 

       

    • sue33011
      sue33011 mary96817

      Posted

      Like you Im also six plus months Mary and sleeping like a baby. Some mornings hubby checks to see if Im still alive ( wishful thinking lol) Im certainly making up for it now.
    • sue33011
      sue33011 lyn32416

      Posted

      I never slept well-even in hospital lyn and not needing more than paracetamol for pain I used many methods of relaxation -some worked, some didnt. Time was the answer.
    • cheryl86544
      cheryl86544 sue33011

      Posted

      Yes, my first TKR was like that - so impossible to sleep!  This 2nd TKR I had about 9 weeks ago - totally different.  Even in rehab I could sleep on either side, I couldn't believe it and I felt so lucky.

    • cheryl86544
      cheryl86544 mary96817

      Posted

      Yes, you can't be better informed than having experienced it before.  That has helped me immensely with my 2nd TKR.  

    • dolores84206
      dolores84206 cheryl86544

      Posted

      All my Dr. told me is that it is extremely painful. He records each visit and said he explained to the patient of the pain involved and she agreed to the operation. He didn't explain the length of recovery or the lack of sleep that I experienced for months. At each visit he would ask me if I felt better than before the operation and my reply was "no"! At almost 6 months out I feel almost normal, sleeping well, walking well, and back to life! Wish I had asked more questions!

    • Linda_ann
      Linda_ann sue33011

      Posted

      Yes i also have to agree sleep was a bit of a problem, dont think they tell you enough about any of it to be honest, but i cant knock my hospital they were absolutly fantastic from start to finish, maybe i didnt ask enough questions, but i can say as im sure most of us can that its great to have it done and over with and look back on all the discumforts , thanks goodness for threads and groups like this one.....good luck to all whos been there and to those that are going, you will survive xxx

       

    • Rcurry17
      Rcurry17 sue33011

      Posted

      Agree, I am 14 weeks and am just now getting an occasional nights sleep.
    • cheryl86544
      cheryl86544 dolores84206

      Posted

      Extremely painful could mean anything unless it's in context with the length of recovery and the lack of sleep!

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