TKR yes or no

zechariah
zechariah Member Posts: 222
edited 18. Oct 2009, 17:35 in Living with Arthritis archive
I have been offered TKR and don't know wether to have it!

I have muscle wastage in my left thigh and can't seem to get a straight answer on what effect this will have on the TKR!

Has anyone had TKR when they have had muscle wastage or does anyone have any views on this?
Both my knees are bad and my hips are painful, I am 42 and use a wheelchair because of mobility and pain!

I look forward to hearing from you
http://life-love-pain-laughs.blogspot.com/

Comments

  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,183
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Zechariah.
    I have cerebral palsy so my muscle's are not perfect i have a tkr i've had it 5 years and no problem good luck. joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Zechariah,

    I had bi lateral knee replacements (both at same time) 9 years ago.

    I had muscle wastage on my right thigh and with exercise and correct joint use you can get some of the muscle bulk back - in my case not all.

    I was in the same position as you in that I had to use a wheelchair outdoors. I was 42. You have to consider how much your knees affect your life, I was at the point of no return and if they couldn't do them I didn't want to go on.

    They have been a great sucess and I haven't looked back even though my right prothesis is loosening and giving me problems - but that's due to other reasons - TKR's these days last 15 years and more.

    Hope this helps.

    Luv Legs :D

    PS I haven't used a wheelchair since I had them done.
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • ikesother
    ikesother Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I havent had a TKR but Im 10 weeks post op THR, Im also 42, but I was in hospital with 2 ladies who had TKR, one was a revision and I saw them recently at the 6 week check up and they're fine, with hardly any walking difficulties. They seemed to average 3 trips to the physios, but looked good to me. If youre in pain do it; I wish I'd had my op 4 years ago and saved alot of pain :roll: Hope thats of some help jk
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Zechariah

    Hello again!! You have not mentioned in this thread the 10 knee ops you have already had, as mentioned in the Hello section. Where some of those arthroscopies? I have had three of them and one TKR so far.

    The op was a success but not the arthroscopies, not even for a short while.

    Take care
    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • mrsdalloway
    mrsdalloway Member Posts: 161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Zech I had my tkr done 3 years ago at 35 and I can honestly say it wasn't an option I was left with the joint being bone on bone for about 18 months and if they hadn't done it for me I was considering doing it myself! It isn't pleasant and as they go I have had better days out, but like others have said you have to weigh up your quality of life. Good luck and let us know what you decide x
  • zechariah
    zechariah Member Posts: 222
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yep, I have had 10 knee ops already, 8 arthroscopy, one decompression and an osteochondral auto graft (mosaicplasty), the last one was where I went downhill, I lost the use of my thigh muscle for several months and lost alot of muscle...

    I am in constant pain, I am on 2x Tramadol 50mg 4 times a day and nortriptyline..
    I don't mind having to use a wheelchair, its the pain!

    I am however so petrified at the thought of TKR, it makes me sick just thinking about it!
    http://life-love-pain-laughs.blogspot.com/
  • mistywillow
    mistywillow Member Posts: 711
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I think that a TKR is very likely to improve the pain so much that you will wonder why you ever hesitated! I think surgery scares us all, but the improved quality of life that usually ensues is definitely worth it. When you have less pain, you will probably be able to improve the muscle bulk you have in your thigh.
    Good luck whatever you decide and I hope it all goes well for you.
    Gillx
  • jojo03
    jojo03 Member Posts: 77
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya Zecharia
    I know exactly how you feel regarding the operation - it terrifies me too! I have had arthritis since I was 18 and am now 42. My original consultant wanted me to have a tkr when I was 19, and I think sheer fear of the op has kept me going til now! I must admit though, I'm getting to the stage where I don't think I can put if off much longer and like you, I feel ill at the thought of it! I guess you just reach your limit and want to have it done no matter how you feel about it.
    Take care, whatever you decide to do, and keep us posted!
    Jo x.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Zech

    To be in constant pain must be awful. I am with Gill on this that the pain would go with a TKR after it had settled down, may not be instant. If you wished to be mobile again you would need to do a lot of intensive exercise work on the femur to strengthen it.

    I am thinking of having my other knee done next year.

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.

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