TKR experiences

joanlawson

Hi

You might have read that I am trying to make up my mind whether to go ahead with a knee replacement, about which I am very nervous and undecided.

I realise that everyone is different in terms of pain and recovery time, but it would help me to hear of some of your experiences, good or bad. It is not so much the surgery which bothers me, but the levels of pain and discomfort I might experience afterwards. I would also like to know how long your recovery took, and any problems you encountered in this period.

I think knowledge is control, so the more I know, the more it would help me to reach a decision.

Thank you

Joan

elnafinn

Hi Joan

I wrote a TKR "diary" on here getting on for 2 years ago. You will not wish to hear from me that initially I had loads of pain and discomfort and at one point for a day or so, I wished I had not had it done. I had physio 2 weeks after the op for a number of weeks. I got an exercise bike and a big ball for home to do exercises given by the physio. I religiously did all the exercises at least three times daily.

I started to ride my bicycle three weeks after my TKR. I had excellent mobility and knee bend very quickly after the op - in about 4 days. I suppose I had pain for at least 3 weeks, if not longer. I found walking any distance unpleasant during that time. I do have a slight curvature of the spine so this may have attributed to it. The pain I had at night lasted longer. We are all different. I know someone much older than me that had the op and had no pain from the moment they were awake after the operation.

I hope very much to go back for another TKR in the very near future so it cannot have been so bad for me and the benefits have far, far outweighed a few weeks of discomfort.

Luv
Elna x

dianel

Dear Joan and Elna,
I've just glanced at the forum quickly - as Elna knows I have other things to contend with at the moment.
Your problem is exactly mine Joan, although with one difference in that I have untreated PsA and the rheumy and surgeon are in disagreement as to whether an op would cause my arthritis to flare.
I do hope you get a lot of replies to your post. Elna has kindly done so and I would be interested to see the log of your experiences Elna. Can it be bumped up for us? Best wishes to you both. Diane.

joanlawson

Hi Elna

Thank you for your reply. You are so good on this site, and I think we are all grateful to you for the time and trouble you take to reply so thoughtfully to our messages.

Thank you also for being honest about the pain levels. Most people I speak to about this say the same as you. One lady I asked recently told me I should expect at least two weeks of hell regarding the pain. Someone else I know has been left with no feeling in his leg from the knee down, and a neighbour developed thrombosis after a TKR. These horror stories are not very encouraging, but I suppose there are far more success stories too. But even my own doctor told me not to have the op. unless I was really desperate because of the risks involved!

At the moment, I can get around reasonably well, but have to use a walking stick, and can't walk any distance without finding a seat for a while. The pain level isn't too bad with medication. I would love to be more mobile really though.

Thank you again

Joan

lindalegs

Hi Joan,

As I've said before, nine years ago, I had both mine done at the same time, before the op I was in a wheelchair but have not had to use one since.

I found weight bearing after the op quite painful and bending them to sit made them ache - they also ached in the night for the first few weeks. Pain control in the hospital is good and when you're discharged they make sure you go home with the correct painkillers and you're able to follow through with your GP.

I had a bed downstairs for about three weeks but only because I had both knees done at once and wasn't allowed to attempt the stairs till I'd been to physio. I was walking without aids after about three weeks. They make sure you can do stairs before you leave hospital when you've just had one TKR.

I'm left with a small patch of numbness at the front of both knees but this is where they sever the nerves and they take a long time to grow back, if ever.

One of my knees is loosening (manifests itself in pain) but this is due to complications with my right ankle having fused itself and is not usual.

I don't ever regret having mine done, but from what you say it sounds as though you're not quite ready yet if you're able to manage your pain with your meds.

Hope this helps and that you get plenty of other people's experiences to put into your melting pot.

Luv Legs

sharmaine

Hi Joan

I'm on the waiting list to have a TKR (I need both knees doing). I decided to go for it. I'm preparing myself mentally for it and will listen to the advice you're receiving.

I've been busying myself around the house; sorting out cupboards, wrapping Christmas presents; writing cards just in case I get called in next month. It will probably be after Christmas but if I'm organised at home I can then concentrate on getting fit and well after the operation.

It is a big decision but I think I have made the right one.

However, it's a decision only you can make and if you need more time then take it. I think the specialist helped me make mine up when he said I didn't have any other options except to continue to take the medication but my mobility would get worse as the better leg went the same way.

Warmest regards

Sharmaine