Hi there,
Not been active on the forum for ages but the time has come for me to have the first of two TKRs. I have OA in both knees and have struggled on for some time now taking pain relief and accepting the word of my gp that maybe if I lost weight and took more exercise I would stand a chance of a surgeon agreeing to perform the operations on my knees. I decided that I couldnt wait until the perfect weight so I switched gps and was immediately referred to a surgeon who totally agreed I needed both knees replaced asap, no mention of weight exercise or anything else. So here I am waiting for next Thursday when I will get a new left knee. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated as I am just feeling a little nervous and excited at the same time.
Sue xx

Comments
Good luck for Thursday!
Thank you for replying the advice on here always seems to be better than googling.
Sue xx
Something I was told was - for the first four weeks take the pain meds whether or not you think you need them. Without the pain meds the pain will break through, you'll not be able to do the physio and things will take longer. I remembered that advice and stuck to it without question.
I was also told to pace myself, take plenty of time to do things (and I needed that extra time!), not to rush back to work (I didn't), and to make sure I elevated/rested the knee (I did).
Follow the instructions you are given by the physios and your consultant.
Oh, I stocked up on books, DVD's, puzzle books before the op. I also did as much pre-shopping as I could - wasn't internet shopping then! I had a perching stool in the bathroom, another in the kitchen and used an office (wheeled) chair to get from A-B in the house when I was really sore.
Have a good long bath (or shower) the day before as it'll be a while before you have a long shower again, treat yourself to a hair conditioning treatment if needed and make arrangements for friends to pop in when you are home but be prepared to tell them when you are tired so they know not to over-stay their welcome!
Good luck, let us know how you get on please.
Take care,
GraceB
Thanks Sue xx
I was awake and chatting to the surgeon throughout the op; I refused a sedative as I wanted to know what was going on, so just a spinal anaesthetic. I began doing the recommended exercises later that day. I was told you need to start exercising immediately to prevent scar tissue forming. I kept at it, and my knees now both bend right back; I can't sit back on my heels, but almost. The consultant congratulated me several weeks later, and said he'd stop saying women were lazy about doing the exercises, after seeing me - I'm not boasting, just making the point.
The first few weeks were rough, but 4 months later I went on holiday to Madeira with my partner, and walked Funchal's narrow cobbled streets with no crutches. Made it all worthwhile.
I've written an ebook about my experiences, and if you send me a private message I'll give you details. However, most of it is taken from my posts on here, so you can read it for free. If you do a search you'll probably find them...it'll be July 2012 onwards.
Barbara
I am getting excited at the thought of getting my knees sorted, cant actually remember walking normally its been that long! Thought things were gonna go a bit wrong as I have COPD and was feeling a bit out of sorts this weekend anyway I started antibiotics on Sunday (which I have in the house). Im feeling much better now and have rung the hospital to let them know. Will be having a blood test this afternoon and then its all steam ahead for Thursday. Just been shopping for some ready meals and last bits and pieces so think I am ready. My operation is at a private clinic paid for by NHS and apparently is very good. Will keep you posted on my progress.
Thanks for your support xx
Barbara
Sue xx
Take care,
GraceB
Im back home from my TKR on Thursday, got discharged yesterday so didnt do too bad. I was very nervous leading up to the op but the hospital staff were brilliant I didnt get any sedation and was wide awake during the whole procedure. Am still in a fair amount of pain but its getting better by the day and all in all I think I will have no hesitation in getting my other one done. Wont babble on but if anyone is scared of having this procedure please dont be I can already feel some benefits from it and only on day 4.
Sue xx
My knee wont allow me to forget taking the painkillers ha ha. Nighttime is the worse I cant sleep at the moment, just doing the exercises as much as I can and hoping it will get easier.
Suexx
To me, it seems logical. Two lots of pain signals for the brain to process plus you will have been unable to make the minor adjustments to sitting / lying ie transferring the weight more to the other leg / knee. Well, you could make them but surely get nowhere near as much relief from it as those of us who only did one knee at a time. Anyway, the main thing is you got there and so will you, Brandy. Just keep plugging away
Respect to you who had both knees done together xx
Helen
Think things are improving very slightly, bit confused as to how much or little to do everyday to be honest. Im doing the bending exercises and walking around a bit, mainly in the house or garden at the moment and during the day I feel not too bad but at night my leg just seems to hurt as in throb and ache and I cant get comfy when I go to bed. I have been up and down during the night since the op and am experimenting with pain relief to see if I can leave some of my allowance for the early hours of the morning. The bend in my knee seems good albeit still very sore and swollen so just taking it day by day at the moment and dreaming of a nice walk.
Sue x
Went for my first post op physio appointment yesterday and they were please with the bend think it was 70 degrees so a bit more w ork but not too bad. My knee and muscles are feeling the pain a bit today as I worked hard with the physio it was like a group session at the hospital. Think thats it for now just off to warm up a ready meal for tea.
Sue xx