TKR 7th December v scared

Chris1

Hello 👋

Please any advice or help would be very welcome. Very scared and so worried. I would love to hear

Anyone's journey. Thankyou . X

stickywicket

Hi there,

I've had 3 TKRs (First one lasted 27 years) and no problems. What exactly are you worried about? My policy has always been to do the pre and post op exercises, be completely honest in the pre-op. Tell them anything remotely relevant. Do ask any questions you may have and, once I'm on my way to theatre, forget about everything other than those magic words "Wake up........It's all over."

Chris1

Thankyou Steven

You are right. Its not the pain I already have that now. I'm doing all the exercises I can. Just the unknown.

I fear coming home the same day of the op and not coping. How did you manage?

stickywicket

I don't actually know anyone who went home same day. My first two TKRs were back in 1961 and, back then, you were in bed for about 10 days let alone home. My revision was more recent and I was pleased to be home in 3 days, just like those who had only had a first replacement.

I had a husband at home who, bless him, did all the hard graft. I could concentrate on my exercises, resting and easing myself gently back into normality. If you don't have someone at home to help, I think you'll definitely need to make some preparations. Batches of frozen meals will help. Forget about cleaning. Make everything as easy as possible right now. Accept all help offered. It can be done. People on here have done it.

One thing I did find tough. Don't put a cushion under the operated knee. You'll want to! But it'll make it hard for the knes to ever straighten.

Good luck!

Chris1

Thankyou so much .The frozen meals good idea my partner is no cook. I was so shocked when my consultant said if I had the op in the morning and I could do my physio. Then it was home in the afternoon. I will keep posting how it goes. Then its my other knee.

I loved walking my dog to do that again will be my goal. Your advice has helped thankyou

MissA

Hi Chris,

I had my knee replacement op in February & am pleased to say it was the best decision I made. I spent 1 night in hospital & was back home the following afternoon with a bag full of meds, which included morphine, which definitely helped for the initial post op days. What I would say is make sure you drink plenty of fluids whilst on morphine, I didn’t & ended up in a lot of unnecessary stomach pain.

It’s good you’re doing exercises, just make sure you continue post op physio at home, it definitely aids a successful outcome. I can now straighten my leg completely, something I hadn’t been able to do for at least 2 years. 3 months later I went on holiday abroad, booked assisted boarding to avoid standing for long periods in queues. Life has now returned to some semblance of normality, thanks to my new knee. It has made coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis a lot easier.

For me the first few weeks of recovery were a bit emotional from time to time, but you will not be abandoned by the hospital & the nurse who visited to change my dressing was very supportive. You will also get to see a physiotherapist, although I had to chase up for the appointment I was promised. The physiotherapist is there to make sure you’re doing the exercises correctly & answer any questions you will inevitably have about your recovery.

I wish you the very best & hope your’ll be enjoying walking your dog again soon.

Chris1

Thankyou MissA . It helps me a lot to read your journey . Did you find any aids were helpful? I'm trying to prepare and not let myself get too worried.

I don't know what I would have done without this site. Everyone is so kind thankyou x

MissA

Hi Chris,

The hospital lent me a pair of crutches, toilet frame & perching stool (for help whilst washing).All of which were very helpful, but I was glad when I could give them back.

I bought a bath bench myself some time ago & am finding I still need to use it, especially as I can’t kneel as I used to. Although I do wonder if it’s mostly a confidence thing making me rely on it as I am still wary of slipping.

I agree this site is such a help, I’m glad my Rheumatology Nurse recommended it. I recommend it myself to anyone who struggles with joint conditions.

MissA

Lindaa

Had my right knee op april 7th 8 months after lefy hip replacement. NHS so I have no waiting list complaints. Came home after 2 nights for knee one. Husband well domesticated so that was a help.

I stuck to exercise regime given and am now able to walk about 2 miles without a sit down. Natural to be anxious but once its done its a big relief. Ask questions and admit to being scared. I did and got loads of support.

Chris1

Thankyou Lindaa. So helpful to hear your journey and advice. Tomorrow is my pre op assessment ready for next week. I've wrote down my questions just because I do go blank when I'm nervous. I will keep everyone posted thankyou x

stickywicket

Can you take someone with you? Remembering the questions is good but a second pair of ears to remember the answers is also usedul😆 Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Chris1

Thankyou stickywicket for your advice and kind words.

My TKR journey begun. Today was my pre op assessment it went well with a lovely nurse. She did blood pressure, ECG, MRSA swabs, blood

All nothing to worry about. Given decontamination wash lotion to use for 5 days before op. Given preoperative nutritional drinks to have day before op.

Tomorrow morning will receive a phone call with more information. I hope posting my journey will help anyone else who is worried.

Gentle hug to everyone 🤗

Chris1

Christine164

Hi Chris , I’m also called Chris ! have you had it done yet ? I had my own knee replacement 2 weeks ago.

Chris1

Hi Chris

I'm at day 10. My op went well everyone treated me with kindness . I have been emotionally exhausted and its been painful at times. Each day is getting better. I went home the next day. Exercises were hard at first because of the swelling. Trying to even lift my leg was impossible I got round that by gently using a exercise band round my foot. Which I don't need now. How are you getting on?

Janlyn

Hi Chris, @Chris1 - thanks for the update - useful to read to know what might be ahead for me too as I had my surgery today. You sound to be doing well and I was just about to make a suggestion about raising your operated leg when I saw you are ok with it now but maybe it’s useful for someone else?

I have been struggling for some time and think it will be worse post op. The nurse has just said to put my foot on my non-operated side underneath my operated leg’s ankle and lift it. I know yours is a knee replacement and mine is a hip but maybe it’s similar?

Chris1

Hi Janlyn

How are you? I did underestimate how big the op is and the effect it has on your body. Even now it feels like someone has taken my

batteries out by lunchtime. I keep a note book to keep track of my pain meds I know now not to let the pain get hold before taking medication.

I take something for constipation. I have started reducing the strong medication. Learning to say no to too many visitors. I felt cold at first and my taste was effected. My coffee tasted like it had sour milk in it yuk. Im not a tearful person so that was a surprise. Be kind to yourself and listen to your body. Take care xx

Janlyn

Hi @Chris1 i can already relate to all you’re saying, I’m feeling comfortably warm but they turned my heating up and everyone comments on how warm it is - just right for me. I have had bloods, physio and xray today and am allowed home but have opted for another night as I want to get more control of my pain relief, mobility and have my food prepared for me before I’m home alone.

Definitely my wound hurts but much less than I imagined and I can sit/lay relatively comfortably. It’s just walking that’s painful but I guess to be expected. I can stand straighter than before and the awful bone on bone, clicking and creaking had all gone thank goodness. I hope it helps people to hear this as I was worried pre-op something would go wrong and I’d be no better and with the pain and discomfort as before. I can’t say I’ve had much sleep yet but what I’ve had on my back has been better than I had thought it would be.

You've given some very good advice which I’m sure will help many.not only me.

Take care, Janet x

Chris1

Hi Janlyn

I'm glad all is going ok. I think you are wise to stay another day. My friends told me they had some interesting texts when they gave me morphine.

The swelling started to down by day 8 ice packs help. I too had bone to bone no more interesting noises sometimes so loud my friends could hear it. My other knee will need doing as well. So looking forward to walking without the fear of knees giving away. When I felt it was to much I would imagine doing my walks again in the places I loved before . I have my dressings off on Tuesday will be good to see what my zipper looks like. I wish you all the best for tomorrow. Xx

Janlyn

I can imagine interesting texts.after morphine, apparently I don't get any more thank goodness!

I've no idea if I'm swollen, I feel to be, but I can't see, only feel, my dressing. So hopefully this time next week I'll be in a better place, fingers crossed, and thank you for the encouragement.

Sorry to hear your other knee will need doing, although I have a friend who had one done this time last year and the second three weeks ago and she's doing really well. And yes, my hip used to give way which was scary. I'm only just daring to believe I might get back to some kind of a life again.

Good luck with your dressings, and yes it will be interesting to see your zipper, I'll have to get a mirror out for mine in a couple of weeks.

Thank you, still not sure I want to go home tomorrow but I'm sure once I'm there it will be okay.

Janet, x

swimmer60

@Chris1

Hope you now feel you are making progress. I had Hip replacement, but thought I'd tell you I too felt really cold and so tired for about a week afterwards and am still furious with a friend who phoned two days after the op and expected me to be bright and cheerful!

Reaction seems to veer between people who are lovely and supportive and tell me how well I'm doing and those who seem to think I should be back playing tennis! Grr!

Take care and listen to your body. if you need rest, you need rest.

Chris1

Hello swimmer60 and Janet

Thankyou for your comments, How are you Janet now you are at home? There's nothing like your own bed. My dressing came off today my zipper looks really good healing nicely.

Just had a call from a friend who has tested positive after visiting yesterday. She said she had a bit of a sore throat yesterday I wish people would think before visiting. Now I have the added stress I might get covid. I've had my jabs fingers crossed.

Take care Christine xx

Janlyn

@Chris1

Hello Christine, it's my second day home and I have to say I'm coping better than yesterday. Slow and steady progress I think. The hardest part last night was getting out of bed for the bathroom in the night. I really wasn't sure I could move my legs. I hope the exercises make it easier in future and I've got a bin liner to try to slide under me to help, although I'm not really feeling athletic enough to do that.

I've been very tired and giving in to it. My actual wound seems more comfortable than I imagined and I'm trying to stick to paracetamol with an occasional codeine as I've been feeling a little nauseous since coming home.

Just about to go to bed and already dreading struggling to get out of bed in the night, and even back in.

Fingers crossed with the covid, I really hope you don't get it, it is the last thing you need just now.

Take care, xx

Chris1

Morning Janet

Slow and steady is good. I used an exercise band hooked round my foot to get in and out of bed. My sleep is still all over the place . My fear was not getting to the loo in time it took me so long to get there. I bought some pads just incase. My dignity was so important to me. It's much better now as I can lift my leg. The tiredness and just doing something wipes me out. It has surprised how it has taken out of me. Just listen to your body it doesn't matter if you need a nap. Each day is getting better. Trying to do short walks in the garden now. Baby steps. Nearly 2 weeks I also have trouble with strong pain killers. I'm mainly taking paracetamol and ibuprofen. With backup stronger ones if needed. I was given lansoprazole to take for 14 days to protect my stomach. Each day will get better. Take care xxx

Janlyn

Morning, @Chris1 and I get all you say, thank you.

Getting in and out of bed was easier last night, but sleeping on my back was more difficult. I woke early with painful heels and back and just couldn't get comfortable so got up early. I'm thinking to sleep on a duvet and padding my ankles might help, but needing to sleep on my back for several more weeks is concerning but I'm sure I'll find a way.

Haha, yes, I understand, getting to the loo in time has been so important to me too. I had a dilemma last night as constipation struck and I really felt I had to take something to help but the timing didn't feel ideal - all okay though, sorry if tmi! Listen and learn I think, and expect every day to be different but also better. Definitely managing the steps better and generally getting around. Actually only using one stick when I need to carry drink/food, rather than having to eat/drink where I prepared it.

I haven't been given ibuprofen but I'm definitely finding I know when my paracetamol is due. My GP also told me not to take ibuprofen but I might check out why? Or maybe I'll just try a codeine at night? Definitely each day has been better and I'll take your advice and have a little walk around the garden and maybe a little further tomorrow but will give in to any tiredness and sleep. I've actually left my radio on low on BBC World News on a night-time so that I have something to listen to during my awake moments.

Thank you for all your help and advice and wishing you all the very best, Janet, x