Nervous Nellie newbie

[lorl]

Hi, I have got to the not "if" but "when" stage for both knees. So I am finding the various articles, posts, very helpful. Thank you ALL for sharing yr stories so openly and generously.

I go to Feldenkrais classes and the teacher recommended the book Granny Gets a New Knee, Louise Chegwidden which is well written, comprehensive and gives a series of exercises to do. A v helpful book, most encouraging.
I do a set of knee conditioning exercises and most days I do 20-30 minutes on a stationary exercise bike.
Does it make a difference to post op recovery and pain management if you diligently do these sort of exercises?

I find that those exercises lessen the pain and general sensations in my knees.
I am assuming it will help in recovery. Any thoughts.

 

[msmechanic58]

What made the most difference for me was doing upper body strengthening. If they help you now, then I'm sure they can't hurt.

 

[kneeper]

Welcome to the forum. I would agree that upper body is good to have. But if you have a period of months before your surgery it doesn't hurt to work on your quad strength, probably as you've been doing. I have learned that if you can have stronger muscles around the knee it helps support the knee pre-op and probably makes recovery a bit easier. Of course, don't do stuff that makes your knee worse.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Hi Lorl welcome to BoneSmart. Pre-op exercises will benefit you, as will losing weight (only if you need to, of course ).

The most important things IMO are (a) get the right surgeon (b) don't overdo things post-op.

 

[lorl]

Many thanks for yr responses.
I do need to lose weight and for the first time in my life I have found a system that works. You name it I have tried it from silly fads to sensible things like weight watchers. I was the only one in the group who did it religiously and the only one not to lose pounds. Quite disheartening to put it mildly.
My GP sent me to a dietitian ; a fellow traveller who also struggles with weight which is why she became a dietitian. She has knee and back problems as result of a car smash so she is v supportive. So far I have gone from 197 to 180 pounds / 89 to 81 kilos, and still going down.
So I will keep up my program of exercise and weight loss, my op is probably still a few months off. We leave for a cruise round Norway 18 June. So will get back to my OS when we get back in July.
I'd certainly value any other hints and suggestions.

 

[referee54]

Welcome to the forum!! Being nervous is all perfectly normal and to be expected---I would say that 99.99% of us felt the amalgam of emotions---nervousness, fear, fright, excitement, happiness, elation---all in a five-minute period!

I would tell you that I feel that the upper-body exercises are important prior to a TKR or a BTKR, as you will be hoisting yourself up and about for some time after the surgery.

You can work on strengthening the leg muscles, but I was surprised to note, as strong as my leg muscles were, how quickly they atrophied after my BTKR.

Losing weight can be helpful, but again, not tremendously necessary---you will be amazed at how much easier your weight loss will be after you are fully recovered, as your activity level will be much better and you will be pain-free.

 

[lorl]

The things I am reading here on both forums are so reassuring. I appreciate people taking time to respond to my thoughts. Most helpful - thanks.
Just a point are there other Aussies out there with stories?
I wonder if our medical system does different things from what seems to happen in US and UK. Talking to a few people here is Sydney it seems that it is usual for people to spend quite a bit of time in a specialised rehab facility rather than go home after a few days.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

IMO the more you can get looked after, the better.

 

[Poppet]

Welcome @lorl - as you can see I am an Aussie, my home state is WA. I am a hippy so don't know much about knees. But I can see you have already been welcomed.

 

[lorl]

Yes I have been welcomed, I came across this by happy accident as you do when you wander round the net.
Most reassuring.
I have a v dear friend who had a hip replacement last year and raves about the difference pre and post, she is urging me to move sooner rather than later and volunteered to be with me each step of the way. I am v blessed in the friendships I have.
Are there a lot of differences between the sort of treatments we get?
My friend had quite a long time in a rehab place along with lots of knee people. Reading the posts o/s people seem to go home quite early.
Thanks for replying.
Best wishes laurel

 

[Lovestoread]

Yes, it does seem that things are done a bit differently depending on where you live, doesn't it? Here in the Chicago area, it seems to depend on the doctor….and how much support you will have at home. I've had friends stay in the hospital 3-4 days, others go to rehab for up to two weeks. I came right home and had a physical therapist come to the house 2-3 times a weeks for a couple of weeks, then went to out-patient physical therapy 2-3 times a week for 4 more weeks. It's wonderful that you have a supportive friend who "gets it" about joint replacement….I'm sure she will be of great help to you!

 

[pdx]

Any conditioning is good conditioning, as is weight loss. You'll have better mobility to start with, whether you get one or both knees done. (And you'll be used to the discipline it takes for PT!) Besides, the folks who will be helping you in the hospital and at PT will thank you for the weight loss!
As for how long you'll be in the hospital: It depends. Where I am, in Oregon, the usual is 2-3 days for one knee, 3-4 days for two. Virtually no one goes to in-patient rehab after one knee. There's a big emphasis on getting people up and out to reduce infections and blood clots. Most people no longer get general anesthesia, either, which also helps.

 

[VancouverUSAgal]

I'd advise you to stay as active as you can (within the limits of your knee pain). I was so de-conditioned by the time I had my surgery that it is going to take me quite a while to get back to doing normal things without so much fatigue. Nevertheless, we all make it thru at our own pace.

There's a wealth of info on here so take advantage of learning all you can and being well prepared when your surgery date arrives.

 

[lorl]

Thanks all for the comments, I stumbled on this site by accident. So glad I did. Info and people's stories are invaluable as they are real life experiences, no theories here. I have also discovered the games room
So lotza wins. We are away for a while June - July. Will check in with Drs when we get back but my attitude is v different even after this short time.

. So another success story for the forum, I am sure I am not alone in that. Many thanks

 

[Poppet]

Hi @lorl thanks for the PM here are the instructions for tagging.. You can do it right here in your own thread

Just a tip, if you want to "tag" someone in response to their messages to you just type in the @ sign immediately followed by their user name and you'll see a small box in the posting area where the members user name will display. Sometimes there might be a very slight pause, but the member user name will appear.

it will show their correct name which you can click on -- then when you submit your post the member's user name/link will turn blue and send a message to them person, like this: @Poppet

Hugs xx

 

[Pumpkin]

Lori, have a great vacation, we will miss your contrbution to limericks and short story. See you when you return!

 

[louisecheg]

Hi @Lori and thank you for the plug for my book, 'Granny Gets a New Knee and a whole lot more.' Having worked with people in their homes after TKA surgery using gentle yet effective whole body movement lessons, I was moved to share the work with people preparing for surgery. Recently an orthopedic surgeon told a client that she moved like someone 12 months after surgery, and had to double check her date to see that she was only 5 months post. I wish you all the best with your surgery and full return to the activities you love!

 

[tiredwife]

Welcome to Bonesmart!

 

[louisecheg]

@tiredwife Thank you!

 

[lorl]

Hi everyone, the trip to Norway was amazing. We got back last Wednesday. Anywhere is a long way from Oz so jet lag is always an issue, mostly in my right mind now - well sort of.

I have just one more question
Is it ever too soon for TKR?
I have various and conflicting medical opinions.
GP 1 also a general surgeon says get it over and done with, it is all about life style just get it over with
GP 2 , it is a major op, recovery is v long put it off as long as possible.
OS I am probably too young,68, and not in enough pain but sometime the pain will get too much...

I take panadol osteo, it works sort of most days, thanks to years of yoga I am quite flexible and have only minro mobility issues, a bit stiff going down stairs, that's about it really.
Pain is intrusive and bothersome rather than agonising. But it does tend to make me think twice about activities.

So is it ever too soon.
Thanks in advance ...
.