Tips and Tricks?

[MsHeidi]

Hi all,
I'm having bilateral TKR on September 6th. My biggest concern is the recovery process. I had a health issue a couple of years ago that has left me a bit less than hale and hearty, even though I'm still relatively young. I'll be turning 52 in a few days. I'm overweight and very eager to have knees that will allow for more activity. Mine have been limiting my activity for decades.

Anyway, any tips or tricks for managing rehab would be very much appreciated. I'm eager, willing and realistic. I also have a two-story house, so managing stairs as soon as possible is a major priority. I have a large bathtub upstairs on the main level with no shower and a shower downstairs off my bedroom. So, stairs are going to be a factor. I could always set up a bed in the living room, but I think that my bathtub is going to be out of the question for a while.

I teach and have taken the semester off. I'll need to be ready to go again in January. I'm hoping to be strong enough to pull off my usual Thanksgiving feast. I also have two year-old puppies that will be eager for me to heal rapidly.

Anyway, I wasn't sure if this should go in the pre-op, since I AM pre-op, or the post-op section, since the topic is post-op, so I will post them in both places.

Thanks in advance for any advice and tips. I'm very glad I found this site!

 

[Josephine]

Hello, Heidi and welcome to BoneSmart. You posted in the correct place here (because pre or post op is about you not the topic!) so I deleted your other post.

You are in luck as we have quite a few BTKR-ers here right now, one of which is our moderator Tim. I'll tag him for you so you can get his input first hand. @referee54:

 

[referee54]

Good morning and welcome to a great forum! You have come to a site that has wise and compassionate (not to mention experienced) members who will help you out and give you a boost.

I had a BTKR going on four years ago---and my life did a 180 for the better.

I also teach; I had my BTKR on 11/08/2007; I took the rest of the time off until I returned after Christmas break ---just about eight weeks. That was "do-able" but it slowed my progress down somewhat. I am sure that after having the BTKR in Sept. that you will be ready to go in January.

You should be able to get around; you won't be released until you are able to do stairs (slowly, but you will be able to do them.) You won't be bed-ridden; many people think that you will be motionless for months. You will be moving slowly, though, and recovery can be somewhat challenging as you do not have a "good" leg---both knees have been surgically replaced.

You will be strong enough for Thanksgiving--no doubt about that; you have timed your surgery well. As for setting up a bed in the living room, I used a recliner for quite some time. Please be sure to stay ahead of the pain and take your pain meds on time. You will need several large ice packs to ice and elevate your knees.

When you return to the classroom, you may also have some slight residual swelling, so I would also take ice packs to school---you can ice during lunch and your prep/planning period. IT takes about a year to return to "normal", but it is so very worth it!

Patience is the watchword for not only a BTKR but a TKR; these things heal at their won pace; some take longer than others. Never compare your recovery to somebody else. Just keep your eyes on the prize and you will be amazed at how great you feel.

 

[binkie]

Welcome Heidi! You have come to a wonderful site! I'm having BTKR in Oct. The library here is full of great information; you should spend some time there. I have found answers to many questions I have. Also, other members are so helpful. I've asked a lot of questions and expressed concerns and fears, and everyone has been so supportive offering practical answers and advice. I've also begun reading the post-op forum and am learning from other members' experiences.

Happy Birthday!!!! (a few days early)

Good luck with your journey!

 

[Jacee]

Hi Heidi! Welcome! This is a great place! Glad you are here!

I am also having BTKR

Best wishes!

 

[referee54]

Everybody thinks that teaching---a so-called "desk job" is a piece of cake to return to. Not so. We all know that while we may sit at opur desks from time to time, we still move around a great deal---and desk jobs also place stress on a TKR or a BTKR. Take your time in returning to school and make sure that you can park as close to your room as possible, have access to ice packs a couple of times a day, and, if possible, have somebody help you when you have to take papers to the office or to the copier room. As you slowly gains strength and stamina, and as the swelling and stiffness slowly subside, you can add more and more activities to your daily activities.

 

[FrogFeathers]

I'm not the best person to listen to in this situation because, well, I'm just not. My recovery was slowed by undiagnosed fibro, but once that got addressed, it was like they hit a reset button and now I'm zipping around nearly fine.

But, just after surgery, the only thing holding me back was my own doubts. My doctor suggested I stay in for PT for an extra ten days (putting my hospital stay an even 14 days). I didn't want to at first, but it did turn out to be the best thing for me.

At two months, I was able to go to a local park and walk all the way from the car park to the area where I was working (once there, I didn't move. I stayed seated nearly the whole time, only getting up to stretch or such). I was walking with a cane at the time and given the uneven ground, I should have had my walker. I also didn't carry anything, someone else had to help me do that.

So as long as you stay realistic in how you feel and how your body is responding, you'll do well. And don't let any kind of setback upset you.

 

[Jamie]

Welcome, MsHeidi.....so glad you joined us here on the forum!

I see you have already met some of our bi-lateral folks. I hope their support is beginning to ease your mind. Your surgery is definitely doable and I think you have planned well.

You are right about the bathtub. You'll be a shower girl for a while, so just plan on that. I agree that you should start out be doing some reading in our BoneSmart LIBRARY. Lots of good information there!!

Post any questions or concerns you have. We're here to support you.

 

[MsHeidi]

Thanks to everybody who replied! I went today and had my pre-op class and did the blood typing, etc. It would be so helpful if people (nurses, pts, etc.) would stop acting like I had volunteered to slay the dragon when they hear that I'm having both knees done at the same time. They all tell me how brave I am in a tone that implies that brave means crazy! It doesn't help the confidence level.

Anyway, thankfully, you have all made me feel like I will be just fine and I certainly appreciate that. I am definitely nervous, mostly about pain control, because I've been taking oxycodone for two years for a different chronic pain problem. They have assured me that it will be handled, and I just have to trust that it will be, but it is my biggest concern.

Because of the upcoming surgery, I've been cleaning house like a madwoman, which has made my knees ache terribly, which reassures me that I am making the right decision!

Anybody here dance after their replacements? How about wearing heels? Iw worn nothing but Birkenstocks for so long, I don't know if I can remember how to walk in heels! I bet I can remember how to dance, though. Oh, how I used to love to dance!

 

[MsHeidi]

Hi Heidi! Welcome! This is a great place! Glad you are here!

I am also having BTKR

Best wishes!

When is your surgery?

 

[Jacee]

When is your surgery?

Exactly one month after yours (See at bottom of my post) You can put your info in there also by going to USER CONTROL PANEL...then EDIT SIGNATURE)

Understand how you feel about the confidence level. At my Bone Joint Program
when the nurse learned of my bilateral, she commented that there is always ONE in the crowd.

BTW....I LOVE to dance also!

 

[kneeper]

Thanks to everybody who replied! I went today and had my pre-op class and did the blood typing, etc. It would be so helpful if people (nurses, pts, etc.) would stop acting like I had volunteered to slay the dragon when they hear that I'm having both knees done at the same time. They all tell me how brave I am in a tone that implies that brave means crazy! It doesn't help the confidence level.

Anyway, thankfully, you have all made me feel like I will be just fine and I certainly appreciate that. I am definitely nervous, mostly about pain control, because I've been taking oxycodone for two years for a different chronic pain problem. They have assured me that it will be handled, and I just have to trust that it will be, but it is my biggest concern.

Hello DragonSlayer (um, MsHeidi) :biggrin:--
I think those people don't realize how they sound. If I had a nickel for every time I heard "but you're so young." :rolleyespink:

Just communicate honestly with your nurses, docs and so on and they will manage your pain.

 

[Jamie]

Honestly.....these folks who make these comments!!! I agree...if they could just watch themselves played back on video they would see how crazy it is to act astonished that someone would do both joints at once!!!

Oh well....just ignore them for they know not of what they speak! You WILL be just fine, like all the BoneSmarties who have gone before you.

 

[MsHeidi]

Hello DragonSlayer (um, MsHeidi) :biggrin:--
I think those people don't realize how they sound. If I had a nickel for every time I heard "but you're so young." :rolleyespink:

Just communicate honestly with your nurses, docs and so on and they will manage your pain.

I was a little put off by the physical therapist acting so shocked during my pre-op class yesterday. I would think she would have seen bilateral replacements often. It's an orthopedic hospital, for cryin' out loud! Her response was unprofessional and disconcerting. I do like being the dragon slayer, however! And, I am nothing but honest. ;)

 

[MsHeidi]

Exactly one month after yours (See at bottom of my post) You can put your info in there also by going to USER CONTROL PANEL...then EDIT SIGNATURE)

Understand how you feel about the confidence level. At my Bone Joint Program
when the nurse learned of my bilateral, she commented that there is always ONE in the crowd.

BTW....I LOVE to dance also!

Well, I went to edit my signature and hadn't posted quite often enough yet (apparently need five posts before I get to have a signature), but this one should do it. Thanks for the tip. What part of the country are you in? We may need to meet up and go out dancing next summer with our new knees!

 

[MsHeidi]

One week to go! Nervous, excited, terrified, hopeful, etc.

 

[MsHeidi]

Hey, I have a signature now! Yay for me! I must be officially gonna do this thing!

 

[Josephine]

LOL!

 

[KneedKnees]

Hi MsHeidi ~

Welcome to the elite club of BTKR crazies! We aren't really crazy, just practical! We need(ed) both knees repaired, and would rather take care of it neatly, in one surgery, than have to go through this thing twice. I actually think it's quite smart!!!

It seems we have some things in common, in that you're a teacher as well. You've made a great decision - first to have the surgery, and then to take off the semester. I wasn't able to do that, and am trying to time my delayed return to school this fall to make sure I'm equipped with endurance and strength. Had I been able to take a semester off, I would have, but I'm a choral director, and there aren't too many subs out there with the skills to take over a program like that and be willing to commit to the extra performances, etc. So, our school started last week, and I'll be going back to teach 2 morning classes starting on Sept. 12th, and then adding the other 3 the following week. On the 12th, I'll be at 5 1/2 weeks after the surgery. I wish I had a little more time, but am glad to have been "given" this time off to take care of what had become such a burden in my life.

This is definitely the place to be for information about pre and post-op BTKRs. There are quite a few of us going through it right now, and as you've seen, we're more than happy to help. If you haven't already, check out my thread "I Made It!", in the recovery forum. I've used this forum as a personal journey blog and has it been therapeutic for me! Plus, the encouragement and reassurance I get from the moderators and other folks is amazing and inspiring! :console:

Welcome to the Bonesmart BTKR Club!!!

 

[MsHeidi]

That does seem soon to be returning to work, KneedKnees (cute name!). I am an adjunct English professor at a community college and can work or not work, depending on whether I want to get paid or not. I decided that I would really need a semester off to recover from this. Luckily, my husband has a "real" job and can take care of the bills for the duration.

I have been reading all I can find in the library and on threads like yours and it has been alternating between helpful and inspiring and terrifying. I recognize that there is a bit of a skew in the poster demographics in that many of the most successful cases have most likely put all this behind them and quit blogging about it. Even so, I have found lots of reassurance and dearly hope to be one of those successful case stories so that I can inspire others to buck up and go through with BTKR because it will change their lives!