and the answer is.....TKR

[mj5]

I went to the OS today to find out if my next step is PKR or TKR. (I had a scope in September and this was my follow up appt). Based on the level of damage, a TKR is his recommendation. I kind of thought that might be the answer, but hearing it out loud, I'm not sure it has sunk in yet....I think I am still kind of in denial. I keep going from "no, I'm not doing this yet" to "ok, let's get this show on the road!" The approval is going to take some time (my OS thinks he can get it quick, but I'm not convinced)--there is piece tied to workers comp (25%) and that makes everything move slow.

Now that I have my answer, I'm sure I will have lots of questions. I asked a LOT at my drs office, but after I left I thought of a million more.

 

[Motherofmany]

MJ,

TKR is not the end of the world, but the door to living life to the fullest again. Yes, it is a lot of hard work. More than you really expect, but in the end, it is so worth it to get rid of the bone on bone pain that doesn't improve ever.

Make a list of all your questions and ask them. I still call my OS and ask questions. He promptly calls me back and is very patient. He knows I have a lot invested in these new knees and wants me to be successful. Any good surgeon wants the best for his patient, so don't be distressed about the TKR vs PKR. He knows what is best and better to do it all at once, than have to go back shortly to redo what didn't work.

Praying for a good, swift, successful outcome for you.

Blessings,

 

[mj5]

Thanks. I LOVE my OS and totally trust him, I wouldn't still be working w him if I didn't. I think it's just the mental part of actually hearing you need a TKR. Plus, i'm 39 and I'm sure the surgery has been done on much younger people than me, I'm worried about how long it will last. That's one ? I didn't ask.

 

[Pat29627]

Why'd he do two separate operations? My OS didn't know going in for sure that I'd have a partial, he said he might have to do a total after he looked during surgery. Seems it would be better not to do twice what you can do in one surgery.

I think you'll be happy with the total replacement. Everyone I know is and I know several. The two local ones who've had a partial (plus myself) have taken as long or longer to get over it. Actually, I don't know of one single person who is sorry they got a knee replacement.

 

[Texas]

Hey Mj you will be so much better off really.......the scopes etc you done what you can do........we will all be here for ya.........try not to worry.............) i big ole BS hug to ya.....)

 

[tom67]

Hi MJ, I know what you mean about the question thing, LOL!! Im such an Idiot that
I Thought I would be smart and bring a list of questions with me to the OS's and
wouldn't you know It, I not only forgot the list and I forgot most of my questions
Lukily my GF came with me and remembered most of them DUH!!
I never heard the end of that!! ( rightfully so!! LOL!!! ) Us guys
would be lost without you girls to keep us In line!!!!!:hehe:

 

[Josephine]

Read these threads

implant longevity
How to choose a surgeon and a prosthesis

 

[mj5]

Hi again! Thanks everyone! I am starting to get used to the idea. I think I will feel better after talking to my OS's scheduler--she'll have a better idea about the approval and if we have to start over (which I think we will)....which will probably include another court appearance b/c of the workers comp piece.

Pat--The scope was no big deal--just diagnostic. There was a chance he would be able to 'clean up' a little while he was in there and possibly post-pone future surgery at least a bit. I didn't like the idea of going into surgery not knowing. As he explained it to me, recovery for a PKR is "supposed" to be shorter (sorry that is not the case for you!)--unless I misunderstood that part, which is totally possible. Anyway, I was all for trying the scope first, unfortunatley it didn't work out.

Kim--Thanks! I think I "know" that....just need to get my head around it. It's one thing to have the possibility looming over your head, but then to have him say "it's time"....guess I kinda freaked out a bit! LOL!

Tom--You aren't an idiot! Luckily your gf was with you and remembered for you. Now I wish my hubby had gone w/ me yesterday--I'm so darn independent sometimes! Gonna have to work on that or things could get a little testy around here....

Jo--As always, you are the BEST!!!! I will check those out now.

I have already started writing down my questions (and I'm sure I will think of more) and I will put them in my purse....so I will have them for my next appt!!!!

Jo--this one is for you...of course I will let my surgeon know, but I have had problems w/ nose bleeds since I was a kid. I *think* it's b/c the capillaries are really close to the surface. I could have that wrong...I haven't had to go to an ENT in a long time, so my memory is a bit fuzzy...but I used to have to get my nose cauterized every year. If the air is too dry, right before I get sick (really....kind of like getting a 'heads up' that a cold is on its way!), some cold medicine--especially for sinus issues will make my nose bleed and bleed and bleed.....luckily I clot well and I learned from and early age not to freak out at the sight of blood! LOL! Anyway....just wondering if being on a blood thinner might make this worse? (and yes...it's already on the list for the OS!)

 

[mj5]

Jo--THANK YOU!!! Those two threads are awesome!!! I'm sure I will refer back to them often.

 

[JudyS]

MJ5
I'm sorry about the insurance issue. At this point with me it is not the insurance, just need the darn scheduler to return my call or call the insurance co with a date.

You will have time to get to the total acceptance stage. did the scope give you any relief at all? Mine was last Dec and my knee is just starting to bother me enough now to go and visit my doc.
judy

 

[mj5]

judy--that is so frustrating when to wait for other people to do things! Really didn't get any relief from the scope. There are days when it feels ok, but most of the time it's just as bad. Unfortunately, there wasn't much he could do while he was in there. He said that it looked MUCH worse than he thought it would. He said the x-rays really didn't look too bad, but seeing it...yea, BAD!

 

[Josephine]

Know exactly how you feel, mj. After 10 days of sublime painlessness, my knee is so much worse than it was before. Odd really, because I can walk better and really stride out but when I rest - oy! It hurts!

 

[Jamie]

Guess you just need to keep walking and walking.....:hehe::hehe:

Just teasin', Jo. I'm so sorry to hear you are in pain. Those owies take over EVERYTHING when they come on. Don't wait too long to git 'er done! That's what you would tell us, you know!