Bi-Lat TKR January 2009

[Babs47]

Hi, I'm new to this site...and glad to find you all. Not sure where I am posting but have questions:
I had bilateral full knee replacements on Jan.5 09 and want to talk about my progress , is this the right place?

 

[JudyS]

Re: Worsening pain six months after TKR

Babs47 you certainly found the best site ever. I'm sure one of our wonderful moderators will help you start a thread of your own. If you can figure it out, why don't you start your own under the knee recovery part of the furum.
WElcome
judy

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Babs....and welcome to the forum! As Judy says, you HAVE come to the place where you can talk about your recent surgery with people who have gone through it or are preparing for their own operations. BoneSmart has lots of members who can address almost any question or concern you might have. In addition, it is always helpful for others to hear what you are going through. So feel free to post as much as you want - any time!

I moved your post to a thread of its own. That way it can get more attention.

 

[Josephine]

Goody, Jamie! Now we're all sitting here waiting for the questions, Babs!

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[GaryM]

Hey babs47

WELCOME! You have come to the right place. Like Jo said FIRE AWAY! We are here to help! I have also had BLTK in July 08.

 

[Sticker Lady]

Hi Babs!
Welcome to BoneSmart--it's a great place to get info from people who have "walked the walk" so to speak. I'm having BTKR May 18 and have found lots of support as I've been getting ready both physically and mentally.
Blessings,
Irene

 

[Jamie]

Irene....I LIKE that statement....we HAVE walked the walk:

The limpy, gimpy walk and now the straight-up walk. Knee and hip surgery is a miracle in so many ways!

 

[ship4]

Babs,
Welcome! I had BTKR last June so I am approaching 11 months post op. I have been downhill skiing 8 times since Feb 1st, picked up golf as a sport to participate in, and started walking for exercise again. I need to build up my stamina to go hiking up hill, because I will have to come downhill on the way down and do not have the stamina nor confidence as yet to attempt it. I will work up the lengths of my afternoon/evening walks first.
Progress will come in spurts for you. Sleeping will too! It is all normal. Are you still on pain medication? I continue to take Aleve in the AM and PM daily and find it helps my entire body........
Again, Welcome!

 

[Babs47]

Great news to find other BTKR and all of you. I just passed month 4 and am getting 'impatient' about getting back to whatever normal is. I still walk like Frankinstein, and usually have to take one step at a time downstairs. Got about 115 degrees on both knees. I'm back to work (part-time), I groom and own a pet grooming business ...and I get sooooo tired after about 4hours. Been having a sometimes, sharpish pain under my left kneecap area and wondered if anyone else gets this. Was told it is where all the ligaments, etc. join and are attached to the new prosthesis. Any ideas? I was a very active 61 yr. old and I want to get back to being active. Crystal, I hope I will feel like skiing in 7 more months. Mostly I need feedback from those who 'know' and have walked this adventure...thanks.

 

[Josephine]

Yep, a bilat takes some getting over, girls! Don't try to hurry. Let nature take it's course and if it takes another 3 months, then so be it. You're going to be tired and crabby and frustrated. Just make sure you take your pain pills ON TIME! and do your exercises. I have a couple of charts that might help

 

[elmtree777]

That sounds good Jo about the pain meds...BUT if you have a OS like mine..it is not as easy as it sounds..He is almost stopped giving me any meds for my pain...Says I should be almost done with them...I had Billateral knee surgery 6 weeks ago, and really am pretty discusted with them both..I have been going to PT for 3 weeks...and I think my knees are 95 and 110...but stilll sore as heck and am wondering if I made the right decision..I have problems sleeping and am just miserable most of the time...Sorry to be such a downer..I have been reading the other posts for several weeks and everyone seems to be doing soooo much better than I...I go back to my OS this Tuesday and am not looking forward to it...But I guess the only way to go is Up!!!

 

[Linda2]

Check with your primary care physician (also known around here as PCP). Many of us (me included) found our PCP's to be more caring and competent in matters regarding pain control. I don't know what it is with many of these surgeons; they seem to think that their skill is the only factor in pain perception. Silly surgeons.

 

[ship4]

Babs,
Take one day at a time and do go see your General Physician or PCP. Mine took over the pain management and I had to go see him every 30 days for more medication. You do need it, and you also must be aware the Doctors are being monitored regarding how much pain medication they prescribe to patients due to others over prescribing......
If you are not getting the relief you require, be sure to ask for more medication.
I started walking and did a mile and a half loop yesterday. I hope to gradually increase my distance this spring and summer. Hopefully, it will increase my stamina and help me lose some of the extra weight I am carrying.
Keep exercising, get as much rest as you can at night (even move from your bed to somewhere else if you have insomnia as it helps get you back to sleep).
Best,

 

[Jamie]

That sounds good Jo about the pain meds...BUT if you have a OS like mine..it is not as easy as it sounds..He is almost stopped giving me any meds for my pain...Says I should be almost done with them...I had Billateral knee surgery 6 weeks ago, and really am pretty discusted with them both..I have been going to PT for 3 weeks...and I think my knees are 95 and 110...but stilll sore as heck and am wondering if I made the right decision..I have problems sleeping and am just miserable most of the time...Sorry to be such a downer..I have been reading the other posts for several weeks and everyone seems to be doing soooo much better than I...I go back to my OS this Tuesday and am not looking forward to it...But I guess the only way to go is Up!!!

Linda is right that you may need to see your primary care doctor for pain management from here on out in your recovery. Even minor swelling can cause you not to progress as well as you should in PT and that may be part of what is happening to you. Be sure and discuss your progress and where you go from here with both your PT and your surgeon. And keep on schedule with your pain meds for a while longer. You will feel better and will get maximum results from your PT sessions.

 

[Josephine]

Ooooooh, these surgeons!!!! They make me sooo mad!

 

[Texas]

Ekmtree I hope everything works out at the Drs office, you shouldnt have to sit in pain I think that is horriable. Please let us know what he said. Wonder if he a replacement before...........Hang un there............Kim