Bilateral Knee replacement

[cotton1958]

I wore shorts in the hospital for therapy and shorts when I got home. I wore them for the first 4-5 weeks, and because our fall and cool weather came early this year, I had a pair of loose fitting knit crop pants I switched to.

Good luck to you. The last few days of waiting are hard. I typed down my feelings those last few days and it's so funny to go back and read what I wrote. I was so scared. But I'm at 4 months now and I am nearly fully mobile. I can walk without any aids and go out when I want to all by myself....I just can't do things like kneel or squat etc...still got a little work to do. So God bless you and you will get through it, I promise. Let the old painful legs go and look at the new paini as good pain. And take your pain medicine! That's what it's for.

 

[referee54]

After I go home from the BTKR, I had in-home PT until after Christmas; then I was in out-oatient PT from after Christmas until the end of March. One week later, after beling released from PT, I was out umping baseball games. Your life will come back together again. All it takes is some hard work.

TSC

 

[lissa]

Hello Everyone

I am having my right knee replaced in January and now my left knee is worse than my right. I am going to go back to my surgeon and ask if I should have them both done at the same time. I am scared to death to do both. I hear so many horror stories and nothing positive. But...I don't really want to go back in and have it down six months later. Also, I need to know about anestetic procedures. I want to do the best thing for me. So..if being out with general is better let me know or spinal???

Thanks Theresa :pzld:

Theresa. I am 68..both knees had little or no cartilege..surgeons only wanted to do one at a time..I thought otherwise..it took me a year and an orthoscoptic procedure on the left knee (to prove there was no cartilege left ) and three surgeons before one said.."Hello Looks like you need both done..so why not get them done at the same time and go on about your business?" He was my hero! Both total knees done June 23, 2009...in hospital 3 days only as had the bend needed to get out...practiced getting up stairs (acrually easier than one would ever think) and now am at 5 months. I am so pleased to have them both mending..and to know that I do not have to do it all over again! Also, because I had both done...surgery was half of cost of two surgeries! Anyway, I fought like heck to get both done at the same time. If you have no cartilege in one knee and little or none in the other..geez, what ya waiting for? Go for both! Find the surgeon that agrees with you...let me know how you're doing when you get out! Lissa

 

[lissa]

...and as to anesthetic...I thought I wanted total anesthesia...whatever that is...in talking to the nicest and most intelligent anesthelogist THE day of my surgery...went with the spinal block...it was a peie of cake..and I am a pain freak! I sat there..he said I'd feel a pinch...didn't even feel that..and was out cold! The spinal allows you not to be so nauseated when you wake up..it's so cool! Who'd of known? I'm a true believer! Lissa

 

[Josephine]

Yayy, Lissa - see? you're not so grumpy after all!

 

[Theresa]

Again...thanks so much on the great support. You don't know how much this web site has meant to me. It has made me feel so good and so glad that I made the right deciscion to have both knees done. Well..Monday, January 11, 20101 is just around the corner. Five more sleeps and off to Surgery. I will keep you all posted on how it went.

Again, many heartfelt thank yous.

Theresa

 

[brs0660]

Teresa...congrats on your upcoming surgery. I had a single TKR in April and I am hoping to have my second done very sure. I am excited that you were able to make the decision that is going to be best for you.

I too have been blessed by this site...because knowledge is indeed power. Knowing what to expect allows you to advocate for yourself. Good luck and you will be in my prayers

 

[Manesailfarms]

Hi Teresa, I am excited for you, soon you will have two new knees. I wonder were in Canada are you having your surgery, I'm in Toronto and had mine at Sunnybrooke's Holland Centre, Dr. Hugh Cameron. Everything went very well, and I am about 2 and 1/2 months out now and can do most everything I could do before the surgery. I had physio for several weeks and am now doing my own - swimming, biking and weight machines. After I got home from surgery, I needed the raised toilet seat, and the shower stool. But I used the walker only once and then 2 canes for a couple of weeks and one cane for about another week or so. I use the cane when I walk my dog because he's not so good on the leash and it gives me some extra stability in our snow and ice. You can read all about my journey at broken link removed: https://www.christinesnewknees.blogspot.com ,
Not long now.... good luck!

 

[Theresa]

Helo Again Everyone

As always..great support.

Christine...I live in Oshawa. So I am not to far from you. Yes...I am going to the same hospital you went to. I am having Dr. Hans Kreder as my surgeon. What's that hospital like?????
So, glad to hear you are doing well. How long did they keep you in the hospital? Yes, I have been reading your blog. Haven't read anything after December 2, 2009.

Theresa

 

[Josephine]

Theresa, look in the Library - up top there. There are several threads with suggestions of things to get, aids, entertainments and so on, in the FAQs.

 

[GaryM]

Theresa

I had both done in July 2008. Best thing I have ever done. It was the hardest thing I have ever done though. Make sure you do your PT. Try to have one picked out and visit them before you go if you have a chance. I purchased a recumbant stationary bike shortly after my surgery. I was using it often in PT so I thought It would be best if I had one here. I still use it just about everyday. If someone hasn't mentioned it you might want to get a thing called an "Ice Man" or something like it. Mine was made by Donjoy. It's a cooler thing that circulates ice water through a pad that is placed on your knee. I had one on each knee. Ice will be your friend for a long time haha.

You will do just fine. There are quit a few of us on here that has had both done at the same time. Work hard and make sure you visit the site. We need updates! We will keep ya going. :thmb:

 

[Manesailfarms]

Hi Teresa, this is truly a small world. The hospital is great, the staff really know their stuff and are very reassuring and helpful. My surgery was 4 1/2 hours long, I had an epidural and was asleep for the whole thing. There is a great rehab area and they will push you to get going ASAP. The food isn't as bad as they say, but some treats from home are always nice. Let me know if you need a raised toilet seat as I have one I'd part with at reasonable cost! (LOL) - just 3 more sleeps....

 

[Theresa]

Yes, three more sleeps till my surgery. I think I have everything I need. Insurance covers quite a bit of the equipment I will use.
Thanks again for the support. It ceertainly keeps me from getting to nervous.

Christine...small world is right. We are practically neighbours. So, glad you like the hospital. I was a little apprehensive about that. You have reassured me. Thanks for the tip on the food.

Theresa

 

[Dtman44]

Hi Teresa, this is truly a small world. The hospital is great, the staff really know their stuff and are very reassuring and helpful. My surgery was 4 1/2 hours long, I had an epidural and was asleep for the whole thing. There is a great rehab area and they will push you to get going ASAP. The food isn't as bad as they say, but some treats from home are always nice. Let me know if you need a raised toilet seat as I have one I'd part with at reasonable cost! (LOL) - just 3 more sleeps....

I already have my culinary needs arranged. I'm a chef and can be a tad particular.:cool:

Its funny though, our friends are always intimidated cooking for me, but in that setting, I'm so appreciative that someone is cooking for me, that critique is the farthest thing from my mind. Its a different story when I'm paying for it.

 

[Josephine]

"culinary needs" I like that!

I just said I had plenty of grub in stock!

 

[cindy88fan]

Just poking my head in to tell you I am wishing you the best on your surgery Monday! Don't stress....just relax....and before you know it...you'll be out of surgery and on your way to a great recovery!!! Best of luck Theresa!

 

[Theresa]

Thanks again Everyone!

It truly has been a blessing for me to have this site and all of you new and wonderful new friends.

As far as the food goes in this house. Husband is a very good cook...not worried about meals. However, I am very lucky to have a great chef next door...who will for sure be bringing wonderful meals over to John and I.

Thanks and God Bless

 

[cotton1958]

I also want to wish you all the best on Monday!

 

[wevrldy]

Thanks for the info and encouragement! I really appreciate it.

 

[wevrldy]

Good luck on Monday with your surgery! We'll be thinking of you.