Bilateral TKR

[Lady Bake]

My Bilateral TKR is 9/11/17. Any information would be helpful. Thank you.

 

[PolarBear60]

Congratulations on getting your date. It's coming up fast. I'm going to guess you're completely new to the process. Even so, your question is challenging to answer, because it's so wide open.

Let's start with making sure your home is prepared in advance for you to come home with two brand new knees. You will probably want a toilet riser or a tall toilet to make it easier to get on and off for the first few months (it took me almost two years, but I had my TKRs a year apart). Make sure you pick up any throw rugs or anything else you could trip over. You might want to prepare a few meals in advance and freeze them.

Will you be recovering alone or will you have someone to help you? Do you have comfortable chairs and beds at a height that will be easy for you to get in and out of with two new knees? Do you have something to rest and elevate on after you get home, and do you have some comfortably sized ice packs? Will you be getting an ice machine at the hospital? (Yes, I almost have more questions for you than you have for me, but we'll get it all sorted out.)

I don't want to overwhelm you, so I'll stop now.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Hi, welcome to BoneSmart. Jean has asked the relevant questions, IMO. If these prompt questions from you, please post them, it's what we're for.

Please also check out my recovery thread (see my signature, below) for a BTKR story.

Best of luck, you won't regret it.

 

[SusieShoes]

Check out Roy's recovery thread. He was my role model! Really detailed and will give you great recovery tips. And like he said, you won't regret it. I am thrilled with my two new knees. There are lots of people here who will be happy to answer your questions.

Here's some reading to help you prepare yourself and your house for surgery.

Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:
Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?

Regardless of where you are in the process, the website and app My Knee Guide can help you stay organized and informed. The free service keeps all the information pertaining to your surgery and recovery in one place on your smartphone. It is intended to be a personal support tool for the entire process.

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced knee, take a look at the posts and threads from other BoneSmarties provided in this link:
Stories of amazing knee recoveries

If you have any questions, fire away - we're here to help.

 

[Teri59]

Hello and welcome to Bonesmart. I am having a RTKR on Sept 18th. There is so much helpful information on this sight. I started reading back in April and am very glad I did.

 

[Lady Bake]

Thank you for the information. I have already gotten a toilet riser, recliner and since I have quite so many steps to get upstairs to my bedroom I have made arrangements through my insurance to get a hospital delivered to set up a temporary bedroom downstairs for at least awhile. I do have a bathroom downstairs already. I got a shower chair and a hand held shower for when I can go upstairs. I just ordered me two large ice packs. I just learned about the ice machines so I will be discussing this with the hospital. I do have plenty of help at home. That's why I made the decision to do two for one.

You're not overwhelming me. Please go ahead and let me know. I would much rather know NOW than come home and be HIT with something that I could have taken care of in advance. I am appreciative of everyone's help and advice. Thanking you ALL in advance for your kind words help and prayers.

 

[Pumpkin]

Welcome to BoneSmart, glad you joined us.
You can add your name to the September Sapphires, and join other members having surgery around the same time as you.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads...knee-surgery-in-september.42146/#post-1058554

Here are the recovery guidelines for you, the articles are short, and will help you prepare for your upcoming BTKR.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:

rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

the BoneSmart view on exercise
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity progression for TKRs​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs

Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly

Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds


We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[sooz58]

Hi @Lady Bake , you will my bonesmartie twin!!!! I'm have my second knee done same day as your BKR. You are also a neighbor, I'm over in nw PA! So ready to get this show on the road again. Will be watching for your thread on the other side! Sounds like you have things laid out pretty well! Happy surgery day monday!

 

[Lady Bake]

Hi @sooz58 my bonesmart twinsie. Yes I am prepared and ready to get this show on the road. I will also keep my eyes open for your threads too. Are you prepared? Happy Surgery and Recovery to you.

 

[sooz58]

@lady Blake I am prepared still have everything handy having done my lefty 12 weeks ago!. I did break down this week and purchased the lounge doctor pillow found it on HSN for a wee bit cheaper than the norm, then they offered $10 discount for being first time shopper on HSN, when the price was in the $60ish area I purchased it! Now I won't have to be chasing my pillows around all the time!!!!! I recuperate at my mothers house, she has a hospital bed, we set up in the living room for my left and she said just leave it there until we are done with righty! Have large ice packs in her freezer.... ready to take off and get this done!!!! Prayers for both of us!!!

 

[Teri59]

@Lady Bake and @sooz58 I wish both of you the best of luck. You will do awesome. I am 7 days behind you. I will be watching your threads.

 

[SusieShoes]

@Lady Bake and @sooz58, have you both signed in as September Sapphires? You're going to have company as September TKRs.

 

[sistersinhim]

SusieShoes is wonderful example of a bkr. Read her thread, too.

 

[sooz58]

Yes I am all signed in @SusieShoes! Totally agrees with @sistersinhim! @Teri59 we will be praying for you as well and watching for your recovery thread!

 

[Lady Bake]

@SusieShoes yes I am a September Sapphire.

@Teri59 We will also watch your threads and keep you in prayer. We all will get through this journey. It's such a blessing to have found BoneSmart. My surgery time is 11:45 and to arrive at hospital at 9:30.

@sooz58 do you have your time?

 

[Lady Bake]

@sistersinhim Thank you. I will definitely go read it.

 

[sooz58]

I have to arrive at 7:45 and surgery estimation is 9:45...

 

[OJ2]

Best wishes for a successful surgery and a wonderful recovery. It is painful but the drugs are good. Just don't expect to be too clear thinking the first week. Let sleep come when it wants. My hubby put alarms on his phone for the times I was to take drugs, so we wouldn't forget. We also had a spreadsheet to keep track of all the different drugs. So many drugs and many different dosages. Some every 4 hours, some every 6, and some once a day.

 

[Lady Bake]

I will lift you up in prayer at that hour @sooz58 and I should be heading in when you're coming out or somewhere around. @OJ2 how are you recovering?

 

[puglove]

Following and thinking of you! I'm scheduled for Bilateral TKR September 28th! I haven't been on here much, but as I move through the next few weeks I will be taking in as much as possible! I hope all goes well for you!