TKR expectations pre and post op.

[siobhan]

hi all,
Im looking for any help and information on how to make my decision in relation to bilateral TKR surgery incidentally also require L THR. Currently im about to be injected with cortisone in order to manage pain and hopefully get back to some normality.
i can function pretty ok with pain but if i keep pushing through, am i doing more damage and at what point do u decide. one thing i love is playing pickleball and although this may seem very trivial really want opinions, experiences re returning to sport post op. ive read numerous experience post op and realise these surgeries are extremely taxing both physically and mentally so not to be taken lightly.

 

[Tykey]

Hi Siobhan and welcome to Bonesmart.
When I decide to have it done was a purely personal decision which nobody could take for me.
It's when the discomfort and other recovery issues outweighed the pain and inactivity of not getting it done.
I've now done it twice, and with not a single regret.
You shouldn't be doing any more damage, it'll just get more and more painful as time goes on.
As far as sport goes, my sporting days were getting limited due to advancing years. I'd probably be ok with golf if I used a buggy, but for me it's very boring to play and a good walk spoiled. Other younger folk, like you, do get back to some sort of sport. They will be along to advise.
I'll have to Google pickleball, we don't have that here in the UK.

Later: I've seen pickle ball on YouTube, and I reckon even I could play this, particularly if it was doubles. Looks good, you should be ok, but give yourself nearly 12 months before your knee is ready.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

My personal thought processes came down to:

- if your knees rule your life , it's time
- take charge, don't be dictated to; it's your knee, your future
- don't believe in either horror stories or miraculous recoveries that happened to 'a friend of a friend'
- there is no such thing as too young or too heavy or even obese for TKR
- choose a specialist surgeon who does several hundred TKRs a year. Ask the nurses, if you can; they know who's best
- all replacement knees are very similar, don't believe that a special new one will give magical recovery -- it's the skill of the surgeon that counts
- if you need two done, think carefully about the time gap between surgeries, it's not a trivial decision
- try to plan for at least 12 weeks off work
- your recovery is your time to be selfish and idle; plan to embrace this, you'll need it
- don't think you can work hard (even if you're an athlete ) to speed recovery, healing works at its own pace
- look at our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) thread and for full reference the Library index.

- finally, if there's any part of this that you aren't clear about, ask here; it's what BoneSmart's for.

 

[Helizabug]

I am very glad I did mine before I was too debilitated by the condition of my knee. As time passed, it just got worse and worse. Recovery from surgery is slow and, in my opinion, debilitating for a while. But it all gets better for most of us. Better and better.

 

[Celle]

If your surgeon will do them, I think having both TKRs done at the same time (Bilateral) would be best for you. The first few weeks are probably a bit harder, as far as mobility goes, than having just one knee done, but you do get the huge benefit of only having one recovery for both knees.

 

[pamsknees]

I function OK at work & at home but can not hike, ride my bike, walk my dogs or even walk all around Costco.i put it off for 5 years but in Mar I’m having bilateral replacements. It’s gotten consistently worse over time & I know without surgery it won’t get better. I’m ready to get my life back - walk my dogs, ride my bike & go for hikes. It’s always a personal decision- pickle ball is as good a reason as any! I researched a lot, have been on here a few months & am ready! You will know when you’re ready too. Best of luck in your decision

 

[siobhan]

morning all and thanks again, great advice as ever, best of luck with your surgery pamsknees.
another query has anyone had any success taking glucosamine theres only anecdotal evidence it can be helpfull.

 

[Helizabug]

My husband takes glucosamine, and he thinks it helps him, but it never helped me. His whole experience of pain is warped, though, so I don’t know if it has really helped him either.

 

[Tykey]

There has been a study of studies, pulled together by our NHS.
The conclusion is that they have no clinical benefit.
I wish I had read this before wasting my money and effort on the tablets, which didn't work

Osteoarthritis supplement study

Supplements to ease the pain of arthritis “do not work”, reported The Independent. The newspaper said that the supplements glucosamine and chondroitin, which are “widely sold in health shops and have increasingly been prescribed by GPs and rheumatologists in the last decade”, are no better than...

www.nhs.uk

 

[Celle]

I used Glucosamine and Chondroitin for years - I had to wait for 9 years before a knee replacement - and I don't think they helped at all.

 

[pamsknees]

I used glucosamine for several years & 5 years ago my surgeon suggested trying not taking it & see if I noticed any difference- I did not. I do take turmeric & I do notice a difference if I don’t take it....... but it still does not allow me to hike, ride a bike or walk my dog

 

[siobhan]

thanks for feedback. wont be starting those.