February Valentines 2013 - Are You Having Knee Surgery In February?

[Fernie]

hi 10885 and a very warm welcome to the forum - Chinook has said some very wise words there :iagree: and i personally have found this site to be so empowering and helpful and the members are all so friendly and caring. I'm up the day after you so maybe we can support each other, along with everyone else who will be supporting us!. Do take care and I hope you continuing reading through the many great posts and feel more at ease with your surgery. Good Luck

 

[Toothfairy]

Good luck to all February Valentines. I will be watching your recovery threads and looking for advice for when I follow you early March.

 

[gami]

Thanks for the good wishes Toothfairy it helps, knowing there are so many others walking this same path and offering so much good advice and support.

Within the limits set by my knee I've been trying to stick to a schedule at a local gym 3 times a week as well as doing the pre-op exercises given me by the hospital clinic. I know how quickly I lose muscle tone so I guess it makes me want to stick at it until the day of my surgery. I'm curious about how post op recovery will be effected by all my pre-op conditioning though I am not stressed about it. I read the articles in the library and understand about listening to my knee for indicators of how it is all going. A few years ago I had a shoulder reconstruction, same surgeon, and I just followed the physios advice post op did my exercises as prescribed and my shoulder is now stronger than ever. I'm praying that my knee follows the same pattern although I understand now that the recovery will be quite different.

Look forward to chatting again.

 

[Toothfairy]

Hi Gami,
I am using an exercise bike for 30 minutes 3-5 times a week. I am not sure if it will help but I am certainly fitter which can only be a good thing.What is your surgery date?
It is great how we can chat together even though we are at opposite sides of the world. I am due to have my first surgery 2nd March. I am beginning to get a little bit nervous as it becomes more real. Only to be expected.
Take care,
Toothfairy

 

[gami]

Hi Toothfairy

my surgery is now only 2 weeks away...I have to check in at 10.00am on the 18th and will have the op sometime during the afternoon. I understand about that pre-op nervousness, it seems to come in waves doesn't it. But we've made the important decision so it's just part of our journey to being fitter.

Like you I spend about half an hour 3 times a week on the exercise bike at the gym, but I add to that some interval training and some specific weight training on the equipment. I don't do classes anymore as my knee became too angry with me and demanded I change my routine. My program now seems to work okay. For the next couple of weeks I'm doing extra stretching sessions for my quads and hamstrings as suggested at the pre-op clinic and will have a massage or two...will it help I hope so...but it helps me to think I am doing all I can to help myself.

The Rehab guy that works at the gym once again..reinforced the post -op need to not rush the recovery process and agreed totally with the mantra of this forum...about rest, ice, elevation...and more rest which he said would be hard for some people...I think he meant me but we'll see won't we.

Take care of yourself...not too long to wait.

 

[bottomshollow]

You're very lucky, Gami, that you already have a PT who understands how to treat a knee replacement client. It will save you a lot of grief. You'll just need to spend the first 2 to 3 weeks catching up on your reading, TV and DVD viewing, catnapping during the day, and any other things you can do sitting or lying down with your leg elevated and iced. You'll be able to do it---if you don't, your knee will make you pay!

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[Chinook]

Hi Redhead,
A very warm welcome and so happy you found us. I see you have already been given some great reading by the moderators. Good idea to start your own thread like bottomshollo suggested. I am due to have my surgery on the 15 Feb in Perth Western Australia. If you have any concerns or thing on your mind it is good to post here. I have received so much help and advice. The very best of luck to you. Hope to catch up again soon.

 

[Catanne]

Hello,
I am a newbie, scheduled for a tkr on 24th Feb. Beenlurking a while, interested in all the advice and help here1

 

[Poof]

Hi Catanne,
Mine is scheduled for next Tuesday. It has been scheduled for 5 months! The waiting has been crazy. Have you been to the Pre-op class? Where are you located? I think some of the PT advice varies depending upon where you live. I am 58 and live in Oklahoma.
Vickie

 

[gami]

Hi Catanne and Poof

Glad you've joined us this is a great place to be as there is heaps of great advice from so many who have already been where we are and are now living with their new knees through recovery as well there is excellent reading material for you in the library.

My TKR is the 18th and suddenly the days are flying by. I've been to pre-op class and found it a great introduction to the staff (nurses, physios and occupational therapist) who will be looking after me and it was very informative.

I'm fortunate enough to still be able to maintain an exercise regime but I have also concentrated on doing a fair bit of stretching over the last couple of weeks especially my quads and hamstrings. I guess I'm just trying to be as proactive as possible as the time gets closer. Yesterday afternoon I had a massage which targeted my legs and hips, all my exercise had made the muscles very hard and tight so it was hard work to loosen them up...yes and a bit painful. But last night I actually had two nice long periods of sleep which I am grateful for. I' will have a couple more massage sessions before my op.

Will it help post-op? Perhaps some-one on the forum may know. Nice to be able to chat with you.

 

[bottomshollow]

Catanne , so pleased you have joined us here on the forum. Please start your own thread in the knee replacement pre op area. You will see a black oblong at the top right hand side of the page that says "Post New Thread"--when you click on it, it will open a title box. You determine the title you want for your thread and then to down to the dialogue box and proceed to tell us a little about yourself or you can copy and paste what you have written here.

The advantage of having your own thread is there is a place for you to express your concerns and ask your questions, and all us other BoneSmarties can respond directly to you there and can always find you to post to. Members will not necessarily visit this thread that often, and the purpose of this thread is just post your surgery date.

Looking forward to your first post in your thread where I can give you links to Library articles that will answer so many of your questions.

 

[Poof]

Hi Gami,
I also thought the Pre-op classes were very helpful. I've been doing exercises to strengthen my muscles and also riding a stationary bike. I was given the advice, here on this forum, to strengthen my upper body as well. I was working on that and have pulled a muscle in my upper arm so I'm giving that some time to heal. These last few days before the surgery next week have been pretty stressful. I'll certainly be glad to just go ahead and get it over with and move on to recovery. The ortho nurse that conducted our class told us to bring shorts and t-shirts. We would not be hanging out in a hospital gown! She emphasized that we were not sick. We were going to be pro-active and were own our way to recovery. I really liked that positive attitude!
Vickie

 

[Jerseywolfe]

Hello, l been lurking for a few weeks. RTKR next week Feb 13. Cant wait

 

[Issy]

Hi, I'm Issy in Brisbane, Australia; having my R TKR on Feb 25. I had an arthroscopy and lateral release last August and it was reasonably successful, but the medial side of my knee has deteriorated since then, and my L knee is now pretty painful as well, soo.. I've read almost all the library and many of your posts. It's wonderful to see so many other people getting through the experience and having a really successful outcome. I hope all of us February Valentines are really successful too, but I know I'll still be scared until it's all over.

 

[Chinook]

Hi Issy and welcome. Nice to have another Aussie on board. Issy you have come to the right place and it has really helped me a lot. I am due for TRKR next Friday so just off to see the surgeon for the final time b4 I go in. Will catch up later.

 

[Issy]

Thanks, Chinook , I'll be thinking of you next Friday, all the very best. Issy

 

[Fernie]

A big hello to all the recent newbies to the site, may I wish you all very good luck with your upcoming surgeries, especially everyone up next week . WOW, there are lots of you.

Take care and I look forward to seeing all on the other side.

 

[gami]

Hi Issy
Welcome this is great place to hang out, lots of accumulated wisdom here from people who have had first hand experience so they know what they are talking about. The library is great but so is having a place where you can ask the questions that seem to come after you leave a doctors appointment. My TKR is on the 18th so not long to go now. Chat soon

 

[Toothfairy]

Hello Issy, welcome. I will be having my op a few days after yours on 2nd March. It is scary but also exciting. Have you been waiting long for your surgery date? It all feels a bit unreal for me at the moment, I am sure I will be very nervous bearer the time. It will come round quickly.
Hope you are well. Glad you have found this site.
Toothfairy x

 

[Issy]

Hi and thanks to all for the welcomes. You're absolutely right about the questions that arise just after you leave the doctor's office. I saw him only Thursday and already I have a list of seven new questions. I'll be seeing him again this week along with the physician he wants me to see before the surgery; he says that he specialises in knees and would rather someone else took care of my other "body parts" . No I haven't been waiting long for a surgery date. When he did the arthroscopy and lateral release last August he said that he didn't think it would be too long before I opted for a TKR and to come back and see him when I was ready. I'm certainly ready now and looking forward to being able to walk properly and sleep properly again, like everyone else. Luckily he's really a very nice man and has a great reputation. He did my sister-in-law's knee about 4 years ago and it has been very successful. Good luck and very best wishes to all of us Issy