... My LTKR is a ways out so haven't been posting much just mostly reading the post-op recovery stories for guidance and inspiration but when I saw Herb's pre-op stats it got me wondering. I know the closer I get and the more my nerves take over, I'll have many more questions. So grateful to have found this forum. Really can't imagine proceeding without it.
Remember also that my pre-op stats were just one data point, a single point in time, and self-measured so subject to difficulty with confirming accuracy (although they are certainly fairly close to correct in that moment.)
Generally, I am hearing and reading that better conditioning (strength in quads etc.) is likely to make for a smoother recovery will less difficulties, but I really need to explore this idea of pre-ROM vs. post-ROM.
It seems to me if pre-op ROM is poor due to mechanical defects (malalignment, osteophytes or bone spurs, etc.) then removing all those issues could easily obtain a better post-op ROM and there would be no reason for my first surgeon to say, 'We hope not to lose MUCH ROM during the replacement.'
But then originally, I was under the impression that improving the ROM was part of THE POINT of a TKR which according to what the prior surgeon told me would be incorrect.
In general, it seems it would never hurt to go in with the healthiest knee (and leg) you possibly can. Your quads and such are still going to be mobilizing the knee so having them healthy must generally be a good thing.
For me a healthy quad is a strong and flexible quad so I am going to approach this BTKR through weight training (machines), pool therapy, yoga, and perhaps even most importantly Meridian Stretching/Training (see above).
Right now, my attention is however focused pretty strongly on Mechanical vs. Kinematic alignment techniques (the Kinematic seeming to offer a much better chance for *MY* satisfaction, i.e., feels like a normal knee, no/reduced pain, no/reduced stiffness, better ROM.)
My current pain levels are not extremely high, and that is even with the fact that my left knee (especially) is currently a big more angry than it usually has been over the past 5-10 years.
I could easily get by with no pain killers (not even NSAIDs or Tylenol) if my knee were at the typical pain levels of 2008-2014. Especially if I cut off 2013 & 2014 which were apparently severely adversely affected by the otherwise non-symptomatic (i.e., no pain) right hip. Likely the left hip is also exerting a negative (but not painful) input to my left leg as it also requires replacing soon.
There is a desire for us to "control everything" and I neither discount that tendency nor argue against it -- it's clear that much of this will ultimately be OUT of *my* control but that won't stop me from trying to do every reasonable thing within my power to work towards an excellent outcome.
That doing this also assuages many of my fears and concerns is not a bad thing either.
What I am doing is as much as practical and after that leaving it to be what it will be. This is a complex balance for many people but something that makes me entirely comfortable.
It comes from a paraphrase of the Serenity Prayer (used by alcoholics and other 12-step programs which I know from my parents, however the Greek philosopher Epictetus said something similar circa 100 AD):
Give me the courage to change the things I am able; the serenity to accept those things I cannot change; and the wisdom to know the difference.
For me this whole process is much like a little kid waiting on Christmas to open my long wished for toys -- and since the nearly intolerable waiting cannot be avoided, research and discussions helps me to prepare.
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