Hi from a not so newbie, newbie...

[Sandy R]

Just found this board last week and it’s nice to know there’s a place to go for answers, questions and support. I’d say I was a newbie but I’ve been through my husband’s 2 TKR’s, one last December and the other this past May. So, I’ve experienced pre-op and post-op, definitely as a close 2nd. My plan was to wait until next year to do a TKR on my right knee but taking care of him after each of his surgeries really put me over the edge… I’m now in pain pretty much all the time. In other words, I’m ready for my surgery, which will be sometime in August or September, depending on the orthopedist’s travel schedule… I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an earlier rather than a later date! I sit here writing this, with patch tests for metals on my back, which were just put on this morning. Since I’m allergic to nickel, my orthopedist wanted to be certain I was okay with the metals in the TKR. Our orthopedist does minimally invasive TKR’s and my husband’s surgeries went well, his healing has been right on track, and he’s been a great patient. I have a close friend that just went through a TKR and after a month post-op, she’s miserable… needs lots of meds for pain, doesn’t want to do her exercises, cancels PT session, is up one day and very down the next. I’m nervous about how I’ll react to the post-op pain and recovery. Any pointers on handling the pain, doing the exercises and staying optomistic?

 

[1jt@atime]

Sandy, Welcome! You definitely have some recent experience with how recovery can go. One thing you might know by now is that no one person or one knee is like the other. It's hard to predict just how it will be for yourself. I will tell you that there are many more emotions involved with this surgery then one would realize. This is probably your friend's problem right now. I don't know if it's the drugs, the realization of what you just went through or the realization of just how long it's going to take to recover. Maybe it's all of the above........ I have read over and over from others, and me included, that it's going to take a year to heal but it seems that no matter how much you read we all think oh yeah, sure, it's not REALLY going to take that long but it really does.

You said your husband was a great patient and recovered on schedule. I bet he's going to be an equally good caregiver to you and since he obviously will know what you are going through will have plenty of empathy and show lots of support. You are ahead of the game just having him there with you. You will keep on top of the pain by taking the pain meds and not feeling guilty about taking it. Schedule regular PT sessions and again, I bet your husband will be there supporting and encouraging you to do your PT. I think you will do great! Keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. Karen

 

[Josephine]

I think that with people who react like your friend has, the one similarity I have found is that they tend to wait too long between pain meds. They wait until they are in pretty bad pain before they take the next dose and then get depressed and upset because it doesn't take effect quickly. The key here is to take them when you are feeling discomfort rather than pain. As time goes on, the gaps between those points will extend so don't worry too much about dependency (though don't forget it either! *wink*)

Plus make sure you take them at least 30-40 mins before your PT so you have maximum coverage for that.

And you will have the added bonus of a great husband to cheer you on (and all of us!) and a very detailed knowledge of the progress of it all.

I think you'll do just great!

 

[Sandy R]

Thanks for the support... it really helps! I forgot to mention in my last post, that my husband is 75 and I'm 69. Well, it's 2 pm in L.A., so I've had the metal patches on since 10 am yesterday. They come off tomorrow morning. So far no reaction to speak of... except for feeling a little prickly, which I imagine is from the paper tape. As far as my husband cheering me on after my surgery, he'll definitely do that... along with market shopping and buying prepared food for dinners and of course do the driving when I begin PT. Since his 1st TKR was last Dec. and his recent TKR was this May, I don't want him to fetch and carry for me... he's still healing. My plan is to hire someone to come in during the day to help. Sure hope I find out my surgery date soon, so I can start looking for someone. I'm a "planner" so not yet having a fixed date, makes me a little nuts.

 

[JudyS]

Hi Sandy R
I am 4 weeks out from a hip replacement, I have a lot of resting time on my hands so I also read the knee site.
I am also in LA, actually in Sierra Madre which is just east of Pasadena. I kept hoping on this forum there would be someone local to me.
I did read your first post and I don't think you have to worry about anything. Having your hubby with first hand experience is the perfect caretaker. He will understand it all and you know what yuo are in for.
It is the greatest forum, it has helped me soo soo much before and after.
Welcome
Judy in So Cal

 

[Sandy R]

Well, my metal patches are off and it showed I wasn't allergic to anything... a bit strange because I do have a nickel allergy (can't wear silver earrings). Still, I'm relieved that titanium, cobalt and the cement used in the TKR came up negative. Now, if the OS office would call and let me know they have a cancellation, I'll be all set. Actually, I had a date, July 21st, but I fractured a tooth and am in the process of completing a crown by the end of the month. OS wouldn't do the surgery until the dental is complete. So, July 21st was a no-no and they gave me Sept. 29... as far as I'm concerned that date is also a no-no.. which is why I'm waiting for a cancellation closer to August 1st.

 

[Josephine]

Great! Roll on end of August, eh?