Hi I am Rosemary

[Rosemary]

I have had trouble with my knee for a while. Went to hospital last week. They have told me and booked me in for a total knee replacement. I am really worried about the aftermath. My older brother has just had one of his knees done. I cared for him when he came out of hospital. I know he had alot of pain. That really scares me. I have never ever been incapasitated. I am scared.

 

[Judles]

Welcome Roemary! -I'm a hippie but - just
Wanted to wish you good luck!
Everyone recuperates at a different rate and of course it is normal
To be scared! ,Now that you took such good care
Of your brother, I hope her reciprocates!
There's some very good pain meds out there, Perhaps
You should discuss pain management with your OS
Before your surgery! Also attend the joint replacement class if your
Hospital most probably offers, that should allay some of your fears!

 

[Josephine]

I know exactly how you feel right now, Rosemary - in fact most of us on here do. I'm having my knee done on Tuesday, many others have had theirs done already. But it's so natural to feel anything from anxious to terrified about this and part of the reason is that you have no idea what will be happening to you.

Another part is that you do know some but don't know how you can handle it. Well, here is the place you can get yourself informed. Read the old threads in the Knee Recovery forum, find out what other people's experiences were, how they coped with it all, how they coped when things went a bit kapewy! Get informed and get planning! If there's anything specific you want to know, ask us and we'll all chime in.

Above all, remember you've joined a family here and we will do our best to see you through - that's exactly what we're here for.

 

[Rosemary]

Makes me wonder. My oldest sister has, had both her knees done. My brother has had one knee done, and is now waiting for the next op for his other knee. Makes me think this is hereditary?

 

[Weezy]

Makes me wonder. My oldest sister has, had both her knees done. My brother has had one knee done, and is now waiting for the next op for his other knee. Makes me think this is hereditary?

I certainly don't know for sure, Rosemary, but my brother and I both have had knee problems our entire lives, so it makes sense that heredity plays a part.

Hang in there! Jo is right--this is the best place and truly a family. I know that I wouldn't have made it through my first recovery without these folks, and they have kept me going and sane through my second recovery also.

Fear is normal. I was as scared the second time as I was the first, and it wasn't any easier. But at least I knew that the end results were worth the LONG recovery time (although I'm really impatient now and frustrated with the time it takes...grrrr).

Keep posting, let us know how you're doing, and do keep asking questions! As far as I'm concerned, knowledge is the best medicine for fear.

Weezy

 

[Josephine]

Not exactly hereditary nor genetic, but certain familial (runs in families). They tend to have the same physical traits like obesity, but that's about it. I have 5 siblings, one had had 2 knees done and soon to have both hips, another has been recommended to have a knee done but is anti-intervention! (go figure!). The rest are fine.

 

[Jamie]

Welcome, Rosemary. You have a LOT of company with your knee problems and you've come to a great place to get information. Josephine, our forum nurse, was right on target when she advised that you go into the Knee Recovery portion of this forum and spend some serious time reading. You'll probably have questions and concerns as you go along, but this is a GREAT group of folks who care about you and will help - day or night!! Believe me, every single one of us had to come to terms with the thought of needing the surgery and the fear of the unknown. But for the great surgeons who perform knee and hip replacements, this is just routine (the good ones will do 500 of these surgeries a year) and they really know their stuff. The new joint will be amazing to you - HONEST!!!

Post often and let us get to know you. We'll be here for you!!! (((HUGS))))

 

[CG'sknees]

Hi Rosemary, and welcome!

I too was very worried about pain before my RTKA in November 2008. And my surgeon didn't seem to help much when I asked him about it. He just had some anecdote about how everyone has different levels of pain tolerance, he had an uncle that could have teeth extracted without anesthetic...bla..bla..bla. Some help he was!

My experience was that the nurses were excellent in the hospital in making sure that I was comfortable at all times. And when I went home I made sure to take my pain meds on schedule, so that I wouldn't ever get to an unbearable state. And when the surgeon tried to say it was time to "wean" myself off vicodin I was insistent that I still needed some pain meds (this was at about 2 months). After that I went to my primary care doctor, who gave me a prescription for vicodin that should last until my surgery on my left knee. I haven't had the need for any pain meds other than ibuprofen in the last month.

Alll this is just to reassure you that you can easily control the pain as long as you remain your best advocate. If you are like me and have never had a problem with drug addictions you should not let anyone make you think that you will suddenly become a drug addict now.

Oh, and of course, ICE. That's one of the best pain relievers around. And truly, the time will pass quickly and you will feel SO MUCH BETTER soon enough.

All my best to you Rosemary,
CG

 

[JudyS]

Hi Rosemary
I am a hippy , but wanted to say hi and welcome. We do have a great family of really caring people here and combined have experienced almost all that can happen. Ask any specific questions you may have or just post a comment. We love to meet new people
judy

 

[Rosemary]

Silly me when people were saying they are a hippie. I was thinking oh the flower power era. One thing I need to ask. In hospital a pj's or nighties the best?

 

[Peta]

Hi Rosemary and welcome! I'm also a "hippie" - had a LTHR end of October (and used to be the other sort of hippie as well..............back in the 70's!!) LOL. I just wanted to say hello and good luck!
As far as PJ's or nighties go - someone who has had their knee done will be able to advise you far better than I can and I'm sure they will be posting! I had to wear nighties when I had my hip done (for ease of access to the wound) - but I would THINK with your knee you could wear either??
Whereabouts in NZ are you from? I've visited your beautiful country a few times and loved it!

Peta

 

[kangaroo]

Hi Rosemary,
Great to have you on board, I'm from Aussie too...Aussies and NZers are somewhat low in numbers on this site! Look into the psychology of PJS/NIghties. There are different schools of thought
*keep in your jamies and then people know that you are not recovered yet
or
*get dressed, so that you mentally think of yourself as well but somewhat limited because of the effects of surgery
*others stay in hospital gowns the whole time (and avoid the washing having to go home!)
Whatever you do in terms of dress is immaterial, its your willingness to allow the world to go past you and allow your knee/hip recover after surgery.
Be kind to yourself....
Rachel

 

[Jamie]

With my knee surgery, I wore some pajamas that consisted of shorts with an elastic top (very important for those bathroom runs) and a long sleeve top that buttoned up the front and came down below the waist. It was wonderful.

 

[Judles]

Or a front zippered hoodie sweatshirt!
The hospital heating/cooling systems are
Wacky! So you can bundle up or discard,,
Whatever you need from moment to moment!

 

[GaryM]

Hey Rosemary

I had BTKR in July 08. Feels great now. You will not be sorry. I was walking around the store yesterday and was thinking how wonderful it was not to have to stop and find a place to sit. No more pain.

Being a guy I wore gym shorts. Easy in and out of them. Easy to get to the incisions for cleaning and changing bandages. Lived in gym shorts for several months. Wife says I wore them out.

You have come to the right place. So many friends here. So much good advice. Stay in touch. We can certainly give advice can't we folks? lol.

Welcome!

 

[Judles]

*Absolutely right,Gary! Glad you are
doing so well!

 

[Rosemary]

Just to let you know. I had a call from the hospital yesterday. I am booked to have the operation done on the 12th May.

 

[Rosemary]

Hi Rosemary and welcome! I'm also a "hippie" - had a LTHR end of October (and used to be the other sort of hippie as well..............back in the 70's!!) LOL. I just wanted to say hello and good luck!
As far as PJ's or nighties go - someone who has had their knee done will be able to advise you far better than I can and I'm sure they will be posting! I had to wear nighties when I had my hip done (for ease of access to the wound) - but I would THINK with your knee you could wear either??
Whereabouts in NZ are you from? I've visited your beautiful country a few times and loved it!

Peta

I'm in Auckland. On the North Shore. We live on a beach here.

 

[stives]

Hi Rosemary
I'm a newbie as I've only recently found this forum. Lucky you living where you do. We spent 4 weeks in NZ three years ago, and hope to go back sometime.
I had a TKR on my left knee at the end of last October. I would recommend a nightie rather than PJs so that your knee is easy for the medics to get at. I suppose PJs with short bottoms would also be fine.
This forum is excellent for information, and I wish I had found it before my op. I am awaiting a TKR on my right knee - just waiting for the date now.
Don't be alarmed by some of the problems you might read about on this forum. As Josephine has written somewhere, it tends to be mostly people with problems that do the writing! I'm only writing 'cos this site is interesting and I like people! I haven't had any problems with my new knee. Yes, it is a bit painful, but that can be controlled with painkillers. It's not the sort of pain to make you scream - in my experience! I found for the first few weeks I had no pain if I didn't move! However, in order to get your mobility back, it is necessary to move, and I found that was where it got a bit painful. It felt like there were very strong rubber bands inside the knee, and I had to force them to stretch. You will have to do the exercises conscientiously. Good luck!

 

[Rosemary]

Yes my brother has mentioned that. I looked after him here after his knee replacement at christmas. He said at first he thought. This operation has not worked. He was very miserable here for a few weeks. Just wanted to lay in bed still. Now he is jumping around. Doing up the engine on his boat. They also straightened his leg. It had become very bowed. Now he is waiting for his other leg to be done. I have had two visits so far to the hospital one to see the surgeon. Next for B/p check heart check and to see the anethis: I have to go back again on the 7th May for pre op check. Operation should be on the 12th May all being well.