TKR I’m baaack!

[Jacimarble]

Hi there I’m Jacimarble. I had a R TKR back in 2018 and joined BoneSmart then.
Now I am considering if it is time to get the left knee done.
I’ve joined as an insider for a month while I consider my timeline and decide what to do.
I went to a surgeon this week for information (of course he is knife happy and says do it).
But…. I don’t think I feel ready yet.
I knew this was going to come eventually, but I guess I went for the consult to find out if there are any other options before surgery.
I am not (yet) in as much pain and lifestyle impact as I was with my first TKR - that made the decision easier first time around - that and not knowing exactly what to expect. But is it better to have the surgery before it gets to that stage with this knee.
I was reading over my post op posts from last time and it reminded me of things I had forgotten about recovery and time and ice and the ODIC!
Anyhow I figured I’d jump back on here for a while where I can unload and share stuff with people who “get it” while I think about what and when and all that stuff.
Jaci

BTW 7 years on and the right knee is doing well. I haven’t had any problems with it. It copes well with day to day activities. I can do just about everything except run, jump and kneel.

 

[Layla]

Welcome back Jaci! Thanks for joining us as an Insider.
I am sorry it may be time for, Lefty, to be replaced. Thankfully you're doing well, had a positive outcome and know firsthand how great it is to get your life back on track post TKR.

I will leave you with some pre-op material to read and hope that you'll stay in touch as you consider a timeline for scheduling. We'll be here to support and encourage you as you move through the process.
Happy Thursday!


KNEE PRE-OP GUIDELINES

If you are at the stage where you have joint pain but don't know for sure if you are ready to have surgery, these links may help:

Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic knee?
Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis
BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:

Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?

Regardless of where you are in the process, the website and app My Knee Guide can help you stay organized and informed. The free service keeps all the information pertaining to your surgery and recovery in one place on your smartphone. It is intended to be a personal support tool for the entire process.

Nutrition is of paramount importance. Available here are dietary tips, nutrition basics and additional food supplements. These articles are both general advice on food and specific guidelines aimed at people both pre- and post-surgery.

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced knee, take a look at some stories of amazing knee recoveries
@Jacimarble

 

[benne68]

is it better to have the surgery before it gets to that stage with this knee.

My personal opinion is YES! Here's why:
- If your knee is (or near) bone-on-bone, it isn't going to improve - it's only going to get worse.
- Joint decline isn't a straight line. Your knee can seem to function for a while, and then -- suddenly -- things "fall off a cliff" and you need a cane to walk.
- Getting the surgery while you are still able to be active enough to have strong muscles makes recovery easier. Once you become disabled, muscles start to atrophy and that makes rehabilitation harder and longer.
- Finally -- why wait to get back to a full and active life? You already know what lies on the other side!

I opted to have my left knee done before it reached the horrible stage that my right knee was in when I had my first TKR. I found that second recovery was easier -- probably because I knew what to expect, so the "fear factor" that haunted me the first time around was gone.

We are here for you whatever you decide!

 

[Jamie]

I'll second everything that benne68 said and add that waiting can cause your body's alignment to change as it tries to compensate for your deteriorating joint. This imbalance can result in problems with your hips, feet, and ankles. You want to catch and fix a bad knee before any of this starts. Also, when the knee is not completely trashed, the surgeon usually can spend less time on surgery. This often translates into an easier recovery since less soft tissue is manipulated during the procedure.

Like benne68, I did my second knee well before I was in the horrible pain stage and it did make a difference in my recovery. You really do want to consider just biting the bullet and getting it done so you can enjoy your life. You don't want to spend the next several months or years wondering when it's "bad enough" to get fixed. That means your life revolves around your bad knee. I'm sure you have many more enjoyable things you'd rather do.

 

[Jacimarble]

Thanks Benne and Jamie. That’s what I needed to hear. Still haven’t made a decision, but getting closer to accepting it

Jaci

 

[Jamie]

You’ll make the right decision for you. You’re doing it the correct way by getting as much input and information as you can and then weighing the pros and cons.

 

[benne68]

Listen to your body is telling you'll be comfortable in your decision -- either way. (And remember, you can always change your mind).

Please keep us posted!

 

[Jacimarble]

A question for those with both knees done. One of the effects I notice from my first knee is a slight “delayed reaction” (don’t know how else to describe it) when I stumble , which makes recovering from a stumble a little harder than pre new knee.
Does anyone know if this is a “thing” with knee replacements, and if so is it worse with both knees replaced.

 

[benne68]

@Jacimarble Not sure if this is what you are talking about, but I noticed as my "second" deteriorated and I was relying heavily on the "first" knee, I became very unstable on uneven ground with both knees. It was odd since I knew that replaced knee was good. The sensation went away once I'd recovered from the second TKR and could walk normally on both legs.

 

[Jacimarble]

So, a decision has been made. Tentative date for surgery is 3rd October. I have a pre op visit with the surgeon in august to finalise and prepare.
I have a couple of golf tournaments I really want to play in august and September, and October suits me for work with taking time off.
Also gives me four months to be organised.

 

[Layla]

Hi Jaci,
We will add October 3rd as your date for a Left TKR to your signature and if it changes, just let us know and we'll edit accordingly. Wishing you the best before you tee off in the tourneys later this Summer. I hope your knee holds out and you do well. Happy Tuesday!
@Jacimarble