I am having surgery

[Beth15]

for a knee replacement on July 21 and I am very anxious about it. But I am 100% disabled as I am now. I have a large home and need to climb 19 stairs at least three times a day which I find more and more difficult to do. I have fallen twice in the past week trying to do this. Getting into and out of bed is also a very difficult exercise. I am hoping that it will be worthwhile to have this surgery. I also wonder how long recovery will take for me to be able to function again.

Any thoughts I would be most grateful,
Beth in NJ

 

[JenniferG]

Hi Beth, welcome to the crowd. For me it was very scary as well but now that I am on the other side I am so grateful. recovery is a lot of work but very worth it and the pain is different and goes away. The pain you have now will only get worse. Recovery does take time but you will notice significant changes as you go and for the times you are down there is plenty of support here. the miles stones vary from person to person, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is not a train. I was moving around pretty good by 8 weeks, that is usually when the OS releases us when all is good until the 1 year mark. It may sound long now but i thought wow how quick it went when I got to the other side. Best on the 21st and keep posting.

 

[1jt@atime]

there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is not a train.

Oh Jen, you are sooooo witty!!! I love it!

Welcome Beth, yes, it is worth it or so many of us wouldn't be willing to go through this drastic surgery. I am 4 weeks out today from my second knee replacement and I'm 47. I am very happy to have them both completed and under my belt and so will you. It's not an easy road to travel but one well worth it. Good luck! Karen

 

[referee54]

Worhtwhile---Wow--you bet. I believe that all of us would say that we regained major portions of our lives that were previusly "lost." The surgery is the easy part, however---rehab is tough and can kick butt. There is pain involved, but it is a good kind of pain tha says you are defeating arthritis. Recovery takes a major portion of a year---but if you read about the "old timers" here, they will all tell you how much better they feel and what they are dong now.

I had a bilateral TKR on November 8th of 2007 and was back teaching on January 3. I was still going to rehab and I still was stiff--up until the first week of April. I finished rehab March 27th and umpired my first baseball game of the year the next week.

I now cycle about 80-100 miles aweek and have resumed doing almost everythng i did before surgery---except running.

You will be challenged during your recovery and rehab, and there will be some darker days---but you keep on working hard and things will fall into place.

Tim C.

 

[carolinagirl]

Hi Beth,
Welcome to the forum. I am 5 days post op today! I had a RTKR. I am 49 years olds.This forum has been a blessing to me, preparing me for the surgery and answering my questions. The support is GREAT!! Good luck with your surgery. You will be in my prayers. I am so glad to now be on the other side of the forum. You will be too before you know it! God bless!

 

[Nursepair]

Hi Beth and welcome. I agree with all the others, it will turn your life around having this surgery. There is no more joint pain!!!! It will be a hard long slog to get there but well worth it. Takes 6 months to a year. Good luck. Sue

 

[tjhemel]

Hey Beth,

I agree wtih Tim, the rehab is the worst part of it but the most rewarding because you know you are making progress. Push hard and do exactly what the PT and doctors tell you to do.

I have bilateral on April 18. My knees swell some at the end of the day depending on how long I have been on them, but not much pain at all. Some mornings when I get up they both feel normal. What a great feeling.

I did, however, expect recovery to go quicker, but since I have been on this forum I realize that I am right on target and it will take some time to fully recover. Listen to you knees, rest when needed so the tissue can heal properly.

Keep us posted on your recovery.

Tricia
in Texas

 

[Josephine]

See, what better welcome and encouragement could you get than that? If you want/need moral support, information, tips, advice and friendship from those who have been there before you, you found the right place!

If you have any specific questions, we'll all be happy to answer them to the best of our individual abilities.

 

[Beth15]

Thank you to all for your encouragement. I hear all of you saying this surgery was worth it. I have had pain for the past two years, each month getting worse, so if I have to suffer some pain with the physical therapy I am more than willing to do so. I will need surgery on my left knee, but the doctor wanted to just do the right knee this time. Could anyone share with me what they found to be the most difficult part of physical therapy following surgery and WHEN can you take a shower after the surgery. Thank you all, I am delighted to have your support

Beth

 

[JenniferG]

As soon as you get home and a plastic bag on that puppy for the shower. You have to keep it dry until the incision totally closes. Hardest part of PT after? All of it, some of it, none of it. For me it depended on the day. When something new was introduced was always a challange. but thinking about it, really, probably those first few walks from the hospital bed and stairs.

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Hi Beth -
I am having mine done on 7/14 - less than a week away - I have just returned from a family vacation and I can't wait to get this thing done - I used so much ice - ughhhhhhh Hang in there and keep busy - !
Marianne

 

[JudyS]

Marianne,
Wow it is finally almost here for you. The waiting IS the hardest part.
I will definately be thinking about you on monday. What time is your surgery?
Judy

 

[Beth15]

Thank you Jennifer, I so appreciate your prompt answer to my burning questions. I was just talking with my friend in our garden club and told her about this web site and the great people who participate in it and help novices like myself. Right now it is very difficult for me to get from my bedroon to the bathroom in the middle of the night and the first trip down the 19 stairs from the second floor are frightening. So how much worse could it be even after surgery. I am an RN (retired) but I have never been a beleiver in joint surgery until NOW and I just can't wait to have the first surgery over and done with.

Again thank you for sharing your experience with me. If you don't mind I would like to keep in touch and if any other concern comes up I think this will be the place to get a straight answer.

 

[Beth15]

Thank you for your encouraging words. I cannot wait to get back in the gym which I have missed for the past year. Sounds like it will be possible.

 

[Nursepair]

Please do keep in touch, we wouldn't want it any other way.
((((HUGS for your surgery, Beth and Marrianne))))))

 

[Beth15]

Marianne
Good speed with your surgery. I just know you will be happy to have it over and done with, please let me (us) know how things go for you.

Beth

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Beth - I promise I will do my best to keep you informed as to how things are going for me. I so know what you mean about getting back to the gym. I haven't been there since the end of January when all fell to pieces!Heading out to my preop this afternoon. Here we go...

Judy - I am slated for 10:15 am Monday (that's 2:15 PM EST, etc.) Unless he cancelled his first of the morning I will be second down the hal. I will find out for sure today. As of my last phone call to the OS I was still second. I so can't wait to be done with this and move ahead!

I have a feeling the next 3 days will go quickly. Today we are running (hahahah) into Anchorage for 3 appointments. Tomorrow my 3 year old neice is coming for the night - oh my! Thanks goodness my other half is here to chase her. Sunday we are dropping my neice and my daughter at my sister-in-laws and then we are heading out for a movie. Then....Monday AM should be here. I have sooooo much to get finished with. Yikes!

Hang in there Beth!

Marianne

 

[JudyS]

Marianne,
I am in Ca. and one hour ahead of my son in Fairbanks. Is that the same with you ? How far away is Anchorage from you?

Sounds like a great plan to go to the movies on Sunday nite. I don't remember what I did.
You should be about at your last apt for today!!!
Judy

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Judy -
I am 45 minutes to an hour (depending on traffic) north of Anchorage on the Glen Highway (about 45 miles). Same time zone as Fairbanks - one hour b4 you. Did your son make it down from McKinley yet - please let me know - it has been kinda strange this year for climbers. I am going to post more under the 4 days to go thread! Thanks for all your wishes!

Marianne

 

[JudyS]

Marianne,
Randy had some superior cut his leave time, so he had to cancel his plans. I was glad, especially after hearing a little about this season on the mountain. Of course he waas planning on going alone. Maybe when he gets a little older he will see the sense in joining a group.

I really want to get to Alaska before he leaves. Surgery keeps interfering. My original plan was for last summer. Then the cervical spine had to be dealt with. Now the hip.
I'll go to your other thread now.
Judy