Just decided on BTKR at 49!!! Right decision or not??

[Dawnie]

Hi, I'm new to the forum.
I have just asked to be referred for both TKR's, most of the time I am sure that I am doing the right thing. But then, I have one good day and I ask myself if I am, is this normal, have you all been as indecisive.
I am 49 years old and have OA, both my knees are bone on bone and the limitations this has put on my life are what are frustrating me the most. The pain is debilitating and I am hoping that TKR will help that. Any advice, suggestions or comments are very welcome.

Dawnie.

 

[tooyoungforthis]

Hi Dawnie, Go for it, you have so much more living why do it in pain!

 

[Dawnie]

Thanks tooyoung, I assume you have no regrets, I appreciate your advice.

 

[Judles]

Welcome, Dawnie! I'm a hippie! But I know enough about bone on bone arthritis to say,,,,,,GO FOR IT! The sooner you do it, the sooner you'll be out pain! Good Luck! ;)

 

[stives]

Hello Dawnie

Welcome to the forum. I would say don't hesitate! I was bone-on-bone in both knees (due to old sports injuries) for years. This was not only giving me pain, it also caused me to retire slightly early from teaching as it was so painful to be standing up in front of a class a lot. I also missed out on lots of walks etc which friends and family were able to do.

I had my first knee done just over six months ago, the second three weeks ago. I'm now looking forward to starting my life over again, and doing lots of things I've been unable to do for years.

I, too, was undecisive, and put the ops off for years until it was forced to happen as one knee completely locked up (an osteophyte broke off and got jammed in the joint). The consultant told me I should have the TKR asap as the op is apparently more difficult if the knee is in a worse condition - and my leg was quite bent.

Lots of people have both knees done at the same time. In a way, I wish I'd done that, as it gets the recovery over that much more quickly. The recovery of my first knee has been slowed down because the second knee was too painful to cope with much in the way of exercise.

I'm now making very good progress, am off crutches, walking around town without aids, just done a bit of easy weeding, been to a French class this morning - I'm just getting on with my life. I can stand and walk comfortably now, and it's great.

Go for it! Let us know what you decide!

 

[ship4]

Welcome Dawnie,
I had BTKR last June 18th at the age of 58. I should have had it done at least 5 years sooner. It has been a good thing for me. I am getting my life back! I have downhill skied this past winter again! I can stand in one place without having to look for a place to sit down, I can go for a walk, I can garden again,
I plan to work on my stamina to go hiking this summer.
Life is good!
Go for it. It is hard work, but anything worthwhile is worth the time, effort, and energy you put into it.
Be knowledgeable about the surgery. Know what to expect, learn how to prepare for it, and how to recover in a timely manner. Expect to have to deal with pain, but it is a pain that goes away, not the constant pain you are living with now. Purchase the book by the PT and OS ! Total Knee Replacement & Rehabilitation. This book takes you from before surgery thru the first year. A must!
Go for it!
Best,

 

[Surfsister]

Do it! My mom had BTKR when she was 71. She has no regrets. You're much younger and you'll recover rather quickly (comparatively speaking). I'm three and a half weeks past my LTKR. The PT is hard. I'm trying to get back to my active life so I'm being pushed to my limit. However, it's all worth it. My OA pain is long gone. Once the pain from surgery is completely gone, I'll be pain-free. Do it!

 

[GaryM]

Welcome Dawnie!

I had BLTK in July 08. At the time I was 47. Best thing I ever did. It hurts and it's tough but nothing you can't deal with. Pain free now. Love it. If you have questions ask away! We are here to help!

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Dawnie! Welcome to the BoneSmart family. So glad you joined us. All of us who have had joint surgery have had moments of wondering whether it was going to be the right thing to do. That's normal. But, listen to those who have posted....they have been where you are and are now enjoying a better life with no joint pain. That is so important!! Trust yourself (you KNOW you need to be rid of the pain, even if it's not there every single moment) and trust your surgeon and his staff (they will take good care of you).

And....post here whenever you have a question or concern....or just to say hi to your new friends!

 

[Dawnie]

Thank you so very much for your positive comments, it's really good to hear from people who have the same concerns. I shall keep you all posted with my progress, you have made me feel so much less alone in this.
Dawnie. X

 

[Josephine]

Well, for sure you're not alone, honey! And if you're worried about your age - don't!! We've had people on here in their 20/30's had TKRs done.

 

[Texas]

Hi Dawnie , If you are having problems please dont sit in pain. You have alot of living to do. It will make it better. But yes you have to make the decisions. But we are here for you all the time............keep youe head up.........I hope you feel better.............Kim

 

[bones]

Hi
I had one knee replaced ~ years ago and the other just 4 months ago. I would like to mention that I also had reservations about the surgery - keep asking is it really time to have it and will the result be better. Post surgery pain is much reduced although still some discomfort. much better than before. New knees are not perfect, based on my experience, pain is better but some residual stiffness of joint. In my experience it took about 1 year for near full range of motion to be recovered and I worked at it by going to the gym several times a week. You will not want to kneel on the new joint - highly uncomfortable even after 2 years on the first knee. Max recovery appears o take ~ 1 to 2 years post surgery. Still working on the last one but appears to be gong well.

 

[Josephine]

Welcome to BoneSmart, bones! What an entirely appropriate name!

 

[Nancyo]

Welcome Dawnie and Welcome Bones! We are so happy you have found our wonderful forum!
Someone is always on line and willing to help answer questions or just talk if you want to. We all care about our members and we are all so supportive of each other.
Our Mother hen and Nurse moderator Josephine, is a wonderful and intelligent woman who really knows her stuff and will always give you her best answer. Look around our forum and get to know it. We are mainly hip and knee replacements and anyone you speak with will be willing to help. So once again welcome!
Blessings to you!
Nancyo

 

[Gringo]

Dawnie, I just had my first TKR at the age of 58, 20 days ago. I wanted a BTKR but the OS advised against it due to the massive damage in the worse knee. He wanted to do one at a time, to let me get used to walking on a real knee again before doing the other one. Now, I am glad he did.

As for waiting, don't do it. Look at it this way....you KNOW you are going to be getting the TKRs at some point. Think of that time between the surgery and when you are happy as being a fixed number of weeks. However many weeks it is, it will be a fixed amount of time out of your life while you are recovering. Whether you do it now, or whether you do it in five years, it's still going to be this block of time.

What is NOT fixed is the amount of time you spend in pain, crippled because of your OA. If you wait five years, for the TKRs, then you have a total down time of five years plus the fixed time for the TKR and recovery.

If you get the TKRs in a month, then you just have a month plus the fixed time for the TKRs and recovery.

Look at the difference five years down the road. Five years of more OA pain before surgery, or five years of no OA pain after surgery.

And you will recover faster at 49 than you will at 54 or older.

Do it. Nobody who does go through it seems to regret it.

 

[Jayne]

Dawnie,
I am having both knees replaced on June 4th. I have messed with this for well over 12 years. I want my life back too and I'm older than you. 59. I'm very well known in my small town and just today ( a woman who NEVER talke to me) she lives in my neighborhood and she came right to me and said I heard your having surgery on BOTH knees and then she laughed and said.........with her head to the one said gave me a look like I was nuts. I didn't feel like feeling her in on my back ground but, I'm writing a journal and when it's finished I'll give her a copy.
You must do what is in your heart. No one can make up your mind. It is YOUR decision and you'll know when you are ready to throw in the towel.
Jayne

 

[Judles]

Welcome Bones! Its ALL about healing and feeling better. ....And getting your life BACK!!! !

 

[Simon]

Dawnie

I had BTKR last year and I should have had it done in my 40's. don't let the occassional good day fool you because it is only going to get worse. What I found over time is the time between good days kept getting shorter and shorter. I would go for having both done at once, it really is easier if both are in the same shape.

Simon

 

[Dawnie]

Thank you all, I will thinking about you Jayne on 4th June, best of luck with your op, you have all expelled any doubts I may have had. X