Moving - Is it Wise to Get it Done Before or After?

[Rachell]

Hi
Just found out about TKR forums-so helpful! I have so many questions so I'll start with one:
My husband and I live in CO and are very eager to move to WA state in approx six weeks. My knee pain has been so severe in both knees I've been off work for two months and barely able to stand for more than an hour each day. It's progressively getting worse. I'm concerned about finding the best surgeon, post-op care, rehab and any and all other concerns that may arise afterwards.
Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated - I'm so confused, alone and basically frightened to death about what I'm about to face with my knees.
I do know one thing: I want one surgeon to do both knees (three to six months apart)
Question: Should I postpone our highly anticipated move closer to family until either winter or next spring to get both surgeries done here (where I plan to never return) or move soon, settle in and find a doctor who will be there if I need him?
My heart says move now but my knees say "I need to be replaced now".
Because I'm so miserable living here I'm concerned about my frame of mind and attitude going into surgery.
I'm 50 years old and have put this off for 25 years. I know I can wait a little longer but I'm just having a tough time deciding what to do.
Thanks for your thoughts, guidance, information and recommendations!
Rachell

 

[Texas]

Hi and welcome. If you are going to be closer to family and you want to move I would go for it. Do some research now about Drs in WA. Maybe set up an appt for when you get there and get things started. Because if you are not happy that might make it a lil harder. Dont sit in pain number 1 and 2 you will need family and friends to help for a lil while. Yes surgeon is the most important thing. Dont feel alone. We have all been thru this and its not as scary as is sounds. I think the thought of it gets us all worked up more...lol...If your knees are hurting that bad dont wait, it really wont get any better. Remember, the pain you have now will not go away the pain after surgery will and you will be happy you did it.....That is a tuffy........Good Luck with everything sure hope it works out the way you want it to. Sorry I couldnt be more help..

 

[Rachell]

Hi Kim - Thanks for your insight.
Wanna get it done for me?
I about fainted just watching a video on what they actually do to the knee.
Whether I get it done in Denver or Seattle I know once I pick up the phone to make that appt I'm going to be so frightened I'll be a no show on that day I'm due for surgery. I wonder if they charge for no shows?
Thanks again!

 

[Texas]

Haha believe me even when I was in preop the day of surgery. I was ready to run. The anesth came in gave me medicine and that was it . Didnt even remember going to surgery. Yeah that video, I remember ouch !..lol .You are in pain now and will get worse. Really the 1st week is a lil rough but you have medicine then your on your way to getting better. Here your just hurting all the time and wont go away....Just a though. But I do understand, It will be ok. I think I am the biggest chicken in the world.....

 

[JudyS]

Rachell
I vote move now , it seems like you can move whenever you want. You do not want to try to rush recovery in a place you want to leave. You will have apts far into the future to check your new painfree knees so it will be better to be where you're staying.
And family to help, that is awesome. You are very fortunate to have that in your future.
Of course we were all scared, once you get yourself a great surgeon, it will all be ok.
I am a hippy and my surgeon has worked on one of my knees as well. Because of my confidence in him , I never really was scared, maybe shocked:shk: that I needed a new hip at 51, but I love it.
Let us know what you decide to do.
judy

 

[Surfsister]

Rachell, if it were me and I could bear to wait, I'd make the move and then have the surgery. The recovery is a long process. You need to be in a good place mentally in order to get the most out of it. I don't think you'll be your strongest in CO. I'd wait and have the surgery done after the move. That way you'll have family nearby. A move would also give you a clean slate in some ways. You can start connecting with your new city, new home and new knees. You have to see the doctor several times during the first year after surgery. I would think you might as well wait and get it done once you move. Then you won't have to go to the trouble of going back to CO for check-ups or finding a doctor in Seattle who's willing to do follow-up on another surgeon's recent work.

 

[Judles]

Welcome Rachell! I vote for you to move NOW, too! You certainly don't want to risk the chance of dislocation! You're in pain anyway....moving is stressful enough! Recup is exhausting those first few weeks......not something that will be easy! Good luck whichever way you decide! Post to let us know how yo're doing!

 

[Karen54]

Welcome, Rachell! I vote with the others - move now, surgery afterwards!! I am sure Seattle has plenty of very reputable knee surgeons, and I think it is very important that you have family close by during your recup. Best of luck to you!

 

[Jamie]

Rachell, Welcome to BoneSmart! So glad you found us. Have no worries....you're part of a special family now and the folks on the forum will help you through the waiting period for your first surgery. You won't be so afraid for the second one, since you'll be an old pro by then.

I vote with the others and say move....the sooner the better. You are talking about two major surgeries in the next year. You need to be settled and near family and friends for support. It will mean so much to you to be there and not in Colorado. Not to mention that you WANT to be close to your doctor if at all possible for follow-up visits.

Just do one favor for me.....DON'T try to do a lot of the moving chores yourself!! You don't want to risk damaging your knee or enduring that much pain right before your surgery. Doctors don't like to work on inflammed joints, so treat yours with care and hire the work done if you need to.

Please post any time if you have a question or concern....or just to pop in and say hi!!!

 

[Josephine]

Seems like 100% are voting in favour of the move first and I concur! One other thing - had you considered having both knees done at the same time? Many do have it done that way - one op, one anaesthetic, one lot of rehab. Some surgeons won't do them but some will. Think about it .....

 

[calling_all_angels]

Rachell,
I would have to vote for the move now! Do you have a OS now that you are seeing???
If so ask this Doctor for the name of a Good OS in WA. State. Your OS doctor in CO.
may even be able to set up a appt. for you!!!
It is so nice to have you here with us. Please keeps us up on what you plan to do.
Ohhh and don't for get to exhale!!! Everything will be Ok once you are closer to family!!

 

[Sticker Lady]

Rachell-
Welcome to Bonesmart! I was waiting for someone to suggest that you think about doing both knees--that's what I did and I'm really happy that I did. Yes, it's tough, but so is doing one and then you have to face it all over again. I was walking in the house without even a cane between three and four weeks out.
I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to rehab the first knee well because of pain in the second one if I did them separately. I also didn't want to spend double the time in recovery. Of course, it will really be up to the surgeon you choose to decide if you're a canidate--but it is something to consider.
Blessings,
Irene

 

[Jamie]

It's a good suggestion, Rachell....you might talk to a few docs in Washington about a bilateral TKR instead of a phased approach. Way to go, Irene!!

 

[Linda2]

Since you have family in Washington, maybe you could make an app't up there for as soon as possible (after you've done your research, of course), visit those relatives, and search for your new home. Just a thought.

 

[Motherofmany]

Welcome! You will find great advice here from other TKR survivors that are doing awesome things now.

Definitely make the move first. I can't imagine trying to recooperate during a move, much less everything that comes with it.

Whew! I just had a yard sale yesterday and that was enough for me at 11 weeks post-op. My children spent most of the time pulling stuff out, I only pulled out the things I kept stubbing my toes on. Got rid of all of them too! Spent the afternoon in bed icing and elevating. Not fun at all!

I agree to ask your OS there to recommend and make you an appointment in WA. You can even google search available surgeons in the area you are moving to and find info on them in advance. Ask your family for recommendations. I was amazed at how many people in our area and church have had their knees done. So many ways to find good recommendations with all the technology.

Wish you the best!