Nervous Nellie Here!

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RodBallard

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I'm Rod, 58 male, & have a date on the calendar, Dec 4th, 2009 for Right FKR. I'm relieved to have made the decision, & scared is more accurate than "nervous" about the post-op process. Sort of 2nd guessing, but for the persistent pain & the cotozone to cortozone process I've been in for the past 2 years, each shot having less of an impact & helping a shorter period of time.

My paid began about 2 1/2 years ago, don't recall injuring my knee but tore a medial meniscus cartiledge, went in for surgery (18 months ago) (was playing golf 3 weeks afterwards & encouraged to be "on my way"). Apparently the MD repaired the tear; but while in there scraped or polished alot of arthritis (wish he hadn't) because 6 months afterwards my knee was a bee hive, super pain, up to the left rump, down to the toes, up the inner leg, all sorts of grinding during flexing, a son of a gun. Am told there's bone on bone (interior), wonder if he clipped the cartiledge too close w/o knowing...will never know.

So...I'm set to go. Chose a different MD, was ticked that the initial MD hadn't mentioned the scraping the arthritis bit prior to the lights going out. Three patients in the waiting room this week, all about my age, were 3 weeks post of; super pleased with their result; 2 using a cane, 1 w/o a cane, all able to do steps & reporting the pain to be alleviated! Praise the Lord, just what I needed to hear!

Each said that the first 2 weeks is a son of a gun; very hard. I have a home office, I travel on business regularly (airport walks have been increasingly painful). I've chosen Dec 4th, right after Thanksgiving, thinking I can "not travel" in Dec, return to PC work maybe inside 2 weeks, "lay low" during the Dec 15 - first week of Jan slow time & be ready to return to full work say 2nd week in Jan. That'd be about 5 weeks or so. Am I dreaming?

I'm on this site & grateful to have found it, for encouragement, reality checks, prep & planning etc. I'm wondering just how horrible those first 2 weeks can be? Thats frightening. My wife is in & out of the house during the week with her work, so I anticipate much time alone. She's more of a "suck it up", "get 'er done" pragmatist, but loves & cares for me & I know this. Still...concerned.

Any pre-op recommendations that would make the recovery less daunting, more successful? I need to lose weight (about 25 would help), am planning on bike riding this Fall when & where I can, maybe leg lifts...all preparatory to the op.

Thanks for all who've posted & been an encouragement thus far. Rod
 
Hi Rod--Welcome to Bonesmart. This IS the place to get support and your questions answered before and after your TKR. You will be more prepared for December 4 by posting your questions, listening to the sound advise of many members---along with the expert advise of Jo--our experienced surgery orthopedic RN for many years (boy does she understand knee and hip replacements!)-and Jamie our other super moderator and even by reading old threads on this site.

I had LTKR on 8/10---still fairly new in recovery. I am doing well so far and have worked hard with home PT on getting ROM back after the knee replacement. I've found Bonesmart instrumental in my recovery.

Many members have gone before us with knee or hip replacements and have shared their wisdom---all have had their own rate of recovery--but most feel like they have a better quality of life with less pain and more mobility.

So welcome!. Hope you post often. Everyone is here to help you. Regards. Nancy
 
Hey Rod welcome ell it sounds like you have a great plan. yes ill be honest my first two weeks ..Yikkie !!!!!!! But take YOUR MEDICINE nd you will get thru it.......it will be well worth it though in the long run,.We have all bee thru it and will help in any way we can..OOHH wait till you get to wear those pretty teds stockings you'll love that.......Kidding but the hosp should give them to you..lol...........I wish you much success post anytime , love to chat...........You will do just fine......Sounds like an exciting job flying all over.........you will again but pain free.......good Luck to ya !!!!!!!!!.......)
 
Rod,
You came to the right place for info and support. When I tore my meniscus two years ago my OS did not want to scope the knee because of arthritis. But I just had TKR two weeks ago. So far things are going well and probably the worst is over. I'm back riding the bike and building strength and flexibility. You seem to have a reasonable plan for your recovery although everyone is different. Good luck. Everyone reccomends doing the exercises prior to surgery to build up strength.
Doug
 
Hello Rod, and welcome to BoneSmart.

I am concerned about your plans to return to work after 2 weeks. There is no way you will be ready that soon. Even 2 months would be soon. Your body takes quite a bashing not only from the surgery but also from the anaesthetic. You'll be easily tired and (probably) still on strong pain killers. Besides which, you'll only have had your staples removed on the tenth day so your wound will still be very fresh and vulnerable to external contamination. I do beg you to think again.

Other than that, the operation and aftermath of it is not nearly so ghastly as people sometimes think. So long as you keep up with the pain killers and the ice and all, that is. You seem to have a nice positive attitude so I am sure you will do just fine. :thmb:
 
Welcome to BoneSmart.
First two weeks are challenging. I was very fortunate, because the first week the doctor requested that I go to a orthopedic rehab center. Best choice that could have been made (husband was Really concerned about how he would care for me at home). At rehab, I did physical therapy PT twice a day and occupational therapy twice a day. Learned to do basic things like shower (I would shower and nurse would change dressing Every day). There was always someone to help get in and out of bed and most importantly to the bathroom. Learned upper body exercises, how to pick up things, how to get on and off the pottie..all in OT. PT was strenghtening muscles to support knee and lift the leg. Learning to use walker, do stairs, walk on different kind of surfaces, and get up and down. May not sound like a lot..but it is.

First couple of weeks, the keys to survival are ice and elevating you leg/knee. You will most probably have in home or out patient therapy. Do exactly what they say within reason. BUT do not over do because YOU will pay. The another imporatant thing is staying on top of your pain. Do not try to be a macho...the first couple of weeks you will need the meds especially about an hour before PT

Going back to work will depend on how you are feeling. Working from home will work if you can use a laptop so you can keep elevating and icing. I must admit that one of my early challenges was short attention span. Sounds like you are a go-getter so one other thing will be the frustration that you are not progressing as quickly as you would like...there are days you would like to scream! I have a fairly sedentary job going back at six weeks full time...that was too soon for me. Others here have gone back sooner. Be sure to check with your OS about flying...sometimes there are restrictions.

Good luck.:D
Barb
 
Hi Rod! Welcome to BoneSmart! You have found a wonderful place to help you through all the steps. Like most of those that have responded to your questions about the pain, each person is different. Some have a huge amount of pain and some have very little. Just remember that the more you ice and elevate the better it will be and always remember to take the pain pills before the pain gets too bad. If the pain pills you take don't help much tell your Dr. and he will get you another kind. You can also go to recurring knee information and find a pre and post op list of things you will need or want for your recovery. Best of luck and feel free to post anytime. We are here for you anytime.
 
hi Rod
I don't know of anyone who was more afraid of post op pain than me. I found this website a couple of days before surgery and it was a huge help. My first two weeks were painful, but noting that could not be controlled. The trick is not to wait until you feel pain to take your pain pills. Like Jo's chart shows, if you get on a regimen the first couple of weeks and take the pills whether you feel pain or not, then it never gets too bad when it starts to hurt. The pills didn't take away all my pain, but did make it manageable so that I could distract myself by watching TV or reading and not notice the pain too bad.


You will be fine too. If one pain med doesn't work as well, you can switch. Just listen to your body and take charge of your recovery and you will be feeling great soon.
 
Hello Ron,
It is so very nice to meet you!!! Welcome to bonesmart. I just love the way you have everything planned out. I too thought geeish if my OS wants to do my other knee in 2 weeks this must be because of how fast a person heals after this surgery!!! LOL ROFL LMHO I have tears running from laughing so much!!! I guess that old saying tell God your plans and watch what happens!!!!!!! I will pray that you get to use your plan and nothing gets you off track.
 
Hello and welcome, Rod! The better shape you're in going. IN, the far better shape you'll be in coming OUT!!! (:)0). And you still have time to prepare!!!
 
Rod everyone hit the nail on the head. The pain the first couple of weeks is rough, and the PT is rougher. But everyone here has been thru it and we're all doing good. Yes the more you work before you date the better the recovery. I'm 10 weeks post op and I refereed a High School Football game Friday night. But I work out every morning before and after my date. You just have to listen to your body and OS. But remenber the new pain will not be as bad as the old and the new pain won't last forever. Stay in touch someone here can answer any questions you have.
 
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