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not yet 40, and facing TKR

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hess

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Apr 15, 2008
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Help!!! I am new at this. I have had arthritic problems with my knees since I was 19 years old. I went in for my 9th surgery on my left leg, which is the worse of the two, a few weeks ago to remove a sist, well, instead the doctor found such bad bone-on-bone, that he cleaned things up the best he could, sent me to PT for 3 weeks, and I see him tomorrow to discuss options. I don't know what to expect, and am a very scared. My quality of life is completely off. I have 3 young sons, and I can't even walk the family dog, walk to the bus stop to pick up my kid, grocery shop, or anything without a LOT of pain. I don't sleep at night, and that ruins my days with the kids! I am not sure where to go from here!! What do you all think? The age factor has me horrified!
 
Welcome Hess. So sorry to hear about your low quality of life. I know if I were in your shoes I would have a TKR if the surgeon advices it regardless of your young age. I think the replacements last longer nowadays.

I had suffered for about ten years before they would do one for me, but once I was bone on bone I held on for maybe two years, then couldn't stand the fact I couldn't even shop with the pleasure I used to get, let alone do the normal chores without excrutiating pain. Now I am looking forward to being able to play in the summer with my almost three year old grandaughter and to look after my new grandchild on the way, and getting back to a normal lifestyle again.

Anyway, that is my opinion, Josephine will I'm sure comment later, she is on UK time. So check back. Also read some of the other threads. A lot of them will give advice, but there are also a lot of funny threads. Let us know what you decide.
 
Dear Hess,
I am so sorry for what you are going through no one should have to live like that now should they! Please seek the help of a compasionate surgeon who will give you back your quality of life. Recovering from knee replacement surgery is no walk in the park but you are enduring pain now so at least with knee replacement that pain is leading you towards a pain free life where you can enjoy your children. You are far too young to be in this position. I had right knee replacement on Jan 9 and I am 55 years old and I think I'm too young to not have full use of my knees. Check in on this site often and also on the after surgery forum and I am sure you will feel uplifted.
Hang in there better times are coming.
Cathy
 
Hess, only you can make the decision to have knee surgery now or wait. It's so important that you have a good surgeon to discuss it with....one you really trust and who will take time to talk with you. I hope you have that and, if not, get other opinions. I am 59 and had a right knee replaced about 7 weeks ago. For me, it was the best thing I could do. I am very active and didn't want to waste my best years hurting. Please stay in touch with all of us. We are a crazy group sometimes, but we have lots of personal experience, very broad shoulders when needed to cry on, and the ability to understand your feelings from our own experiences. Here is a ((((HUG))))) for you to help you out. ....Jamie
 
I was 39 on march 18 when I had mine and turned 40 on the 20th while still in the hospital. I've been living your life for years. On a decline since 5 years ago. Weight gain from being immobile, reduced to sitting on the couch. My whole family suffered because my son didn't have his mom and my husband his wife. OA is a DEGENERATIVE bone diseae/condition and will not get better. It took me a while to get emotionally willing and ready, but when I was it was time. Waiting anylonger would have caused me to go insane with the pain. And from what I understand affects the damage done vs. healing aftre. 4 weeks post op I already do more and have a better life and less pain. I cried tears of joy the first day I went for a walk down the road with no pain. I would do it again, even this young. And there are DRs that understand that.
 
Okay, so I saw my doctor yesterday, and am going to meet with a TKR doctor soon. I am not sure how to pick, I think from what I understand, his record, and reports from others who have used him will help me decide. You all have been very helpful so far, and I have a ton more questions, as you can imagine.

A very huge question on my mind is, how long will I be layed up? I am having my left leg done, so hope to drive soon thereafter, but am not sure for how long. I have 3 sons, 11,9,6, and needless to say, I am a true taxi for them. This really scares me! For this reason, I think about putting it off until fall, but truthfully, I don't think I could possibly wait that long. Secondly, I take pain medicine to get throught the nights, and I don't want to keep this up for too long!

I do believe now that a TKR is truly the right thing for me, but I am worried about the down time. I work out of the house, so I don't have to worry about getting back to work (thank goodness). I do worry that with it being summer, it will be difficult. I realize that rehab takes long, but how long is it before you are up on your feet and getting around?

Another concern is that my bedroom is on the second floor. Will I be sleeping on the couch in the family room for a while? That's okay, I'm just wanting to be prepared for this.

Any comments on any of the above?? Your help is so greatly appreciated, and definately taken to heart! Thanks for that.

Bye for now,
Hess
 
Hess, you will be able to walk around some when you come home from the hospital. While there they will teach you how to do stairs...you just go one step at a time using your good leg first and it works. You may have some trouble sleeping, though. It just happens, so you have to find the most comfortable spot. For me the first few weeks it was the couch. My biggest suggestion to you would be to get a supply of good size gel packs that you put in the freezer. I bought 4 so that I could use 2 at a time while the other 2 were freezing back up. I used them almost constantly when I was lying down and elevating my leg....especially at night when I was sleeping too and they really helped me. I also would recommend you purchase or borrow and exercise bike of some type. For me, it really helped me get my bend back pretty fast. You will be able to walk around the house pretty easily with a walker and then a cane in the first couple of weeks. Everybody heals differently and it seems to depend on many things - how much motion you had before surgery, your muscle strength in your legs (particularly quad muscle strength) before surgery, and how consistently you do bending and stretching exercises during recovery. If you can get home health to come in from the very first while you are at home to do physical therapy, that would be great. I had my home therapist for 6 weeks and by the time she was finished with me, I really didn't need outpatient therapy. The best of luck to you and continue to write with questions. I'm betting someone here will have gone through anything you come across! Hugs to you for making this very difficult decision as a single mom. This will be a great opportunity for your sons to learn to give back to you by helping.
 
Oops....sorry....guess I somehow just read that in. Of COURSE, you deserve the hugs anyway and you got 'em!!! Hope you're starting to feel a little more relaxed about what you will be going through. Having all the support here will definitely help you. ....Jamie
 
Hey Hess, 2-4 weeks on no driving, some go longer. depends on you the leg and the car. Obviously automatic and left leg will help. the biggies, leg strength and you can't really drive if you took just narcotics. Even though I was doing stairs on day 2 when I got home I camped in the living room. But I only had 1 bathroom downstairs. They say to only really do stairs once a day in the beginning. I got a recliner, some use a hospital bed, others couch. As farvasbwhen to do it, summer or fall, part of that depends on when the DR schedules. It takes atleast a month to get all the testing and pre-op stuff done. So start now. I wanted to get it done in time to be able to go out to walk when it was warm. I went for my first walk alone outside 2 weeks after, so not too long. Just when you can't stand your house anymore. Getting around means many different things. I think the average is about a month, again it varies by person. I know it sounds like a long time but for me the last 4 weeks has flown by. It really goes faster than You'd think. Your kids sound like thay are all at ages where they could be a big help.
If you can, get some physical therapy before surgery. It get you stronger for healing. I found it really helped.
 
Hess - welcome to the forum. You are in just the right place to get heaps of advice, tips and encouragement! First I will give you the link to a thread I have at the top if this forum How to choose a surgeon and a prosthesis This is full of questions to ask the surgeon and advice on what to look for in his answers.

You haven't actually said how old you are but if you have an 11 yr old and thinking you must be around 35-40 or so. That is early for a TKR but has been done. Just so long as you know that the risk (note risk) of revision increases exponentially as the age lowers. Having said that, the prostheses are lasting an awful lot longer than was ever imagined in the early years so I would focus on the fact that it is a risk not an inevitability.

I wish you all the best. You sound like you deserve it.
 
I know how scared you are. I was told at 34 that my knee needed to get replaced but I was "too" young so I had a mosaicplasty and that lasted me ten years. Had my left knee replaced in January and it is so wonderful to not have joint pain anymore. My right will be replaced next year. I have one child who is 6 so it was very important to me to be able to keep up with him. If your doc says you should have it replaced - go for it. Honestly, we sound very similar. I had six previous left knee surgeries and only one on my right.

Take care,
Steph
 
Hi Hess I am sorry to hear about your needing a TKR, I just found out myself today that I need one as well the only problem is I am not even 25!! I have a doctor who is willing to perform the procedure, but I am scared and very nervous about the whole thing is there anyone out there close to my age who has had this done?? If so I would like to hear how yours turned out. Thanks for any info.
 
wow 25! Got me beat. Why do you need it so young? I think the scared and nervous applies to us all no matter our age. Welcome to our little party! Keep posting so we can keep up and encourage. Personally, I think younger helps you heal quicker.
 
Beat me too!!! I do believe that our younger age will help, like Jennifer said. There are a ton of questions, and it seems like this is the place to ask them and get honest answers. We are pulling for you, and hope all goes well for you!
 
Well when I was 17 I tore everything in my knee from cheerleading, it has just gotten worse from then. I have had 7 surgeries including 2 ACL, 4 Meniscus/clean ups, and 1 cartelidge plug which didn't take. I have tried everything to avoid this from PT to Hyalgen to cortizone shots. So since I have no other options I have to have a TKR on my left. My doctor puts it thisa way my knee is 50 years older than me!! Anyways I am hoping my age will help w/ my recovery, but I am hoping it won't hurt me either because the implant wears out and I need another TKR. I am going through my pre-op stuff now and plan on having the operation in June!!
 
They "say"...................... 15-20 years, so I say 20-25. i think they run conservative with their numbers and better the next 20 years moving without pain rather than waiting in worsening pain to be 50-60+ with no life, right?
 
That's what my husband and I decided to not wait in pain but to go ahead with the operation. Yeah they told me 12-15 so i was thinking 17-22, my doctor said he'd be retired when I need my next one so that made me feel better!! Here is a weird question, but did you have to donate blood (like 2 units) before hand? I have never been asked to do that before so it kinda freaked me out!! Well I am just going to keep my spirits up.
 
Not a weird question. I did. They usually take more than they need. They figure 1 so they get 2 to be sure. I only gave 1 because I didn't drink enough water the day before the donation on the 1st try so she couldn't get it to keep flowing. DRINK EXTRA WATER DAY BEFORE NOT DAY OF. It wasn't so bad. I'd never donated before either, but when I thought about it I'd rather have my own "juice" if I needed it.
 
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