Pros & Cons of Fall/Winter TKR Surgery

[CalKatya]

Hi, I had my LTKR April 2004 that went very well, despite the PT torture and felt it was the perfect time of year for it with not having to put on lots of clothes during recovery, and being able to sit out in the sun and watch my water lillies grow in my pond.
Now having finally got on Medicare, after no Insurance for several years, I am about to set myself up for a fall or winter RTKR and dreading the thought of having to put on socks and shoes, long pants etc , having to get up to go turn on the heat in the morning (I live alone)and going out in bad weather for all the PT appts.
Does any one have any thouughts on this pros and cons they might have experienced, that might help me in going forward with scheduling this asap, as it is way over due.
Thanks
Calkatya

 

[exjock]

I had my knee done in July. Work would have been slower in the winter but I decided on summer due to the fact I would not have to worry about slipping and falling and my son was home from college and was able to help me so my wife would not have to take to much time off of work. Also my knee was so bad I don't think I could have waited. Once decision was made I wanted it done. Just weather wise I think recovery would be easier in summer.

 

[Linda2]

A friend of mine had a replacement done in the fall and it worked well for her. By the time winter came, she was doing enough better that most of those issues were not a problem for her. They do make ice tips for canes!

 

[Rowdy66]

I think the last words of your post answerd the most important question on all, "it is way overdue." Can you stand to wait for spring weather? Is there no one to help you should the weather play a role? A good friend or neighbor even? Or calling a cab might be a way to go or do they have something like VanTran there? They are here in Tucson and go pick up people who cannot drive themselves to appointments? I would rather have to get up and turn on the heat myself than go another month in pain. Good luck whatever you decide. Rowdy

 

[Josephine]

Tough call for you - though you may find that your worst fears don't come to pass. I also live on my own and know what you're fretting about - I have a phobia for snow. One white flake and I go into meltdown! Hope it works out for you.

 

[ship4]

Frankly I believe it depends upon the availability of your OS. I saw mine on 12/20/07. The office was already scheduling out for TKR for the end of April 08! I decided for my own schedule that the middle of June 08 would work because I would be able to have help with my Family Child Care business at that time due to a parent/client being a teacher who would be available to help in the summer. She was with me for 7 weeks helping to care for 9 children.
So, my suggestion is to find out how far out the OS is scheduling surgeries........ Fall is already here!
Best,
Crystal

 

[DAB]

Interesting that you would bring up that question because I had a hard time deciding on when to do it. I decided on the fall and this is why. I figured that I'm going to be sitting around alot of the time and I might as well have some good television to watch. But the real reason was, I figured if I did it in the fall, then by the time next summer came around I would be Post Op for 9 months.
Yeppi I'm free to go hiking and start doing some mello activities that I missed out from doing before the Op.

Dave

 

[1jt@atime]

I had my first kr Oct 1st of last year and was back to work after Thanksgiving. The weather was still relatively warm which is important because you will apply ice to the joint and ice and the cold winter months just don't get along. Dont do winter! It's also nice to wear shorts during recovery because fabric will irritate the scar.

By the time summer came, this knee was pretty strong and I could have had a nice summer if I hadn't replaced the second one on June 9th. Instead, I was going through the recovery process again while everyone was out enjoying the warm weather. For my third joint replacement, which probably won't be too far in the future, I will probably aim for a fall recovery again.

 

[Simon]

Since I live alone and in a rural area there was no way I could be laid up in winter as I have to be able to shovel the deck, walk way and a path for the oil man. Even with the availability of van service there was the problem of not knowing when the driveway would be plowed (it is a 100 foot plus drivway). I also ruled out early spring (April to early May) as that is mud season which in someway is worse than the snow. So that left my early summer so that I was in in good enough shape by fall to rake the leaves and in good shape for winter. Last year we had record breaking snow fall of 135 inches and it might go that way this year. So far things are working out (except the lawn doesn't look all that great and I can't wait for more cold weather to kill alot of the grass I could not mow).

I hope you can hold out till spring if you live in snow country but if you can't I am sure there are some community services that could help out. Surgery schedules do fill up fast so even if you want spring you should book now.

Good luck

Simon

 

[CalKatya]

Hi again and thanks for all your input.
I live in Northern California , so no snow to speak of, but it does get cold and wet here. The main reason I probably will get a date asap is I haven't had any insurance for several years since turning 60 and losing a FT job, and had to wait two yrs once on SSDI to get on Medicare, which begins in October and I have lots of appointments set up that I have put off waiting for Medicare Ins, which I thought was going to be Free.
Not only do they take out $94.for Medicare out of my meager $830. amonth alotted for SSDI, but also had to sign up for Anthum Blue Cross, so the Orthopedic Dr. Tompkins, who I had for my other knee replacement will take me. I signed up for their Freedom Blue II that has a $600. deductable and $50.monhtly premium and a 10% of the hospital bill for the remaining of this year,then had planned to switch to the Freedom Blue I for 2009 ,which has no monhly premium and a $1,025. deductable. As it is, between getting cataract surgery and the knee replacement, These will probably drain my savings before the year is out, if I'm lucky enough to get a surgery date before Jan 1st, the deductable would still be half as much, with just 3 months of the monthly premium.

I have a PT 20 hr a wk job with minimum wage at the Salvation Army church office through Experience Works, which I won't get the $600. a mth income, when I will have to at least be off 6 wks for the RTKR and be without that little bit of income that I rely on to get by every month, so I am praying that I can get a date to get it done asap this year, for the least amount out of pocket.

The other concerns about weather, putting on socks, shoes and heavier clothing is more of a secondary concern, but still relevant. I trust God will get me through it all again as the first time was an extreme worry and besides the Physical Terrorist making me cry all the time,and a manipulation, everything else went well. I have a couple friends, who can give me rides to PT and shop for me, but hopefullyI will get to go to Rehab again, as there isn't anyone but my puppy living with me. I am trying to weed though my storage in an extra room to try and rent it out for more income, but can't count on that. I aprreciate all the info on this forum and will be checking in regularly for moral support.
Thanks and best wishes for all your own concerns.

Katrina

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Katrina -

I was a July rtkr and wished it had been early June instead - but due to family obligations with expensive plane tix I waited. I can offer clothing tips - since here in South Central Alaska winter is literally around the corner. Shorts can be worn with sweatshirts and that actually seems to help. Sweat pants that are loose and comfy also work - ice actually does permeate them. Sox - well - I have been lucky and been able to get them on myself since day 4 - but they make really comfy fuzzy sox that are looser than standard socks and slide on a lot easier. I am still hobbling off to school in shorts and sweatshirts since it is easier to ice that way and the boss doesn't care. Jeans just aren't going to cut it this winter and I own 0 dresses or skirts.

Northern Cal probably doesn't get too cold so don't fret about the shorts - just layer your top - they also make capri length sweats as well. Easy access for icing as well. If you can't wait - do it - I could have waited till next may to get the most out of my summer vacation from school - but knew my knee couldn't wait -

Hang in there and Good Luck with your decision!
MArianne

 

[Coppernob]

Hi Calkatya
I can so identify with how you're feeling. I had bilateral UKRs in August 2005 and spent the summer lounging in the garden with a good book (when I wasn't exercising!). My revision to a LTKR was in April this year which again proved to be a good time of year to have it done. I'm now having to have another revision of the left knee and it's scheduled for 17 November. The cold and damp have always affected my knees since the OA first developed, but, with having just had surgery, I'm dreading the winter this year more than usual. I don't like ice and snow at the best of times and fear I'm going to be paranoid about going out in case I slip or fall. But, having said that, I know the surgery needs doing and hopefully by next spring and summer we'll both be hopping and skipping again. All the best Linda