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harleyrider

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I am new to the forum, I am scheduled for a TKR on my right knee on Dec 18th. I am 52 and have needed the replacement for many years the pain has just gotten to the point where I can't deal with it any longer.

I am so glad that I got online and found this forum it has helped me to understand what to expect. I am very concerned about the amount of work that I will miss, I am hoping to be back to work in 6 weeks (desk work). I also have a trip planned to the middle east (Jordan) in late March.

I have had several knee surgeries over the last 30 years my last was an ACL about 15 years ago I remember it being very painful and recovery was long, it sounds like the ACL was a cakewalk compared to what I'm about to go through.
 
The pain is not that bad. Second week is the worst. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and was back to work on the following Monday. Its been almost 4 months there is still pain and swelling but I can do just about anything. I'm 44 at 52 you should do great.
 
I was terrified before having my TKR last Jan 17. Just stay on your Dr.'s butt about proper pain management. The first month is the roughest. You do need to understand that it takes time and lots of effort to get over a TKR..
 
Harley;
First off....Good luck on the 18th!!. The first 2 weeks stink ,but after that
it does get better.
I am 51 and waited 15+ years for my TKR. I am glad I had it done even though there has been some issues.
As far as travel goes.....I would mention it to your OS. From what I have
read here that may be a little early.
This website has been a godsend to me. The people here are fantastic. The best part is that we were all there once and have our stories.
I am only 4 weeks out (Nov 3) and am getting better all the time.
a couple things they really stress here are pain managment and stool softeners. :)

Again good luck . I willlook for your post when you are on the other side.

chuck
 
Harley.....every one heals differently. As you know if you've read much on the forum, some come back quickly like Verno and others have slower progress toward their new normal life. The key here is to focus on the fact that after surgery you WILL get your life back. That is huge. Everyone was afraid before their surgery. Most had second thoughts and maybe even considered backing out. But I believe you will be glad you did it. The replacement means the end of joint pain. And somehow the muscle pain you go through during recovery is a "good" type of pain in comparison. Plus....it lessens and you get stronger as you go along. You have a wonderful future ahead of you. Write here whenever you are feeling anxious! This group will help you every step of the way.
 
Welcome! Ditto what the rest of the group shared. I really want to stress, as Jamie did, that it will get better. This is a big surgery, but how luck we are to have it. I often think of the folks I knew "back in the day" when this was not available. A good surgeon, adequate pain management, stool softeners, and hard work will win the day, month(s), year . . . . .whatever. Stick with us, we'll help when we can.
 
I had my left TKR last June(44 years old at the time). I also have a desk job and was out for 6 weeks and came back half days for 2 weeks. Those half days for the first two weeks back were neccessary as it can be painful having your leg bent for a prolonged period. I used a small stool to prop my leg up on to give it a rest.
 
I wantt to thank everyone for there comments and advise, this is so great to have people to talk to about this. I usuall don't do stuff like this but I'm scared _ _itless... It's sounds like I may need to have a walker handy?
 
Most hospitals (depending on insurance, of course) send you home with a walker. It is really important for the limited time you will need it. You will also benefit by having a toilet riser seat. Actually, I've had a "tall toilet" for a few years. They look just like a regular toilet, they're just higher. Since my 3 year old granddaughter states that the regular size toilet in the other bathroom is "just her size", I actually think the taller version is more appropriate for this century's taller adults. Also, you will need some method for icing your knee. You can make icebags, use frozen vegetables, or get something more commercial. There are plenty of references to icing devices you can buy on various threads on this site. I really appreciated my continuous passive motion device that my doctor prescribed for me. It was a big help the first couple of weeks. The insurance company covered it's rental. Eventually you will need a cane, but I wouldn't spend much on it. I bought a very serviceable one at Wally World for less than twelve bucks. I am four months out now, and haven't used it for well over a month, but I might grab it if I had to walk a really long distance--particularly on uneven ground. That covers my list of essentials, but I'm sure the others will have additional aids that helped them. It sounds like a whole bunch of stuff, but you won't use all of it for very long at all. Probably icing is the aid that people use for the longest time period.
 
6 weeks might be tough to do full time even desk work - wouldn't be surprised if you nod
off in the afternoon or have to take a regular afternoon off. This by the way has nothing to do with pain meds - its that you're still diverting a lot of energy to healing at that point so you have less available for pushing a pencil.

I would think Mid-east in March might do just fine. But remember to keep walking around
on the flights and if you walk too much during the days you might end up with your knee elevated and icing at night.
 
Hi and welcome!

We are all scared to varying degrees but about 95% later say we are glad we did it and wish we'd done it sooner.

I'm 57, I had my first done last April and my second in October. I'm planning a trip to Egypt in April.

March might be a bit early for a long trip; but we all vary greatly in our recovery.

As to walker, toilet seat, cane, etc. I recommend you check; often your insurance covers these things and they will "sell" them to you at the hospital.

Things I found most helpful: Riser toilet seat, shower seat, walker, then cane.

Plan to be easy on yourself and rest, rest rest--take your pain meds and especially take stool softener (those meds are very constipating!)

This place is amazing for all those little questions you don't want to bother your doctor with...
 
Harleyrider, stick with the PT and you will be amazed at the progress you will make post surgery. I had my RTKR in mid December 07 and took my first motorcycle ride 3.5 months later. Then I had the LTKR mid April 08. The knees are feeling pretty good now! Good luck, we will be with you!
Cheers, Ross (92 FLHS)

What do you ride??
 
I didn't get scared until the morning of my surgery---I had a BTKR done in November of '07. Life is great now...PT was really tough---but every minute of it was worth it. I ride a different type of bike than you--I cycled almost 1300 miles this year alone.

I came home with a walker...then to two crutches, then to a cane. I was back teaching school in a little less than eight weeks. Think seriously about getting a "throne" type commode; you knee will not bend easily for a while. I never used a passive resistance machine, but exerbands were a big help.

I bought freezer ice packs that were used on me on the hospital PT---two of them and they were a big help.

My best of luck to you! The surgery is the easy part---the rest---the tough part---is entirely up to you. Work through the PT and your life will indeed be yours again.

Tim C.
 
I went back to work at six weeks. I have a desk job and have to climb a flight of stairs as we have no elevator. The stairs were difficult and I still have to hold on. I first couple of days were really rough and I went straight home afterward because of the swelling. By the end of the first week, it got better and now I have been back four weeks and after work most days go to the gym for at least an hour. Good luck to you.
 
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