Undecided
new member
Surgery scheduled for March but am very undecided whether to go ahead. Need both knees doing but will start with left one. However it would be good to know what advantages and what disadvantages others have experienced.
Should I go Ahead with kr
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Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Hello Undecided (that says it all!!) and welcome to BoneSmart! I think you would get all the answers you need by reading round in the knee recovery forum. Most of the members on here range from "It's a miracle!" to "why did I wait so long!"
Some info about yourself would help. Age, gender, job(?) how long you've been waiting ...
And simply because I'm just dead nosy, I love to know which hospital you are going to.
Some info about yourself would help. Age, gender, job(?) how long you've been waiting ...
And simply because I'm just dead nosy, I love to know which hospital you are going to.
Sticker Lady
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Hi Undecided!
I, too, had been putting off the surgery and had finally decided to have one knee done. I met with the OS and he mentioned that I could do both at once--talk about scarey! That's when I found this forum--it's wonderful to hear from people who have been through these proceedures or are anticipating them. Read, read, read!
I've decided to go ahead and do both in mid May (waiting til then because of job and family) and I'm trying to loose some weight and strengthen my thigh muscles while I can.
I, too, had been putting off the surgery and had finally decided to have one knee done. I met with the OS and he mentioned that I could do both at once--talk about scarey! That's when I found this forum--it's wonderful to hear from people who have been through these proceedures or are anticipating them. Read, read, read!
I've decided to go ahead and do both in mid May (waiting til then because of job and family) and I'm trying to loose some weight and strengthen my thigh muscles while I can.
Undecided
new member
Thanks for the encouragement. I have been waiting for just over 12 months. I am 61 years old and have found my mobility has deterioated very quickly and although I am really frustrated and down about it I have heard some horror stories and am afraid of making my situation worse especially as I have osteoarthritis in all chambers of both knees. If I go ahead I will be haveing the op at a specialist orthopaedic hospital in UK. (The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry).
Welcome to the forum, Undecided.....I hope you spend some time reading posts in the various threads here. I believe it will help take away some of the mystery and fear surrounding joint replacement surgery. Almost everyone (including those who had BOTH knees done at once) strongly say the surgery has improved their quality of life dramatically. I only had my right knee done. Like you, my disability came on very suddenly over a period of 3 months....I went from walking with slight pain to limping and LOTS of pain. My surgery was last February and I am so glad I had it done. I no longer feel like a crumpled up old person (and I'm about your age - just turned 60 in September----too YOUNG to be limping!!). Best of luck to you as you work through your surgery and recovery. It's quite normal to doubt the decision for surgery - I think we all have done that. But if your quality of life is not what you want it to be, why not do something to improve it?
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Well, you can't beat Oswestry! One of the few centres of excellence in this country! You go for it girl! I loved the comment one of the members here got from her surgeon "Just how disabled do you want to get before you decide to get it done?"! You sound a whole lot worse than me and I'm getting mine done!
Linda2
post-grad
That really says it all. I will tell you what my surgeon told me. "It's not going to get any better on its own." The longer most people wait when they get to your situation, it seems the harder they have to work to regain strength and mobility. It sounds like you should go for it, IMO.
Hi, I am 10 days post op on my left knee replacement. I had my right one done 14 months ago. I am 54. My right one is GREAT and my left one seems to be taking the same path. I am still in some pain, but today I walked the dog (with a cane) and I find that every day my energy is increasing, my mobility is getting better, and my pain is decreasing. I really think that once you are living in constant pain, and your lifestyle is compromised because it hurts to even walk, well, it's time! Go for it, look it as a healing process that will be difficult, but well worth it in the long run! And, if you have time, start strenghten yor quads, calves etc...I think that helps in the recovery. Good Luck!
Gretchendz
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Welcome.
I had my RTKR in April and my LTKR in October. I am 57. I had no idea how much pain I was in until it was gone. My mobility had suffered for years. I had slowed down and gained weight. Hubby tells me it was funny to watch me flail as I walked upstairs. (He didn't tell me until AFTER after the surgery.) My rehab was slow, especially on the right knee (which was in worse shape). I literally had to relearn how to walk straight.
People at work are amazed when they see me walking straight. A few weeks ago, I spent two days facilitating a group of 200 people--standing and walking all day. The only thing that hurt was my feet because my shoes were too tight
I actually forgot to take any pain meds
This is life-changing. As with so many others, my only regret is not doing it sooner.
We won't lie. As you read through the threads here, you will see it is a tough recovery--especially the first 2-4 weeks. But it is SO worth it!
Do NOT wait any longer--you will only make it worse
I had my RTKR in April and my LTKR in October. I am 57. I had no idea how much pain I was in until it was gone. My mobility had suffered for years. I had slowed down and gained weight. Hubby tells me it was funny to watch me flail as I walked upstairs. (He didn't tell me until AFTER after the surgery.) My rehab was slow, especially on the right knee (which was in worse shape). I literally had to relearn how to walk straight.
People at work are amazed when they see me walking straight. A few weeks ago, I spent two days facilitating a group of 200 people--standing and walking all day. The only thing that hurt was my feet because my shoes were too tight
I actually forgot to take any pain meds This is life-changing. As with so many others, my only regret is not doing it sooner.
We won't lie. As you read through the threads here, you will see it is a tough recovery--especially the first 2-4 weeks. But it is SO worth it!
Do NOT wait any longer--you will only make it worse
Sandy R
member
Hi Undecided... because my OP at the time, told me I was too young, I waited for 2 painfilled years. Then, I saw another OP, who asked why I had waited so long. Last Sept. at 69, I had a RTKR. I'm now 4 months post-op and feeling great. My surgery was definitely a success. One negative I encountered by waiting... after the TKR, I had to relearn normal walking again because I had compensated for the pain I was having. Waiting can have its' drawbacks.
Sandy
Sandy
Hi Undecided.
I wont kid you, it is not a walk in the park I think it is worth it
I had both knees done in November and only now am I starting to feel I did the right thing. The old "bone on bone" pain has totaly gone and I can do more now than I could before the op
I am also glad I did both at the same time
Good luck
Richard
I wont kid you, it is not a walk in the park I think it is worth it
I had both knees done in November and only now am I starting to feel I did the right thing. The old "bone on bone" pain has totaly gone and I can do more now than I could before the op
I am also glad I did both at the same time
Good luck
Richard
Undecided
new member
Many many thanks everybody. Feel so much better knowing that others had their doubts too. Have decided to go ahed with op (scheduled) 6th March) and in the meantime I will try and improve my general level of fitness. Think you are right the longer I leave it the worse it will get and make the post-op period much tougher. Not really looking forward to it and quite scared but will try to stay positive. Will keep you posted.
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