TKR Taking a cruise after TKR

[Dmcfad2]

I'm just wondering if anyone has taken a cruise after their TKR and how long did you wait to go? Would 8-10 weeks be too soon?

 

[EalingGran]

I think 8-10 weeks sounds incredibly ambitious to me. I was pretty miserable at that stage and still not sleeping well due to knee tightness/ soreness.
I have had a reasonable recovery but I couldn't really enjoy a trip away from home until around 5- 6 months. It is only now at 8 months that I can really plan holidays and contemplate things like longer flights or cruises.
I have done cruises in the past and there are lots of stairs on boats ( or queues for the lifts) and you need to be reasonably mobile to get in and out of the smaller boats for some shore excursions.
It might be physically possible to do a cruise at 10 weeks post op but most people would struggle I think.

 

[Layla]

Hi Debbie,
I've never taken a cruise so it is difficult to comment, but I do think EalingGran made some good points.
If I had to make the decision, I'd probably want more healing time under my belt with the hope that I'd have the strength and stamina to fully enjoy the vacation and feel it was money well spent. If you do decide to sail...safe travels and please share an update upon your return.
@Dmcfad2

 

[Layla]

Debbie, did you have your knee replaced? If so, please share the date so we‘re able to update your signature and leave you our Recovery Guidelines.
@Dmcfad2

 

[Dmcfad2]

I haven‘t had it replaced yet, but I desperately need it done. I am in a lot of pain. I’m trying to figure out the best time. I have four cruises booked between now and March. I want to wait, but don’t know if I can.

 

[Dmcfad2]

I think 8-10 weeks sounds incredibly ambitious to me. I was pretty miserable at that stage and still not sleeping well due to knee tightness/ soreness.
I have had a reasonable recovery but I couldn't really enjoy a trip away from home until around 5- 6 months. It is only now at 8 months that I can really plan holidays and contemplate things like longer flights or cruises.
I have done cruises in the past and there are lots of stairs on boats ( or queues for the lifts) and you need to be reasonably mobile to get in and out of the smaller boats for some shore excursions.
It might be physically possible to do a cruise at 10 weeks post op but most people would struggle I think.

Thanks. I’m just trying to decide if I should wait until after my cruises to have my TKR. It sounds like I should. If I can….

 

[Jockette]

@Dmcfad2 Since you haven’t had your TKR yet I’ve moved this post to the pre op forum.

Best wishes with your decision, and Happy Sailing!

 

[Dmcfad2]

@Dmcfad2 Since you haven’t had your TKR yet I’ve moved this post to the pre op forum.

Best wishes with your decision, and Happy Sailing!

Thank you. I wasn’t sure where to post it.

 

[benne68]

@Dmcfad2 Is it possible to cancel or postpone one or more of your cruises? You will enjoy it far more if you aren't suffering with knee pain.

One of the dangers of waiting too long to get your surgery is that your knee collapses and then the surgery and recovery becomes more challenging. (I say this from personal experience). What does your surgeon say about the condition of your knee?

 

[Tentcamper]

@Dmcfad2 if you are in pain now then a cruise might not be a lot of fun. You'll be walking a lot on-board and shore excursions might be tough.

 

[Flashlight]

My bad knee went out on me suddenly just walking down my long driveway to pick up the mail. I had just spent the day working outside and was fine. I found I couldn't move, and my husband had to pick me up with the car. The xray looked fine but the MRI showed the damage the xray didn't pick up. Something similar happened to my sister and she refused the surgery and wears a brace. Maybe that is something you can talk about with your doctor. If you plan on doing a lot of walking it doesn't sound comfortable. If you could have the TKR and wait 6 months, I think you could do the cruise with rest periods.

 

[sunnyphoenix]

Hello,
I haven't come to this site for about a month but an email from BoneSmart served as a reminder and as soon as I read your post I had to comment.
We cruised for 28 days in January-February 2022 and I used an upright walker at every moment. My knee hurt with every step, but it would have done the same at home as I was doing a lot of walking outdoors, trying to build my strength and lose weight before surgery. On March 31st I had a TKR and yes, I'm glad I went on the cruise although it was painful. We then took a one-week cruise in June with my best friend from childhood and her husband, planned way in advance, and although I used a cane most of the time, occasionally I would lift and carry it as I was determined to walk without it. However, about this time I started experiencing random pains in my leg (in many places) and realized later that it was the beginning of notice that my hip was betraying me. I'm glad we took this cruise also as I don't believe I did much that was different than what I would have done at home movement wise. Background: we hate flying so left Phoenix on June 15th to drive to Seattle, then boarded the ship on the 19th. From June 26th to July 5th we were on the road again, taking a leisurely drive home and visiting several national parks. Again, no regrets about having gone.
And now the regret: the 28-day cruise we took in March-April 2023 as I waited for my THR which happened 13 days after we got home. I didn't expect as much pain as I felt and can't say whether the cruise contributed to it or not. We were pretty active until reaching Tahiti when my man fell on the ship and we therefore didn't set foot in that country. I used only a cane, deciding when we left that my walker would be overkill. Looking back, I needed it!
So basically, The one cruise I took before TKR and the one after TKR are not regretted. The recent one BEFORE THR would have been a lot better with less pain and I wish we could have rescheduled. I didn't reach the screaming pain threshold until after we had passed the "point of no return" cancellation-wise so we proceeded.
My goal, now that I feel 95% recovered from both surgeries and am thoroughly enjoying life without pain, is to cruise again. What an experience it will be without pain and without any walking aids! I guess if you love cruising and don't plan to be much more active than you would be at home, it would be worth going. What do they say? "On our deathbed we regret the things we didn't do more than the things we did."
Best of luck to you when you have your surgery and afterwards!

 

[Dmcfad2]

Thanks to all who replied. I am having bad pain these last few days. I can’t bear weight on my knee and I am hobbling around with my cane and walker, in tears much of the time. When I am this bad, I don’t see how I could do a cruise, especially a 27 day one. All I want to do is sit in the recliner when I am like this. Then it gets a little better and I think I could make it. I will make my final decision this Thursday when I see the surgeon who did my hip replacement. I’m sadly thinking I can’t wait until after the cruise. That would put me in to mid November. I am very discouraged and disappointed. We have had this cruise planned with friends and family for a year.

 

[Dmcfad2]

@sunnyphoenix Thank you for telling me about your experience. This is a 27 day cruise with many port days. Lots of walking. I could bring my walker, but it’s such a pain to be saddled with it everywhere I go. I still am not sure what to do. As long as I am sitting, I’m fine. I’m so bummed out.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

Personally, if it were me, I'd wait to take the cruise until I had my knee replaced and recovered well enough to enjoy myself. IMHO, you're in too much pain now and won't enjoy the cruise, and until you reach a point in your recovery where you can be active for most of your waking hours, you won't enjoy yourself either. I know how frustrating it is to want to do things and just can't; but right now the most important thing is to get your knee replaced so you can take your life back. Waiting for fun is no fun, but sometimes necessary, and I think it's necessary for you to wait now and have fun down the road.

 

[eaglemom]

Dmcfad2 what you are describing with a long cruise sounds wonderful, with good knees. However, personally with the pain that you are describing it would not be something that I would chose to do. I know that you've been planning this and looking forward to it, I think everyone on the board understands that. We understand the frustration and disappointment also. I would be so concerned of my pain level and making the others with me nervous that I personally wouldn't go. Again, that's me.

See what your surgeon says and please do report back. It is disappointing.

 

[InkedMarie]

I’m sorry to say but I’d wait until after. Beside the pain, lack of mobility etc, you may still be needing ice. Have you made a decision?

Marie

 

[Dmcfad2]

Update: Well, I had decided to wait until January to have my knee surgery and get through the cruises I had planned. We had a 7 day cruise last week. We returned yesterday. I was in horrible pain the whole time and it got so bad that they had to take me off the ship yesterday in a wheelchair because I couldn’t even walk. Needless to say, I have decided to cancel the other cruises I have planned. I am terribly disappointed, but it is for the best. At this point, all I want is a new knee. I called the surgery scheduler this morning and left a message that I don’t want to wait until January after all. I am praying they can get me on the schedule quickly.

 

[mendogal]

I'm sorry. But I'm hoping you can get on the surgery schedule ASAP.