gimpy
new member
Hi Iam new to this site. I'm 56 and set to get Bi Lat TKA, Dr. is using journey comp. Does anyone have these comp ? If so how do you like them? Any problems? Does anyone know how big the incisionn is? Thanks for any information.
Tka ?
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United StatesHi gimpy, welcome. Bet we all could have used that screen name. I have 2 smith & nephhew journeys if that is the same thing. So far so good. I think they are all generally similar. Just each doctor has their preference. I think incisions lengths vary depeding on the size of your leg/knee and what the doc needs to get in. They can run 8-12 in. Haven't measured m ine but now I'm curious so I will. Josephine is our forum moderator and a orthopedic nurse with lots of experience. She'll probably chime in later to say hello adn have better technical info. Welcome again and keep posting.
gimpy
new member
Thanks JenniferG for info. will be having surgery end of July or first of August I am a
U.S Army Vetran still trying to make up my mind to have V.A or private provider
do my surgery. V.A is 250 milles from home dont know how trip would go after
surgery. Private Dr is only 70 miles away. I think the shorter trip would be better
also have 15 inch rods in my back from parachute acident while in the U.S Army.
I hope tka will help to walk better to take some of the strain off my back. I will keep posting. Thanks for all and any info Gimpy.
US Army
U.S Army Vetran still trying to make up my mind to have V.A or private provider
do my surgery. V.A is 250 milles from home dont know how trip would go after
surgery. Private Dr is only 70 miles away. I think the shorter trip would be better
also have 15 inch rods in my back from parachute acident while in the U.S Army.
I hope tka will help to walk better to take some of the strain off my back. I will keep posting. Thanks for all and any info Gimpy.
US Army
1jt@atime
supremo
Hi Gimpy and welcome. My incision is 6 1/2 inches long though I think some can go upward to 8 or 9 inches. You can see some pictures of knees and smiling faces posted on the link at the top of the page titled "TKR Gang--No posting." Feel free to post your picture. A lot of us are there though I've not taken knee pics just yet. Will do that before and after my next tkr in June.
My husband is retired from the Marines and I currently work at the Pentagon so it's always great to have some military buddies around. Best of luck! Karen
My husband is retired from the Marines and I currently work at the Pentagon so it's always great to have some military buddies around. Best of luck! Karen
Gimpy, I just want to take a moment on this forum to tell you thank you for your service to our country. I come from a military family and worked my entire career in Civil Service for the Air Force and Marine Corps. I know the sacrifices that can come with military service and I appreciate your willingness to serve with the Army.
We are a friendly group here and support will always be available for you in the coming weeks and months. Best of luck to you with your surgery.
We are a friendly group here and support will always be available for you in the coming weeks and months. Best of luck to you with your surgery.
gimpy
new member
Jamie, Thank you for the kind words. In a way Im worried about my surgery but Im really looking forward to getting better. Do you know how long after the Dr. does the first knee the second knee can be done? It seems like I always forget to ask the Dr.certian questions then I get home and think of them.Im happy that there are places like this where people have been threw tkr and are willing to help. Thanks again, gimpy
Gimpy, start a list and write your questions down for OS. Often some surgeons will do both at the same time. Depends on the person, the doctor and the situation. I had both donn at the same time. But I think the final decision goes to the doc. We have had some here who had the second done 4-6 months I think.
SportHog
senior
Hi Gimpy.
I had my RTKR on Dec. 12/07 and LTKR on Apr. 14/08.
That is about 4 months between surgeries. I have found that the second surgery was a bit more painful during weeks 2 & 3 and part of week 4 post surgery. However, the performance of the knee plus ROM and extension seems to be a lot better than the first surgery. I think this may be due to the fact that I also exercised the second knee quite a bit while I was recovering from the first surgery. After I came home from Hospital for the LTKR, I felt pretty good and cut out the prescription meds at the end of week 1. Shortly thereafter, I found that the pain had increased and I went back on the Rx meds for 3 1/2 weeks. Now I have cut back to Ibuprophen every 4 hours and pain is tolerable.
Yesterday, I was able to climb stairs normally for the first time in a few years without pain. What a feeling!!!!
Just over 5 weeks for the LTKR and I can walk unaided but I do take a cane along for longer strolls through Costco, etc. I am looking for the yummy stuff that Doug and others seem to find at Costco. The RTKR feels normal now and I don't really think about it at all.
Best of luck in your recovery and keep up the exercises.
Cheers, Ross
I had my RTKR on Dec. 12/07 and LTKR on Apr. 14/08.
That is about 4 months between surgeries. I have found that the second surgery was a bit more painful during weeks 2 & 3 and part of week 4 post surgery. However, the performance of the knee plus ROM and extension seems to be a lot better than the first surgery. I think this may be due to the fact that I also exercised the second knee quite a bit while I was recovering from the first surgery. After I came home from Hospital for the LTKR, I felt pretty good and cut out the prescription meds at the end of week 1. Shortly thereafter, I found that the pain had increased and I went back on the Rx meds for 3 1/2 weeks. Now I have cut back to Ibuprophen every 4 hours and pain is tolerable.
Yesterday, I was able to climb stairs normally for the first time in a few years without pain. What a feeling!!!!
Just over 5 weeks for the LTKR and I can walk unaided but I do take a cane along for longer strolls through Costco, etc. I am looking for the yummy stuff that Doug and others seem to find at Costco. The RTKR feels normal now and I don't really think about it at all.
Best of luck in your recovery and keep up the exercises.
Cheers, Ross
gimpy
new member
Karen good info thanks so much, alot of good information on this site & people willing to help others, all the different opinions really helps thanks again, gimpy
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Hi gimpy - take a look in this thread Tkr Gang-no Posting Please Amongst the mug shots and the pets are some pictures of KNEES! But gives you a really good idea of what the scar looks like.
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