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TKR both knees

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Mountain tops or valleys, you have come a long way so there is much to be grateful for. Your plate is full, that's for sure.
 
BJmac so sorry to hear all you are going through, praying for you. No, from reading through your recovery you don't take it easy, whew. I get tired out just reading all your travels.
 
I've been trying to live a normal life and taking care of my brothers grands. Not working. My knees are killing me. I really miss life, seeing people, being around kids, shopping, you name it. What's really hard is climbing the ladder up and down into my nieces' pool. Out shopping the other day and I said that I was shot, one of the girls said, "You don't look shot Aunty" ha ha. Interestingly I am noticing all the frail old people out and about in their walkers doing a much better job than me. I think I am sinking into a depression about this whole thing and I have never had that happen before. I feel so defeated before I even start. 10 more years like this. Are they crazy? I just don't get it. Well Tuesday is the Mayo clinic.
 
Or, you could use the Find a Clinic link up top here and do some research on your own. Follow the directions and get a list of clinics that are within the area you are willing to travel. Then start ringing them and ask for the name and number of their knee surgeons. Then phone the surgeons and ask what kind of hip surgery they do (just as an opener!) and if he ever has any young adults as hip replacement patients. Depending upon the answer, make a new list and then check with your insurance if you would be covered if you went to them. After that, make a short list of surgeons you fancy seeing and make appointments!

TBH, I don't think the AAOS would be much help. I know the BOA here doesn't recommend surgeons as it's outside their remit. Of late they have been passing them on to me!
 
KayeKaye said:
BJmac so sorry to hear all you are going through, praying for you. No, from reading through your recovery you don't take it easy, whew. I get tired out just reading all your travels.
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Thanks, I really appreciate the prayers. I am trying to learn to take it easy. I have had so many challenges in life that it was hard to relax. 4 kids with learning challenges, one of which had a massive stroke as an infant, homeschooling them all... It is hard to learn to slow down now that they are older and mostly on their own. I will keep working on that though.

I do hope that you are able to find a good surgeon and get your surgery scheduled. Hang in there!!! I will pray that things work out for you that way. :friends:
 
Oh, I did use the clinic guide listed here for MN. The last three clinics were listed on the site. I did a lot of phoning and trying to get answers but they are just not set up for that. I finally got call backs from a couple but they let me know they weren't happy with being questioned. I still haven't gotten my answers from the first doctor who gave me the Synvistic One shot in January and I keep asking, just last week Monday I asked again. Someone else suggested asking the hospital administrators so I will try that and see if they can tell me how many knee operations these doctors do. Or recommend doctors. I had an emergency room nurse recommend the third doctor, epic fail. My insurance pretty much lets me see any doctor I wish.
 
Just rechecked the clinic list here and yup I've used a lot of them so far. But like I said before, there are a lot listed I found they are the same doctors going from suburb to suburb as they have many branch clinics.
 
I did find a doctor at Mayo clinic today. He found that my kneecaps are deteriorated to the point that I can have this done any day I choose. He said it was a "no brainer". Finally. He did a lot of xrays and found it right away. So I can schedule after I do my root canal and what ever else I need to get done first. With that new information I called my last doctor who said it wasn't Osteoarthritis and was rude, talked to the clinic manager and told her I wanted a refund.

This has been since last December going to doctors and feeling frustrated. I came home and fell asleep, I was so emotionally fried, relieved but now anxious for real. Now I have to decide if I want both done at the same time. He did my friends knees both at the same time and she had much success. He didn't seem to care one way or the other, but said it was harder with both knees. Like others here have said, I may not want to go back in three months after going through the surgery. Having them both done at once the rehab would be all done at once as well. But on the other hand it may be too hard. So that is what I wrestle with now.

I know I would not have pursued this without the information found here. Thank you all again.
 
I am so glad that you finally have answers! :yahoo: Take your time and decide what's best for you! Either way, you'll be glad to start living life, whether you have them at the sometime or like me 2 and 1/2 months apart! Good luck!
 
KayeKaye, I am glad to hear that you found a doc that sounds good and comfortable to you. I will be praying that you are able to make the decisions that you need to make now to get on with the surgeries. Hang in there,
 
KayeKaye said:
Now I have to decide if I want both done at the same time. He did my friends knees both at the same time and she had much success. He didn't seem to care one way or the other, but said it was harder with both knees.
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I expect it is harder, but I'd say less than twice as hard!

For me it worked, all the hassle at once rather than dragging it out. I was lucky, though, in having no pressure on me to do anything during the recovery period.
 
I had a BTKR---and, while it was challenging as I did not have a "good" knee to help out with the surgical one, I am ever so glad that I had both done at once. I had one waiting period, one surgery, one hospital stay, one rehab, and one recovery. I did not have to have one done, recover, and then go in for the other. It was the right choice for me, and I am glad that I did it that way.
 
I'm so glad that you found your OS! I'm also proud of you for persevering! CONGRATULATIONS! Now you have a decision to make. Read through some of the BTKR stories on the recovery page. Janet and Jackie are about a month out and have been doing fantastic. Best wishes!!!
 
Thank you all. Yes I am leaning towards both just because I feel so chicken about doing it twice. I have been following Janet and Jackie and they are gems! They both seem to be in better shape than me though. While I have lost 50 pounds I have another 50 to go which could take a year. I don't think I could or should wait a year though.
Tough choices...:scratch:
 
Did your new, AWESOME surgeon talk to you about BTKR and one at a time? Risks? Benefits? Also, orthodoc posted a journal reference. I think that you can find it in Janet's pre-surgery thread. The more information that you can get your hands on, the more comfortable you will be with your decision. I know that I need both done, but for me, it was always one at a time. Like my Nana always said, "A girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do!"
Good luck with your decision. You'll make the right one for you!

:yay: CONGRATULATIONS on your FABULOUS weight loss! :yay:
 
Another BTKR-er here. I am so glad that I made the decision to do it that way.

Another one with not a good leg to stand on. Not an easy recovery but neither is one. I wanted it over. Just my opinion.
 
[Bonesmart.org] TKR both knees
In, truth, you'll have two good knees to stand on. The bone, soft tissue, muscles, tendons, & ligaments may be sore and painful in the beginning and the legs may not bend and straighten as much as later---but you'll be able to stand just fine. Getting up and down will be a challenge for a while, but standing and walking will be easier than you think.


I am not a true BTKR as far as surgery is concerned since my knees were done 2 days apart; but I have had a bilateral recovery. And because I followed the BoneSmart way almost to the letter, it has been a fairly smooth easy road with just a few minor bumps along the way.
[Bonesmart.org] TKR both knees
 
I wasn't given the option due to my 6 previous MRSA infections, and I think for me that was a wise decision! If you don't have any history of infections or have an auto immune disease like, MS then I say go for both! :yahoo:
 
Just putting in my 2 cents. Go for both, a single recovery, might be a little longer, but no matter how long you live, life is short! Get back to living, but don't do it unless you are prepared to do the work! I'm 12 days out from BTKR, and I am pumped to get on the other side. Good luck, but make the right decision for nobody but you!
 
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