How nice it is for you to be getting out and doing your normal things again! Each step is a step towards being completely healed! This is what this surgery is all about!
Revision TKR TKR - Feel like a Failure<
- Thread starter chrisknee
- Start date
Hi Chris
My btkr was Jan 25. I would hear stories of guys who are golfing or tennis after 2 or three months etc.
true or not it wasn’t me.im doing well at about 10 months but I used a cane probably till 7 or 8 months. And occasionally will grab my hiking stick right out of bed if I feel a little stiff
This has been a slow but steady. Slow road!!!! Sometimes it’s hard to tell if I’m making any progress at all, but I will notice for example while walking on uneven ground, that two months earlier I was super cautious and fearful of walking on the same ground
Point being it’s hard to see progress day to day. But it’s there. I’m convinced it’s just a year or maybe more recovery time for me at least.
But I can walk 4.5 miles now. Before surgery I could walk about 50 very painful bone on bone stops.
Don’t get me started on stiffness! Us btkr and tkr know what it feels like when your knee feels like a straight piece of wood. That was awful and took a long time to slowly diminish
Last week, while standing on a ladder I was totally enjoying how healthy my knees felt. Can you get that concept?. Pretty darn sweet.
I’m not 100% healed yet for sure. But it’s there for you us. Just keep movin
Elevating exercising. Listen to the your body. I wish I was really expert at listening to my body!! I’m not. But getting better at it. And it is joyful experiencing that feeling of healthy legs more often and longer!
My btkr was Jan 25. I would hear stories of guys who are golfing or tennis after 2 or three months etc.
true or not it wasn’t me.im doing well at about 10 months but I used a cane probably till 7 or 8 months. And occasionally will grab my hiking stick right out of bed if I feel a little stiff
This has been a slow but steady. Slow road!!!! Sometimes it’s hard to tell if I’m making any progress at all, but I will notice for example while walking on uneven ground, that two months earlier I was super cautious and fearful of walking on the same ground
Point being it’s hard to see progress day to day. But it’s there. I’m convinced it’s just a year or maybe more recovery time for me at least.
But I can walk 4.5 miles now. Before surgery I could walk about 50 very painful bone on bone stops.
Don’t get me started on stiffness! Us btkr and tkr know what it feels like when your knee feels like a straight piece of wood. That was awful and took a long time to slowly diminish
Last week, while standing on a ladder I was totally enjoying how healthy my knees felt. Can you get that concept?. Pretty darn sweet.
I’m not 100% healed yet for sure. But it’s there for you us. Just keep movin
Elevating exercising. Listen to the your body. I wish I was really expert at listening to my body!! I’m not. But getting better at it. And it is joyful experiencing that feeling of healthy legs more often and longer!
Seven months out and still stiff and swollen. Don't feel normal when walking because of stiffness. Does it get easier walking over time as the swelling goes down? Thanks - I appreciate your input. Trying not to get discouraged and keep re-reading posts that says it takes up to a year.
At 7 months you are barely over the halfway mark. Yes, the swelling and stiffness does go away. That makes walking much easier.
Rickj - I was wondering how your visit to Disneyland went? My husband and I were in Baltimore this week for his birthday and I walked quite a bit. Albeit with a walking stick but I still walked! I thought about you and your Disneyland trip with your grandchildren. Can't wait to hear how things went - sounds like at the 10 month mark you have made a turnaround. That is a real encouragement to me.
I am at the eight month mark now and still stiff and awkward walking. Takes me a bit to get going after I stand up - the log leg syndrome. I use a walking stick outside the house - try my best not to use anything inside my home. My husband and I took a trip over Christmas and I encountered several people who told me how wonderfully well their operations went and how they were normal in a few weeks time. Although I keep in mind the encouraging words from the folks on this forum that it can take a year to heal, I admit hearing these comments was depressing. So much so that when I returned home I went to my PT to see if there is indeed something wrong with me. He checked me out and said everything looks fine and that I should be OK with time. I don't know if I can believe that anymore - I was told I was fine after my first surgery and that wasn't true. Plus I received an email from my doctor's practice about something called Platelet Rich Plasma treatment as a potential alternative for knee replacement. Has anyone heard about PRP? Now I am wondering if I should have done this operation at all - no one told me about PRP last year. Just discouraged.
I’m sorry you haven’t seen a lot of improvement yet. If it’s any comfort I am still stiff, though I am walking a bit better. Hopefully in time you will get better.
I wonder if having 2 major surgeries 3 months apart is affecting your recovery. Your poor knee has been through more than the average replacement recipient.
I know it’s hard to hear that others recover more quickly and easier, I feel that too at times. We wonder why we didn’t get that kind of recovery.
An acquaintance of mine had his replacement in July. I spoke with him last month. He’s progressed well and had little pain. He said he knows he was lucky. He needs his other knee done eventually and knows it may not go as well. But he was very understanding and compassionate as I told him my disappointment with mine. He was genuinely sorry mine didn’t go as well as his.
I’m sure you are tired of hearing that we all recover differently, but it’s true. And like I said, you’ve had more done to your knee than a lot of others.
I am at a point of acceptance with that and I’m still counting on time healing my knee.
I struggle with stairs, because I hardly have to do them. I use my cane if I have to do a whole flight of stairs.
My other biggest struggle is getting out of the car on the driver side. It’s not pretty at all! I don’t have the same issue on the passenger side.
My leg is still not totally comfortable when I’m driving, I just can’t find a good angle for it.
And it despises the cold weather!
So, I still have a ways to go!
I wonder if having 2 major surgeries 3 months apart is affecting your recovery. Your poor knee has been through more than the average replacement recipient.
I know it’s hard to hear that others recover more quickly and easier, I feel that too at times. We wonder why we didn’t get that kind of recovery.
An acquaintance of mine had his replacement in July. I spoke with him last month. He’s progressed well and had little pain. He said he knows he was lucky. He needs his other knee done eventually and knows it may not go as well. But he was very understanding and compassionate as I told him my disappointment with mine. He was genuinely sorry mine didn’t go as well as his.
I’m sure you are tired of hearing that we all recover differently, but it’s true. And like I said, you’ve had more done to your knee than a lot of others.
I am at a point of acceptance with that and I’m still counting on time healing my knee.
I struggle with stairs, because I hardly have to do them. I use my cane if I have to do a whole flight of stairs.
My other biggest struggle is getting out of the car on the driver side. It’s not pretty at all! I don’t have the same issue on the passenger side.
My leg is still not totally comfortable when I’m driving, I just can’t find a good angle for it.
And it despises the cold weather!
So, I still have a ways to go!
Take those people's stories who say they were fine in a few weeks with a grain of salt. Either they didn't have an actual knee replacement or they have selective memory. 
I was getting out for short errands between 6-8 weeks, but with my cane. And though I was back at work at 12 weeks I was far from recovered. As far as the outside observer was concerned I was fine --they don't see all the healing that's still happening. Or the crashing on the couch as soon as you get home. 
My docs have said PRP is a long way from showing itself as an alternative--still experimental and possibly only beneficial before your knee is very far gone.
I was getting out for short errands between 6-8 weeks, but with my cane. And though I was back at work at 12 weeks I was far from recovered. As far as the outside observer was concerned I was fine --they don't see all the healing that's still happening. Or the crashing on the couch as soon as you get home. My docs have said PRP is a long way from showing itself as an alternative--still experimental and possibly only beneficial before your knee is very far gone.
kneeper - thank you for the information on PRP. I didn't know it was experimental. I don't know if it would have been an alternative for me but it threw me for a loop to get the email from my doctor after all I have gone through with the knee replacements. Did your knee fully recover from your surgery? If I knew my knee would recover it would be easier to bear. I worry it will be this way forever.
Jockette - I hope I too can reach a point of acceptance that time will heal my knee. I am discouraged because of my experience after the first surgery. I had two PT's telling me things looked great (even though they didn't feel great) - told me my doctor would be very pleased with my progress at my 6 week check-up. Instead he informed me the kneecap replacement had dislocated and a TKR was necessary. So I want to believe that things will be OK with time but having trouble mentally. I am so worried it will happen again. I hope that, like you said, having two surgeries has made things more difficult and healing will occur over time. In any case, I truly appreciate your response. It helps so much to hear other's experiences.
I have a Patellofemoral replacement which is the knee cap area (is that the one you had?) and it bothers me a lot still when I lean forward. I vacuumed today and my knee is very uncomfortable since.
Since surgery I’ve learned that Patellofemorals don’t have a good track record. So on one side of my brain I’ve accepted the time theory but on the other side of my brain I worry, when my knee feels like it does right now, that it’s going to fail.
Again, that time thing. Only time will tell if it gets better or fails. So far, all X-rays have been good. But part of me is just waiting for the failure. I guess that’s not the best attitude. Oh well. This is not one of my better days.
Since surgery I’ve learned that Patellofemorals don’t have a good track record. So on one side of my brain I’ve accepted the time theory but on the other side of my brain I worry, when my knee feels like it does right now, that it’s going to fail.
Again, that time thing. Only time will tell if it gets better or fails. So far, all X-rays have been good. But part of me is just waiting for the failure. I guess that’s not the best attitude. Oh well. This is not one of my better days.
Well my doc considers it experimental in the sense that they can't really prove the results. Both my tkr knees are great--the left even better than the right, I'd say. Same surgeon, but no two knee are the same. 
I have had PRP treatment in England. I'm surprised this is being suggested as an alternative to TKR. I had this when arthritis was not as far advanced. It gave some relief but not as much as the steroid injections. When we were discussing TKR I asked whether I could try PRP or stem cell treatment again and was advised that the arthritis was far too advanced and TKR was only option.
Yes Jockette - I had the same operation as you. Mine immediately failed however. The kneecap would slip out of place and I would have to slide it back in - this was very uncomfortable. Ultimately it dislocated permanently and I could not put it back in place. I was upset with the surgeon for having done this procedure as I read it had a higher rate of failure - we had agreed upon a TKR. Three months after the initial surgery I had the TKR. I sincerely hope this does not happen with you. If your X-rays are good that is very encouraging.
Tanya76 - you tried stem cell treatment as well? My neighbor was going to have both knees replaced last October (her knees are severely damaged due to years of playing tennis) and her doctor told her to wait instead for insurance to cover stem cell treatments. So she is going to wait for who knows how long as in the States the treatment is considered experimental. When I heard the doctor was advising not to have the TKR in lieu of stem cell treatments that was a jolt to me, however, it sounds like it would not have been a good alternative for me. Thank you for the information.
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chrisknee,
How is your friend doing with the stem cell treatment?
How is your friend doing with the stem cell treatment?
@chrisknee Stem cell treatment and PRP are two different things here. I had stem cell treatment when arthritis was less chronic. I had six years of relief after having stem cell treatment. I couldn't have stem cell a second time as the arthritis was too far advanced.
SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
I was half-hoping for stem cell or cartilage replacement therapies to emerge during the several years I spent postponing TKR surgery. It got to the point my knees were so bone-on-bone grinding away that probably neither would have worked. All that waiting did, really, was make my TKR more difficult on my left knee (which had started to deform). Still, I understand the appeal of regenerative therapies and would love to see more advancements in that area. Until then, TKR is a very successful alternative with a good track record.
Pumpkin - my friend has not had the stem cell treatment yet. She is waiting until it is covered by Medicare. In the meantime she suffers from arthritis but has hopes that the stem cell treatment will take care of the issue as her doctor told her she is a perfect candidate for that treatment. At this time, she finds the cost prohibitive as it is several thousand dollars a treatment and no guarantee of success. SusieShoes makes a good point i.e. that waiting can possibly make things worse. That's makes me personally feel better about my TKR as I don't think the stem cell or PRP would have worked for me - my kneecap was full of arthritis and the "groove" had worn away. I hope for my friends sake that she doesn't wait too long or that Medicare decides to cover the stem cell treatment - right now it is considered experimental.
Earlier this week was the one year anniversary of my first knee surgery. It is the 9 month anniversary of my second (revision) surgery. I visit this site often and read again the replies of those who have provided encouragement along the way. I will admit this week is particularly hard for me as I envisioned myself being one year out and leading a normal life at this time. Instead I continue to have stiffness and soreness. For the most part, those on this site seem to have eventually recovered and I tell myself every day that time will come for me too. It means so much to know that I am not alone in my experience. I am looking forward to my next "anniversary" in May which will be one year out from the revision surgery and praying for improvement by then.
