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Revision TKR TKR - Feel like a Failure<

@pumpkin - see you used a cane or crutches for 2 years+ for long walks. Did you eventually improve where you didn't need the support? I am at 10 months now (from second surgery) and still using walking stick for outside walks. I don't feel comfortable without it. I don't think it is a mental thing - I still feel somewhat off balanced with the new knee plus still stiff and sore. I try to believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I will one day improve to where I don't need the stick. It is so helpful to hear others experiences and know I am not alone. Every day is a challenge - I am trying to keep the faith that one day this will pass. I have to believe that!! Thank you for your post - means a lot to me.
 
@Walkinginthesand Yes - I remember our pinkie swear!! I read your post often. It means so much to know others understand and are with you. I surely hope things went well with your husband's check-up.
 
@Needhope - Thank you for your encouraging post and "hanging with me." Right back at ya!! I see your other knee replacement is soon. I understand your feelings the second time around. I had a kneecap replacement last year which failed and I had to have the TKR three months later. Having been through the first surgery, I knew what I was in for. The first time around, I was actually eager for the surgery as I had so many misconceptions from other people who had undergone the procedure, the doctor and the joint replacement class (everyone told me three months was the "end game.") This website has been a lifesaver physically and mentally. Knowing others have had similar experiences and hearing their encouraging words is invaluable. I hope all goes well with your surgery and will be watching your thread. You're right - you can do this!! I just know that day will come when we both feel normal again.
 
@eaglemom - I am with you (raising my right hand!). Love your post - I promise to do the things you laid out. It is interesting that your doctor said yours is a baby knee and will come around. Wish my doctor had said that to me. A large part of my issue is that my expectations of a three month (or less) recovery were so completely shattered and I believed there was something wrong with me. Finding this website helped me accept that is not the case and, importantly, there is hope for me to recover. As you said, reading the threads helps put your mind at ease and that is a large part of the battle. Thank you for your post - I am with you!!!
 
@jaschembra Yes, I feel the same way about the trekking sticks. I definitely walk better with them - my stride is much improved. The doctor and PT folks wanted me off the cane/walking sticks asap after surgery. Clearly that has not happened for me and thus I felt like a failure. It makes me feel so much better to read posts like yours - love your advice to "not let any tool get in your way." Thank you!
 
All - I had a huge break-through (for me) at a restaurant last week! For the first time in more than a year, I walked to the ladies room without a cane. It wasn't a long walk but it was an unassisted walk. Even walked by my husband's side to our car in the parking lot. No holding onto him or using my cane. On that day, I felt like I could do it and I did. On that day, I got a glimpse of normal and my old self. I haven't done it since but I feel like, if I did it once, I can do it again. I have hope!!!
 
I think your body if accepting the new you and conforming to the change. There’s no stopping you now. Once you get a taste of that confidence, it’ll keep growing and growing! Hooray! You’re on your way!
 
Sometimes victory goes to the one who is willing to give something a try. You gave a try to going unassisted to the ladies room, and you walked normally to the car. You did it! And you certainly can do it again. It’s okay to try some ordinary movement and say, “Let’s see how this works.” If it works, you know you’re good to go. Maybe try some walking around the house without your cane. Then try walking a little outside while carrying the cane (I carried mine with me on my daily walks for a few weeks before deciding I would not need it.)

It can take some time and lots of little experiments to develop confidence in our new knees.
 
Awesome job on the walking without your cane! You have "broken the ice" and that should give you confidence to try it again in small increments to start.
 
I
@SusieShoes
@Needhope @sistersinhim @kneeper - thank you for your encouraging words!

Yesterday, March 27, was the one year anniversary of the day I was told my kneecap replacement had failed. Had to go through six weeks of intense physical therapy to try to get the kneecap implant back in place - it didn't work. Second surgery was in May. Yesterday was a tough day but also a good day. Hard to think back to last year but so thankful it is one year later. My small feat of walking to the ladies room was a real boost. You are right - it was a victory and it felt good! I have a long way to go but I hope on March 27 next year this will be behind me. I am so grateful to have found Bonesmart - I don't know where I would be mentally without you! I am taking my walking stick now and going for a walk with my husband and dog - unashamed to be doing so!
 
You go girl! More power to ya! Show that stick who’s boss. Enjoy your hubby and dog and peaceful evening.
 
chrisknee, it really boils my blood when others tell you what you should or shouldn't be feeling. Where you should or shouldn't be at at a certain timescale, especially those that haven't gone through the surgery. Before I had my first knee surgery I was in considerable pain for a long time, my boss at work constantly commented on how it "couldn't be that bad". I'd been limping heavily for 18 months and had to rely on strong pain meds to get me through a day. Eventually I snapped back at him, I told him each morning he came into the workshop for the next 2 years he should let me smash him in the knee with a hammer, then he could get on with his day as that's how painful it was for me. You know, he never commented again.
Only you and your new knee can determine what you can and can't do and when you can or can't do it. No one else's opinion on your progress really matters.
Now you're getting the confidence in walking unaided, no matter the distance, that confidence will start to soar. You'll be coming on in leaps and bounds!
 
All - I went to my surgeon yesterday for my one year check-up. X-Rays show all is well mechanically. I am able to take long walks, ride my stationary bicycle, do the elliptical, etc. He said that was great - checked my stability and flexibility and said everything looks good. However, I still have aches and stiffness. I thought one year was the maximum healing time. He said it can take up to two years for healing and prescribed a compound cream to help with the pain. He asked me if I would have the surgery again knowing what I know now. I told him the hardest part for me was mental because everyone told me three months was the "end game" and I couldn't understand what was wrong with me. I know from reading the posts on the BoneSmart forum that is not correct but boy my expectations were set by the doctor, the joint replacement classes, other knee replacement patients, etc. So many tears shed worrying and in anxiety - it has been an ordeal since my first surgery in February 2017. The doctor said I had a small amount of scar tissue - I can feel/hear the kneecap grinding on it when I stand up. He said we could, in the future, do an arthroscopic procedure to shave down the scar tissue but he doesn't recommend it now. Hopefully it will resolve itself. I was wondering if anyone took more than a year for the healing to complete? I can feel myself getting better but it's a slow process - no dramatic changes that's for sure. Can't stand the thought of one more procedure. Everyone tells me I will reach the point where I say this surgery is the best thing that I ever did - waiting for that day!
 
I'm going on 2 years and still have pain down the back of the knee and the lateral side down. This knee has had 5 previous surgeries on it, so I might have a lot of tissue damage. But, many take more than a year to heal completely. I think your OS is right, it's up to a 2 year healing process.
 
Don’t you “love” how at the beginning it’s either said or implied that recovery is 3 months and then at a year we’re told it can take as long as 2 years.

I’m glad your X-rays look good and you are seeing progress. I hope you feel much better long before next May!

Ironically my X-rays supposedly look fine and I do feel my leg is relaxing and bending better, but I seriously think something is wrong. This just can’t be right. I am getting closer and closer to setting up that second opinion. :cry:
 
Jockette said:
Don’t you “love” how at the beginning it’s either said or implied that recovery is 3 months and then at a year we’re told it can take as long as 2 years.

I’m glad your X-rays look good and you are seeing progress. I hope you feel much better long before next May!

Ironically my X-rays supposedly look fine and I do feel my leg is relaxing and bending better, but I seriously think something is wrong. This just can’t be right. I am getting closer and closer to setting up that second opinion. :cry:
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I too just saw the surgeon for my 1 year visit. The surgeon is a strong believer that by a year everything is the way it should be. Well I am not there. I place full weight on the surgical knee and severe pain generates along the exterior side and below the knee cap. My surgeon has no explanation. Fortunately it is now a year and I can seek a 2nd opinion. I just read a medical journal that 20% of TKR have pain issues at 1 year+ . That’s a C+ average. Trying to understand why many are still suffering.
 
chrisknee said:
I was wondering if anyone took more than a year for the healing to complete?
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I just had my one year check-up also. I have had an excellent recovery. My right knee (I had both replaced) could be an original knee; it doesn't hurt at all and has rocking ROM. My left knee, though, still has a few issues. I walk without pain always and have no pain 99% of the time, but there's a spot just under and outside of the left kneecap that can, if I do certain exercises, act up and get sore. Lefty also has slightly less flexion than Righty. So I asked my OS about that. Would my knees continue to improve?

He said both knees would continue to improve in ROM and overall healing. He fully expects Lefty to catch up to Righty down the road.

Even the most optimistic surgeons probably don't think there's full recovery from TKR at 3 months. But they do believe most patients will be "recovered enough" at 3 months that they feel it's all right to tell patients what they want to hear.
 
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