TKR in less than one week

[KathyW]

I am scheduled for TKR of my right knee on Tuesday, July 14. I am a bit frightened of the whole process - I will be having a cementless replacement with the Stryker Triathalon Knee. Has anyone had success - or failure - with the same type of surgery. I have also found out the incision will have to be sutured, as a nickel allergy will prevent the use of staples. My doctor wants me off work for 5 weeks - is that too long or not long enough? Guess that is rather an individual thing and depends on one's progress. How often do you have PT after surgery? This whole procedure is quite frightening to me. Perhaps it is because it is so irreversible. I have just read several posts with lots of good ideas - this sight is great! Thanks to all

KathyW:

 

[Texas]

Hi Kathy, Welcome. I think everyone that has gone thru this has been scared at one point. I was as well. I do have Styker but I did have stiches not staples. That was just the choice of the Surgeon(OS). Just make sure you are confident and really like your OS thats the MOST important thing. Mine wouldnt let me drive till 6 weeks but it was also my right knee. Its a tough surgery the frst few weeks but well worth it in the end. The PT will depend on your OS. I had 2 weeks home PT that came to the house and at about 3 weeks started to go to PT outside of the house. I think you will be happy you had this done. It is scary, but just listen to your OS instructions, ice, elevate, take your medicine. And you will be fine. Please post anytime with questions. We have all been there. I wish you complete success with your sugery. Please let us know how you are doing.... smile

 

[Josephine]

Five weeks is way too optomistic. I had a perfect recovery but wouldn't have even considered returning to work till ten weeks minimum. OTOH, it depends on your financial position and job. We'll talk more about that later. Just not five weeks, please!

Stryker is a great firm, does good stuff in the joint replacement arena. But do remember that generally prostheses don't fail: if there are problems, it's almost always due to poor techniques on the part of the surgeon. I know you've chosen yours well, so you have nothing to worry about!

Sutures is good - mostly they tend to use a fine one running just under the skin, full length of the incision and then top it off with SteriStrips. Like this

You get a really good scar with that process.

One thing they don't warn you about is that they have to use a tourniquet on your thigh for the operation. It stops you losing too much blood. But - and not everybody gets this - the first few days you can find yourself with a rather bad pain in the upper thigh. It can interfere with your movements like getting in and out of bed, but painkillers will help so ask for them. I had this and even though I was warned, it still took me bu surprise. It can be pretty fierce at first but four days later I woke up and it was gone! Was I delighted! So just be prepared and don't worry if it happens to you, just remember that it will be short lived.

Also don't forget this - these strangers you are putting yourself in the hands of, they do this all day every day. For you it's a monumental, intimidating experience - for them it's another day at work. They'll look after you and care for you and make sure everything goes swimmingly. God bless!

 

[Sticker Lady]

Hi Kathy!
I had sutures with steri-strips just like the photo JO posted. I had no drainage and they have healed very well.
I've had PT 3 times per week--first at home through the Visiting Nurse program, and after I was cleared to drive at a PT center which I chose.
The PT is hard work but it really pays off--after 7 1/2 weeks I have 0 extention and 124 ROM in my lift and 122 in my right.
Going back to work at 5 weeks will depend on lots of things: Type of work, length of day, your pain levels (need for pain killers), how you are sleeping, etc. You won't know until you get there. Whenever you go back, try to start part time if that's at all possible--you will need to be kind to yourself so that you can heal.
Blessings,
Irene

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Kathy....please know that all of us were scared going into surgery. That is really the norm. As Jo said, you must put yourself in the hands of the surgeon that you trust and go for it. The pain you are experiencing now would only get worse if you didn't have the surgery. For me, that first stand on the new knee on the day following surgery was a miracle. I could just FEEL how strong it was compared to my old one. The pain that comes after surgery can be rather intense. Pain meds are needed until that intensity goes away. But somehow it is a different pain that you instinctively know will go away. It's not the same as what you're experiencing now.

Post any time here. There are plenty of caring folks who will help and support you through the process. You're life's about to get lots better!!

Oh, and I agree completely with what Jo said about going back to work after 5 weeks. A couple of folks here have done it because of financial needs, but it is difficult and I certainly would NOT recommend it. With my knee....I would not have even considered part-time return to work before 10 weeks.

 

[Linda2]

Hi and welcome. I'll be having my second TKR the day before you. Even though I've done it all already, I am still nervous; it's just the nature of humans. I think the picture Jo shared has a patient who has previously been stapled--those little dots sure look like staple punctures. My surgeon doesn't use staples; he stitches all up beneath the surface and then the steri-strips. I think there also must have been some skin glue involved because I could shower from the get-go. Although it is a big surgery, you will be glad you went ahead with it. Imagine a stable knee you can trust to hold with no bone-on-bone grinding pain. That helps to strengthen resolve!

 

[KathyW]

Thanks to all of you for your encouraging words. Two days to go before the big day and I'm up at 3:00 am because I can't sleep! It is so nice to hear from people who have gone through the process and to get all of your input. Thanks, again!

 

[Texas]

Hey Kathy I just noticed that wow that came up fast, probably for you to. It will be fine. I couldnt sleep either.lol. Are you all straight with your house. Is anyone going to be helping at home after? I know it hard to get ready when your nervous...Hang in there. I hope you let us know how it all turned out we really will be looking for your return post...Good luck. If you need to chat Im here....PS 2 other people are going the same day you are....

 

[tooyoungforthis]

Kathy, theses last 2 days are going to go fast,now to have your recovery to go as fast, my prayers are with you best of luck

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Kathy
We share the day.... I was a rtkr on 7/14/2009. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! I went back to work exactly 4 weeks later and I shouldnt have. I am a teacher in alaska and started school 4 weeks after the surgery. Way to soon..... Probably should have taken 4 weeks additional but I was a goober and wanted to be there for the kids. I ended up doing a bunch of half days. I could do the full day but the swelling at the end was killing me in progressing in PT. A lot depends on what you do for a living. I was fortunate with my position inthe school and the group of kids I had were great. Be careful and play it by ear. Each of us is unique. I had lots of little things creep up but nothing major.... most of which I probably wouldnt have had had I just not pushed! UGHHHH

Ill be thinking of you on the 14th.... I am goijng to take a short hike with 2 of my dogs to celebrate. We will be sending you peace and calm and PATIENCE as you begin your journey.

Marianne

 

[GaryM]

Good luck Kathy. Lots of ice and elevation. Take your meds. Don't skip any or think that you don't need them. You WILL need them for PT. Some days will be harder then others. But remember we are here to support you. So get back on here and let us know how you are doing. Keep us posted. We can let you know what to expect as you heal.

 

[Texas]

Hey Kathy the same, good luck tomorrow we will all be thinking about you. You will be fine if you do what the Dr tells ya. We are all here for you, if there's anything we can help you with, you are not alone in this at all.....Good Luck