PKR Upcoming PKRs in April and July, 2024

[Mike61]

Left knee in April….Right in July…planning on a North Dakota bird hunting trip in September and skiing (and touring) by winter (trying to stay positive) and back to whitewater kayaking spring of ’25

 

[Jockette]

@Mike61 Hi and Welcome!

I‘ve started this recovery thread so you can interact with others and ask questions, or share your preparations for your upcoming surgery, etc.

These trips will be nice to look forward to, but do remember, healing from a PKR can take just as long to fully recover from as from a total, which takes an average of a year. Let your knees be your guide and don’t push them more than they are healed to do things.

As with most things, some people do very well, others heal at a slower pace. Also, having 2 major surgeries within 3 months can take a toll on your body, the energy drain from healing is very real. I’m not trying to discourage you, even though I’m sure it looks that way, I just want to help you have some realistic expectations, many of us didn‘t, and it caused us a lot of frustration with our recoveries. I have a Patellofemoral partial and my recovery was nothing like I expected.

Here are some other members recovery threads who have partials:

Knee Surgery Recovery Area

For post-operative knee patients, on the "other side"

bonesmart.org

Here’s some pre op information for you:

If you are at the stage where you have joint pain but don't know for sure if you are ready to have surgery, these links may help:
Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic knee?
Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis
BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:
Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced knee, take a look at the posts and threads from other BoneSmarties provided in this link:
Stories of amazing knee recoveries

 

[Jockette]

One other question, which partial are you getting, Lateral, Patellofemoral or Medial? We‘ll also add that to your signature.

 

[benne68]

Welcome to BoneSmart, @Mike61

Right in July…planning on a North Dakota bird hunting trip in September

You may be overestimating what your knee will be able to do at 2-months post-op -- especially if your trip requires a lot of walking. Perhaps wait until you are 2 months post-op on your left knee recovery before committing to a September trip.

Although we are all different and all recover differently, I can share that I am now 10 weeks post-op (2nd knee surgery) and, while doing well, still find it hard to walk more than mile or to be on my feet for more than an hour at a time without my new knee objecting.

As Jockette notes, there is a general misconception that recovery from a partial is faster and easier than from a total knee replacement but that is not always the case.

Please do read through some other members' stories -- and ask questions! That will help you set realistic expectations for recovery.

 

[EalingGran]

You may be overestimating what your knee will be able to do at 2-months post-op -- especially if your trip requires a lot of walking. Perhaps wait until you are 2 months post-op on your left knee recovery before committing to a September trip

Would definitely agree with @benne68 and @Jockette
I had a PKR ( admittedly one of the rarer type - lateral) and although I have had a good recovery it wasn't that easy in the early months. I did a short trip at about 5 months and I really wouldn't have enjoyed travelling much earlier. The sleep issues and energy drain of surgery let alone the residual pain and stiffness would have made it too unpleasant.
There are some rare folk who have the more straightforward medial PKR and do very well from early on- but they are the exception not the rule.
Also no two surgeries are the same- so just because you have an easy time with the first doesn't guarantee an easy ride with the second.

 

[lrj]

Left knee in April….Right in July…planning on a North Dakota bird hunting trip in September and skiing (and touring) by winter (trying to stay positive) and back to whitewater kayaking spring of ’25

I had my partials done 3 months apart. At 2.5 months past the second, I just went on a 2 mile hike on an easy trail. Some form of exercise most days. My pain is gone. But I still am dealing with swelling, which can cause a lot of discomfort.
At 6 weeks I had to drive 13 hours over 2 days. By the time I was a half hour away from home, if it was any farther, I would have stopped for the night. That was the last time I crossed the line from discomfort to pain. So, also consider what mode of transportation and how long of a trip it is.
My goal is to hike the highest mountain in Australia. I feel like that should be physically possible by fall. My limitation is going to be financial.
Every person is different and even your 2 knees will give you 2 different experiences. I think you'll either do fine with moments you just need to rest, or you will realize you're not ready. Listen to your body and use good judgement!

 

[Mike61]

One other question, which partial are you getting, Lateral, Patellofemoral or Medial? We‘ll also add that to your signature.

Both are media….at least that is the plan.

 

[Jockette]

Thanks, I added that to your signature.