Recycled
senior
You've been spying on me. I have said those exact same phrases. Of course , then I realize it's "not that bad", only when I sitting with my legs up doing nothing. :th_2hissy1:
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Will new knees be good enough?
- Thread starter BigGene
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You've been spying on me. I have said those exact same phrases. Of course , then I realize it's "not that bad", only when I sitting with my legs up doing nothing. :th_2hissy1:
referee54
Former BoneSmart staff member
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OK---good enough? I just cycled on the stationary bike 35 minutes and did 33 minutes on the elliptical machine..I guess I am bragging, but I didn't even do that with my original knees when I was younger and they didn't hurt, ache, or stab me...:snk:
Woo hoo!
OP
OP
BigGene
graduate
Three more days till I meet with aTKR specialist and I will begin the next step.toward getting new knees that will be good enough!!!
RestAssured
alpha
Good luck Gene! We will all be waiting to hear your decision about doing 1 knee or 2. :snk:
ruppbike
senior
My 83-year old uncle from Vancouver, BC called the other day after hearing I had the BTKR. He was concerned knowing how active I have been in the past 10 -15 years. He asked me a question that made me stop and think: "what are you going to have to give up?" he asked. I couldn't think of any activity that I would have to give up and I could only tell him things I expect to be able to do that I could not do before. He replied that it must have been an easy decision then. Well it wasn't and isn't as you all know, but with that prospective it may be easier. My wife said I should have told him that all I expect to have to give up is the PAIN!
My rehab is nearing the 30-day mark and as of this week I can realistically see and feel how my new knees will be the best thing I have every been able to do for myself physically.
My rehab is nearing the 30-day mark and as of this week I can realistically see and feel how my new knees will be the best thing I have every been able to do for myself physically.
OP
OP
BigGene
graduate
So, I had my appointment with a surgeon in Reno, where my daughter lives and where I wwill therefore have support durung recovery.
The good news is I liked him. Good vibe, attitude, demeanor. Has the expertise. He was on my wavelength about life style and activities.
The bad news (not really) is that he said my x-rays and exam make me as a candidate for uni-compartmental (partial) knee replacement as an alternative. The hard part was he was not pushing either one. Advantage of partial is recovery time and they "feel" more normal.
Downside is chance are greater of the need for revision down the road.
Also challenging is that when I described my activities and plans for activities,(skiing, hiking, camping, cycling) he did not believe that I would be prevented from doing any of those activity with either type implant.
So here I go with the need to make another decision!!!
He did say we can go in looking to do partial and if he sees problems that were not apparent in the x-rays, (like artritic involvement of other compartments) he could do the TKA instead.
I do have another appointment with a surgeon next week wher I live. It will be interesting to see how he "sees" my knees.
In any event, things are moving forward. I am clearly now past the "will I do this" phase and into the "details" of who, when, and specific type of replacement.
A couple questions for the Smarties"
What are the experiences here with partials?
You thoughts would be appreciated.
The good news is I liked him. Good vibe, attitude, demeanor. Has the expertise. He was on my wavelength about life style and activities.
The bad news (not really) is that he said my x-rays and exam make me as a candidate for uni-compartmental (partial) knee replacement as an alternative. The hard part was he was not pushing either one. Advantage of partial is recovery time and they "feel" more normal.
Downside is chance are greater of the need for revision down the road.
Also challenging is that when I described my activities and plans for activities,(skiing, hiking, camping, cycling) he did not believe that I would be prevented from doing any of those activity with either type implant.
So here I go with the need to make another decision!!!
He did say we can go in looking to do partial and if he sees problems that were not apparent in the x-rays, (like artritic involvement of other compartments) he could do the TKA instead.
I do have another appointment with a surgeon next week wher I live. It will be interesting to see how he "sees" my knees.
In any event, things are moving forward. I am clearly now past the "will I do this" phase and into the "details" of who, when, and specific type of replacement.
A couple questions for the Smarties"
What are the experiences here with partials?
You thoughts would be appreciated.
DebR
member
I myself had a partial knee replacement march 2009. I then had a revision 11 weeks ago. 1 1/2 years apart and I can tell you the results were quite different!! If I had to do this all over again I would have gone with the total knee hands down the first time/ My" recovery" time was NO different then with the total and my new knee, the total, feels like the real deal. The partial never did, too much damage already I guess from what my NEW OS has told me. Do not believe the partial is easier, it is much like the total. I of course can only speak to my own situation but I truly wish I had just gone with the total in the first place. I could have saved a year and half of my life not being in pain to only go back in and do it again. Others on here will comment also, but for me I do regret having the partial. Just some thoughts on the matter. Best of luck in whatever decision you make!!
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Deb, you took the words right out of my mouth! It's so easy for these chaps to puff out about the partial's recovery being lesser than a total - well it is, by about a few days! And feeling more normal? Questionable! After all, you could only say that by comparing it with a total and since you'd be unable to have that experience, how could you possibly say?
But you have it right from one who's been there! Beats my 'professional' input hands down!
But you have it right from one who's been there! Beats my 'professional' input hands down!
OP
OP
BigGene
graduate
Tomorrow, I will meet with another knee replacement specialist. This surgeon is located near my home instead of in Reno where my daughter will provide support during recovery.I will see what this surgeon's opinion is particularly on the issue of PKR vs TKR as well as the bilateral option.
That said, my thoughts at this time is to do the surgery in Reno where I can stay with my daughter for several weeks in a home without steps.
More importantly, in view of the things I have read here and elsewhere my tentative decision is to do one knee at a time and do TKR not PKR.Theoretically, the concept of PKR is very attractive to me. BUT the reality seems to be that while my arthritis appears to be in only one compartment now, there is no guarantee that I won't continue to develope arthritis elsewhere and thus suffer more arthritis pain sooner or later. I see no way to reasonably predict that it won't happen.
That combined with the doctor telling me ;as well as the obvious anecdotal evidence at this site, there does not seem to be any more resrtictions on activity level post-TKR vs post-PKR.
That said it seems that the only "advantage" for me, at age 62, is the "possibility" of an easier recovery and that the PKR will feel "more natural".
So, with a risk of early revision due to further arthritic developement as well as increased wear risk as a result of my size,300+lbs, 6"5", it really seems like the best decision is to do the TKR with a fair likelihood that it will last a long time and perhaps a good likelihood that I will never need revision.
As to bilateral, again while "getting it over with" in one painful surgery/recovery cycle is very attractive, I think it will be easier on me and more importantly, on those helping me during recovery if I do it in steps.
I will re-evaluate and make a final decision after tomorrow, but that is my thinking at this point.
I hope by the end of this week, I will have a date.:th_yay:
Finally, thanks again to all the "smarties" at this site for the imput, anecdotal evidence, and most importantly holding my hand through this challenging decision process.
That said, my thoughts at this time is to do the surgery in Reno where I can stay with my daughter for several weeks in a home without steps.
More importantly, in view of the things I have read here and elsewhere my tentative decision is to do one knee at a time and do TKR not PKR.Theoretically, the concept of PKR is very attractive to me. BUT the reality seems to be that while my arthritis appears to be in only one compartment now, there is no guarantee that I won't continue to develope arthritis elsewhere and thus suffer more arthritis pain sooner or later. I see no way to reasonably predict that it won't happen.
That combined with the doctor telling me ;as well as the obvious anecdotal evidence at this site, there does not seem to be any more resrtictions on activity level post-TKR vs post-PKR.
That said it seems that the only "advantage" for me, at age 62, is the "possibility" of an easier recovery and that the PKR will feel "more natural".
So, with a risk of early revision due to further arthritic developement as well as increased wear risk as a result of my size,300+lbs, 6"5", it really seems like the best decision is to do the TKR with a fair likelihood that it will last a long time and perhaps a good likelihood that I will never need revision.
As to bilateral, again while "getting it over with" in one painful surgery/recovery cycle is very attractive, I think it will be easier on me and more importantly, on those helping me during recovery if I do it in steps.
I will re-evaluate and make a final decision after tomorrow, but that is my thinking at this point.
I hope by the end of this week, I will have a date.:th_yay:
Finally, thanks again to all the "smarties" at this site for the imput, anecdotal evidence, and most importantly holding my hand through this challenging decision process.
DebR
member
Gene, I think you are making the right decision as far as the total. I am 55 years old and do not plan on ever doing anything else with my right knee! As i have said (and everyone else) hind sight is 20-20, but in comparison the TKR was absolutely the right decision. This knee at 12 weeks feels so normal. Sure I have the swelling (been back working full time for several weeks), and the minor kinks that need to resolve but it feels like it belongs, which the partial NEVER did. Good luck with all your plans and keep us posted.
Deb
Deb
OP
OP
BigGene
graduate
My decision making journey is now over. Phase 1 complete. RTKR is scheduled for 3/21/11. I am finally comfortable with this decision.
Now I can move on to all the pre-surgery appointments, tests and logistics organizing.
Thanks for everyones support.
Now I can move on to all the pre-surgery appointments, tests and logistics organizing.
Thanks for everyones support.
old goat
senior
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Good luck and God bless Gene. You have come to a terrific decision. I went through a partial before the LTKR and it was not a wise idea. I cannot wait to have the RTKR. I see my doctor Feb. 11th and we will get details, and questions answered. I am thinking there is no other choice for the right one at this time. I will just have to see what he says. O, they had me doing stairs 10 days after surgery! Take care, and all will go well.
DebR
member
Excellent decision, best of luck moving forward !!!
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