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Will new knees be good enough?

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Congrats Gene! You are a well-informed patient and have a very postive attitude; both portend a success to your goal of doing the activites you desire without pain.

Your thoughtful posts as you arrived to your decision has also help inform many others.

Kurt
 
Gene, did you find a knee specialist in Reno? good luck with the knee--Ihave to admit that I am enjoying a winter without pain. K
 
Skigirl, I did go to Reno and was very satisfied with the surgeon and had pretty well made up my mind to do the sugery there, stay with my daughter through the recovery and then come home. His scheduler said she would call to schedule shortly.

I came home and went to my consult with the surgeon who specializes in Knee Replacement here. Here was also very good and I was very comfortable with him.

As it turns out I have decided to do it at home, even though I live alone and don't really have folks I feel comfortable asking for a lot of help. The plane ride home was very bad. My right knee was screaming at me with pain levels up at the 8-9 level. I am 6'5", 300+ lbs and even in a bulkhead seat there is not enough room to extend or flex the knee enough to relieve the pain. Walking the aisle helps but I was uncomfortable because I am wider than the aisle and disturbed people as I waddled down the aisle.

That said, the thought of flying home, in a crowded plave 4-5 weeks after surgery, along with the added risk of clots started to trouble me.

Furthermore, the hospital here at home is really very good in the handling of joint replacements. Finally, there were the intangables. I can't put my finger on it exactly but while both docs were excellent and easy to talk to and responsive, I just have a "feeling" about the guy her at home.

One last piece to the puzzle, the Reno folks still have not called to schedule. Not a big deal by itself but...

So, all that said, the elements of the decision matrix changed and I scheduled here at home. The logistics of getting help will work out and the other factors, now seem to overwhelm the live alone issue.
 
Ruppbike, members and "Lurkers",
Yes, I am very comfortable with my decision and it has been an interesting transition as I review the history of this thread.

I know being able to articulate my thoughts, concerns, and questions on a site with both knowledgable and empathetic supporters was invailuable. Those who have not experienced the process may be knowledgable or have great sympathy, but I don't think they really get it. The Smarties really do.

Both the anecdotal information here as well as the expertise of Josephine and the other moderators is not available in other ways.

This thread has lasted quite a while with a fair number or posts and many views. I can only hope that the many "lurkers" who have viewed this thread as well as many others benefit from my experience on this side of surgery.

I strongly encourage those who only view the site to join and engage in the dialog. While viewing only is valuable, the opportunity to post help a great deal in clarifying one's own analysis.
 
Gene, we all appreciate your ability to articulate your thoughts. I for one have been where you are in some way or another but sometimes the pain and meds (!!) make it hard to get it across! I wish you the best of luck with the road you're on!
I really don't know what I would do without this website. I feel like such a whiner sometimes and everyone here has been so kind and helpful! Being able to read other's experiences, read all the info, and continually get positive feedback has been a life-saver. I think my family is at the "pull-up-your-big-girl-panties" and get 'er done point! :th_DOH:
 
Way to go Gene! I am so proud of you! I know that things will go well and that you will have great success with your decision!:wink:
 
Nicely said, Gene!!!
 
Since I have scheduled my surgery at home I have begun preparing the house for my triumphant return from hospital.

I went to the lumber yard and picked up some wood and constructed a riser platform for my recliner. At 6'5" all chairs are a challenge for me to get out of and during recovery it was not going to be good.

Worked for a couple hours; cutting, sawing and screwing it all together. It is great. I should have done it years ago. I went whole hog and jacked it up 8 inches. It is now like a throne, short people would need a ladder to get into it, but it really allows easy entry and exit for a big man with OA.

All the work did get my knees complaining, but I will settle into the "new" chair and ice for a while.

From an introspective viewpoint I am a lot different now than even two months ago when I started this thread. No more denial, or indecision.

I am finally moving forward with a plan and a reasonable chance of living life without OA pain.

I have been jealous on my son who works at the base of Squaw Mountain at Lake Tahoe. I never got the chance to mix work and play so easily. Could not do that in the late 60's. The draft board found other options for then. Maybe I will get to be a ski-bum at 65 instead of 25. Maybe I'll bike across America or thru-hike the Appalacian Trail.

Wow, my "bucket list" just keeps getting longer and longer.

I expect I will appreciate it more at this age.
 
I have begun to think seriously about biking across the USA ---most likely not this summer, but possibly next. I want to talk with the ortho to see what he has to say about that.

Tim C.
 
BigGene said:


I went to the lumber yard and picked up some wood and constructed a riser platform for my recliner. At 6'5" all chairs are a challenge for me to get out of and during recovery it was not going to be good.

Worked for a couple hours; cutting, sawing and screwing it all together. It is great. I should have done it years ago. I went whole hog and jacked it up 8 inches. It is now like a throne, short people would need a ladder to get into it, but it really allows easy entry and exit for a big man with OA..
Click to expand...
Love it!:bow:
 
Big Gene, did you nail some blocks of wood into the top, so that the recliner won't scooch/inch its way off?
 
BigGene said:
It is now like a throne, short people would need a ladder to get into it, but it really allows easy entry and exit for a big man with OA.
Click to expand...
[Bonesmart.org] Will new knees be good enough?




:th_heehee:
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Cotton1958,
Yes, I actually I screwed the base of the recliner to the riser so it would not slide forward or backward.
 
How about a photograph, Gene? Preferably with you sitting in it?
 
thank you for all the replys....I have the same concerns....having rtkr on March 21. Knees are feeling ok now, but I am going forward with this surgery. I have 4 young grandkids and I am tired of not being able to keep up with them. I am riding my inside bike daily, trying to loose some weight and on 3-21..I will just have blind faith that on the other side (of the kr)....my life will be better.
 
We knew what you meant! We're praying that for you too!
 
Have read this thread from the beginning. I am to have LTKR on 2/28. I have put if off for some time, but FINALLY realized that I was tired of limping and being in pain from walking or standing. I, like Gene, really am at peace about it and am looking forward to the short period of down and rehab time in exchange for a much longer more active time. Will be planning the RTKR in a few months.
 
Welcome to Bonesmart jimnc. Thanks for reading the thread and my struggle to make up my mind to do TKR.

You are scheduled 3 weeks ahead of me and I hope you will keep us informed on your progress,

I am sitting here with my laptop, tv and doing leg raises and other pre-op excercises all from the comfort of my recliner.

Life is good and soon will get a lot better!!
 
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