You are terrifying me

[Weezl]

I have been bone on bone for several years but doing OK with a bout here and there of problems. In October a stupid thing caused me to bleed into my knee joint. Since then I have been in varing types of pain, mainly excruciating because using my knee causes a bleed. I went to HSS the day after Christmas in a lot of pain and my doctor aspirated blood from my knee and we decided to bump me up to next week for the relacement. Everyone who I know that knows someone who's had it done, swears by their new knee. They say a rough rehab but after that it's great. This site is a series of problems and pain long after the replacement with Josephine saying that there is no knee like your own and there is no going back.

What is the story?? Should I have them just clean out my knee and try to find the bleed?? My husband is ready to throw this computer in te garbage. He's an MD, not an Ortho, and doesn't know that much about this either. You guys are the experts. What gives???

 

[referee54]

No, we are not experts. I just know what I went through with my arthritis and with the bilateral TKR's. I know that my problems now---soreness, stiffness, and at times sleeplessness, are only temporary. I am working my up the ladder one rung at a time. For me, a bilateral TKR was the only option. Perhaps that isn't the case with you.

The bottom line is that it is your body---talk to your ortho about what scares you, and explain to him your concerns. Perhaps there are other options---I do not know---I am just a English teacher.

Josephine is right---there is no knee like your own---but mine were shot, and the replacements are so much better...

Don't be hasty about this decision, if your are religious, (as I am,) say a few prayers. See if you can get a seond or third opinion.

Best of luck to you,

Tim C.

 

[Weezl]

Thank you, ref for replying. You are the experts. You have been through and are going through it. I was told both my knees would need to be replaced and I have had problems with both although the right was always worse. I thank God my left knee stepped up to the plate to get me through this. It's acting perfectly. Boy, I never knew how painfull a knee could be and how much worse it is when you try to sleep. All of you people have been through so much, as have I, and what Josephine said couldn't be truer and it gave me pause. I feel, however, like a bride a few days before her wedding. I have doubts but I know it's what I have to do. I'm just so afraid for the obvious reasons, there are no guarantees and even the best MD and the best hospital doesn't remove the risk of what can go wrong. A sample of horrific pain that I've sampled and knowing if something goes wrong I wind up ruing my life is what is terrifing me. It's not this site. This site is a blessing and Josephine is right on target. I am sorry if I offended anyone. I know I am ready. I also know if it is'nt right it can ruin my life.

As Josephine said, you can't undo it.

 

[referee54]

I have doubts but I know it's what I have to do. I'm just so afraid for the obvious reasons, there are no guarantees and even the best MD and the best hospital doesn't remove the risk of what can go wrong.

I am sorry if I offended anyone. I know I am ready. I also know if it is'nt right it can ruin my life.

As Josephine said, you can't undo it.

I was nervous the day of the surgery---I was in the prep room with my wife, and for some reason, I began to cry--almost uncontrollably. But I knew that there were risks involved---but the benefits far outweighed the risks. Several collegues of mine at school have had one done, so I had an idea what i was getting into (but I beat 'em---I got both done--I told 'em it was "buy one, get one free!")

Your husband is an MD---he knows who the best orthos are---and try to get a second opinion. If you do decide to get a TKR, get the very best ortho to do it---I did, at the Cleveland Clinic (Well, my wife works there, our insurance there is awesome, and the Clinic's Joint Reconstruction team is phenomanal.) do ou trust your ortho? If not, go with your gut, and find somebody else.

IT came down to this, for me---I wanted my life back, and I was really willing to accept the risks involved in order to do so. I have always been active, and I have been told that I will return to the baseball diamond this April to umpire. While reffing college basketball is out, at least I can sleep at night, not limp down the hallways in school, and I can regain most of the activities that I enjoyed so much in the past.

For what it is worth, my left knee is a lttle stiff today---yesterday it was okie-dokie---but that roller-coaster ride is what recovery and rehab is all about.

Do not worry about offending anybody---just keep speaking your mind, please.

Tim C.

 

[Bev55]

I'm not sure I should buy into this discussion mainly cause in some ways my 'agony' doesn't sound as bad as yours. Nevertheless, I too admit to being absolutely terrified of confronting the inevitable. I dodged it for 8 long years..... After an arthroscopy which bought me little gain 8 years ago, I ended up consulting 5 orthopedic sugeons.... When the fifth one - 4 years ago - told me the same as the previous 4, I had no choice but to accept the inevitable.

Fortunately, my bone on bone pain didn't result in the bleed you've suffered. I too 'managed' the pain well, hence legitimately being able to put it off.... The problem I eventually realized was that I managed myself so well, that I was virtually doing nothing in the day that would irritate the joint. This worked quite well, until I started hearing myself speak outloud. The clincher was admitting to my surgeon in a consultation that I was fine if I restricted my walking to 10-15 min stints..... His response 'that's not much of a lifestyle' hit home.

I'm now five weeks post op of a HKR on one leg. I'm only just now starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a long, not so easy road though. Normally quite active and reasonably fit, the op took far more out of me than I imagined it would. Fragile -physically and emotionally - there have been many ups and downs along the way and also a sense of frustration of all that I can't do. It's hard to stay positive, but, I've discovered, is the best strategy. I'm looking forward to the pain free days and the one that someone on this forum wrote.... waking up one day and realizing that my knee was not the first thing thought about! My dream is to go walking on the beach for hours on end. Will send a post when I get there!!

Best of luck to you.

 

[referee54]

My ortho and the Pt's have all said that, in actuality, it almost takes a year to forgetthe fact that you have TKR's or PKR's... It is a slow, involved process. You have to remember, that your knees did not get this way oever nightand it will take time to get them back to where you would wish them to be.

Some days, my right knee is tighter than my left knee; some days, vice versa. But i do know that , campared to where I was this time seven weeks ago, I am way ahead in the game. This is a battle that is truly won in little steps---not one big decisive blow. Ice and an exercise bike are my best friends right now...

Hang in there; things will get better!

Tim C.

 

[Sue]

Weezl, you will find a lot of people on this board talking about having problems months after their surgery. But that's because the people who aren't having problems aren't in here writing. They're out playing golf or whatever they do for fun. Not everybody has months of pain or complications afterwards.

I was posting pretty frequently just before and for a few weeks after my right TKR on October 18th. But now I don't have a lot to say, because I'm feeling better all the time. I am still reading the board to glean any helpful information I can, and hopefully to be able to help somebody else once in a while. At 10 weeks post-surgery, I'm very, very glad that I had it. I am really starting to feel good most of the time. Today I walked all along the beach in my hometown, and it was great!

The best of luck with your surgery!

Sue

 

[referee54]

Hey Sue---I am at seven weeks now, and I am still having trouble sleeping---getting comfortable and moving in bed. did you have trouble seeping, as well?

Tim C.

 

[Josephine]

I'm just so afraid for the obvious reasons, there are no guarantees and even the best MD and the best hospital doesn't remove the risk of what can go wrong.

Well, the sad fact of the matter is that every operation carries risks, even just having gas for a tooth extraction has risks. Come to that, getting in your car and driving to into town has risks - probably more than this!

I'm looking forward to the pain free days and the one that someone on this forum wrote.... waking up one day and realizing that my knee was not the first thing thought about!

My ortho and the Pt's have all said that, in actuality, it almost takes a year to forgetthe fact that you have TKR

Same applies here. Almost every major operation has that year thing about it. Only those having laparascopic surgery (gall bladders, hernia repairs, etc.) escape that. But when that day comes - oh boy! it makes you feel like shouting "FREEDOOOOOMMM"!!

Weezl, you will find a lot of people on this board talking about having problems months after their surgery. But that's because the people who aren't having problems aren't in here writing. They're out playing golf or whatever they do for fun. Not everybody has months of pain or complications afterwards.

I was posting pretty frequently just before and for a few weeks after my right TKR on October 18th. But now I don't have a lot to say, because I'm feeling better all the time.

That is sooo true! These forums are, by nature, self selecting which is to say it is only people who have an unmet need that spend time searching the internet for answers. This true whether you are looking for a bargain on Ebay, directions to somewhere for an interview or just information. The internet now is the place we go first. But if you don't need any of these things you'll get on with your housework, mow the lawn or watch TV! Unless you're a confirmed forum addict like me (who is currently registered on about - sshhh! - 20 forums!) And remember that our membership in only in the hundreds at the moment, though growing rapidly, so we are not exactly representative of the entire joint replacement community worldwide!

However, I have some good news for you - I did a bit of research and found that in the US it is estimated that, in 2001, 326,000 knees were replaced!

According to an article published in 1998, it is estimated at approximately 100,000.

Another US Government paper reported that more than 200,000 primary knee replacements were performed around that same time.

Now compare that to the number of individuals with problems who have posted on here and you'll quickly figure it out - the chances for a great knee replacements are pretty good!

Hope this all puts your mind at rest a bit more.

Be blessed!

 

[lyn]

I am bored and have low energy after four weeks but I am so glad i had my knee replacement, I was in so much pain before and aside from the trouble sleeping, which I had before from the pain anyway, It is already feeling better still pain but different pain. I had my other knee replaced 2 years ago and it was very different experience but it is so good now and was after 3 months I was so happy. I think I blocked out some of the stuff after the last one and had a harder surgery this time but still happy I had it done.

 

[referee54]

I just came back from PT---boy, am I stiff and sore...but it is a good kind of pain---the kind that says I am getting better. Seven weeks after my bilateral TKR, I am walking without any crutches or canes. I will go back to teaching on Thursday.

Slow progrees, but climbing the ladder one rung at a time.

Tim C.

 

[Weezl]

Thank you all so much. Thank you Josephine for always being here for everyone. My husband said the same thing, that the reason there is so much on this site abou pain, problems, concerns is that once ou are fine you tend to have a life and everyone here is going to have TKR, just had it, or sharing progress notes. You're here 24/7 which is important because we don't sleep much. We all have similar experiences. i relate to having moved into the spare room because I don't want to bother my husband as wello as I too have two dogs that get up w/ the first person up. My dogs are large and I do not want to deal w/ them first thing either.
I wish you all the best and a happy new year.

 

[Sue]

Weezl, I also moved to the guest room for the first 6 weeks or so after surgery. I have three small dogs and I couldn't deal with them for a while. I had to wait until I was feeling able to deal with *their* needs, such as letting them in and out of the house, feeding them, etc.

Anyway, the best of luck to you! We'll be thinking of you and looking forward to when you are home and able to sit up to the computer and tell us how you're doing!

Sue

 

[referee54]

I have three labs amnd a goldne/lab mix--they haven't been much of a problem---they just tend to follow me around at night when I get up and walk around the house.

I don't sleep with my wife much now---I move from the guest room to the couch depending on where I can get most comfortable. And the dogs---if you have ever seen the movie, "The Christmas Story"---the Bumpus's move with me... I gues I am there alpha.

Hang in there,

Tim C.

 

[Josephine]

24/7 huh! Guess I better make a new year resolution to get a life outside of the internet!! LOL!!

All the best to everyone on this forum. You're all a lovely group of people.
Hope you have a fantastic 2008 kicking up them legs!