topic Re: Knee replacement October 24 in Wellness

Knee replacement October 24

Vivian — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 17:44:23 GMT

I've been active all my life and, at 70, I have the knees to prove it. My sports medicine doctor has kept me going...until this summer...when x-rays, an MRI, and my extreme pain all indicated trouble. My sports med doc, for the first time since I've known him,told me it is now time for knee replacement. I sought out two surgical opinions and the result is that nothing short of knee replacement will fix this and ultimately alleviate the pain that is keeping me away from my workouts and a good night's sleep. Wish me luck!

Re: Knee replacement October 24

millieshops — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 17:55:52 GMT

@VivianI wish you a quick recovery from pain and future comfort.

One quick good story - a friend of mine, your age, has had both knees replaced - second one about 2 years ago. She wore heels to a wedding in the spring for the first time in years and a few days ago left an afternoon bridge game to walk the 5 miles home!

I've heard many success stories - hoping to hear yours - maybe as we're celebrating the New Year????

Re: Knee replacement October 24

IMW — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:00:15 GMT

How very wonderful and caring of you to share that story of inspiration and hope. It truly speaks of the kind of person you are.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

IMW — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:01:27 GMT

Wishing you luck and a full and easy recovery.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

Meowingkitty — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:25:33 GMT

I’m having my right knee done October 23rd so we are in this together. I’m 61 but will be 62 by the time of my surgery. I found one thing helpful. Don’t read the horror stories online. It will only make you more nervous. I had my pre op tests done this past Tuesday. I’m nervous but there are days like today when I’m so ready.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

SeaMaiden — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:34:25 GMT

@Vivian Florimond wrote:
I've been active all my life and, at 70, I have the knees to prove it. My sports medicine doctor has kept me going...until this summer...when x-rays, an MRI, and my extreme pain all indicated trouble. My sports med doc, for the first time since I've known him,told me it is now time for knee replacement. I sought out two surgical opinions and the result is that nothing short of knee replacement will fix this and ultimately alleviate the pain that is keeping me away from my workouts and a good night's sleep. Wish me luck!

@Vivian I had bilateral total knee replacement June 2013. Best thing since sliced bread. 👍👍👍👍 I suffered needlessly for 10 years prior....horrible debilitating pain. I started using crutches and knew the next step was either knee replacement or a wheel chair.

I do not even think about my knees anymore....walk everywhere...stand as long as I want.... I go down stairs and upstairs where before surgery I DREADED STAIRS. Even a curb use to be a challenge.....no more!

You are having surgery on my Birthday! It must be a good Sign!🙂

Re: Knee replacement October 24

fluffysmom — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:36:00 GMT

@Vivian

Sadly those joints wear out over time. I had my second knee done in Feb. I used a cane for over 10 years. I can walk with out it now. It sounds like you are already active just give therapy everything you've got. I picked my therapist both in rehab then out patient. It was the same person and he was very agressive. I told him not to hold back and he kicked my rear. Many therapists are not like that so be clear with your expectations and do therapy like it's your job. One day I mentioned to him that I wished I could ditch the cane. He grabed me by the seat of my pants and off we went. It was like jumping off a cliff. I worked in health care before retirement and think male PTs generally are more aggressive than women. Again tell your therapist what your expectations are.There is nothing quite like the pain of your knee bones grinding together. Are you going to do inpatient rehab initially? You will do great!!! Please post how it goes. If I can help in any way let me know.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

gidgetgh — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:38:04 GMT

@Vivian- I think you’re really smart to get this done now and I wish you the best.

I’ve been following your posts about your husband and I think you’re really smart to get yourself taken care of now, rather than later.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

tansy — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:53:51 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
@Vivian- I think you’re really smart to get this done now and I wish you the best.

I’ve been following your posts about your husband and I think you’re really smart to get yourself taken care of now, rather than later.

I'm hoping you've been able to arrange for adequate help while you are recuperating, @Vivian. I've had both of my knees replaced successfully. Good luck.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

dodies — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:54:29 GMT

Hi Vivian...just saw your post as I am on my couch with the ice machine going on my left knee...had it replaced ten days ago and will say the first few days are rough, but things are now going extremely well. I take a cane with me for longer walks, because it helps keep my body mechanics in line, but not for pain relief. Am walking unassisted, driving, and sleeping well. Occasionally take half a pain pill at night if I've been on it a lot. The icing is key, and they will hook you up with a machine before you leave the hospital....or should... as one of the other posters mentioned, PT is KEY and don't let your therapist be bullied (by YOU 😄) into going easy on you! All in all, each day after the first few are quantam leaps in improvement. So worth it to get rid of the constant pain, swelling and limitations of the "old" knee. Good luck and just "gitter done" 😅

Re: Knee replacement October 24

Vivian — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 12:34:20 GMT

As one of the first people to join these QVC boards, I am always impressed by the kindness and wisdom of the people who come here. I've read every post and send my thanks. My husband had knee replacement surgery so I know what's involved. His "faux" knee is great.

My doctor tells me that I'll be able to return to my low impact dance classes; that makes me so happy because I had to give them up last month. In fact, I can't do anything except lift free weights at home. Everything else is just too painful. I am getting this surgery because I want to minimize my loss of fitness and, yes, as someone said, my husband is still OK to care for me. However, one of my daughters is coming up to help out after I get out of the hospital. I also have a cleaning woman who will help out whenever I need her. So, I think I'm ready. My knee CERTAINLY is ready!

Re: Knee replacement October 24

Kachina624 — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 20:07:12 GMT

I had mine done in 2011, and was amazed it wasn't more painful considering the trauma to the knee joint. I breezed through it and made a quick recovery. I spent 2 weeks in a rehab facility since I live alone. Just don't overdo it too soon like I tried to do.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

Justice4all — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 21:54:12 GMT

@Vivian

Caution about PT. Read the website bonesmart. Many suffer from overdoing.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

Goodie2shoes — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 22:44:43 GMT

Good luck on your knee replacement, I had my left knee done in 2015. I've been dealing with left thigh and leg pain down to my calf, had a MRI in January, told I now have a disc problem so I had to have a epidural steroid injection that stopped the pain but it has returned although not nearly as bad. My right knee has been getting worse had a steroid injection back in May but I'm trying to put the inevitable off as long as possible. I think my gait is off because of the left knee so maybe getting my right knee done will help level my walk. Keep us updated on your post op progress, again best of luck and I bet you will do fine !

Re: Knee replacement October 24

hckynut — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 23:27:57 GMT

@Vivian

Kudos to both you and you Sports Med Doctor. It took a lot of work from you to do all you could to protect your knees for so many years, and I am happy your doctor is Sports Med Certified. Their methods are to keep their patients doing their regular activities, until joints reach the point of precluding them from doing so.

Many of my less active friends have had 1 or both knees replaced. A few of them used to tell me "if you keep running, your knees are gonna go"! Well, my knees are doing just fine, and I have never had an issue with the knee joint itself. Did have Patella Tendonitis once, but that is completely different than having a knee joint problem.

Had 2 of my hockey players still playing after their knee replacements. They sat out a full season and then returned. They had to change different ways they skated, but they were still able to play well. They both were in their later 60's when they had the surgeries.

My best to you with your surgery and I am sure you will still be quite active post surgery. Many give up too easy, in my opinion, and chalk it up to age and/or injuries. You are not among that group. Take good care pre-surgery, and keep me/us posted.

hckynut(john)

Re: Knee replacement October 24

chrystaltree — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 19:16:25 GMT

Good luck and please keep us informed. I have arthritis in my knee myself and I'm also tired of the pain and tired of making plans based on how my knee feels today. This knee thing is making me old before my time so I have an appointment next week for a consultation with a surgeon who specializes in knees. I know 3 or 4 people who had TKR's in the past year and they did beautifully and are thrilled with the results.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

Mmsfoxxie — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 20:25:32 GMT

God be with you on October 24th @Vivian. Sounds like this is an absolutely necessary step to make at this time. I'm 70 as well but not nearly as in the pain you're having. I'm still functioning for the most part. Thank you for giving me your symptoms to compare mine to because this has been on my mind. I'll be watching to see your 'all is well' post after the surgery. Take care.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

Vivian — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 20:27:20 GMT

Chrystaltree, of course I don’t know the extent of your suffering, but you may be able to benefit from my experience. For almost ten years I’ve had knee pain, first on the right, then both knees. I continued my workouts at the Y with the help of my sports med doc. Then, all of a sudden it seemed that my knees started hurting intensely 24/7. Nothing alleviated the pain, especially on the right. My sports med doc took x-rays and gave me the bad news. Two orthopedic surgeons confirmed it, as did the MRI one of them ordered. It’s bone-on-bone on one side. That’s why it hurts so much.

I think I waited too long to make the decision to get knee replacement. If I sit for awhile, getting up is torture. Getting out of bed is even worse. Sometimes I can hardly walk. I’ve gone from a daily work-out exerciser to an orthopedic mess. I just hope the surgeon I chose can fix this.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

Ditzydori — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 22:43:30 GMT

I wish you the best of luck. I just had my second knee done on August 14. I'm loving it. For years, as someone else mentioned, it was either do it or a wheel chair. You will do great.

The fact that you are in good shape means everything. You're recovery will be so much easier. The first few days are painful, BUT, they will give you what you need to feel comfortable. Then after the first week or so, you are well on your way to a new you.

My only regret is not doing it sooner because of fear. There isn't anything to fear. As long as you pick a good, reputable surgeon, (and that is very important), you will do great. They know just what you will need to do to get well and be comfortable.

I have 4 more weeks of physical therapy, and I'm done. They told me I could stop now, but I opted to go the full course. Can't hurt. I really enjoy PT. It's good exercise in a very pleasant, friendly setting, 3Xs a week.

Thanks goodness for modern medicine. I just can't help but wondering what they did years ago. I never remember my grandmother complaining of her joints. Hmmm. I wonder.

Re: Knee replacement October 24

RedTop — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 01:18:02 GMT

I hope to be on my doctors surgery schedule this month too! Best wishes to @Vivian, and @Meowingkitty.