topic Re: Total Knee Replacement Question in Wellness

Total Knee Replacement Question

tansy — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 23:27:59 GMT

I have had two TKRs and a shoulder replacement. The shoulder was from falling off a bike. My husband has a TKR. He can kneel easily, without pain, on his. I cannot kneel due to excruciating pain. Not being able to kneel, coupled with my shoulder replacement, means it is extremely difficult to get up and down from the floor or in and out of a tub.

Obviously, I am terrified of falling:/

I'm curious about other people's experiences with a TKR, kneeling and getting up from the floor.

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

KimmC — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 23:34:33 GMT

@tansy I had a knee replacement about 4 years ago. Time for the other one soon. At any rate, I can kneel on it, but won't, it feels very strange and uncomfortable but not painful. Yes, getting in and out of a tub is difficult, just had this issue the other night. And because I am in so much pain with the knee I need a TKR on, makes it even harder. Not fun, for sure.

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

Kachina624 — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 23:40:24 GMT

I had one TKR and need another. In five years I've never tried to kneel except on a soft pillow. I'm scared it's really going to hurt. As you say, it makes it almost impossible to get back on one's feet. It's so inconvenient because there are some things I need to do on the floor but I'm afraid I won't be able to get up.

Friend of mine who lives near fell a few months ago (2 TKR) and she couldn't get up. She called me and I went over and tried to help but I couldn't get her up. I finally called 911 and the fire department sent 2 good-looking paramedics over who got her up in a jiffy. We might do that again.

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

tansy — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 23:57:14 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I had one TKR and need another. In five years I've never tried to kneel except on a soft pillow. I'm scared it's really going to hurt. As you say, it makes it almost impossible to get back on one's feet. It's so inconvenient because there are some things I need to do on the floor but I'm afraid I won't be able to get up.

Friend of mine who lives near fell a few months ago (2 TKR) and she couldn't get up. She called me and I went over and tried to help but I couldn't get her up. I finally called 911 and the fire department sent 2 good-looking paramedics over who got her up in a jiffy. We might do that again.

I remember your post about your friend and filed it away in my "scary things" brain file:/

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

spent2much — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 01:13:33 GMT

I'm barely 6 weeks out from knee replacement surgery. Before the surgery, I had such knee pain that I couldn't get out of the tub or up off the floor unless I was near the couch and pulled myself up. I still have a good amount of pain, so there's no kneeling or floor sitting for a looooong time... maybe forever. This was my 15th surgery (many areas, not just the knee) and the doc said my other knee is worse than the one I just had surgery on. It doesn't hurt, though, and I'm hoping I can avoid another one. This surgery, compared to my many others, has been a nightmare where pain is concerned. After surgery, it has gone from absolutely unbearable to (now) tolerable. SIGH

PS: What's TKR?

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

tansy — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 01:26:26 GMT

Total knee replacement=TKR, @spent2much.

At the six-week mark you should start feeling much better soon.

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

RedTop — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 01:34:37 GMT

I had TKR 4 1/2 years ago, and cannot put any level of pressure on that knee. Kneeling is absolutely out of the question; I do not do anything at floor level. I only take showers, no tub bathing for me. I'm anticipating my second knee replacement within the next 2 years.

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

muttmom — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 01:39:54 GMT

@spent2much wrote:

I'm barely 6 weeks out from knee replacement surgery. Before the surgery, I had such knee pain that I couldn't get out of the tub or up off the floor unless I was near the couch and pulled myself up. I still have a good amount of pain, so there's no kneeling or floor sitting for a looooong time... maybe forever. This was my 15th surgery (many areas, not just the knee) and the doc said my other knee is worse than the one I just had surgery on. It doesn't hurt, though, and I'm hoping I can avoid another one. This surgery, compared to my many others, has been a nightmare where pain is concerned. After surgery, it has gone from absolutely unbearable to (now) tolerable. SIGH

PS: What's TKR?

I'm sorry to read you are still in pain. I had TKR (total knee replacement) almost 4 weeks ago and feel great. The good news for me is I'll never need TKR on my other knee as my other leg was amputated when I was 16. My good (only) knee took a terrible amount of pounding as I do a lot of hopping on one leg. I can relate to unbearable pain.

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

SeaMaiden — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 01:48:07 GMT

I had Bilateral total knee replacement in 2013. I can kneel...it just feels weird because half of each knee is numb. I chose to use a pilliow if I have to kneel. Yes, I do not like having to get down on the floor...I can get up but I do not look graceful doing it!

bought a bath chair that I sit on and it lowers me down and up out of the tub. I love my baths and could not imagine not taking a nice hot soaking bath. It lays flat down in the tub once I am in the tub. Best purchase!

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

Kachina624 — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 01:48:27 GMT

@mutt mom I guess every cloud has a silver lining. Take good care of the leg you've got.

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

tansy — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 01:58:58 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
I had Bilateral total knee replacement in 2013. I can kneel...it just feels weird because half of each knee is numb. I chose to use a pilliow if I have to kneel. Yes, I do not like having to get down on the floor...I can get up but I do not look graceful doing it!

bought a bath chair that I sit on and it lowers me down and up out of the tub. I love my baths and could not imagine not taking a nice hot soaking bath. It lays flat down in the tub once I am in the tub. Best purchase!

I might check into that gizmo.

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

SeaMaiden — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 02:09:45 GMT

@tansy Here is the one I bought on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Medical-Whisper-Ultra-Bathtub/dp/B00ABOHTK4/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1479002881&sr=8-2&keywords=bath+lift+chair

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

tansy — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 02:14:03 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@tansy Here is the one I bought on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Medical-Whisper-Ultra-Bathtub/dp/B00ABOHTK4/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1479002881&sr=8-2&keywords=bath+lift+chair

Thanks, @SeaMaiden😊

Re: Total Knee Replacement Question

kismet — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 05:50:08 GMT

I had TKR 5 and 6 years ago. Just went for my checkup last month and everything is fine.

I have gotten down on my knees and I don't like the feeling. It's like being on two metal balls. It's weird. I had to check under the bed and wanted to do it myself. Getting down was easier than getting up. I did pull my cane out just in case I needed it. At first it did hurt a little years ago but the last time it didn't hurt at all, just don't like the feeling. Getting up, to me, it like a toddler learning to walk. You try maybe once and then try again. If you have something to hold onto getting up it's not as hard. I was told never to sit on the floor and put my legs under my butt like kids do and to never jump on them. Worst thing I could do.

I shower and never take a bath. I like the ease of the shower and always have.