Wellness

[Evie2004]

I just saw my ortho Dr today for my 1 year follow up of my TKR..they took X-rays of both knees & when he came in, he asked how my left knee was doing...you mean, my good one? Then I saw the film..it is bad, he recommends I will know when it is time..but I really am enjoying walking well for first time in years..so, hopefully I will be able to have a nice spring & summer this year..I know I won't let it go as long as I did with my other one, but was just so surprised to see the X-rays..I am just not ready to even think about it at this point in time..he isn't drumming up business, as he actually had to retire from doing surgery last Fall.

[tansy]

I was able to wait three years without needing to do the second knee.  

[debcakes]

Buckeye Mom, you sound exactly like me. I will have my year follow up on May 5.  My right knee healed very quickly and does feel better than before but still hurts around the kneecap on occasion . It seems to move and hurt sometimes, too. Doc says my left knee is terrible, but it does not hurt. I gave not scheduled the next surgery since it does not hurt and I have a lot of plans in the next year. I just hope that it does not reach the point  of being an emergency for me. I still don't do steps very well and I am not sure why.

good luck to you no matter what you decide.  I am actually not sure which knee is my good one at this point. 

[Kachina624]

Its strange how eager they are to get patients back in surgery to have a second knee done.  I had my first in 2011 was was told my other one was terrible and I needed to get it done.  Once I get warmed up in the morning it's fine for the rest of the day.  It would have to pain me a lot worse than it does to get me back in that operating room. 

[ciao_bella]

After having a left then right TKR done about a year apart, I think you will know when it's time.  I know I did.  Both knee replacements had very successful outcomes.  Best decisions I've ever made.  

My surgeon didn't put any pressure on me.  He said, you will know and he was right.  It definitely is a personal decision.

All the very best to you when the time comes.  In the meantime, enjoy yourself and have fun.

[Mmsfoxxie]

Oh, the problems related to getting older.  Eye issues, bone issues and the list goes on.  The other day I was told that my cataracts were getting worse but not at the surgery stage yet.  The week before, I had my third Synvis One injections in both knees.  My right knee is almost bone to bone, the left one is better.  As @Kachina624 said I'm in no hurry to have surgery til I absolutely have too.  I walk fine 95% of the time.  Only problems are stairs and I can't do certain floor exercises.  No pain unless I overdo something.

I workout at a great fitness center that is connected with a hospital network and there is a physical therapy center right there so I have an opportunity to see and talk to a few people having physical therapy by walking the track.  I observe their gait and how they walk.  The worst are hip replacement patients.  The rocking as they walk.  By the way, some are months and years post surgery.  

The knee replacement patients mostly still have some degree of pain.  So I can't  help think that it's the luck of the draw of a successful outcome, good doctor or not.  To go through surgery and still have pain would be devastating to me.  Trying to be honest, not negative.

[dex]

@Mmsfoxxie I wonder if some of the patients with a funny gait walk that way because of habit.They might have developed that walk when in pain.I have a friend who had that surgery and he told me that his wife told him to stop walking funny and he really had to focus on that.

[Mmsfoxxie]

@dex, that could be.  I don't talk to all of them.  Of the ones I talk to, though, half are glad they got the surgery and the other half either feel no better or feel they are a little worse.

What's that saying we always hear, 'that's why it's called a practice'.    You just hope for a good outcome.  

My husband had radicalprostate cancer surgery about three years ago.  The blessing was that the cancer was removed.  But his bladder was affected (damaged) which resulted in two more surgeries.  The second surgery was botched so he had a second one.  The second surgery damage was not admitted so that doctor kept giving him medications for pain, catheters, etc for over a year.  Hubby finally went to another doctor who told him that the problem was that the second surgery failed.  All three of these doctors were supposed to be good 'specialists'.

[dex]

@Mmsfoxxie I agree that doctors can make mistakes and I would never rush into surgery.That would be a last option for me.I am a person who tries to steer clear of medical attention unless there is nothing else left.

[dex]

@Mmsfoxxie Sorry that your DH had so many problems and I do hope that he has found the right doctor to put him back together properly this time.