TKR advice please.

[pffft2017]

Previously being in the building trade the cartilage in my knees has completely gone and I don't know if I should keep walking my normal amount or try to restrict movement as it's bone on bone. I was supposed to have had them done 5 years ago when the right knee still had a bit of cartliage. I'm in terrible pain whether I rest or exercise and considering getting an automatic as driving is becoming a pain.

I have been assessed for TKR ops but the surgeon didn't tell me anything, I got the impression it's like an assembly line arrangement. Should I be having physio? I try to keep my leg muscles toned.

Reading some of your experiences of TKRs on here I fell less and less inclined to have the knees replaced. What would happen if I didn't?

[Hidden]

Eventually the pain will force you to have a knee replacement ... trust me your quality of life will vanish ... that is there won't be any. Then you'll beg for surgery NOT for an automatic ! That ain't gonna achieve anything.

I had a partial right knee replacement ( not that different from a TKR) and had work done on my right leg by my sports injury massage therapist to tone up the leg before surgery, and this continued as soon as my dressings were removed post op. and I was cleared of any signs of infection. Intensive massage of the scar/incision line and surrounding areas to ... the most import thing is that you must, absolutely must do all you can to prevent scar tissue forming within the surgical wound otherwise you exercises post op will become difficult and will inhibit a speedy and successful recovery. I suppose physio will achieve much the same result.

You'll most likely be in hospital 3 days, then home with shedloads of exercises to do. I was 8 weeks before I could drive my manual car again and back driving a bus at 11 weeks.

Any questions just ask - good luck.

John

[pffft2017 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the info and advice on both your replies John. I am the type that leaves it to the last minute but there will come a point when it has to be done. I'll start the exercises now in preparation. All the best!

Jimmy

[Lozza812]

Had my first tkr in February, it's gone so well I'm going to have the other done asap.

See if the hospital does pre-hab physio, essentially getting muscles at optimum for the ok.

It's not the nicest of procedures, but I'd rather have mine done earlier and have the benefit.

Everyone posts about the nightmares, and you don't hear so much about things that went well.

[pffft2017 in reply to Lozza812]

Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear it went so well for you. Yes you're right people are more inclined to voice complaints than compliments. Are you happy with the range of movement? Can you run or cycle? I'm keeping up with the exercises from when I had a frozen patella but I'll see the GP about some physio thanks.

[Lozza812 in reply to pffft2017]

I can cycle, but they recommend no running due to the impact on the new joint. Swimming was recommended.

[andyswarbs]

Aged 66 with over 40 years of arthritis I have bone on bone in one knee and one elbow. I have rejected operations and live a normal without pain, without inflammation by two things. One I moved to a whole food plant based diet without refined oils. Secondly I do bikram yoga 4 to 5 days per week.

There may come a point when an operation is inevitable, but this way I am postponing that day by, hopefully, decades.

[pffft2017 in reply to andyswarbs]

Thanks for the reply and glad to hear you're pain free. If I was pain free I would be very reluctant to have a TKR however I'm concerned that the ends of the bones may become so damaged it will only complicate the operation reducing it's success. I did glimpse an x-ray of an elderly patient whose bones were almost worn down to nubs and were burred. The poor old dear was on a zimmer frame. There but for the grace of God.....

[andyswarbs in reply to pffft2017]

Only you and your surgeon can make the decision over TKR. I have been told by my surgeon to have new elbow. After than I would have a straight & functioning elbow but only ever able to lift a bag of sugar at most. And then after 10 years I would need a new elbow and another 10 years. I hope to live a healthy life to over 100 so that's 3 elbow operations at least.

Instead my elbow is steadily getting healthier. I can now dig in my allotment and lift a kettle of water with my right arm. Given that I am right handed that is a big thing. At one point I could not even lift my right arm & elbow onto the table to eat a meal properly!