I need a TKR: Do I do it, or go as long as I can?

Ditto in all that. My husband flew
To another city to get surgery from THE guy. Booked a Homewood suites for 5 days - has bedroom , livingroom with lounge chair, and kitchen with full stove and fridge. ice machine in the hall with perfect ice to feed machine that pumps ice water around your knee. Breakfast in lobby if you want.
Uber for follow up with Doc. Flew home Day 6. So wherever THE guy practices, it can be done.

Thanks Mary. I'm a boomer and have a very different view of Drs and surgeons than my parents. My parents would only trust a male doctor in his 60s. Times change though, and for the better IMO.

That's not to say there aren't very good male Drs and surgeons in their 60s. My PCP is male and 72 y/o but still very involved in the current state of medicine and his practice. I guess my poi t is that we have choices when it comes to our medical care, and there's no reason not to expect the best.

Dear Happy at 76, I think there is such a thing as waiting too long. I waited 2 years to have one of my knees replaced and I permanently lost flexion in it. The quad became too short from the way I was moving to accommodate the bone on bone knee. I recommend to anyone to get the surgery before you cause permanent damage to parts of your body adjacent to the joint. Good luck to you!

I was told that I would need a TKR in about 5 years (doctor was eerily accurate) so I got all the recommended things early in the cycle including a knee brace that I wore religiously. One bad episode of pain after a couple of years--primarily due to bad advice to not do lower body strength training and traveling--but afterwards I did fine until I started to have pain after a 4 mile walk I'd been doing daily for several years. I made an appointment with the surgeon I wanted and had the TKR as soon as I could get on his schedule--went great; good recovery and no problems 4 years later. My brother's brother-in-law didn't get diagnosed until bone-on-bone, really didn't want surgery and tried the delaying shots---did not work; just delayed surgery more as he sat around waiting for the minimum 6 weeks after shot. He recovered but never got back to what he was doing before. My recommendation is to go for the surgery once you are bone on bone and having pain BEFORE you restrict your activity or cause permanent damage accomodating the pain

Not sure if this helps but was advised back in 2015 needed knee replacement sounds like having same issues as you then in 2021 was told same thing
I just dealt with the pain and continued getting worse went in few weeks ago for my semi annual cortisone injections which is only thing I have found that takes away the pain. After those injections kicked in the pain was relatively gone that’s when decided to move forward with knee replacement I just don’t want to deal with the pain anymore

I had tkr …. My other knee in rough shape …. I am doing everything I can stay away from surgery …. For me as long as I can get relief it’s good …. Having tkr is no guarantee you will be out of pain , majority of us who have tkr still have some pain and stiffness, just putting it out there ….. I thought I would not have anymore pain I was sadly disappointed… when it hurts your quality of life … you will know when it’s time to have tkr….good luck

I am facing the same situation. I get my fourth gel injection tomorrow…I am tired of pain but am afraid of the procedure and rehab. Ugh

I felt the same way after my last cortisone and the relief I felt is first time I considered the replacement just tired of the pain and the way has limited me. After researching the procedure and recovery decided to move forward with the replacement. It seems the more you ice and elevate and do range of motion /PT the recovery process is doable

I had both knees replaced over 15 years ago and they have been pain free since. I had to have a hip and shoulder replaced when I am now 77, 15 years later. I found the recovery MUCH more difficult at this age. As soon as you know it is inevitable I would recommend having the surgery. Later you can have more health issues making it more difficult.

I don't think you need to be afraid of the procedure or rehab. Keep the goal in mind - a pain free knee that lets you do everything but run or impact exercises.

TKR surgery is now very advanced. I had both knees replaced, four months apart, in 2022. I was 67 y/o then.

My recovery was successful because 1) I had a great surgeon and 2) I was highly motivated to do all the rehab recommended, and I did it. As for rehab, yes it's gonna be uncomfortable for the first two weeks or so. It's a major surgery and it's gonna hurt. Just accept that, push your knee as far as you can - the swelling and discomfort will tell you when to stop.

I'm convinced if people did this they would realize the pain and swelling is decreasing each day. I can't emphasize enough the rehab. PT 2 or 3 times a week with a real therapist and 3x/day at home every day on your own, ideally with an assist from a spouse or partner or good friend.

Do this for 2 months and you will see amazing results. If you don't do it, scar tissue will form and you will truly regret not doing the work.

All the best to you. Joe