Knee replacement

Out of curiosity what stops you from doing it now?

My brother who is 80 years old is getting his done now. He wondered what’s the rush if I’m still now.

Correction.: if I’m still coping.

I get it. For me, I was coping and coping. Then I just knew it was time. Good luck in your decision making.

Generally, doctors say you should consider surgery when the quality of life is affected so that you can't do what you want or need to do. I put off my first knee surgery for several years after I was told it was an option. Going down steps or on uneven ground was painful, but I made do with cortisone and Synvisc injections a few times a year. My decision to do surgery was made suddenly, when one day going down a grassy hill, my right knee collapsed with no warning in a wall of pain and I tumbled head first down the hill. The next few days I experienced more pain than I had ever felt in that knee, and I was not willing to go through another episode, or wait for one to happen, so I contacted my ortho's office and said I was ready for the TKR. Surgery went smoothly, I had fast healing and good use of my knee. About two years later, I decided to have my left knee done. It never got as painful as my right knee, but I knew it was a matter of time, and thought I might as well get it over with before I got any older. There was a bonus in getting the left knee done, because that leg got a chance to be straightened from a pigeon-toed position that I had developed in an effort to shift the pain, which in turn affected my gait and back, and I no longer have the sciatica on the left leg which I had to deal with in the final year before the left TKR. I am glad I had the TKR's, no daily arthritis pain. I do a lot of gardening, have found I can kneel if I have a thick cushion to support just the lower leg, with the kneecap extending over the edge into air.

Saying it like that is helping with my decision. Thank you. Cheers.

Wow! My heart is filled with gratitude for you taking the time sharing your decision and the results. I’m so encouraged with your response. Staying active is so essential for my mental health.
Plus, I love walking, hiking, and other low impact activities. My knee starts to get stiff when I sit too long on a chair, plane , etc. Walking up and down the stairs is a challenge. I’ve had to give up doing volunteer taxes. Just coping is getting to be boring. I’m doing the surgery in a couple of weeks. You are wonderful!
Cheers!

Hi @ddsack
I mistakenly responded to myself. I should stop multitasking!
Wow, thank you for taking the time to explain your surgery , etc. You have given me the clarity I need to make my decision : surgery for better living vs just coping. Being active and do the things I enjoy doing is good for my mental health. So , thank you again. Cheers!
PS
I did write a longer response @cbphoenix71

I am now almost 6m out from my surgery. I cannot imagine kneeling, even with a cushion. It is also very difficult to get up from the ground, as I have to rely on upper body strength and my remaining bad knee.

I too am a gardener, and love to hike... Hiking has improved. Finally on gravel, dirt paths, uneven surfaces, going up and down.... Going down stairs is still awful. It hurts. My new knee is totally stiff and tight in the morning. I arise to exercises in bed, then go downstairs and take some Ibuprofen. I do stretching, PT exercises mostly every morning once the Ibuprofen kicks in. The knee stiffens with any kind of sitting, or inactivity for over an hour. This makes for computer sitting, theater shows, car rides... to not be comfortable. After showering, I always apply body oil to my knee to ease that tight feeling.

I was told at my 6 week post-op checkup that they would use a smaller femoral component on my second knee next time... I always wonder if the tightness and stiffness I have is due to an oversized femoral component. I hope that this is just normal healing and it all takes time. I read over and over again how folks jump up and are so happy with their new knee... I keep waiting.

I had to have an MUA (Manipulation under anesthesia) at 11 weeks to break up scar tissue. Maybe that re-started all of my goal posts? We shall see.

Also- as to injections. Read up on those. Temporary relief perhaps, but further damaging to joints and efficacy questioned.

I am totally sympathetic to you! I had a total knee replacement in 2021 in a renowned Boston hospital and my knee has never been the same. I did exercises to strengthen my quads before the surgery. I developed an allergic reaction to several of the pain meds and was told to just take Tylenol. I was in agony, could not do the in home PT because of the pain. Once I began outside PT, I was there for six months. They did give me a lot of help and support. However, to this day, I cannot kneel and going up and down the stairs is still painful with the knee that was replaced. My other knee is bad but I will never put myself through such a rough surgery as total knee replacement ever again. I will live with the pain, take Advil as needed, exercise to strengthen my quads etc. My “new knee” is just as bad as the knee that needs to be replaced!!! BTW, I go to the gym several times a week and ride the bike, along with knee exercises at home. Unless I am absolutely desperate, I will never have knee replacement again!!! And I totally agree……injections are only temporary relief!