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Truth about Total Knee Replacements

Posted by rickraleigh @rickraleigh, Jul 31, 2021

Your new knee will never feel as good as your original old one

For most people it takes a full year to get most of the benefits of the surgery

Many people experience a clicking sound when walking for years or forever after the surgery

You should do physical therapy for a year after the surgery to get the best range of motion results even though your therapist will discharge you after several months.

There are no studies which will tell you what activities you can do after TKR. Is doubles tennis OK? Golf? What you read online varies. There are no clear answers.

Many surgeons are finished with you after the surgery. If you have issues with the surgery's aftermath, they may not be that helpful.

The scar is big, and no amount of ointment (vitamin E, etc.) will substantially reduce it.

Good news: If you had bad knee problems before the surgery your knee will feel a lot better after the surgery.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

mackad2024 | @mackad2024 | 3 days ago
In reply to @ouch89 "Hi @healthtalk I share your frustration. I've posted this exact opinion. Following the surgery you are..." + (show)
@ouch89

Hi @healthtalk
I share your frustration. I've posted this exact opinion. Following the surgery you are on your own. The surgeon does his/her thing with a procedure that they are taught, followed by PT with therapist practicing what they are taught and all differ to some degree, to the varied meds prescribed. I think that's why this forum is popular, i.e., somewhere where patients can express their feelings. In my case I've had three TKR surgeries over seven years, one being a revision, and endured all the recovery pain as described by other in this forum.
The day before my first surgery back in 2018 I finished up completing building a deck on my house by cleaning up and putting away ladders. Today the pain is worse and I walk with a bad limp. I wouldn't dare leave the house without my cane.

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Ouch89,

If you had it all to do over again, would you decide not to do a knee replacement?

REPLY
1 reply
ouch89 | @ouch89 | 3 days ago
In reply to @mackad2024 "Ouch89, If you had it all to do over again, would you decide not to do..." + (show)
@mackad2024

Ouch89,

If you had it all to do over again, would you decide not to do a knee replacement?

Jump to this post

I would not have a TKR! One knee turned out O.K. but the other has turned my quality of life upside down. An unsuccessful TKR can have an adverse effect on your total health from lack of exercise, weight gain, poor sleep, etc., not to mention the mental impact. I'm very pain tolerant but seven years is a long time. I have not kept up with the latest TKR procedures but I understand there are advancements. I understand there is a procedure where they enter from the side eliminating cutting the quad muscle and other ligaments. It's a more complicated procedure and they claim less pain and quicker recovery. From what I read on forums including this forum my confidence in having another surgery is low.

REPLY
1 reply
gravity3 | @gravity3 | 3 days ago
In reply to @ouch89 "I would not have a TKR! One knee turned out O.K. but the other has turned..." + (show)
@ouch89

I would not have a TKR! One knee turned out O.K. but the other has turned my quality of life upside down. An unsuccessful TKR can have an adverse effect on your total health from lack of exercise, weight gain, poor sleep, etc., not to mention the mental impact. I'm very pain tolerant but seven years is a long time. I have not kept up with the latest TKR procedures but I understand there are advancements. I understand there is a procedure where they enter from the side eliminating cutting the quad muscle and other ligaments. It's a more complicated procedure and they claim less pain and quicker recovery. From what I read on forums including this forum my confidence in having another surgery is low.

Jump to this post

I have asked before if there is anyone who has the Jiffy knee tkr. Some time has passed and there now may be someone who has had it. If so, can you comment on the procedure and outcome. Thanks

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