Connect
← Return to Should I cancel my TKR surgery?
Discussion
Should I cancel my TKR surgery?
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Apr 10 9:35am | Replies (39)Comment receiving replies
I am an active87 years old with osteoporosis, not overweight and quite fit otherwise. I have been scheduled for knee surgery in about three weeks. I am concerned because at the moment I can drive, I can walk a little awkwardly because my knee is pronated about 15° away from my other leg. I do get a little stiff after sitting for long periods of time, my pain varies from 0 to occasionally a 7 on a scale of 0 to 10. I have a stent for arteriosclerosis, and I have no other medications other than one baby aspirin daily . I have not tried any of the other interventions, including medication or painkillers, just toughing it through when it gets painful. My walking on the treadmill for more than 20 minutes, does create pain the next day. I would appreciate any suggestions as to what I should do? I cannot make a decision as to whether I should go through with the TKR which requires several months, probably of inactivity pain etc. besides the risks during and after the surgery. I eagerly await your feedback. Thank you.
Replies to "I am an active87 years old with osteoporosis, not overweight and quite fit otherwise. I have..."
Connect
I'm 66 and have had both knees replaced. With my right knee after 6 weeks I was full-time back to work and basically no real pain. I did exactly what the doctor & others told me to do though. I was faithful about the at home exercises, kept it elevated and iced every 90 minutes and walked even if initially it was throughout the house until I felt comfortable walking outside on uneven sidewalks. My left knee was a different experience due to the perineal nerve being compressed under a muscle in surgery. This resulted in drop foot which cause me not to be able to exercise to the extent I did with the right knee. It's 2 years since that surgery and that knee doesn't give me pain, but I noticed it has some stiffness the right knee doesn't. I'm pretty sure that if I could get some better exercise, that would subside, but I'm still dealing with residual issues from the drop foot. To me it's been worth the surgery (even with the drop foot issue) as my pain was so unbearable prior to surgery to the point I was missing out on so many family events and my quality of life was suffering. I wish you well in your decision making.