Thanks. I was not given any choices or options. The question was whether or not to do it. When the pain gets intolerable is the deciding factor, I guess. I asked surgeon if he would order home health rehab initially as I live alone and not sure I would be able to get to rehab immediately. He declined, stating that I needed to get up and out. I wonder about this response. I will look at the videos. Thanks again

Hi @fjkphx -- I'm kind of in the same boat except I'm in a hold pattern because I've not been able to get an appointment yet to schedule or to see if the knee replacement is the recommended option. From previous experience with my leg, foot when I had gout in the ankle and my knee was quite swollen, I did what you are saying -- I waited until I could not walk due to the pain and that was a big mistake for me. I went to an appointment with a rheumatologist at Mayo who diagnosed me with polymyalgia rheumatica but before the appointment with him, he had setup and appointment for the knee on the same morning. They used a syringe to take out a large amount of fluid and then gave me a steroid shot (I think) and to my disbelief I was able to walk out of his office, get a prescription filled for prednisone from the rheumatologist and walked with no pain to my afternoon appointment where I was diagnosed with PMR.

I do know from my PMR and a previous surgery back in the 70s on my bad knee that rehab is extremely important. Getting up and moving and building up your leg strength so that your knee will heal faster. Living alone does present a challenge but I'm sure there are ways to work around it. I would also check with the doctor or rehab facility to see if they offer anything that would help you out.

Best of luck...
John

For me, the deciding factor as to whether I would get my knee replaced was quality of life. I enjoy travel and found walking and standing was getting too difficult. I could not accept changing my lifestyle so I took a chance on getting the replacement. I now have two new knees and couldn't be happier, although the rehab was tough. Initially, just after the operations, I did not have the strength to leave the house but did get in-home PT and nursing service. I moved as much as I could. That was only for the first two weeks. After I went out for PT, which is better. I see nothing wrong with those Home Health Care visits during those first two weeks. I could not have done it any other way. Especially if you live alone, I think it is important.

@fgkphx First of all ,you do have a choice Yet a 2nd opinion your Orthopedic Dr.shouldn't great you that way.My Mother had 2replacements She had a therapist come to the home for weeks to help her ,this was back in the 89,s if Medici e has changed that much I pray I never have to see a surgeon.

I play alot of tennis and waited 12 years and saw 3 surgeons doing all things available, sinvic shot series 3 times, cortisone shots every few months in the end. I was afraid to do it. They finally gave out on me one day allowing about 30 minutes per day of walking. Couldn't try PRP, waited to long. I regret putting it off for so long. I tell friends if Dr. says you need it DO IT. It is as good as your willing to do your rehab. I did robotic assist but others are happy without that. Robot gives better alignment of hip, knee, and foot bones which is what your goal will be. Be sure to read all online info on what you will need at home so your prepared. It was really painful so take your meds as prescribed to control that. You should expect not getting much sleep for a while. I read that but had a hard time sleeping even with Benedryl my doctor said that is normal and eventually I would sleep. Just be patient about that ( easy to say, hard to do ). Also, try to start doing arm and leg exercises before surgery to have that muscle strength to help while your knee heals. I say arms because I had both done at the same time and no strong leg to assist getting up etc. My arm strength was needed.

My doctor at Mayo also said I needed to go to rehab not in-house. Believe me, if you can get a ride to therapy getting there is extra rehab. I laughed to myself when the rehab therapy included simple motions like getting in and out of bed, standing, up from bed and chair, putting on shoes, socks, standing, getting into a car etc. There is probably more physical therapy in getting up, showering, getting dressed, and into the car than you will receive during the hour at therapy the first few of weeks.

He also wouldn't prescribe the ice machine or CPR "motion machine". He wanted to make me do all the work rather than a machine to keep it moving. My therapist said that's because the brain, muscle memory, isn't involved when it is done by CPR machine. At some point, your brain will have to work the knee so skip that step by doing rehab "Old School". I researched it and like my Dr. said it's 50-50 with or without it so no reason to not do it yourself and get stronger sooner. I can see that the ice machine would have been easier but read it's cold at night. I purchased a large gel ice pack like in a hospital online. It worked fine. And ice will be the best thing you can do often during the day and night.

With the TKR it is alot of work and I wish I had done it sooner. You must commit to rehab therapy. No short cuts. Good luck

Good, Sound Advice! I, too, have been through much of this.

Hi @johnbishop - Thanks for posting this! Dr. Ortiguera is my orthopedic surgeon and I'm having my second knee replacement early next year. He is excellent. I enjoyed watching his video!