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

thank you so much for your quick reply John. Being patient for me is a good
thing and I do it every day. You must work on this for yourself.

Here is my experience:
I am currently 48 years old and have had both knees replaced. The right in August of 2020 and the left in November 2021. Both were troublesome surgeries that have left me with a lot of anxiety and my depression has kicked up a lot also. The first replacement itself wasnt bad, but I got sick with a stomach bacteria from the pain meds.
The second one, I ended up having to have a second surgery because of a malfunction with the device and a catch pin came out.
Lately a lot of my pain is in my back, as I had with the first.
Both surgeries I feel were worse on my mental health and relationships than the replacement of the knees. A lot has happened that I cant get back.
If I had to make this decision again, I dont think I'd do either one. But that is me, with my experience. And I am in no way saying anyone else would have the same experience or even close to it.
I guess my message is more of making sure you know every possible thing you can know. If you have depression and/or anxiety be aware that this can really cause havoc on you!
Best of luck with whatever you choose.

I backed out of my TKR based on a blood test showing I would be allergic to the metals in the implant. I had to pay $600 out of pocket as Medicare will pay for the TKR, but not for allergy testing to the implants. After reading from bloggers like yourself I am now grateful I paid for that testing. Even if I wasn't allergic, I would rather be using a boost chair or a walker than living in the physical and mental pain that you and others are experiencing. I can walk on flat ground all day without pain, but bending and getting up and down is a painful challenge. I've accepted this amount of difficulty.

This might be a little long. I injured both my shoulder and knee back in approximately 2005. Had meniscus surgery on my knee in 2006 because it was completely torn. Everything went well. Had shoulder surgery in 2008 or so. Dr said was a mess and would take year of pt to rehab. Did not get good physical therapy. Anyhow I was only pain free for 6 months after a year and a half. I suffered in pain with shoulder for many years after thinking there was nothing else to do. Knee was great until I fell in 2018. Went to therapy for shoulder and knee. Knee got better but therapist said my shoulder was not improving and sent me back to primary care physician for MRI which then I was sent to orthopedics. He was a military surgeon who said I needed a reverse total shoulder which would require major rehab and hard work on my part. Anyhow I was very anxious about it but went through it. He told me to find a physical therapy place for rehab close to home. I called different places then visited a few and picked where I wanted to go. The place I chose said I would have the same therapist for each appointment! That clinched it for me. Ortho said reverse total shoulder is the most difficult recovery then the total knee with hip replacement being the easiest. I ended up with a great young 2 years out of school therapist who was and is a great therapist. Being into fitness and body builder he had just been through shoulder surgery himself and he rehabbed himself so he honestly had first hand knowledge of what I was experiencing. He is very detail oriented and it was so nice to have continuity of care. My scar looks amazing he made sure no scar tissue built up and I noticed that things he would say was exactly the same as the surgeon. Unfortunately for me there was an area the surgeon was unable to fix because he said I wouldn’t be able to use the arm. Having said all that even though I still go for dry needling from overdoing it because other muscles have to take over since I no longer have a rotator cuff. I am still way better off today with replacement. I believe had I gone back after the initial surgery failed I would have done better quicker. why do I say that
My knee started hurting etc again in 2021. When I saw my same surgeon he did X-rays said I needed a total knee. I said only if he would do it. Then I asked my pt would he take me on for that. I felt like I had the dream team again. Did pre surgery pt had the knee surgery was in the pt office doing therapy 2 days post op. Had surgery in May 2021 my knee is great.
Had 8 months pt with my same therapist. My surgeon used a robot I forgot it’s name but you can watch a total knee replacement surgery on u tube. I watched it after my surgery. I feel I did so much better with knee because I didn’t wait too long. I watched my mom end up in a wheel chair because she refused to have knee replacements and the pain got so bad for her! Did not want that for myself.
In addition my therapist explained that the exercise program he gave me needs to be a lifetime commitment. To date since reverse total shoulder surgery 2019 and total knee 2021 I’ve been doing all my exercises! Hopefully I will keep it up because I don’t want to take any steps backwards if I can help it.
Made sure to get all equipment and clothing ahead of time for surgery. Find a great surgeon and physical therapist!
Best of luck

before anyone goes with TKR, which can be YOUR answer not everyones, know ALL the pit falls that may come with it . It's a tough surgery and may be the best thing you ever did or you may curse the day you did. Like any major surgery do all the research GOOD AND BAD , BEST OF LUCK

I had my first TKR in Feb of 2020. It will be 2 years and I am having more pain now than before the surgery. I am 79 and in good health otherwise but really wishing that I had just dealt with the pain rather than get the TKR. Everyone is different …and I know many who have had great success with knee replacements. Unfortunately, 2 doctors said that the prosthesis looks perfect and I may just have to do “pain management” whatever that is…but most likely just means meds, etc. I was also told that approx 10% of TKR do not have desirable results and problems can occur. Make your decision but I suggest you wait until you absolutely cannot take it anymore. I wish I had.

I had a TKR 3 1/2 years ago at age 68. It was semi-necessary, that’s how I would put it. Progressively increasing pain, cortisone injections did not help, neither did exercise, scope surgery, other injections. Extremely painful to walk down stairs, down any incline, even just regular walking. If I would have been a decade older, I might have accepted the limitations, become more sedentary, given up on a more active lifestyle, and not have the surgery. In my case, I decided it was worth going through the pain of rehab, and deal with a few limitations of the replacement knee, but basically it works 85% to 90% as well as the “original” one. Every person must consider their own situation, and definitely check out the surgeon as well as the type of procedure and type of replacement knee. For me it turned out well.

To show simply show how it may be the right chose or wished you had waited. I have had 3TKR over 2yrs. The left knee is a total nightmare , the right knee is great. I say 3 because I had left knee revision which still left me in server pain every day. For me it is nerve damage due to surgery . I have been to top doctors in NYC and Philly all seem to say this nerve damage is un for seen but treatable if treat soon enough , mine was not . Now it's Pain managment forever. With that in mind I have been directed to read MANAGING PAIN BEFORE IT MANAGES YOU BY Margaret Caudill MD , a must read if you are dealing with chronic or acute pain, so very helpful mentally BEST OF LUCK

Since I am facing TKR too, can I ask what are your limitations now?

I had a TKR on 8th November 2021 (I'm 73). Although I thoroughly check, for example,. new medications - I never actually researched or asked the surgeon upfront how long recovery time would be after the procedure. Turns out, it's a year to 18 months! That said, my quality of life had really gone down the drain, the well-known bone-on-bone... and I now believe I had no other choice. Still early days yet, but I've found an excellent, gentle physiotherapist who I meet with weekly (there are divisions of opinion on physio style - with many surgeons recommending aggressive therapy - worth reading up on that if you decide to go for surgery). Currently I have some pain, but the kind that resolves with Tylenol, and use a stick only when walking outside - in the house I'm stick-free. Can drive (it's a left-leg TKR), and can walk about 2000 steps in or out of the house. Another important point - you need excellent help for the first few weeks, my husband was an angel in disguise, and I don't know how people cope alone. So, as others have said here - thorough research into what lies ahead is crucial. Lots of luck!