How should I prepare for my knee replacements?

Hi all. My knee surgeon has said I'll need a TKR (Total Knee Replacement). How long will I be off work, should I have the surgery?

I work for a Special Needs School, and I am the Admin Assistant.

Good evening @madz1979. It is great to meet you. You certainly jumped right in this evening. A perfect.......cut to the chase. May we begin with a little medical history. What symptoms of a troubled knee are you dealing with at this point? Are you in pain all the time? Did your surgeon talk about the type of surgery that is recommended for your situation?

The reason I am asking is that I have had two TKR's.....one last year and one 10 years ago. There is a lot of difference. My first one was a well-done traditional knee surgery that ended up taking almost a year to totally recover enough so that I could go trekking with my lady friends once again. Last year I had a Mako Robotic TKR with great physical therapy to regain my once healthy knee and at the same time, weekly MFR (myofascial release therapy) to avoid scar tissue build-up. The technological advancements make this surgery less painful and ensure that you can return to normal, active life in less than a year.

In fact, I have to remind myself that my right knee isn't my own original knee. I am thrilled, especially since I just turned 80 and enjoy my river walks and yoga sessions.

Regarding working.....I think you could probably return to work as soon as you can drive, depending on which knee will be replaced. The other two big helpers.....ice and elevation. So many who have some recovery delays tend to forget those two important ingredients.

I don't know how involved you are with the children at work. My mother was the Admin Assistant in a similar school for many years. She did a lot of walking to help the teachers and students. She also had a CRAZY principal who spend a lot of time with his fly swatter on the outside of the building, swatting mosquitos as well as flies. So, she probably handled more issues than I could imagine.

Would you please tell me a little more about how your knee came to be in a condition requiring surgery? What other information would be helpful? The last time I counted there were at least 2000 knee surgery posts on Connect so you will be able to read many opinions about the TKR.

Please let me hear back from you so I can help introduce you to other Connect members who have experiences to share.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.

Chris

Hello! I went to see my knee surgeon with my Dad yesterday for my 1 month follow up since my hydrogel treatment, and it has been decided that I undergo the TKR operation on the 13th September 2022.
I was in incredible pain, and my surgeon saw it yesterday from his office when I was walking up and down in his waiting area, trying to exercise my knee.
I could not even move, so he came and had a chat with us both while my Dad was sitting on the couch.

Please think of me, as this is a very big operation!

Hello! I went to see my knee surgeon with my Dad yesterday for my 1 month follow up since my hydrogel treatment, and it has been decided that I undergo the TKR operation on the 13th September 2022.
I was in incredible pain, and my surgeon saw it yesterday from his office when I was walking up and down in his waiting area, trying to exercise my knee.
I could not even move, so he came and had a chat with us both while my Dad was sitting on the couch.

Please think of me, as this is a very big operation!

Hi @madz1979, The best thing you can do to help your knee replacement is to do the pre-surgery and post-surgery knee and leg exercises. It will make the recovery much easier. Has your surgeon given you any exercises to focus on before the knee replacement?

Oh i will be thinking of you. I have been approved for TKR but i am scared of how surgery will turn out. There are so many posts from people that have had bad results from replacement. It is a big deal. Thinking of you. Waiting for a great result from surgery

@vgen and @madz1979 - You are right, knee replacement is a big deal. As is any major surgery.

But, while you read what seem to be an endless string of "scary stories" and "bad results" on Connect, and probably elsewhere online, PLEASE REMEMBER the people asking for help and advice are only those suffering bad effects. People who recover uneventfully don't come looking for help on Connect or elsewhere, they just do their therapy and get on with their lives.

The best predictors for a good outcome from joint replacement are being as healthy as possible before surgery (appropriate weight, controlled blood pressure, follow pre-op strengthening regimen, don't smoke or vape (impedes healing) and follow the post-surgical protocol. That is, do your PT as ordered (even when it hurts) ice and elevate your knee for at least 3 months after surgery, walk as directed and continue healthy habits.

Are you scheduled yet for your procedure?
Sue

@vgen and @madz1979 - You are right, knee replacement is a big deal. As is any major surgery.

But, while you read what seem to be an endless string of "scary stories" and "bad results" on Connect, and probably elsewhere online, PLEASE REMEMBER the people asking for help and advice are only those suffering bad effects. People who recover uneventfully don't come looking for help on Connect or elsewhere, they just do their therapy and get on with their lives.

The best predictors for a good outcome from joint replacement are being as healthy as possible before surgery (appropriate weight, controlled blood pressure, follow pre-op strengthening regimen, don't smoke or vape (impedes healing) and follow the post-surgical protocol. That is, do your PT as ordered (even when it hurts) ice and elevate your knee for at least 3 months after surgery, walk as directed and continue healthy habits.

Are you scheduled yet for your procedure?
Sue

Thank you for the insight. So true when results are good people don’t usually give reviews etc. i will send up dates. Other people need to see good outcomes.