Hi Carol,
I am 61 years old and have just had a TKR. I had bone on bone from years of activity after a tearing my left ACL at 18 and having it reconstructed when I was in my mid-30s. I am quite active and found that I couldn't hike anymore. Running was out of the question. So I decided to do it. Having said that I did get steroids for a few times, but after they became less effective I went to OrthoVisc and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma). After two cycles of treatments I decided the tune ups were to difficult to manage 2x a year.
To answer your questions:
1. I am 9 weeks out of recovery and can go upstairs and downstairs carrying things (while holding the railing).
2. I can get up off the floor -- I like to do core and yoga
3. I can kneel (but put a soft towel under my knee to relieve the pressure).
4. Yes, I attend yoga and core. I hike 5 miles easily now. I have been riding my bike (10+ miles) when I have time.
5. Travel - easy peasy.
6. I'm walking on uneven ground now. Haven't had snow yet. I live in VT so soon!
7. Limitations: I don't think I am allowed to run again, but I have let go of that. I have heard of people that play tennis though, so I'm looking forward to that in my future. Maybe next summer.

I would say it is best to do it when you are healthy and strong. I was worried that the longer I waited the less in shape I would be. And the recovery would be more challenging. I took spin classes up to the day I had my surgery to give me the best shot at recovery well.

Best of luck with your decision!
Jennifer

Hi Carol,

My answers would be the same as Jennifer's, except I'm 68 y/o. I had both knees replaced this year. My surgeon used the Stryker Mako robotic assistant and the results were incredible.

It's easier to say what I can't do anymore. I can't run or do anything that creates impact on the knee. A knee replacement is close to the original knee anatomy, but it's not a perfect fit. My ACL and PCL were removed and the meniscus is replaced with irradiated polyethylene, a very durable plastic. I had bone on bone pain, and now that's gone.

If you do the surgery, look into the Mako assistant and a surgeon who uses it. Also, take time to strengthen your quads and hamstrings before surgery. Jennifer did spin classes, and that's a good idea because cycling doesn't stress the knee. I hired a personal trainer to help.

And above all, do the post-op exercises immediately and every day for as long as you're improving (range of motion - bent knee, and flexion - straight knee). Do these with a pt and every day you're not with the pt.

All the best!

Joe

hello, Carol
I am 66, 7.5 weeks out of TKR on my right knee; 2.5 weeks out on my left. My knees were both bone on bone, I did not have robotic surgery, I feel fantastic. Just recently, I can get off the floor easily, have gone on 1.5 mile walks, walked in my yard and drive. I plan on taking water aerobics, see no problem doing yoga or travel and do not feel I have any travel or limitations.

I did strength and leg exercises prior to surgery and all PT. These helped immensely. I continue to stretch, PT (leg #2) daily and exercise. This surgery was more than a success for me, it altered how freely I function and opened my perspective to my taking on more hikes, aquatic exercise and other activities which I love. Best wishes for your good health.

Hi @carolasc
I have had two TKRs.
Stairs are not a problem. I do like to hold onto the handrail so I try to only carry things that I can do with one hand. If I must use both hands I put the object (like my laundry basket) a few steps ahead of me, and then as I catch up to it move it further. That works for me.

Getting off the floor is different but very doable.

I can get on my knees but I do not have as much flex as I would have liked so I need to hold onto something or I will topple forward. Frankly, I blame myself for that. I really did not do the PT in between formal sessions as much as I should have. My ortho can do a small procedure to give me better flex but I have chosen to not do that.

I have gone to all of the classes you mention and walked a lot. The only one that gives me a problem is yoga due to my lack of flex plus my less-than-great balance which is not from the TKRs.

I have traveled a lot, not a problem, and I can easily walk on uneven ground.

My only limitation is that some things are not possible without better flex than I have, but most things that I cannot do are more apt to be caused by balance.

I agree with @jenniferkn, it's best to do it when you are still in good shape. That will make the recovery easier. I had my second TKR when I was 70.

The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to make sure you find the best possible orthopedic surgeon that you can. I was less aware of all of that before I had my first knee done and that knee is more apt to hurt after a lot of exercise. The second knee was done by an incredible surgeon and is the Conformis knee which is custom-made to mimic your original knee. That knee never bothers me.
JK

@carolasc : Carol: I already posted some experiences with my TKR, but to be specific;
Yes, you can go up and down stairs, with or without carrying stuff. Initially holding onto railing, later without.
Absolutely. You can get off the floor the day of surgery. Just flip onto your stomach, and go from there. Later on you can do it most anyway you want.
I don’t do yoga, but I go for 2 mile walks 5 days/week. I do sometimes bike stationary ones, but there’s no reaon not to ride actual ones. Hikes: you’re supposed not to do steep downhills. Uphills - no limitations.
Travel - yup. As mentioned before, 4 months after TKR, full size suitcase, by myself, in Austria, snowy conditions, in and out of trains.
Yard: oh yes. After 7 days I was inspecting my veggie bed, and have been roaming up and down my backyard over sticks and stones and bumps and dips almost every day.
Limitiations: as per surgeons’s instruction.
Oh: I forgot: to kneel - yes, you can. Won’t feel good, but with some padding ok. Except not “useful” kneeling, as I would put it - as in pulling weeds where your weight is centered over and in front of your knee. That won’t work, I’m afraid.

Carol
Yes you can do 1 through 6 not right away but if you have a good surgeon and good physical therapist and you do the work it can all be accomplished! It takes a lot of hard work on our part! Doesn’t happen overnight! My new knee is awesome! I even have done close to 4 miles walking and continue to bike! My therapist taught me how to get up and down from floor! I would however recommend 6-8 weeks of physical therapy prior to strengthen (which I did)and I was in physical therapy office one day post op! Took about 4 months and have 2 flights stairs in house! Awesome no pain. I still continue with daily exercise regimen one year and four months later. It was so much easier than my reverse total shoulder replacement that I waited way too long to get done after a failed shoulder surgery. Best of luck!

Greetings @carolasc, welcome to our "sharing group". I am so pleased to have been able to read what other members have written in their replies to you. As mentioned, we often receive posts from members who have not had such positive results. And yet we know that this type of surgery is performed very frequently with greatly satisfactory results.

What I have noticed is that folks are having their TKR surgeries at an earlier age so that they can get back on the golf course or tend to their animals on the farm among other activities. From those comments, I would also assume that some of us are wearing out our knees sooner than folks used to because we are more active.

I am 80 and had my first TKR at 70 and my second one last year. The first one took longer to heal....almost a year. This last one had me back on the walking trail and in my Yoga class within a month or so. Here are the differences that I have noticed.

1. The surgical technology with things like Mako Robotic assist has jumped ahead of what it was 10 years ago. That means today the actual surgery is minimally invasive and more accurate.
2. Our medical professionals know more about what pre and post-surgery exercises ensure a more successful outcome.....(especially the pre-surgery).
3. Traveling is easier today for everyone not just those with TKRs.
4. Yoga classes are now available online and on Zoom so they are easier to find. And there are special stretch Yoga classes for those of us who need to ease into full use of our knees.
5. Because of the advanced construction of the replacement, they fit better and are made of plastics and other materials which seem to be more lenient on the tissues around our knee.
6. Yes there are limitations and the most important one is to try not to fall and to remember that walking downhill is still hard on any knee. My first surgeon told me that my TKR might last 15 years if I only walked uphill. However, walking downhill could wear it out in 5 years. I read recently that we can now expect today's replacements and the new surgical technologies to assure an even longer life.
7. I am enclosing a photo of me on my knees in a chapel. And another of both TKRs. Can you tell which one is the newest?
8. And my personal philosophy focuses on taking care of "Quality of Life" issues as soon as possible so that you don't wait until normal aging makes recovery much more difficult.

May you be safe, free and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris