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

Happy,

You wrote this in 2019. did you get your TKR(s)?

Joe

Oh my friend, unless you have to have a tkr do not do it. I am a year out and having a CT scan Monday to see why I am in so much pain. Worse than before I had it. If it shows nothing they are doing blood work to check for infection in my knee. My leg is not straight, can't bend it good. Obviously I have a new Dr. Now. Just saying. I wish I had never had it done. I am now 70.

I'm sorry ammaw. We all have different experiences. I'm male, 68 y/o and had both knees replaced in 2022, one in March, one in July. The Dr. used the Mako assistant. I exercised for 6 months ahead of the surgery with a trainer, doing only what I could. And then I rigorously followed post-op rehab exercises.

I'm not overweight, well not by much! I used to run marathons, hence the knee problems. I can't run, but I'm in the gym 6 days a week doing resistance training.

Not everyone will get these results. But a lot of the success in recovery depends on the patient.

My best to all!

Joe

72 female & I just had first replacement 3 wks ago. I too prepped really well using exercise program developed by PT for a year. Doing really well - not needing pain meds anymore. Continuing PT in recovery to try get best possible outcome. No one can tell you whether to do it or not. For me, it was getting to the point where my mobility was so challenged I wasn’t going out much & getting worse by the week. Hope to have 2nd surgery in about 4 mos. Best wishes.

I had TKR 9/22. I'm 72. It was/is no picnic. I had a very bowed leg and discomfort. Post surgery was rough, my wife tore HER knee making the bed! Now I'm doing better. I use a cane. I'll care for my wife when she has knee surgery (after her hip replacement in two weeks). Oye. Be prepared. I'm glad I did it. But it'll take another 6 months .....old age !!@

I feel your pain my first tkr always in pain not able to get much flexion or straightening….second opinion showed tkr was three sizes too big …. I had to wait the year but had revision doing so much better….. good luck

My year was Feb 2nd 23. I have a CT scan Monday to see if they can tell anything. If not this Dr is doing blood work to check for infection. Doing a revision, do you do all the thearpy all over again, is it worse than the 1st surgery?

You're certainly doing all the right things and should expect great results. I had my first knee done on 3/23/2022 and the second on 7/11/2022, so a four month gap. It was life changing for me, to be able to walk without pain, and do so many more leg exercises than pre-surgery.

Of course I ran 25 marathons in my "youth" and osteoarthritis is hereditary. That's the only thing I can't do, run. Don't really miss it. I guess we're never too old to set new goals.

I don't understand how they can get the size of the prosthesis so wrong, by a factor of three. I know they have to estimate from x-rays and CT scans, but c'mon!

With my experience my revision was total success…. From the time I awoke from surgery it felt different in a good way ….. I like you was not looking forward to going through all the pain and therapy for weeks ….yes it was painful but difference was I retained every degree I pushed for ….. even now still do water exercises and land I think I always will ….,I have had one or two setbacks but my flexion is still 100 and I hope to get more… before surgery they measured I was 60 …. I am very pleased with revision I hope your goes just as well….good luck there is always hope ….if you don’t give up