Very, very scared to have knee surgery and hip surgery

@cindiwass I know your fears are real and so are mine. I was in so much pain with my first hip replacement that I was completely bed ridden. Two steps to the potty chair was excruciating. A shower or bath was for the most part out of the question. But when I did I cried the whole time. If I found a spot I could get comfortable in the bed I wouldn’t move an inch for fear of the pain. It was horrid! I finally was able to
Get insurance and I basicly called a surgeon saw him once and jumped up On the table. Recovery was lengthy for me as I got an infection. But I have to do it again now but can’t seem to quit smoking. I didn’t realize how despondent you become on nicotine. Plus I’m scared to death to do it all over again. Although I will cause I want to walk again and it’s becoming more and more painful. Not to mention how draining it is on my partner. I’ve been dealing with this since 2019. So all that said . Prepare for your surgery. I’ll be doing the same soon too. If you don’t have a good diet then get some endure or boost and drink the week prior. You want your body healthy as much as possible. Vitamins and supplements aren’t such a bad idea either. The healthier you are the easier and quicker you’ll recover. No smoking a month prior. No dental work. No pets on the bed. Wash everything on the bed or recliner where ever you
Post up. A week or at least three days prior back yourself down a little
Bit off your pain meds. I don’t know about where you are but here they don’t give anything except for tramadol or Tylenol or gabapentin. Reason your backing down is so your body won’t be so used to all the
Pain meds and when you have surgery and need the pain meds they will be more effective. I’ll pray they give you something a little stronger.

Well that’s all I can think of for now. You can do this! If I can anyone can. I’ll say a special pray for you as well. Good luck and keep us posted.

That's a good point. In a TKR, the quad muscle is cut slightly to move the patella to the side. That's gonna stretch some ligaments, certainly the patellar tendon, and it all takes time to heal. That's why total recovery is usually quoted as one year.

Now people should feel much better within two weeks of a knee or hip replacement. But total healing just takes time. Exercise in invaluable.

@cindiwass in reference to my long post earlier. By no means am I trying to tell you what or how to do your illness or injury or recovery. I’m just stating what I feel to be the obvious route as for anyone myself included to take in this particular
Situation. I hope I didn’t overstep or Offend you in any way. I am just here looking for knowledge and trying to
Help from my personal experiences. Praying for you and good luck. I’m here if you need or want to talk.

I am shortly turning 80. I had an osteotomy on one knee when I was much younger as I was too young to get knee replacement. Years later both knees were painful and X-rays showed both knees needing replacement. He wanted to do them both together and I refused so I had my right one done and he was off by 7 degrees so I went and had it redone by another orthopod, and it was perfect and I had a good recovery. Now my hips may need replacing and I just don’t want to go through it, My doctor is sending me to a physiotherapist to see if certain exercise can buy me time. I have multiple health issues and am tired of all this self care. These golden years are certainly not golden. All the physical activity I did that I was told was good for me turned out to backfire after many years of coaching Modern rhythmic gymnastics and leading , fitness classes and jogging . Maybe if I had been a couch potato I wouldn't”t be suffering so much today.

I am shortly turning 80. I had an osteotomy on one knee when I was much younger as I was too young to get knee replacement. Years later both knees were painful and X-rays showed both knees needing replacement. He wanted to do them both together and I refused so I had my right one done and he was off by 7 degrees so I went and had it redone by another orthopod, and it was perfect and I had a good recovery. Now my hips may need replacing and I just don’t want to go through it, My doctor is sending me to a physiotherapist to see if certain exercise can buy me time. I have multiple health issues and am tired of all this self care. These golden years are certainly not golden. All the physical activity I did that I was told was good for me turned out to backfire after many years of coaching Modern rhythmic gymnastics and leading , fitness classes and jogging . Maybe if I had been a couch potato I wouldn't”t be suffering so much today.

I had a TKR in December . I had a fractured knee cap 41 years ago . I was 19 and suffered . They said they couldn’t do anything . My surgeon now is awesome . I’m a slow healer and had to go to therapy for almost 4 months but now I’m doing better than I can ever remember doing. I won’t lie. The first 3 weeks were bad pain wise. Physical therapy was hard but I did my exercises everyday and I still am . As scary as it was and I was terrified, I’m getting my other one done close to the end of the year . I can’t do it now because of insurance won’t cover more therapy yet. I couldn’t do anything before, I dragged my leg kind of when walking , couldn’t clean , nothing . Now I can do most things in moderation. My knee bend was slow but I stayed persistent and it is a mind set . Do it …. Get your life back. It will take time to heal but it’s worth it. My left knee and leg are pain free. First time in 41 years . The key is to move and do therapy exercises to build your muscles .

Iam60 ys old now..i had trauma ..falling down on both of my knees at the same time while walking...idid MRI for both knees ...there was a perforation in my rt meniscus ..cartilage....and osteoarthritis...i had severe pain in my knees...doctor gave me treatment ...and said :you should change your knees by prosthesis ..iam afraid ...all cases of replacement i saw are suffering after the operation...