Very, very scared to have knee surgery and hip surgery

Posted by cindiwass @cindiwass, Jul 6, 2021

I am in constant pain, usually when I walk or stand, knee and hip. Of course, when I am on my recliner I'm not in much pain so I stay there a lot. I used to swim until about 5 years ago, but I notice the hip pain was even worse after I swam.
When I was much younger (I'm 77) I had a torn cartilage (basketball game where some kind soul [yes, sarcasm] pushed me down), and subsequently the cartilage was removed. That's what I remember the doctor told me. I was young (16) and healthy, I recovered quickly enough, but had swelling and trouble for years until finally it became unbearable. I would get cortisone shots lbut eventually stopped doing that. (They were painful anyway.) But about 5 years ago, pain extended to my right hip, excrutiating, more so than the knee. (Don't know why.) I've seen several doctors and they all tell me to get hip and knee replacement. I am scared. But the problem I'm having now is that the doctors (I've seen quite a few) all tell me that I need to have a replacement, that I have arthritis. One doctor got upset when I asked him for more detailed information. And I didn't know how to ask the surgeon for detailed info, like what would he do and could he please explain what the x-rays showed. (Also, why do I have pain?) But the pain really impedes me from living a normal life, that is, cleaning, organizing, straightening up, etc. I made an appointment with a surgeon near enough who has a reputation of being very kind and compassionate. So I hope he'll bear with my questions.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Feb 19, 2023

In reply to @darlas1967 "@cindiwass I know your fears are real and so are mine. I was in so much..." + (show)

@darlas1967

@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.

Jump to this post

Thanks Darlas. I quit smoking 6 months ahead of surgery and have not gone back. Smoking will almost certainly affect the quality of recovery. So my advice to smokers is to quit and stay quit (even if you're not having a joint replacement!).

I did use Chantix to help me and it worked. There are side effects though and it may not be for everyone. Worst side effect was very weird dreams.

cindiwass | @cindiwass | Feb 19, 2023

In reply to @heyjoe415 "That's a good point. In a TKR, the quad muscle is cut slightly to move the..." + (show)

Thank you, but I didn't feel "much better" after two weeks or two months. Two months after was slightly better than two weeks after. Now five months later I am finally beginning to feel better, but far from perfect. So yes, I'm hoping that by the time 12 months is up, I'll be feeling much better. I do feel improvement, however, and I'm glad I had it done, but it was painful. I guess doctors don't want to really tell their patients what to expect. None did in my case, except one after I kept asking him. He didn't do the operation, however, another doctor did, he kind of said I'd be in and out of the hospital -- not quite. But it sounded good.

cindiwass | @cindiwass | Feb 19, 2023

In reply to @darlas1967 "@cindiwass in reference to my long post earlier. By no means am I trying to tell..." + (show)

Hi, darlas1967. You did not offend me at all. I am sorry that I did not respond sooner. I'm beginning to feel a little better, the first few weeks were excruciating. I bought silky type sheets so I could turn over more easily. I'm almost 80, I can't believe it -- I still limp when I walk, I'm afraid of losing my balance sometimes but I am feeling a little better. So I look forward to it getting even better, but as I said, I am far - far - from perfect. One doctor told me I should have my knees and other hip done, too, but -- I'll wait and see, even if a surgeon will work on me, sometimes they stop at 80. But little by little it's getting better. Take care.

lendalin | @lendalin | Feb 21, 2023

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.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 21, 2023

In reply to @lendalin "I am shortly turning 80. I had an osteotomy on one knee when I was much..." + (show)

Hmm, I don't know. I just walked with a group of 5 Winter Texans, and the topic of joint replacement came up - amongst us we have had 9 hip replacements, 5 knee replacements, 6 shoulder repairs or replacements, 5 surgeries on arthritic hands...and all the other routine surgeries that go with our ages (all between 70 & 80.) We refuse to give up or give in - we just keep moving - walk, line dance, play games, and take in all the local sites - museums, tours, beach....

We all agreed it takes a lot longer to recover now than it did 10 years ago, but have friends and family members who sat down and quit, not our style. Two couples here in their 80's continue to walk daily - one set with Rollators, the other with canes, and still participate in our activities.

So the "golden years" can be tarnished by circumstance, but make the most of them!
Sue

continentalred | @continentalred | Feb 22, 2023

In reply to @lendalin "I am shortly turning 80. I had an osteotomy on one knee when I was much..." + (show)

Hip replacements are not as painful as TKR if it’s any consolation.

However, I would highly recommend aquafit classes to help gain muscle strength and flexibility plus ease pain. Preferably in the deep end so there is no impact
I also have a walking bike which is great for getting around outside without any weight bearing. The bike is called The Alinker if you want to look it up online

dmk | @dmk | Feb 23, 2023

Agree my surgeon told me hips are easiest, then knees a little harder followed by shoulder replacements as the hardest. I’ve only had reverse total shoulder and knee done and I agree with him knee easier than shoulder. I had 6 weeks pt to strengthen before knee surgery and found it so much easier than shoulder, i think being scared is totally normal I too do water aerobics with exercise regimen 4 years after my shoulder and less than 2 years for my knee. It’s a lot of hard work on our parts but end result has been worth it. Best of luck

TSB | @terrirussell | Feb 23, 2023

All of your procedures are detailed on many medical sites including Mayo. Just put it in and read and study and be empowered by knowledge and purposely and defined questions. As far as anxiety, I had them put an anti anxiety med in my IV which they are happy to do if you ask. I’ve had both hips and both knees done……you may need a correction as you age but I have all of my mobility back better than in my 40s and I am 70 ! I hope you get yours back as well…..

dr24 | @dr24 | Feb 25, 2023

In reply to @janete718 "I had a TKR in December . I had a fractured knee cap 41 years ago..." + (show)

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...

brescher | @brescher | Feb 26, 2023

In reply to @dr24 "Iam60 ys old now..i had trauma ..falling down on both of my knees at the same..." + (show)

I would give it a good year before I would make such a big decision…. I am 14 weeks post operation…. They keep telling me it is a long healing process, I wish they would have told me all this prior to surgery..
Take your time in the thought process…

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