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I can't imagine doing my other knee! I never thought I'd be so long in rehabilitation mode...12 weeks out, right knee. Hoping to walk without cane, but so afraid, although did at pt last week! Will practice driving today around neighborhood, but, yes nervous! Hate all this psychological fear! Have noticed improvements like graduating from walker to cane, some walking without cane! Hate step up/down at pt, so afraid of hyperextension even though has not happened for a few weeks now! It's been a few years that I've avoided stairs, doing one at a time, and not walking much...hard to break those habits. Also hesitate reading here, some good, some BAD!
Replies to "I can't imagine doing my other knee! I never thought I'd be so long in rehabilitation..."
Good morning Kneenee. I had to reply because my last name is Nonini. And now I have a new last name. NewKneeNonini. Try that! Don't be afraid. Discuss this with your PT. Trust that your surgeon did the right thing and you WILL get better. I am now at almost 4 months and FINALLY notice a considerable improvement. I live in Northern Idaho and it is very cold here so that affects my knee. However, I have 150+ flexion - every day in the shower I work on bending my knee, while it is warm. And at night, after icing (I still ice every day) I use my heating pad and then bend some more. I do my exercises at home every day. Well, I took yesterday off but just did more stairs.
I am not going to PT for two weeks as I have my second surgery on the 10th. This time I will be prepared for the pain and loss of appetite. Plus I have PRUNES and Peri-Colace! So all set there. I did struggle with some serious depression for a few days after the first surgery. Not this time as I know I can't die from the pain.
I hope you will get past the fear - that is truly the worst. Everyone tells me it will take at least 6 months to feel somewhat normal. My surgeon reminded me to look forward to how well I am doing. Not to focus on the pain/stiffness etc. That helped me a lot.
Do you have some support at home? My husband has been stellar and so very encouraging.
Wishing you a Healthy and Gentle 2024.
My TKR was a year and a half ago. No complaints, outcome was very successful. But I would be slow to do TKR on my other knee since learning about Platlet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. My husband has trouble with his left knee and had the PRP shot. He's had a very good outcome. However, I am told it is not as successful for people with bone-on-bone arthritis. There needs to be some cartilage left in the knee for the PRP to regenerate. Also, I recommend going to a clinic that does nothing bit PRP. If I ever have problems with my left knee, I plan to try it.
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Hi Kneenee, I am so sorry to read about all that you are going through. You sound a lot like me. I was in PT twice a week for six months. After the surgery, I felt so depressed. I was in a lot of pain and didn’t have an appetite. I lost 18 pounds at that time! I used a walker for quite a while, then went to a cane. I found the cane very helpful. My orthopedic surgeon did tell me that knee surgery is the roughest surgery anyone can have. Like you, I can never imagine getting my other knee done! Psychologically I just don’t think that I put myself through it again. All my best to you as you continue to heal. You *will* heal but it just takes a long time!