Has anyone had a knee joint replacement?

Posted by suzzflwr1 @suzzflwr1, Jun 19 9:06am

I have osteoarthritis in both knees, I’m a 69 year old woman. I do water aerobics most days, garden and cut my grass.
The Dr. compared the knee joint replacement to having a crown put on your tooth. I was hoping to find someone who has had this done. Surgery is scheduled for August 22.

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clw19521805 | @clw19521805 | Jun 19 10:59am

While I have had both a TKR and a crown and there is no comparison. I am 8 weedy post TKR surgery and loving it now. For me the 1 first day after surgery was very painful but I still walked 10 minutes every hour while awake. Take your drugs and stay ahead of the pain, I needed a steady regime of Opioids until the end of my 3 week, after that, just used over the counter pain relievers. Rest when you need to, this is major surgery. Keep all of your P/T appointments and do them at home as well. Take a pain pill before you go to P/T and make it fun; everyone there is suffering along with you. I am 72 and active like you; I garden and walked 3 miles a day (prior to my knee going out) because I have osteoporosis and the osteoarthritis in both knees and spine and neck. It is a tough recovery but so are you. I will have my other knee fixed winter 2026.
Wishing you success and a quick and complete recovery.

suzzflwr1 | @suzzflwr1 | Jun 19 11:10am

Thanks so much for answering my question. Was the crown as bad as the TKR, in regard to recovery.

rainerhans | @rainerhans | Jun 19 1:37pm

I had it done in December and like others mentioned, do everything you can to stay on exercise. Painkiller like mentioned, don’t get disappointed, it will take its time.
Be aware to not fall, that happened to me 2 times afterwards.
Good shoes are important.

ammaw52 | @ammaw52 | Jun 19 3:20pm

I had surgery April 18th 24. TkR done over front 21. Due to a fall may 23 on same leg
Smashed my femur
This was 3rd surgery. Off pain meds cause I have to drive . My knee is still stiff, which I was told it might not help that anyway. But to get rod in my leg it had to be done over. Tkr was never right the 1st time. It is hurting worse this last week than it was. Thearpy had me do a machine with too much weight last week and it's hurt ever since. So now I feel like I'm going backwards. I'm not sure where I'm going with this surgery. This morning another thearpist took me massaged that knee, no machines. Felt better but it's still stiff. My daughter said if I had this done,I was on my own and that has been so true. It's been a very lonely journey. And it's not over

srwolfe | @srwolfe | Jun 20 4:54am

My first knee was 2006 and still going good. Second knee 2016 going good. Knees are a little more painful and swell more than my hip replacements. Ice ice baby! Do the simple PT at home and work at getting well. Wish you the best

ezas123 | @ezas123 | Jun 20 8:00am

My story little different I had tkr at 59 and revision on same knee at 60…it does not go text book for everyone I believe it’s a gamble … some people are up and about within 8 weeks with full range of motion and no pain…. Than there is the other group me included , they thought they found awesome dr until things start going wrong , than you truly find out what kind dr you have ….The unfortunate thing is you don’t know until time comes ….look at dr reviews to see if other patients had issues and how he treated them …. My other knee is bone on bone I am going to try hyaluronan injections …. You are young have you tried any other treatments …. Tkr should be last resort when nothing else works ….i am sorry but a dr that compares a tkr to a crown I would run from , they sends up red flags for me …. It is one of the hardest surgeries and I have had a few ….through my over two year journey of knee replacement I stayed positive for most part, few moments feeling down lol. I have done everything from exercise to expense out of pocket therapies I pushed myself and still do. This group has so much support and information….good luck to you

clw19521805 | @clw19521805 | Jun 20 8:35am

In reply to @suzzflwr1 "Thanks so much for answering my question. Was the crown as bad as the TKR, in..." + (show)

No, the TKR is much worse. Take your meds to stay ahead of the pain. Ice is often and keep it moving, you don’t want to go through all this and not have great results.

suzzflwr1 | @suzzflwr1 | Jun 20 2:49pm

In reply to @ezas123 "My story little different I had tkr at 59 and revision on same knee at 60…it..." + (show)

The doctor is doing a partial knee, I think they call it joint replacement. I have had problems with my knees for about 5 years, osteoarthritis in both, bone on bone. The shots help but everything I’ve read, the arthritis just continues to get worse, I’m trying to get ahead of it, if possible.
I would try anything rather than have surgery, I’ve seen the pain first hand.

suzzflwr1 | @suzzflwr1 | Jun 20 2:51pm

In reply to @clw19521805 "No, the TKR is much worse. Take your meds to stay ahead of the pain. Ice..." + (show)

Thanks for clarifying partial vs TKR. I’m looking for any silver lining I can.

ezas123 | @ezas123 | Jun 20 3:37pm

In reply to @suzzflwr1 "The doctor is doing a partial knee, I think they call it joint replacement. I have..." + (show)

Your dr should have a team he works with ….maybe find out what all they will be replacing anyone should be happy to explain it to you….i have bone on bone so trust me I understand …. The more information the better … hope it goes great for you … just keep moving