I’m scheduled for knee replacement but read so many negatives ?

@andoman I know the feeling! All of my very best wishes to you for your surgery. Tell them at the hospital that you are very nervous and they need to give you something to help you relax. I will be feeling this same way in two months. Take good care!

@andoman I'm sorry to alarm you. But I had three elderly aunts in AUSTRALIA who were having to wait long periods for simple procedures in their healthcare system. All three were able to obtain private health insurance, so managed to get what they needed and all three lived into their 90s. I see the effects of gov't healthcare with my hubs, who is 79 and enrolled in USA Veterans Admin. Healthcare. Just too much bureaucracy and impersonal treatment. Plus, there is no "competition" if we get to the point of total gov't healthcare. Right now, we have ACA (Obama's "affordable care act") which is twice as expensive as our former system; but we also have privately owned doctor offices. The hospitals must organize to fit with ACA, so all the medical procedures have increased twofold. That is why our healthcare costs are so high. No competition in the hospital setting. Some Doc.offices have their own surgery theaters, which is great, but not available to everybody. Sorry. Gov't can't provide everything unless they tax the population into poverty (witness: Cuba, Russia, et c.)

@SusanEllen66
I am 9 months in my TKA. Please make sure you are not allergic to the glue generally used for incisions. Although my allergy chart listed latex and bandaid adhesives, glue was still used and the allergic reaction was mind blowing, debilitating and shocking. Blisters and raised rash all over the incision. I could not apply any type of scar treatment for 4 months. For the last 2 months, I have been using silicone scar tape to improve appearance. Not noticing too much difference, but will keep using tape. On a positive note, I have full flexibility in my knee.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that since day 3, after nerve block wore off, I have been getting sensations of burning, stinging and zapping morning, noon and night on inside of calf since the beginning. I was told it would go away. Again, 9 months in. I work out 2-3 times a week, stretching and PT exercises in between, and I can ride my bike albeit not up inclines. From AI NIH website … following TKA, human peripheral nerves—such as the saphenous or common peroneal nerves—regenerate at a highly consistent rate of approximately 1 mm per day (or roughly 1 inch per month). I am trying to be a patient patient. When we are told TKA full recovery can take a year or more, plan accordingly. This surgery is major. Take care.

@andoman Hoping for a successful surgery and recovery for you.

Thank you 🙏

@laurabamford4015
Wow 8 miles, impressive 👏👏👏 and nice family helps

@roddy0959
Thank you 🙏

@mabfp3
Thank you 🙏

Hi andoman.

I live in the states and have Medicare. I have some control over picking the surgeon and hospital system, but both have to be part of the network covered by Medicare. I have been very fortunate with Drs and surgeons.

Thanks for explaining how healthcare works in Australia. It sounds like you have a good surgeon and it certainly helps to believe in the person doing the surgery.

All of us are different and each operation is unique. In my experience, the knee replacement got rid of all the bone-on-bone pain I had. Recovery isn't simple, but it is straightforward. A good physical therapist is necessary, as is your willingness to follow all post-op directions from your surgeon and your PT.

I wish you all the best!

Joe

@andoman

After both TKR are done, my back pain is gone. Hope it works for you too.