Knee Replacement

Are you able to walk and do daily housework, shop, drive a car, get around.?
Are you using a cane or walker.? Are you in a lot of pain.?
Can you stand in place for one minute?

These are important questions which will let you know if you can wait.

Thanks for your reply. I’m able to walk and do my daily activities around the house without a cane or assistance. My knee is always swollen and I have had several aspirations. When I walk on uneven surfaces, that is a problem and painful! My main concern is making sure I’m not creating any other issues by waiting. Thanks again!

@cberge67

What does your orthopedic surgeon say about this?

This is where I’m conflicted.
Original Ortho is saying sooner rather than later. Second opinion is saying shots are ok.
I’ve had steroid injections, Zillretta and now gel. Each time aspirating around 15-20 cc’s.
The one question neither one is answered is my original comment. By waiting am I creating more issues?
Thanks!

We are laypeople. My layman's guess is that the only problem from waiting would be if you have nerve irritation so bad and long standing that it is harder for the nerves to regenerate after the surgery which would lead to a rougher recovery.
But...what do I know.

I’m no surgeon either but I spent many hours talking to my ortho surgeon and good friend prior to having two TKRs - 2023 and 2024. Based on those conversations I think I learned a few things.

You don’t want to have the surgery too early due to the wear of the TKR surgical components that tend to happen in 20-25 years. I think this may have changed since my last TKR with developments in the tech but that’s a question for your surgeon. Still, as you may expect, surgery doesn’t get easier with age. Everyone’s different.

I didn’t think, within reason, I would do any more damage by waiting. The shots lose their effectiveness after a period of time (hence the insurance position to stop funding). The pain will increase as many of us experience as the deterioration continues. When I asked the question of when I should have my surgery, my friend/surgeon replied that “you’ll tell me.”

Like you, I had several unrelated surgeries in succession over 18 months and it took a while to finally “lift the fog” of the anesthesias. I’m glad I chose to stack them to get the process of clearing my head underway. I feel great now!

We’re all different, of course. Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best in your recovery. The TKRs are a challenge to work your way through. Whatever the PTs tell you to do, do it faithfully and, imo, do even more than they suggest. My surgeon/friend told me I couldn’t damage anything he’d done so push, push, push. To this day, I stretch my knees daily to maintain mobility. I agree when he said I’d never forget that these aren’t my God-given knees, but the pain is so much better. I regularly hike on uneven surfaces.

Good luck to you!

I put off TKR on my right knee for several years, using the gel shots til they quit working. The decision was made when the knee unexpectedly gave out with tremendous pain while I was walking down hill, tumbled over in severe pain. Hopped around in continuing pain for several days at which point I called my Ortho office and said I was ready for surgery. The left knee was done about a year later, easier decision because the first recovery went very well. But at the point where I was mumbling "Ow, Ow Ow” going down each step of our stairs which I need to use at least 10 times a day, there was not much point in waiting any longer.

I’ve noticed a few posts lately from patients that have had trouble with their implants because aside from the expected lack of cartilage, their bones were too weak, damaged or deteriorating to retain a properly fitted insert and/or revision. Perhaps discuss your x-rays with your doctor and see if yours show a future problem if you wait too long to get the procedure.

Thanks so much for your input! I’m a stubborn old lady and sometimes I just need to listen to understand and not reply! I’ve been on this forum for a few years now and have learned so much from real human experience! Thanks again for sharing.