TKR Rethinking Surgery

Hi-
I have knee issues also. My first reaction would be to wait if you have any doubts at all. Once it’s gone, there’s no going back.
Personally, I would try physical therapy, and/or alternative methods before surgery.

@grovermyson Recovery/rehab after a knee replacement is a VERY big commitment, so if you have doubts, it is best to talk it out/think it through now.

Since the surgery is still two months away, why not treat the upcoming appointment as an information gathering session? The CT scan will reveal the exact condition of the joint, and you can write down all of your questions before the appointment, take the list with you, and get answers - don't be put off on this part, if the PA can't answer certain questions, get them to ask the surgeon and provide a response after the appointment.

Then take the information home, and with a trusted friend or loved one, make a list of Pros & Cons. At that point, you can make a more informed decision. And anything can happen in 2 months - that knee might really be bothering you by June.

PS This is how I made the decisions on when to go forward with hand and wrist surgeries and rotator cuff repair. My hips were so bad before replacement that I couldn't wait for surgery. Now I am getting to the same if/when stage with one of my knees.

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I should have mentioned that I went through about five years of cortisone and gel injections. They helped in the beginning, but over the last three years they stopped giving me any real relief.

I am soon to be 69 and relatively healthy minus my dang knee which even on cortisone is constantly achy. My TKR is in June. I have moments when I feel that I should just live with the ache that it isn’t that bad and then suddenly my knee buckles and reminds me it is only a matter of time until I break a bone. I am going ahead with the surgery while I am healthy and active but yes there are days I would like to cancel and deny my knee is a HUGE problem. I also hate using a cane. I feel old using the cane but then when I don’t use it I fear the knee buckling and falling so it is limiting where I go and what I do. You are not alone in questioning whether you should have a TKR.

@grovermyson The lack of response to injections is one clue that it is time for more drastic action.

I had two TKRs - one in 2023 and one in 2024. I had significant doubts before my first that were very similar to what you’re saying. However, in my case, I knew it would never get better (despite my thoughts and desires). I was fortunate to be good friends with my surgeon and talked to him rather extensively for a few years prior to the first surgery.

My reality was that 1. I knew my knees would never get better, 2. I wasn’t getting younger (I was 66 for my first), 3. I still had lots of “living” I wanted to do in the way of travel, hiking, etc. and 4. I knew from conversations with medical people I know that recovery from surgeries only gets more difficult with age.

Someone earlier suggested using this time before your scheduled surgery to talk (as you’re doing on this forum) to as many people as you can but, importantly, including your surgical team. You have to be committed because the recovery is a challenge you want to confront with all your mind and body. Don’t go in with a “meh” attitude if you’re interested in the best results.

Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best. Oh, my newest goal is to hike part of El Camino de Santiago with my wife starting in Portugal next year!