When is it time for TKR?

I'm having a very similar experience with my right knee. I have had a very successful experience with my left knee. Before I had the surgery I was reluctant then one day I simply knew that it was time.

I’d say when your quality of life is more pain then not ? It’s time

Don’t jump into it if you’re still so active … my opinion only 🥰

Even though I have no regrets with my double TKR it will never be the same

Hi movinmart! I've had two TKRs in two years (last one was Jan '24). My surgeon is a friend of mine who I had spent many an evening discussing things like timing, what to expect, etc. My takeaways are the balance of pain vs waiting as long as one can to avoid a "clean up" later. I understand that historically one could expect the "glue" holding the new knee together failed in 20+ years. That said, my surgeon used a new tech that essentially promotes your bone to graft with the artificial parts that are used which hopefully eliminates the concern.

I'm very happy with my decision to have the surgeries. I'm now 68. Last month I restarted yoga after several years of abstinence due, in part, to the knee pain. It's been an awesome decision that has led me to better flexibility, strength and balance. Whatever you decide to do, you MUST work to recover. I understand the scar tissue is our foe for a year or more post-op. Bicycle rides are great too, I found, whether stationary or otherwise. Whatever you do, do it regularly and don't let up. You won't regret it.

Good luck to you!

Can you get a second opinion from a different surgeon?

My ortho suggested 3 years before I had my tkr last November. I kept putting it off because it was my right knee (driving leg).
So, when I decided to get it done, he told my husband that my recovery would very difficult and challenging because of how bad my knee was. He had to scrape and reshape above and below my knee in order for the apparatus to sit properly.
This recovery has been down right brutal and aggravating for me. If I could go back, I would not have delayed my tkr.
Thankfully, this is getting a little more easier but yet some struggles throughout the days.
Lots of prayers 🙏 and ice, rest and patience.
Good luck in whatever you choose. Only you will know when you are ready ✨️

In about 2010, Ortho told me I'd need a TKR on my right knee within 5 years. I had been taking glucosamine and accidentally cut the dose in half when I switched brands, resulting in pain, tenderness, and an x-ray that showed nearly bone-on-bone. I fixed the dose and didn't have the TKR until 14 months ago, in June 2024. In 2022 my knee just gave out one day, and it took about 5 days to get it back with ice and rest. Then I noticed when I used that leg to take the big step to my front door, I'd more and more often sort of fall toward the door and grab the door handle. A few months later I needed help up steps and couldn't keep up on family outings. I was still pain free walking around, but quality of life was deteriorating. In 2024 I saw the surgeon and was referred to the class that explains it all. Half of the people there couldn't walk, really, and were clinging to someone else as they hobbled along. I was shocked that they had let it get that bad before having surgery. During class, one of the presenters said that recovery would actually be easier for those people who were already in the worst shape. At the time, I thought that made no sense. A month AFTER surgery I understood. If, like me, you were still walking around before surgery, slowly, but mostly pain-free, recovery was a big set-back. After the surgery I suddenly struggled to bend my leg and needed a walker. Rolling over in bed was difficult. I thought maybe I had made a mistake in having the surgery. Now 14-months post-surgery I can see that it was not a mistake, for me. Now I easily walk unassisted and pain-free. I'm getting stronger instead of weaker. Recovery isn't easy, and I hope I won't ever need to have my other knee done. If I start having trouble with my left knee, however, I would keep my timing the same, and not wait until I was clinging to someone else for support.

@movinmart Your post is so encouraging to me. I have been putting off TKR for 2 years, also bone on bone, and just saw a new PCD and she is scheduling prehab for me and I can only hope for the outcome you have had. She said that 50% of patients doing rehab do not need the surgery. It sure sounds like you are in that 50%. I know what I would do, I would not have the surgery with the outcome you had with therapy. I can't wait to get started and to see if I am in that fortunate 50%

I wouldn't go through the replacement, if my knee worked that well. Having had a TKR, I am afraid you will have regrets.

If you decide to proceed with the surgery, be prepared to work hard, participate in all the necessary PT, and for pain and discomfort for a pretty long period.

@movinmart your experience is very encouraging to me -- now going through physical therapy using a walker with my arthritic bad knee in a brace, recovering from a stroke. Thank you for posting about your success!