TKR with only one leg

[mags44]

Thought i'd resurect my old thread.
I have my knee replacement next Friday and am so nervous it's like i'm on some kind of drug. Had someone from OT come visit me yesterday to see if I needed anything at home after the op.......she's bringing a bthboard and some contraption to raise the height of the toilet. She said I was a someone they were all going to learn from (didn't actually make me feel great knowing I am their guinea pig so to speak)

So......seems everything is just going to be a "wait and see" approach with me......i'm still convinced I will never be able to stand on that one leg! the times I have sat and thought about cancelling the whole thing......I know i can't, my leg is so bent now, I cannot straighten it at all.

[Nettan]

Mags, cross fingers and toes for you. You want to do this and need to do this..and I am sure that you will make this. I am awaiting a scope on my good leg and after that more surgery.
Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.
BIG HUGS NETTAN

[lilly_kc]

Hi Mags - my name is Kathi - hope it is ok to jump into your long-standing conversation. I had my left TKR about 3 months ago, and I have to tell you that my "new" knee feels so stable, way more confident on it than the one waiting to be replaced. It is a good feeling - say in shower or exercise class, to know that it is sturdy, new and improved. I think you will be surprised, once you get through rehab - and I'm guessing you'll do fine, you've been through more than most of us by a long shot.

You are impressive, AND making a really good decision! Take care, Kathi

[UK Girl !]

HI Mags
Good to see you back again - wow the time has flown by - so now the waiting is nearly over - you are going to be so pleased with your new knee.

Have they told you how long you will be in hospital for? expect it will depend quite a bit on how quickly you get mobile. Really pleased for you that you found an OS - I assume you are happy with him/her

Really hope that you will keep posting with your progress.
It is very normal to have doubts before surgery - you will be fine - that new joint is so much stronger than any normal joint and you will be amazed how quickly you can stand on it and it will be strong and supportive.(it is the muscles that need the work!)

That toilet raiser is an absolute Godsend - I still miss mine now and we often have talked about getting the toilet raised even now - that is something that I have difficulty with - sitting down on the loo as my other knee doesn't like bending.

Good Luck with it!

Any questions - please just ask and we will all do our best to help - and if you're having a crap day - come online and we will try to cheer you up! - we've all been there as well

anja

[mags44]

Thanks for the replies! it's so nice to come somewhere where people actually understand what you are about to go through!

I have no idea how long I will be in hospital - though I was told it will most likely be longer than for most. We shall see. I will definately come back here when i'm home though - let you all know how it was!

My aim was to loose weight before the op - hasn't happened - I really have been just sitting on my bum these past months. 

[UK Girl !]

Hey Mags

I was chatting to a friend who is a sports physio (and my private physio) about the weight issue as my os said to me on my 6 month check up to take care not to put weight on, now I always believed this was because of too much pressure on the new joint, apparently this is not the case as the prosthesis is so much stronger than your original joint. The reason is because overweight people have a tendency not to take so much exercise and subsequently the supporting muscles become weak which is what causes problems. So the most important thing is to make sure you do your physio well and keep up with the exercises to keep the muscles strong.

anja

[mags44]

Thanks anja. yeah I can see what's meant by that.  Hopefully I will loose the weight I have rather piled on when I can get mobile again. I used to be out everyday, even if just walking round town, shops etc. Even doing housework was a bit of excercise - in the last two years I have become les and less mobile and unable to do so much. Just cutting down on food doesn't seem to have done much  I need to get moving again! I've never had a prothesis (long story) so i've always got around on crutches and had quite good upper body strangth. Even that is now going I feel as I can't stand up long enough to exercise my arms in the way I used to.

I'm so hoping this op works out - I don't need to be able to play sport, run, or do anything that demanding - just be able to walk once again!

[mags44]

I feel like i'm doing nothing but moaning here now 

[JBL]

Hi Mags and everyone,

Mags please do not worry if you feel down at the moment it is perfectly normal to feel this way, everyone gets the blues before any Op  it's truly the unknown of what is going to happen, even going to the dentist is nerve racking, but in your case putting alot of hope that it works out.  I have LTKR & RPKR and since presurgery have never looked back would never want what I had before, everyday is a blessing no pain and going up-down stairs is easier..Its a big surgery, yes, but a beneficial one to people with chronic knee problems..

My motto is how do you know if something is going to work if you do not give it a try...  Give your leg a chance have the replacement, be happy that your giving every possible scenario to a better life.   Your rehab will take a little longer than usual but hey, from my experience you will see that even the smallest of victories will become and enourmous weight being lifted and your worries will go away.. You will feel good again, promise.....

Sending all good vibes your way, next Friday you will do very well, take it easy, do what the drs and nurses say and all will happen the right way....you have been thru alot, now its time for better life changing time for you..

Thinking of you..

Love Gayle and Mio. 

[rozzzie]

Hi Mags,

The TKR was the best Decision I ever made.  Rehab is hard but soooo...... worth it.  You have aditional chalancges, but I'm sure you will make it.

Sending you BIG HUGs

Rozzzie

[bonstarr]

Hi Mags,
Glad to hear that you are "doing it" even if you're questioning your decision right now - I think most of us have felt the same way about a week before surgery.  It's normal.

I have lower back pain and had 2 pain blocks before my surgery, I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to do the therapy needed to get me mobile again that I seriously thought I might have to postpone my surgery - I went ahead on schedule, the back pain & now hip pain have slowed my rehab, but my therapist has gotten very creative in devising ways not to bother my hip and back.  I'm sure your therapists will do the same for you. 

If you can raise 3 kids on crutches, you can do this too.  And in a few weeks or so, you will be so glad you did because you will have a bionic knee!!!!

I too tried to loose weight before the surgery - never happened.  But without even trying I lost 11 pounds since my surgery.

Take care of yourself now.  We are all here for you.

Hugs,
bonnie

[mags44]

Thanks so much everyone - seems like i'm doing the right thing by going ahead even with my doubts!
I haven't thought a lot about the op during the day - my way of coping is to get on with other things - reading, painting, doing my card making or ANYTHING that keeps me dwelling on awful thoughts.

Not working at night now though - last night was one of my worst - whenever I am nervous over something I dream! not always awful dreams and not even dreams of the surgery - just dreams that keep waking you up. I expect it will be liike this all week now. I'm thinking that I will be welcoming the anaesthetic when it come because it will at least knock me out cold for a while 

Well, this time next week it will all be over and i'll no doubt be laying there asking for more pain killers please!

[bonstarr]

more like demanding more pain killers, but yes the anticipation is so difficult, keep as busy as you can.
bonnie

[knee deep in Goo]

The pain is not so bad if you are aware it's coming and that they can control it.  Be it Morphine or Lidocaine into your back.   My Anthesia guy came up to my room to inject a balist  (lidocaine) into my back the second day.  I was so happy to see him. I knew he would take care of me and felt comfort that the same guy in the surgery room came up to take care of my pain in my semi private room.

At one point during my surgery I was aware of hammering and drilling and I tought.. Ok I know what he is doing.  Prior to my first ever surgery.  I said to him as a jest.  I dont want to wake up and hear saws.  Now mind you this was a scope.  10 months later during my TKR guess my worse fear has been conquered.   Only because I had 100 % trust in my OS.


I also think that its better if you remain calm if you can.   I heard several people screaming their heads off in recovery.  I suppose half of it is fear.   I even had my resident doctor looking over me all the time it seemed.

[Nettan]

Mags, you will do fine. Dreaming is not funny but I guess some preparation the body does, well the head. I use to dream that all my old OS's chases me.
Take care of you and just relax this upcoming week.

Goo, people screaming in recovery doesn't have to be out of pain or out of fear. When you come out of anasthesia, some people react that way with no control.