Good luck Mona, I will be thinking of you and sending you the most powerful healing thoughts I can. (((Hugs)))

I'll be thinking of you especially since I'll probably have the same surgery within a year or two but I'm hoping to wait until my husband retires.

As for advice. Two of my closest friends had their knees replaced recently. They stressed the importance of following the rehab routine as religiously as possible. Both of them began strengthening exercises several months prior to surgery. The goal was to improve the strength and flexibility of the quad muscles to enhance recovery from the operation and improve the stability of the knee.

Wishing you the best. I have to have my left knee replaced, but I'm about a year or so out, too. I can't wait since I KNOW my quality of life will take a 180 turn, and I am sooo looking forward to a life without the constant pain.

I'll be your cheerleader, OK?

Hi Mona. I used to work on an orthopedic floor of a hospital. I talked to countless patients after knee & hip replacement surgeries. Many knee patients were in for their second procedure, so they had previous experience to share as well.

Overwhelmingly, patients reported good outcomes, & seemed not just satisfied, but delighted with the results. I heard many patients who were in for the second knee say that they were really looking forward to doing the things they wanted to do, & that the previous procedure afforded them that ability. Since they'd "been there" already, they knew what to expect, & they were really confident that the second knee replacement would give them the results they were after.

Will there be pain? The patients I spoke with said the pain was quite bearable OR non-existent EXCEPT for when they were doing the required post-surgical physical therapy. The therapy is tough. It is also very necessary to your healing, recovery and subsequent mobility. You have to tough it out, do the work, and know that you will reap the rewards for all your effort. Don't be fearful. Just be prepared to have some hard work to do & know you have lots & lots of company.

From what I've gathered from speaking with these patients, knee replacements can be one of the most successful, life-enhancing procedures out there. I truly can't think of one person who told me, "I wish I hadn't done it." I do know of one person who lived in another country, had the surgery & didn't get the post surgical physical therapy. She did not have a good result. That is the one and only case I know of that didn't turn out really well, & that's the only case I know of where the person didn't have therapy at all. That's why I know the physical therapy is a very important component of your outcome. It's value can't be over estimated.

I mean "its" value can't be over-estimated!

Best wishes, Mona! I will be praying for you! I think you are a great candidate for the procedure, & obviously your doc does too. You are a motivated person who wants live life to the fullest. GO for it!

Mona, I am adding a link to the conversation side of Cottage Gardens. Nancy just recently had her surgery and she started a blog. She is a delight and I imagine she would be glad to answer any questions for you.
Best of luck to you.

Cyn, thank you. I went over and posted a question for Nancy.

Cyn427, how perfect is that? Great link, great timing.

What a neat lady! I think many people would enjoy getting to know Nancy through her blog, even if they're not preparing to have knee surgery! Thanks for sharing.

Good luck Mona, keep us posted !!

Two of my neighbors come to mind- they each report good results with both knees repaired.They just aren't the same people- they walk, work in the garden are constantly driving off to go somewhere.
Even the chronic cry baby whiner (didnt hear any complaints about her surgery tho) is happy and having a much better life now!
Surgery is scary but not as scary to me as living life in a debilitated state. HTH

Best wishes for an excellent outcome!

Start looking NOW for a warm-pool rehab facility for aquatic physical therapy. The Arthritis Foundation tends to know where they are, so check with your local chapter. I go twice a week (for other stuff, I still have my original dadblasted knees) and I'd say at least two-thirds of the people I see in the pool have that distinctive vertical line on one or both knees. You can do SO MUCH in the water that you can't do on land because of the buoyancy (unless you're really skinny and sink like a brick, in which case they give you a floatation belt), but on the other hand the water provides gentle resistance to your movements. You can be in the pool as soon as the skin is closed over. The therapeutic pools are kept at between 90 and 93 degrees (just depends on how recently it was "topped off", etc.) while your average health-club pool is more like 85 to keep the lap swimmers from overheating. There is somewhat more chlorine than usual in rehab pools because of the number of people with barely-healed wounds but you just put your hair up, shower well after, use lots of moisturizer and don't spend much money on your swimsuits because they fade and wear out in no time! (I wait for Target's sales and scoop up a bunch.)

Most of the "knee people" (and "hip people", but we're all pretty hip here, right?) at my facility have a 90 minute block with their therapist - often daily early on when it's necessary and then alternate days - half of that as water therapy and half is "land work" aka more conventional physical therapy. The folks who do land work first and then the pool seems to be happiest, the look of "ahhhhhhhhhhh" on their faces when they get in the water tells it all to me. Rehab pools have wide, deep steps with railings to get in and out and chair-lifts if even that is not manageable.

Some of the therapists where I go are really into the CPM or continuous passive motion machine - an electrical appliance (that looks like it was designed by Torquemada) that your lower leg (or arm, for shoulder injuries) is strapped into pretty much right off the bat, and it can be programmed to move the limb in different ways at different speeds per the patients' needs. It goes All The Time... you unstrap yourself from it to go to the bathroom and that's about it. The intent is having the muscles around the knee (or other joint) moving, even just a little, as quickly as possible to avoid either atrophy or stiffening - it can be set to just the tiniest and slowest of movements, all the way up to full flexion-extension range. Other PTs think it's worthless; my PT thinks it depends on the situation, like if he doesn't think the patient is going to move around, do the prescribed isometrics, that kind of thing, or is prone to blood clots from lack of mobility, he'll recommend a CPM.

Re: Polly's #3 note about ice... there is a cool gadget that can be had (with prescription, and usually you rent it because it's mondo pricey) that circulates ice water or other chilled liquid through a cuff that wraps around the knee (or other joint, or a bootie or mitt for feet and hands). The thing that makes this neat is that the temperature can be adjusted, and no one is constantly running to the freezer for more coldpacks. My brother had one of these for both his knee and shoulder surgeries. If you decide to go more low-tech, there's a velcro-on neoprene wrap that has pockets inside to slip in frozen gelpacks. The freezer packs last longer since they're insulated on the outside by the neoprene, they stay in place if you move, and people are more compliant about using them because they are much more convenient. The rehab place I go to uses these almost exclusively; I have a set of the booties (for peroneal tendinitis that just will not go away, plus my old friends plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis) but I'm horrible about using them because ice/cold is excruciatingly painful for me, although other people really like the cold.

The progression I see at the rehab center is that people are on a walker for a while, then crutches and then a cane (and that as much for balance as anything else, a fall with a fresh knee replacement is very much bad). Medical supply stores sell (and rent, although often it is cheaper just to buy the things, the rental charges can be insane) nifty ones in bright colors that are just less "hospital-y" feeling than the plain aluminum. Personally, I prefer forearm crutches (I've been on and off crutches more times than I can count; I've lent them out and I don't think I'll ever get them back! I had nice sheepskin linings for the arm cuff and extra padding on the handgrips), if the doc permits, rather than the conventional kind - those always rubbed the sides of my ribcage raw (even used correctly there's friction), and I couldn't lean on them for a rest or a chat with someone without my arms going numb; with the forearm crutches I could just rest my elbows in the cuff. They were just more convenient and comfortable. See if you can try out both types while you're still relatively mobile. Now I have a collection of canes :-) and my favorite "everyday" cane is a paisley pattern in shades of purple, teal and gold. Snazzy! (And not very expensive, either - I think I paid maybe $30 tops?)

If you're expecting to go to a specific physical therapy or (outpatient) rehab facility, try to get there to meet the staff before your surgery. It really stinks to try to work on something difficult and painful with someone you don't like. I had one PT when I tore one of my rotator cuffs who was really oriented more toward hardcore athletes and such, so he did a lot of what I nicknamed "motivational yelling". He reminded me of the over-the-top drill sergeants you see in the movies. I don't do well with that and I had to demand a different therapist or I was outta there.

Oh, and DON'T forget to file for your temporary (if you don't already have one) disabled parking placard! Even if you rarely use it, it's good to know you have it for when you DO need it. In my state I think the temporaries are good for a year, but YMMV.

cooper, my feelings exactly. I used to be so active. I walked for about 1½ hours everyday just for fun. I worked out at Curves 5 days a week. I did our yardwork.

I just want the ability to do those things again.

Hopefully, it will happen. The left knee gets replaced next week and the right one gets replaced in September.

Just had another thought. A couple of years ago, a friend pointed out that it is often a good idea to get a sports rehab certified therapist for the PT. When my son had a shattered heel, we didn't do that and he lost a lot of muscle mass in his calf because he was told to stay off his leg for so long. There may have been ways to do that, but also keep those muscles strong. The friend's daughter had knee surgery and used a sports rehab place for after care with a very good outcome. Not sure if that is at all applicable with a knee replacement, but thought I'd mention it.

Sending good thoughts your way and wishes for resumed activities very quickly!

Mona, I think being nervous is very normal. I had a minimally invasive total knee replacement in November, 2008 and the only regret I have is that I waited too long to have it done.
I felt like an observer too and that I was missing out on too many fun things. I still comment to people, "I could never have done this before I had my knee replaced", so you will get your life back.

The hospital where I had my surgery has a total joint replacement program that they require all joint replacement patients to attend within 30 days of surgery. My Drs PA also spent over an hour with me answering my questions and concerns. My greatest concern was; would be I be able to go up a flight of stairs when I was discharged. I was told yes I could and I did!! (I live in a colonial with the bedrooms upstairs, and I just didnt want to sleep on a sofa at night.)

When I was discharged from the hospital a visiting nurse came to the house every other day for about 10 days to take vitals & change the dressing etc. A Physical Therapist, (PT) came to the house 3 x a week for 2 weeks. When I was discharged from home care I started outpatient PT 2x week. I did my prescribed exercise therapy at home the other 5 days. (Having a stationary bike at home was very helpful to get my knee bending; I did not have the CPM machine.) I believe someone mentioned the importance of taking your pain medication right before PT, very good advice. (I just skimmed the other posts, so sorry if I am redundant).
I think the most important thing is to follow what that the nurses, Drs & PTs prescribe. Its very easy to talk yourself into not doing what is instructed.

I found it important to stay on a very high fiber diet, especially while I was on pain medication. I didnt have much interest in food for about the first month and like most post-op patients cold food was more appealing to me, with the exception of oatmeal & eggs. (I confess I am a retired RD).

A 3 in 1 commode was a bonus in the shower & also for over the toilet even though our toilets are comfort height.

It is also important to move around hourly the first few weeks even if it is the last thing you feel like doing! When sitting I was instructed to keep my operated leg stretched out with a small rolled towel underneath my ankle. Speaking of ankles, I was constantly doing ankle pumps. Oh, and ICE - ICE BABY!!!!
Once my incision healed, I applied the contents of a vitamin E capsule directly to the scar & massaged it daily, it is hardly noticeable now.

Once you do go out in public, take a cane with you even if you dont need it as it will set up a protected area around yourself so people wont rush by you.

Please feel free to ask me any questions. The bottom line is any pain or discomfort you feel WILL be worth it.
Keep us posted on your countdown & progress.

I will be following this with great interest, as two new knees are in my future. I have end-stage osteoarthritis in both knees,and am bone-on-bone. Just had Kenalog injections last Thursday, and they have helped. But down the line replacement is a given. Right now I cant afford to not work, so I have to wait. But I did discuss the process with my ortho doc (a knee guy)and talked about the time frame, etc. One thing he stressed, as have many here, is that the rehab time, especially the first 6 weeks, is CRITICAL to regaining range of motion at the best possible level. The work is hard, but so necessary. He wont do both knees at once (in fact, no closer than 6 months apart) for several reasons, but again the biggest one is being able to focus all the time and effort to get the knee maximum range.

Wishing you all the best with this, monablair, including a speedy, painless, full-motion recovery!

Saying a prayer that all goes well and that you're able to get back to doing the things you love again very soon!

My husband had a total knee replacement a year ago. Everyone is different, so not everyone's recovery will be the same.He did upper and lower body exercises before having the surgery, it was helpful. You will need the upper body strength as well. He pushed himself through physical therapy because he wanted to do most of those activities that he used to do.It was not a walk in the park for him. But today, he can not only walk up stairs, he can climb a ladder, he can play doubles tennis, he is also a volunteer firefighter, he fishes and can get in and out of a boat with no problem. He doesn't even walk with a limp or anything.As hard as it may seem at the time, listen to your physical therapist, focus on your goal.Don't settle on being able to bend your knee just enough, get full mobility. Best wishes to you.

Mona, just dropping in to wish you the best with your surgery. I won't be around next week but I will take you in thought on our vacation. Can't wait to hear how it all went when I return. (We're leaving tomorrow.)

Good luck, pretty lady!

Thanks, golddust. Did you get your toe nails polished?

Ugh, they are still purple. I need to pick up some nail polish remover. It's hard to start getting girlie in your 50s. This is the first time I have painted any of my nails. DH laughed at them (in a kind way).

Leave them purple. You'll get used to them and you'll cultivate the attitude that goes with them. It's never too late to get girly!!! In fact, pink sandals, the blue dress, the floral purse and purple toe nails would have been a gorgeous look!

Mona, glad I'm not too late to wish you luck!

Funny, I've been dealing with my teen's knee. She injured it twice & it has not been right since. She just had a CT or MRI, of course nothing is wrong so now I need a specialist. How is it that you can see her knee is not right; it pops out; gives out but nothing appears wrong?

Back to my search.. thinking of taking her to Philly.

roselvr, I wonder if your DD has patellar subluxation? My kneecap "popped" to the outside and the knee would give out to the inside. Mine's a combination of repeated twisting injuries, general abuse :-) and a mild congenital defect (the "notch" the kneecap sits in is too shallow) and it, too, looked fine on imaging but it did not function properly under strain. I had arthroscopic surgery in 1990 on the right knee to deepen that notch a tad, adjust some ligaments and build what would eventually become a "collar" of scar tissue to keep my kneecap in place - I can feel that but can't see it. (Just the three eensy little scars from the arthroscopy, which after all this time are just little puckers in the skin. Instead of general anesthesia I had a spinal block and sedation and was happily stoned to the gills for two days afterward! LOL) I'm sure the technology has improved drastically since then, but that knee has never gone kerflooey on me again.

Has your daughter had any physical therapy to stabilize the muscles that work the knee? It really can help a great deal, and it's totally non-invasive so it's an excellent place to start. Women are particularly prone to unstable knees simply because of our skeletal anatomy. I was able to avoid surgery on the left knee with physical therapy (the right knee was far worse off, which is why it got the knife and I chose to be much more conservative with the left) at the same time I was having extensive therapy on the right knee (long story). Even after 15 years I find myself doing some of the isometric exercises when waiting at stoplights, out of sheer habit!

I must echo johnmari ... I had the same thing, patella dislocated once, sublux'd seven other times before I had the surgery (called a lateral release). Mine was in 1984. See an orthopedic surgeon -- the more it happens, the easier it is to go out, and the more things get torn up when it does. Good luck!

Monablair- was driving by and saw my neighbor that had both knees done( 6 months ago the last one maybe) and watched her go up her 6 front stairs to her porch- what a difference- no problems or hesitations at all!

I think my knee may have been more racked-up than segbrown's - I had the lateral release along with tightening the opposing ligament to pull the kneecap back to "center" since even after the lateral retinaculum was released the patella kept slithering and tilting off center, then building up that collar to keep everything in place. (My surgery - the inside bits, from the arthroscopy camera - was videotaped and I watched almost all of it because I'm nuts that way. I've watched a couple of my laparoscopies, too. Go fig.) It's confused every physical therapist and massage therapist I've had since, since my knee looks totally normal but feels really weird on palpation.

However, there are many orthopedists who are WAY too quick to jump in with the knife without even trying more conservative measures (and she'd have a minimum of several weeks of physio afterward anyway if she ended up getting the surgery, so it could be considered "pre-hab" which has been proven to speed recovery!). Get multiple opinions if you can.

57 days and counting for me -- I'm scheduled for my first knee replacement on Sept 1, with knee #2 to follow some time after that. Has anyone had a "partial" knee replacement? More specifically, does anyone have experience with a Makoplasty computer-assisted partial? My upcoming CT scan will tell whether it's even an option for me, but I welcome anything anyone can tell me about it. Thanks!