Vique, You have my good thoughts for a successful surgery. I know several people who have had it done. Two who have had both knees done at the same time. Do the rehab they want you to do, do the exercises faithfully, and be very very very careful on the ice. You'll do great!

Tami

Vique, the anticipation of surgery is usually worse than the surgery. That's easy for me to say since I'm not the one having the surgery, but from past experience with other surgeries that was the case.
Charlene, aka arosegirl, has had surgery on both of her knees recently. Maybe she will see this post and reply to it. I don't think she has any regrets about it at all.

Linda

EvaTX recently had knee replacement surgery and she has done very well.
Remember to keep your pain controlled and do all the rehab exercises prescribed by your doc. You will do fine.
Think of how much better you will feel after you get it done.
Also, a friend of mine had it done several months ago and is so pleased with the results she is having her other knee done in a few months.
She spent a week in a rehab facility after her surgery and still uses an exercise bicycle at home.

Good luck wishes!

Yes Linda, I did have both my knees replaced and don't regret it at all. I was in extreme pain and it hurt so much to walk before my surgery.

I had one knee replaced in May and the other in August. There was the normal pain you have after surgery for the first 2 days, but you have pain meds for that. I used a stationary walker first then graduated to a rolling walker. After 6 weeks I was using a cane. It wasn't long before I was walking without assistance and no pain.

I had in home therapy for 5 weeks then physical therapy at the local gym. I joined a local gym and work out on a daily basis. Exercise is the key to mobility.

Don't be frightened, it is not that bad and what a relief it is not to have your knees hurt. 2 months after I had the second one done I went on a shopping trip out of state to a large mall arriving at 10 and leaving at 5. Yep, I walked on both legs and made it just fine....YEAH no knee pain.

The only problem I have today and will have for a while is when I sit for a while or lie down for a while there is a stiffness in my knees, but after I get going there is no stopping me.

Just remember....exercise, exercise, exercise. If you can now it will strengthen the knee muscles and make it much better for you.

Take care and don't listen to the horror stories.."they ain't true". LOL

I just hate you are going to have to wait until February to have it done. Do keep me posted. Charlene

Vique, quit listening to those Job's comforters. Obviously they haven't had knee replacements.

I've had both of mine done, but not at the same time. When I had the first one done, 12 years ago, they weren't doing doubles. The surgery itself is not the issue. Of course it will be uncomfortable. The "pain" comes with the therapy. Yes, it is hard work. If you aren't willing to work hard at it, there is no point in having the surgery. I've told many people the same thing.

If you have confidence in your surgeon there is nothing to be frightened about. One thing I've found is that the Ortho nurses and aides are extremely compassionate and helpful.

In my case I was out of bed and walking the same day as the surgery, using a walker. After 2-3 days I was moved to Skilled Care where the therapy takes place. That was because I live alone and somebody should be around just in case. After 5 days I went home and Home Health aides came and I did therapy under her direction. This may not be the way it is done in your hospital.

Both times I had the "monster machine" which went home with me. I understand some doctors are not using that as much now. It is I think extremely helpful because it will work you harder than you would ever work yourself.

Relax, you will be in good hands and well cared for.

HTH

Sue

Had both knees done in 2002 one mid Jan. the second three months later. Before replacements I needed a walker. The pain before surgery OH MY, afterward the pain control was a few meds and a neat little ice chest with a pump, water and ice in chest pumped ICE COLD water up tubing to a warp which went around the knee, worked to control pain. After first surgery the improvement was so great by my 2 month check up I told the doctor he had an opening the next month (I had called his office) and I wanted it but they wouldn't give it to me with out his okay. Best thing I have ever done, well outside of having children. As others have said DO YOU THERAPY. I also get stiff sitting to long and after too much walking, and have to take care how low/soft a chair is or I have trouble getting up. But I do weight twice what I should, I take very few meds for any discomfort I now have and don't need them most days, over MANY meds before replacements. As I tell everybody when they find out I have knee replacements I CAN WALK!

Sue

The faster you get up after surgery the less pain you will have. We have people lay in bed, refusing to get up and go to PT and they stay longer, and are in worse pain than our patients who get up right away.

Will you have the total joint replacement or the partial?
If partial the surgery is less invasive and post operative pain is less.

That said, I know several women who had partial and gripe so much I have to wonder if they'd go back to the old joint if they could?

I had a full replacement nearly three years ago. Trust me when I say ANYTHING was going to be better than what I was living with. Anything.

I spent less than 23 hours in the hospital.
I did not miss a dose of pain meds for two weeks.
Ever.
That's the only way to manage the pain.
I used a cane for one week indoors and for two weeks outdoors. I stepped onto a horse at six weeks.

Physical therapy is tough.
Take half a pain pill before you go to your PT session and you will be able to focus on making the joint stronger than working through the pain.

I wish you didn't have to wait so long for the surgery.
I would suggest using that time to strengthen the calf and thigh muscles with an exercise bike and/or swimming. This will make you stronger for the surgery and the physical therapy.

I recommend the surgery.

Lori

My wife had total knee joint replacement in both knees; the worst one first, and then the other one 2 yr later.

Her knee joints no longer hurt her. The hardest part was the 6 wk recuperation afterward - lots of boredom. Stock up on crossword puzzles, soduko, and jigsaw puzzles. Send messages to your friends about permissable visitng hours and keep you computer nearby. Plan to live on the first floor until you can negotiate a stairway. Beware that at first, you will not be able to bear weight on your knee caps, i.e., crawl. This will be a deterent factor in getting up off a floor unaided at first. Have items in your space like low upholstered stools to aid in getting off the floor.

Our insurnace supplied an exercise machine, one that slowly bends the knee joint beginning the first day after coming home. Don't skimp on the exercise periods - this is the most important part of the recovery period. This physical therapy is needed to keep the joint free and to increase its range of motion to an acceptable level. Skimp on this, and you'll end up with a stiff joint and limited range of motion with a stiff-legged walking gait. It'll be painful, too, when you go in bi-weekly for physical therapy. Hug that machine like its a religion.

Some brave souls have both knees done at the same time. When this is done, expect a period of re-learing to walk again. The knee joint and associated muscles consititue a sensory feedback network to the brain and is a major part of your automatic balance mechanism. Knee surgery disrupts a lifetime of 'learning' and you may find it difficult to maintain your balance (when both knee joints are replaced at the same time). With time and practice after surgery, you will regain this function. However, don't expect to jump out of bed immediately following sugery and be whole again. You'll be disapointed if you do. Plan for a recuperative period, and you will be discover that you knees do not bother you anymore.

I don't know your age, but if you are under 60 yr old and lead an active life style (lots of walking) opt for a repairable knee joint if available. This is a design that permits replacement of the pad in the joint should it ever wear out. Discuss this with your orthopedic surgeon.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your advice. I am begining to look at this differently now. Perhaps the negative stories I have gotten came from people who didn't stick with the therapy faithfully. I am glad I have all of you to talk to. I'll just keep telling myself, I can do this. Thanks again for everything. Vique.

Vique, Carol is right. I had my knee replaced a month ago and am thrilled with the results. I'd had total replacement 9 years ago and the components had started coming loose, so had to have it redone (called a "revision.") The other knee is bone on bone so will have it replaced next spring.

I can truthfully tell you that any pain I've had is not as bad as what I lived with before the surgeries.

Stay motivated, do the physical therapy faithfully and you will do well also. The pt is tough, but so necessary. I found a great site that is full of information about joint replacements, and think you too will find it helpful. It's a Delphi site called On Our Feet; you may have to register, but it's all free. If the link doesn't work, let me know.

I will be more than happy to help you & encourage you anyway I can. Email me if you want at eskkz@embarqmail.com.

Here is a link that might be useful: On Our Feet