My Journey of a Total Knee Replacement (Part One)
After an injury about 18 months ago, I had been experiencing pain in my right knee and noticed that it was looking a little thicker than the other.
I telephoned my doctor who arranged for an appointment with a physiotherapist. He sent me straight to the local hospital for x-rays, and called the following morning to say I had developed severe arthritis and, in his opinion, would need a total knee replacement.
Could I Delay It?
To be honest, I was taken aback by this news. I had always been extremely healthy, and I knew a TKR (Total Knee Replacement) would mean a long recovery, something I felt I didn’t have time for. I wouldn’t be able to drive for between six and eight weeks. I live alone, with no family within a hundred miles. I wasn’t worried about the operation at all, but I was worried about how I would cope with being immobile for so long.
I decided I would try to delay it as long as possible. I felt the damage was already done, so I would just have to accept the pain, and do what I could to delay the inevitable. I took calcium and turmeric supplements, began a healthy eating regime, started aqua aerobics, and spent as long as I could in the sunshine.
Things Became Worse
Sadly, things became worse very quickly. My knee started giving way, and I had several falls. It also hurt a great deal and walking was extremely painful. I dropped from walking around 15,000 steps a day to about 500. I couldn’t even walk around a supermarket! As much as I didn’t want to accept it, I knew something had to be done.
Seeing My X-rays Was a Turning Point
I went to see my doctor again to ask if there was any other course of action other than the TKR. She showed me the x-rays on screen, indicating I had severe osteoarthritis, and said she could understand how painful it must be as it was bone on bone. The doctor explained that my options were: do nothing, injections, physiotherapy, or a TKR. In her opinion, the only real course of action was the knee replacement. Sadly, I was beginning to agree.
Operation Assessment
I was sent to a lovely lady called Sara Pearce, a specialist in joint replacement. She went through the operation, the recovery and the potential outcomes. She also agreed that a TKR was the only thing that would really make a difference long term.
It was helpful to have time to talk things through without feeling under any pressure. When I left the office, I was given a pamphlet explaining the operation and what I could do before – for example, exercises and getting my home ready – and also how to prepare for the long recuperation after the operation.
All Systems Go!
The following week I received a letter saying I could choose where I wanted the operation done. My local hospital was approximately a one-year wait, but I could go private and it would be a wait of only four to six weeks… and the NHS would pay! I had heard this might be a possibility and also met a few people at my aqua class who had chosen this opportunity, all extolling their fabulous care. All things considered, I was very happy :)
I called to make my pre-operation appointment and was given a date of September 17th. The operation would be a week or two after. So here I am… preparing my home, filling my cupboards, exercising my muscles and, most importantly, preparing my mind. I know going into this the more positive I am, the better.
Wish me luck :)
Join the Conversation:
Have you had a knee replacement? What was your experience? Has it changed your life?
Tags Medical Conditions
I have a friend who is contemplating having the Jiffy procedure for her knee replacements. It is a specialized remedy that requires specific training of the surgeon, but is less invasive and provides a shorter term recovery. I looked it up and it said they don’t cut the surrounding muscles as in the more common procedure. Hope more surgeons are getting the training because it sounds like an improvement for the patient.
Lily, thanks for your article! Couldn’t have been more timely, as I too am having a Left TKR in 2 weeks.I really felt the pain increasing during my last trip, where I did a lot of walking every day. The comments are all encouraging, and I’m looking forward to planning more travel itineraries once I’ve recuperated! Best wishes to you, I’ll be watching for your follow up.
18 months ago I had what is called a “Jiffy Knee”. There is only about 18 doctors in the US certified to perform the surgery. It is done using robots. My doctor, Matthew Romer is one of those certified doctors. I walked to the car and did the steps upstairs 2days later. I had 4 PT appointments. BUT I did work hard doing my exercises at home. I could have my right knee done but it’s not bothering me so I will wait. The “Jiffy Knee” is the way to go! There is also a “Jiffy Hip”!
Hi Glenda, thank you for joining the conversation. I have been looking into the ‘Jiffy Knee’. From what I see the recovery seems much quicker. Sadly I haven’t been able to find anyone who does this on the NHS in England
Having had my right knee done six months ago. People are right when they say it’s one of the most painful surgeries you can have. But you’ve got this. You can do it.
Your leg will cramp uncontrollably as your muscles and nerves come back online. They get worse at night as your brain and body need to completely rewire themselves. It’s like learning to walk again from scratch.
Use mindfulness techniques to distract you. Consider the pain your friend. It is reminding you that you are healing. Thank it.
Do isometric exercises, tensing and releasing the muscles from day one in hospital.
This is another great way to bring your muscles online.
Be prepared to sleep a lot during the day. And don’t be hard on yourself if you can’t sleep at night. Your body needs to rest. The pain medications can have a major impact, but you need to be on them for the first few weeks. (Don’t try to be a hero and struggle through.)
I can offer some hints for living alone post op. They won’t let you home until you can walk and take basic care of yourself. Get dry shampoo and wash cloths. And a handheld hose for the shower/bath if you don’t already have one. (I was too shy to ask for help showering.)
They should send you home with equipment such as an over the toilet seat and shower seat. A walker is really helpful because you can carry things around etc and use it for balance. Walk up and down the hallway as much as possible with rest in between.
You will end up doing many of the exercises by doing simply things around the house.
Get help doing things that are more challenging like the bath and basin, garbage bins.
I bought a robo vacuum which also washed the tiled floors.
Fill the freezer with healthy premade foods that you only need to reheat. When you are home, you will be able to do your exercises while waiting for the microwave. Get other groceries delivered. Put a bowl with tea, coffee etc close to the kettle. Put the condiments you use regularly on the bench so you don’t have to stretch up for it.
You will actually get more exercise by having to do things yourself.
They say it can take up to 12 months to fully recover. (I still have nerve damage across my knee cap which is unusual, so remind myself that I am only at the halfway mark.)
The relief internally is worth the few weeks of pain upfront. And you can join our TKR club where the theme song is “I am Titanium.” Good luck. Stay positive. Youve got this girl.
Hi Moira, thank you for joining the conversation. Thank you for such excellent advice! Many of these I have already put in place, but love the idea of pain being my friend! I am going to keep a chart so I can see the improvement! I could have stayed with someone else while I recovered, but love the idea of just being home and looking after myself. Thank you for your motivation! :) Lily x
It is awesome! Fast recovery! I had my left knee replaced in June. My doctor used two robots which apparently is much more accurate than just human hands. Outpatient surgery although they kept me overnight because the surgery was late in the day. After two months, my knee flexion is 120° (normal range is 115-125) extension is at 2°. I have a couple more PT appointments. It’s important follow through with the therapy! Highly recommend it!
Hi Karen, thank you for joining the conversation. I am so pleased things are going well for you :) I have heard about robot surgery, it sounds wonderful! I know being diligent with your therapy is very important! Lily x