Guest guest Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 I think its great if all goes to plan but should something unforeseen happen like an infection, it would make things very difficult, There was a man on here, and I have forgotten his name his wife had her knnes done together and got an infection in one of them... That made her recovery exceptionally hard., that's the reason a lot of surgeons won't do 2 together. -- Thoughts on bilateral TKR Perhaps I am too soon out to give an opinion (18 days), but I am personally glad I did both knees the same day. My surgeon had no qualms about doing them together. He said they were both AWFUL and he doubted either leg could have done all of the work post op. I knew that was not the case either. I am still using a walker full time, but I can take a few steps without support if I have to. Yes, I have pain, but not too bad. I am only taking about 4-5 Vicodin a day and I am taking just one oxicontin a day as well. They seem to be enough so I am not writhing in pain. I can get up out of a chair a bit easier every day. I still need arms, or some sort of elevation, but it is getting better. My staples are out and I have no signs of infection. I have steri strips on my knees and they will be there until they fall off by themselves. I am taking Coumadin and was never made to wear the stockings. YEAH!! That would have been a real hassle. I am using a CPM machine at night. I put in about 3-4 hours a leg during the night. I am able to sleep fine with them. I had the machine set at 90 degrees last night and am bumping it up a few degrees a night. I have home PT for about 2 weeks and will them go to outpatient therapy. I am hoping to be able to drive about 4 weeks post op. I will have to be off my narcotics and have enough strength and speed with my legs/feet - primarily my right, of course. Yes, I was in a lot of pain in the beginning, but it is getting better. I recommend doing them together IF you have the courage to do so AND if both of your knees are equally bad like mine were. Maybe I will have some set backs, but I will get through them. I have to. I need to be back at work teaching instrumental music the end of August! in PA Bilateral TKR - 7/22/10 Left THR - 7/2007 ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 HI : I read your post and admire your courage. My surgeon won't do both at once but said if all goes well he could do my other knee in about 3 mos. What terrifies me is the post operative pain - On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the best what kind of pain did you experience the two weeks out? I would rather know honestly that way I can gear up to it. I hate surprises. I am scheduled for 9-16. Thanks for your reply- A fellow Pennsylvanian Bobbi PS--where did you have your surgery? > > I think its great if all goes to plan but should something unforeseen happen > like an infection, it would make things very difficult, There was a man on > here, and I have forgotten his name his wife had her knnes done together and > got an infection in one of them... > That made her recovery exceptionally hard., that's the reason a lot of > surgeons won't do 2 together. > > > > > > -- Thoughts on bilateral TKR > > Perhaps I am too soon out to give an opinion (18 days), but I am personally > glad I did both knees the same day. My surgeon had no qualms about doing > them together. He said they were both AWFUL and he doubted either leg could > have done all of the work post op. I knew that was not the case either. > > I am still using a walker full time, but I can take a few steps without > support if I have to. Yes, I have pain, but not too bad. I am only taking > about 4-5 Vicodin a day and I am taking just one oxicontin a day as well. > They seem to be enough so I am not writhing in pain. I can get up out of a > chair a bit easier every day. I still need arms, or some sort of elevation, > but it is getting better. > > My staples are out and I have no signs of infection. I have steri strips on > my knees and they will be there until they fall off by themselves. I am > taking Coumadin and was never made to wear the stockings. YEAH!! That > would have been a real hassle. > > I am using a CPM machine at night. I put in about 3-4 hours a leg during > the night. I am able to sleep fine with them. I had the machine set at 90 > degrees last night and am bumping it up a few degrees a night. > > I have home PT for about 2 weeks and will them go to outpatient therapy. I > am hoping to be able to drive about 4 weeks post op. I will have to be off > my narcotics and have enough strength and speed with my legs/feet - > primarily my right, of course. > > Yes, I was in a lot of pain in the beginning, but it is getting better. I > recommend doing them together IF you have the courage to do so AND if both > of your knees are equally bad like mine were. > > Maybe I will have some set backs, but I will get through them. I have to. > I need to be back at work teaching instrumental music the end of August! > > in PA > Bilateral TKR - 7/22/10 > Left THR - 7/2007 > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 Hi , You ARE doing well. Congrats! You seem totally realistic with what has been done and what you have to do now. Your mood seems much better than mine was, and I only had one! Keep up your spirits, and you will be back in that band room in no time! All the best, Joan ________________________________ From: musician12858 <musician12858@...> Joint Replacement Sent: Mon, August 9, 2010 10:53:32 PM Subject: Thoughts on bilateral TKR Perhaps I am too soon out to give an opinion (18 days), but I am personally glad I did both knees the same day. My surgeon had no qualms about doing them together. He said they were both AWFUL and he doubted either leg could have done all of the work post op. I knew that was not the case either. I am still using a walker full time, but I can take a few steps without support if I have to. Yes, I have pain, but not too bad. I am only taking about 4-5 Vicodin a day and I am taking just one oxicontin a day as well. They seem to be enough so I am not writhing in pain. I can get up out of a chair a bit easier every day. I still need arms, or some sort of elevation, but it is getting better. My staples are out and I have no signs of infection. I have steri strips on my knees and they will be there until they fall off by themselves. I am taking Coumadin and was never made to wear the stockings. YEAH!! That would have been a real hassle. I am using a CPM machine at night. I put in about 3-4 hours a leg during the night. I am able to sleep fine with them. I had the machine set at 90 degrees last night and am bumping it up a few degrees a night. I have home PT for about 2 weeks and will them go to outpatient therapy. I am hoping to be able to drive about 4 weeks post op. I will have to be off my narcotics and have enough strength and speed with my legs/feet - primarily my right, of course. Yes, I was in a lot of pain in the beginning, but it is getting better. I recommend doing them together IF you have the courage to do so AND if both of your knees are equally bad like mine were. Maybe I will have some set backs, but I will get through them. I have to. I need to be back at work teaching instrumental music the end of August! in PA Bilateral TKR - 7/22/10 Left THR - 7/2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 I would say two weeks post op my pain averaged about a 4. Really not that bad. It is really more of an ache, than a sharp pain. As the swelling subsides, it feels better each day. I do get sharp twinges now and then, and am certainly FAR from " perfect " , but being 19 days post op, I feel pretty good. My surgery was at Paoli Hospital. Excellent facility! > > > > I think its great if all goes to plan but should something unforeseen happen > > like an infection, it would make things very difficult, There was a man on > > here, and I have forgotten his name his wife had her knnes done together and > > got an infection in one of them... > > That made her recovery exceptionally hard., that's the reason a lot of > > surgeons won't do 2 together. > > > > > > > > > > > > -- Thoughts on bilateral TKR > > > > Perhaps I am too soon out to give an opinion (18 days), but I am personally > > glad I did both knees the same day. My surgeon had no qualms about doing > > them together. He said they were both AWFUL and he doubted either leg could > > have done all of the work post op. I knew that was not the case either. > > > > I am still using a walker full time, but I can take a few steps without > > support if I have to. Yes, I have pain, but not too bad. I am only taking > > about 4-5 Vicodin a day and I am taking just one oxicontin a day as well. > > They seem to be enough so I am not writhing in pain. I can get up out of a > > chair a bit easier every day. I still need arms, or some sort of elevation, > > but it is getting better. > > > > My staples are out and I have no signs of infection. I have steri strips on > > my knees and they will be there until they fall off by themselves. I am > > taking Coumadin and was never made to wear the stockings. YEAH!! That > > would have been a real hassle. > > > > I am using a CPM machine at night. I put in about 3-4 hours a leg during > > the night. I am able to sleep fine with them. I had the machine set at 90 > > degrees last night and am bumping it up a few degrees a night. > > > > I have home PT for about 2 weeks and will them go to outpatient therapy. I > > am hoping to be able to drive about 4 weeks post op. I will have to be off > > my narcotics and have enough strength and speed with my legs/feet - > > primarily my right, of course. > > > > Yes, I was in a lot of pain in the beginning, but it is getting better. I > > recommend doing them together IF you have the courage to do so AND if both > > of your knees are equally bad like mine were. > > > > Maybe I will have some set backs, but I will get through them. I have to. > > I need to be back at work teaching instrumental music the end of August! > > > > in PA > > Bilateral TKR - 7/22/10 > > Left THR - 7/2007 > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 Hi, : Mine will be in town. Thanks for your response - it made me feel optimistic that I can handle it. Hugs, Bobbi > > > > > > I think its great if all goes to plan but should something unforeseen happen > > > like an infection, it would make things very difficult, There was a man on > > > here, and I have forgotten his name his wife had her knnes done together and > > > got an infection in one of them... > > > That made her recovery exceptionally hard., that's the reason a lot of > > > surgeons won't do 2 together. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- Thoughts on bilateral TKR > > > > > > Perhaps I am too soon out to give an opinion (18 days), but I am personally > > > glad I did both knees the same day. My surgeon had no qualms about doing > > > them together. He said they were both AWFUL and he doubted either leg could > > > have done all of the work post op. I knew that was not the case either. > > > > > > I am still using a walker full time, but I can take a few steps without > > > support if I have to. Yes, I have pain, but not too bad. I am only taking > > > about 4-5 Vicodin a day and I am taking just one oxicontin a day as well. > > > They seem to be enough so I am not writhing in pain. I can get up out of a > > > chair a bit easier every day. I still need arms, or some sort of elevation, > > > but it is getting better. > > > > > > My staples are out and I have no signs of infection. I have steri strips on > > > my knees and they will be there until they fall off by themselves. I am > > > taking Coumadin and was never made to wear the stockings. YEAH!! That > > > would have been a real hassle. > > > > > > I am using a CPM machine at night. I put in about 3-4 hours a leg during > > > the night. I am able to sleep fine with them. I had the machine set at 90 > > > degrees last night and am bumping it up a few degrees a night. > > > > > > I have home PT for about 2 weeks and will them go to outpatient therapy. I > > > am hoping to be able to drive about 4 weeks post op. I will have to be off > > > my narcotics and have enough strength and speed with my legs/feet - > > > primarily my right, of course. > > > > > > Yes, I was in a lot of pain in the beginning, but it is getting better. I > > > recommend doing them together IF you have the courage to do so AND if both > > > of your knees are equally bad like mine were. > > > > > > Maybe I will have some set backs, but I will get through them. I have to. > > > I need to be back at work teaching instrumental music the end of August! > > > > > > in PA > > > Bilateral TKR - 7/22/10 > > > Left THR - 7/2007 > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2010 Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 I know I'm basically quiet on here, but I'd like to comment on this topic. I had bilateral TKR a year ago in June. Both knees were so bad that my doctor and I agreed. Also, I wanted it from the beginning. The biggest problem I had was horrible nausea for days after the anesthesia. I don't remember much about the five days I was in the hospital. I'm sure I had pain, but thankfully I don't remember it. I had in house rehab since I live alone and PT after I got home. I took pain medication, but I don't think I took more than 3 or 4 per day during rehab, not that many once I was home.Looking back I would probably put my highest pain level at 6 or 7. I made slow, steady progress and probably could have gotten out and about sooner if I hadn't been afraid of falling (due to years-long vertigo) and breaking my hip - a phobia I've had since my mother broke her hip and never really recovered. Now, I'm doing great. I can walk anywhere I want, can do stairs (slowly) and did the most exciting thing last week - I danced! I haven't been able to dance for years. I was no Ginger , but I moved about the floor with ease. I'm hoping now to one day be able to kneel. Haven't tried it yet, but it's one of my goals. I can't advise anyone to have or not have bilateral, I think that's up to the individual. I just wanted you to hear the positive outcome I have had. Good luck! BeckyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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