Knee Replacement Online Support Group

I will be going for tkr in oct and have so many questions that only people who have experienced this can help. My questions concern pain and rehab. How long does it really take to get back on your feet??? Did you need inpt rehab???

Dear calleighlab,

I am almost 5 weeks post op for bilateral TKA. I have to say that the pain is not as bad as I was expecting. I have ditched the walker and am only using the cane when I am out of the house or doing stairs.

That said, I did make full use of the pain meds offered to me in the hospital immediately post op and at the rehab center. I am now only taking pain meds after PT and at bedtime.

I am convinced that the progress I have made over the past 5 weeks can be attributed to the inpatient rehab. I have spoken to many people at the physical therapy place and am much further along in my recovery than those that did not have the opportunity to receive inaptient rehab. If you can, I strongly recommend you take advantage of it.

Good luck and let me know if you want to chat further.

Glenn

Hi Glenn,

Thank you for your reply. I cannot believe you had both knees done at once. My MD will not permit it. I know that PT is the key to recovery. How were you able to get into a rehab?? Can I ask you how old your are? I live in West Pa and our insurances are not the greatest. I turned 66 this year, so, I'm hoping Medicare + supplemental insurance can help.

Hi Calleighlab,

I'm 51. The doc said that with my age and no other health conditions, doing both at once was the only way to go. His words - "get them both done, be miserable once, and get on with life". I think the fact that I had both done at once was the reason for rehab. They needed to make sure I could walk (with a walker or cane), could do a flight of stairs and could be safe at home before they discharged me.

Small world, we were born and raised in Western PA. We lived in the North Hills of Pgh for many years.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Glenn

Hi, Had my r tkr done 10/5. I don't know how you can possibley have 2 done at the same time. Having tightness and pain, but getting there, slowly. Glad it's over.

How did your surgery go? Did you find the arthritic pain prior to the surgery worse than the postop pain? Thanks for your reply...

Post edited by: LadyJane42, at: 10/28/2011 07:00 PM

calleighlab,

Glad to hear your surgery went well. The tightness and pain to ease up . . . just keep up the physical therapy and home exercises.

Doing both together really wasn't that bad. Given the choice, I would do it again. The rehab is the same for one as it is for two so . . .

I found that short walks a couple of times a day was extremely helpful. Don't over do it though. Found that out the hard way!

Take care and keep up the good work!

Glenn

For LadyJane42 - the post op pain was more intense, but very different from the arthritic pain before. Post op was more muscular pain - tightness/stiffness. Before it was a constant throb deep in the joint.

Hi,

Thank's for the encouragement. Pt is going great. I still have to master steps. Can only do the 2 inch ones. Pain now is just tightness, and I am trying to do more every day. I walk around the mall and stores, come home tired. I want to get my left knee done in Feb/12 so I will be OK for the summer.

Joanne

Thanks Glenn for answering my post. I can imagine the pain would be different post op as the muscles and tissues have to heal. At least we know it will be getting better after the hard work of PT,the arthritic pain never ends and gets worse I guess. I'm glad you are doing so well. I hope I do as well when my turn comes..Jane