Knee Replacement

[OakLeaf]

Woot!

[ny biker]

Great news!!

[emily_in_nc]

That's great, Pax! The beach is a great healer.

[Pax]

I've been through the "wish I'd never done this", the depression, loads of pain and meds (ongoing), moments of hope... but the one thing that's still hard to grasp is having been told I'd be mostly recovered in twelve weeks when the truth for this surgery is a one year recovery.

Working at eight weeks is awful, so painful and tiring, my heart goes out to people who have physical jobs! The big plus side is by the one year mark I should be able to do things I haven't been able to do in years. I should be walking for miles and riding my bike wherever I want... VERY exciting!

[OakLeaf]

Twelve weeks?! Who TF told you that (rhetorical question, I can guess pretty easily). That just makes me mad. Doctors have given me similarly ludicrous estimates on more minor things, but that's just so wrong. I guess whatever they tell you, whether it's three days or three months, multiply by four. No wonder you've been frustrated and discouraged! Why in the world would they tell you it takes half the time to recover from a TKA than it does for a "simple" ACL repair???!!!

Anyway - hope it's more manageable now that you've made some progress, and now that you know you're in for the long haul, but it WILL be worth it. The beach is waiting!

[Pax]

Thanks, Oak. Over the weeks I kept looking at my honey and saying tearfully "what am I doing wrong???" Now I know I'm doing fine, recovery is not linear, and I'm right in the ballpark. Stupid doctor.

[ny biker]

Stupid doctor indeed.

My friend had partial knee replacement in early December and he's still recovering. And that was a partial.

[Pax]

Head of HR had her knee done a few years ago, when I saw her today she told me "you'll be much more comfortable at six months and really good at a year, until then it's pretty sucky". Not sure why the docs aren't more up front, it's not like any of us go into this for fun, if we had another choice we'd act on it, so it's not like they're going to lose patients/money???

[emily_in_nc]

This is the same experience my step-father had. In fact, one of his two knees got better, then worse, and now he may have to have a revision as his kneecap is "drifting". He's been through a lot. Because of his experience, I am much better educated about the surgery and would NEVER take it lightly.

Hang in there!

[Helene2013]

When I had my knee ligament reconstruction, my PT had said it would take 6 months to gain most functions, and over a year to be normal.....if I was careful and doing according to protocole. Did not matter it was just me or an athlete....timing was same. She was 100% right. And I too had highs and lows before reaching my final goals. That was 10 years ago.

[Pax]

I forgot to tell you gals, I walked down four stairs at work this week!!! My knee worked just like a real one, haven't been able to do that in years!

[Crankin]

That is great news! I can imagine how good it feels to walk down the stairs without thinking about it.

[Pax]

It's really weird, I was debilitated for so many years before this surgery that I have to relearn basic movements. I really don't remember how to properly take stairs or get in and out of a car.

[rebeccaC]

I forgot to tell you gals, I walked down four stairs at work this week!!! My knee worked just like a real one, haven't been able to do that in years!

Lots of big warm healing/feeling positive hugs!!!! I’m in Palm Springs doing the Coachella music festival with friends. I’ll think of your spirit dancing wildly with me tonight

…and if you’re still going, two months until SF Pride….that should fill you with sisterhood, gaiety and a fun time!!!!

[Pax]

Thanks so much, Rebecca! SF isn't happening since the knee replacement, too many hills and miles... But we plan to go in a year or so when I can partake of alllll the festivities!