Thursday, February 4, 2010

Replacement Parts

At my last doctor's appointment I was told I had a knee replacement in my future.  I am going to see the orthopedist on the 16th for some kind of injection.  The prospect of a knee replacement is not very appealing to me but I saw how much pain my mother had with her knees and swore I would have the surgery if ever necessary.  My mother was terrified of it and refused and she was literally crippled by her knee pain.  By the time she died her knees were frozen and she couldn't straighten them out at all.  I think she denied herself years of activity because of her fear to do anything about her knees.  If anyone has had knee replacement any information you would care to share would be appreciated.  How long is the recovery?  What about therapy?  Any regrets about having it done?   What was your experience?   I have a ton of questions for the doctor too.

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid  arthritis when I was 14 and have had osteoarthritis for probably just as long.  I've had two surgeries on my hands for joint replacement and one surgery on my ankle (fusion).  So I'm not afraid to have surgery but I've never had any major joint involvement until now.  At least not what I consider major.  I just think that the older we get any surgery is riskier.

Extreme Home Makeover has been here all week building a home for a family whose little boy had heart transplant surgery.  The mother is a pre-k teacher and dad is a rancher.  I think the house will be finished either tomorrow or Sunday.  Pretty exciting!   I still can't believe they can build a house in a week.  It took 5 years to build our current hospital and though we've occupied it for 5 years there are still things that haven't been fixed and were not done right.  We've had water leaks since the day we moved in. 

I'm looking forward to the weekend although the weather isn't supposed to be that great.  I don't have any big plans and sometimes no plan is good enough.

3 comments:

Linda said...

My mother had hip and knee replacement surgery back in the 80s and both were highly successful. That was a long time ago so I have to believe a lot of improvement has happened since that time. I can't imagine ever resisting such surgery if it would make my life more comfortable. Go for it.

kenju said...

I know 3-4 people who have had knee replacements and have done very well with them. I heard that the physical therapy is the key to a good recovery and if you don't do as the docs and therapists say - you might as well not have it.

I hope it all goes well for you.

Arkansas Patti said...

My SIL had a recent knee replaced and is doing marvelously. She was very active before so she had good muscle mass which helped her recovery. She and my brother ride bikes about 10 miles every day. Also a friend's mother had both knees replaced at 89. She is 97 today and still mobile.
I would research the doctor throughly and go by references of people he has worked on.
Taking OTC glucosamine/condroitin for about 10 years has kept the knife away from my hips.
Good luck.