i got locked out about the time I was talking about what was in the back of Rick’s truck. I bought these two tan chairs at the thrift store. They’re still in the back because I haven’t been able to help carry them into the house. The two chairs that are in the livingoom now are headed to the burn pile.
I am having some pretty serious knee problems – that’s why I haven’t been able to help carry the chairs into the house. Yes, I’m actually using a walker and/or a cane to get around. Have you ever seen someone feeding goats while using a cane? It’s not pretty.
I will be scheduled for a left knee replacement and after that I’ll have to do the right knee. Ugh!
I had both of my knees replaced at the same time about 6 years ago. I was glad to get it over with. I spent a week in rehab and that was helpful too. I understand that they now use some kind of pain medication they place in with the replacement. A friend had a remarkable recovery with that technique. Another friend did a lot of PT exercises before her surgery, and had an impressive recovery. I wish you luck!
I can sympathize about the knees. Saw the orthopedic surgeon this week. Trying braces and pool therapy but replacements are inevitable. Ugh.
After you have your knees replaced, you will say “Why didn’t I do this sooner”
Mary, i’ve Had both replaced. My advice: exercise before and after as much as you can and remember that ice is your best friend! Best of luck to you for successful surgery and a rapid recovery. Judy
I have had both knee joints replaced, three years apart. It was the greatest gift I ever gave to myself. I know others that the end result was not perfect, but for me I am so glad I had it done. Good luck!
I also had both my knees done.. two years apart.. 19 an 17 years ago. I am so thankful. So worth it for me. The worst part is PT but you must do it. I will be sending prayers and good vibes to YOU. If anyone can do it, it is YOU!!!!
I completely agree with Beth and Carol. I had my knees done in 2013 and 2015. It is not an easy surgery, but SO worth it. The worst is all the PT following. You will be thankful you did this.
I’ve had both knees replaced about 25 years ago and while the rehab is tough it’s totally worth it! A friend had one knee done about six weeks ago and she is doing so much better than I did more quickly! The newer procedures are so much er
So much better! Good luck and you will be glad when it’s behind you. Not sure why the first half posted before the rest!
Knee replacement is a must if you want to stay active. I have had both of mine done—one is 20 years old and the other is 8. Physical,therapy and exercise after surgery is a MUST!!! Also you will finspd times when you need to revisit the exercises to keep the knees in good shape. Walking is important too. The surgery has gotten better and recovery is not hard. Don’t wait too long to get this done as you will have some back problems as your gait changes when the knees go bad. Take care . Wish we were all closer so we could help,with chores while you recover.
Knee replacement is a must if you want to stay active. I have had both of mine done—one is 20 years old and the other is 8. Physical therapy and exercise after surgery is a MUST!!! Also you will find times when you need to revisit the exercises to keep the knees in good shape. Walking is important too. The surgery has gotten better and recovery is not hard. Don’t wait too long to get this done as you will have some back problems as your gait changes when the knees go bad. Take care . Wish we were all closer so we could help,with chores while you recover.
My physical therapy guy told me to get a walking stick vs cane because it keeps you upright where you bend over with a cane. You could get a shepherds crook. Helps me better than the cane did. Good luck. I hate to hurt.
I just had knee replacement surgery a month ago and am doing quite well and you will too. Please do the exercises and you will be better sooner!
Good post! I had both my knees replaced in 2012 and 13. They are both pretty good, get a little stiff when I neglect exercise and sit around too much. One thing that helped me before my surgery – I went to the YMCA and took water exercise to strengthen my muscles. I definitely progressed more quickly and had less pain. Since then I’ve continued to do water exercise, mostly range of motion and walking in the pool.
Sounds like you can’t put off your knee replacement much longer! It will be so much better for you to have it done. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Both my sister and my brother-in-law have had knee replacements and both have said they are thrilled. I bet you will be too after your recovery (which I don’t think is too long!). Good luck!!!
Mary, I can understand as I have just had my left hip replaced and now for the right hip. Pain for to long but then NO pain. Good luck. Peace Micky
Knee replacement? It’s great….the pain will be gone and once the discomfort of the recovery is over, you’ll feel like a new woman. Don’t hesitate — get this done!
Oh, Mary, don’t fear the knee replacement! I had my right knee done 3 years ago. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I really did a LOT of PT exercises before the surgery which helped, and I RELIGIOUSLY did my PT exercises at home. Around here, they do inject a pain med directly directly into the knee during surgery which can last up to 72 hours. Also had a pain med on-board before surgery at the hospital. So, when I was coherent, I had absolutely no pain. That was the first surgery I ever had other than tonsils when I was about 5. Easiest thing ever. They don’t use general anesthesia here (Lincoln, NE), they use an epidural plus “twilight” drugs to make you sleep. I woke up slightly during the surgery, and remember hearing tap, tap, tap. And then tap, tap, tap. Didn’t feel anything at all, and went back to sleep. The staff told me that was very common to walk during the procedure. I was in the OR at 7 a.m., and in my room by 9:30 and texting family and friends. On a scale of 1-10, my pain level was never more than 2-3. It really was an easy surgery for me. I was walking with a walker before noon. Strangest thing to stand up and expect all this PAIN which I had before the surgery. There was none! I was SHOCKED. But I had drugs on board which really helped.
You HAVE to do the PT to get better, but it wasn’t all that bad for me. I was only on the pain meds for about 10 days, and could probably have stopped sooner. Weeks 3-4 were the worst, but things really started getting better after that. We have a 2-story house, and I marched right up those steps VERY SLOWLY within 30 minutes of getting home. We have steps everywhere in the house and out the front door and back door. PT had me practicing steps before I was dismissed. It is doable, you just have to take your time. I only used the walker for about a week, and then I was mobile on my own. Couldn’t drive for about 6 weeks, though, because I couldn’t flex my right foot after the surgery. Just a minor complication which disappeared soon after 6 weeks. I was a little wobbly on rough ground for 3-4 months, but I didn’t have any pain. I only put off having the surgery for a year after I was told I needed it. And I only put it off until I was on Medicare. Went on Medicare May 1, had knee replacement May 31, and I never paid a penny for any of that! I was amazed at that part.,
Your experience may be different, but the surgery and techniques and drugs used are SO much better than years ago. I want my left one done, but it is the KNEECAP which has terrible arthritis and not the joint. Surgery won’t do much to fix the problem right now. So, I get cortisone injections 3-4 times/year supplemented by OrthoVisc injections which is supposed to “plump up” the knee area and provide more cushion to the joint. Some Drs don’t believe in using it, but mine does, and it has helped.
The more active you are after the surgery, the faster you will heal. My goal was to be able to get through the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha in September when friends were visiting from Wisconsin. I was able to walk over 4 miles that day, up and down all the hills without much pain. I was just winded from going UP all the hills, though. And the next day we walked all through the Botanical Gardens in Omaha which also had hills. Really great to test out my knee👍👍. .Because of all the PT and exercise I wasn’t used to doing, I lost about 30 pounds following surgery. WooHoo!! I was thrilled, but I gained it all back☹️.
So, schedule the surgery and you will be amazed how much better your life will be following a knee replacement. Go for it, Girl!
So sorry to hear about all your travails! I had both knees replaced 12 years ago….and at the same time! I was also single but just couldn’t financially or mentally do it twice! I couldn’t miss that much work! It was brutal for me without help at home, but doable! So much better!
BTW….I had a young farm mom over….the one I gifted my older sewing machine. I taught her to make the feed sack totes! She was so excited and thrilled……now she wants to go with her husband when he buys feed etc to choose the sacks! WE have created a new fan! Your influence is far and wide! Hope you are doing well always! Fondly!
Good for you.
Hate to hear. I have same going on. But having my back worked on first. These “golden years”. Ugh!!! Good luck. U r strong and active. U will do good!
Well there you have it Mary. If after reading all the comments you aren’t convinced, nothing will do it. I understand the apprehension since I scheduled a hip replacement last week. Do the exercises and make the appointment. It will be over before you know it. Good luck.
So great to read these encouraging comments about knee replacements. I will also need this surgery but my back is worse than my knees. Praying you will do well with your surgery and the recovery.
sorry about your knees. I needed a hip for two and a half yrs before I had medicare (had no insurance because of pre-existing0 and used to garden using 2 canes so I know your dilema. Best of luck getting new knees.
I had both of my knees done in 2001. They are still chugging right along. My orthopedic surgeon said my knees were so bad that if I didn’t have them both done at the same time I could have never been able to rehab. I wanted them both done at the same time so it worked out well for me.
I had both knees replaced 2 yrs ago…best thing I ever did…got it over with & not have to take all that time for rehab a second time…highly recommend it.
Donna in Wis
Get those knees done ASAP. My left one is 3 1/2 years old. Best thing ever!👍🏼😘
I had left knee replacement about 3 years ago. Easiest surgery I ever had, No pain meds except before rehab on days one and two. I think the secret was I worked really hard at strengthen the knee muscles before surgery by flexing my knee as much as possible. I’d do it while washing dishes, watching tv or any other time I could. Four hours after surgery I was walking a flight of stairs. they told my husband when they were bringing me back from surgery while I was still out of it I was flexing my knee. So start strengthening
now and hopefully you’ll have good luch luck like I did. After surgery rehab is important too several times a day even at home.
Knee replacement surgery….blog….taking care of critters….I don’t know how you do it!!! But I read Donna’s post and it sounds like she has the right plan…
2knee replacements 2 years apart Listen to the others Do them at the same time! Sewing is the best therapy
You are an amazing lady. I feel bad that you having knee troubles. Here are some verses that remind us to stay strong and courageous: Joshua 1:9 / 1 Corinthians 15:58 / 1 Corinthians 16:13-4 . I can only say that I needed to pray them this week-so much stress at work. I love the thrift store chair purchase…I hope you can find someone to help you get them into your home…
Boy, is the above sure a good reason to have your knees fixed? Another reason not to wait is your muscles atrophy and makes rehab harder. So, get going. You’ll still be able to blog while you recover!! We’re all thinking about you. Betty
Sorry about the knees, praying for you. Lovely chairs though!
Oh, wow! Sorry to hear about your knees, but I’m sure the surgery will be worth it. You have the best thrift store, you are always finding great stuff!
I had both knees replaced about 2 years ago. They were both so bad I could not have rehabed properly so that was the only way for me. I was very worried about it, but believe me it makes all of the difference in the world. I feel 10 years younger, and have no pain. The exercises are no fun but I truly believe that is the secret to success. I know you will do fine and that you will be happy with the result.
Lots of knee replacements! I had my right one done two years ago. I religiously did the exercises before the surgery. As others have said, it makes a big difference after the surgery. I get a zinger every once in awhile. Some of the nerves are still coming back. Sorry to hear about Darla. I have enjoyed looking at all the pictures.
I’m with Mary Ellen and Donna. Mine were both done 10 years ago and it’s the best thing I could have done, no more pain. The exercise follow up is soooo important and makes the difference. I’m sure you will do well. Maybe not doing it right before Christmas would be smart. January is a slower month.
Sounds like the knee police will be at your door if you put this off too long!
Remind Rick he had all last summer with his leg up, watching tv with Hazel. It’s your turn.
Best of luck, my friend.
I had both knee replacements a year and half apart. I totally agree with other comments about the therapy before surgery and after also. Both of mine were bone-on-bone. It has been a little over a year since my right one. It was hard to sit at my sewing machine for several weeks after the surgeries. Good luck with yours . You will be glad you had it done!
Time comes when knee replacement is the only answer. I had it done in 2017, did exactly what the doctor said, 100% involved in physical therapy and my left knee is my “bionic knee”. Now my problems are with my right knee, pain and injections every few months until I say “do it”. Not as afraid this time because I lived through it once; I developed strong faith in everything. You will be glad you did it.
Yes. Go with walking stick vs came. Balance better. Everyone I have spoken to about knee surgery say the same thing… I wish I had done it sooner…
Yes, I’ve heard the same thing, Nikki!
Best of luck to you with your knee replacements. I have friends who have had this done and are so happy with the results.
I am a new person since my surgery. Hope yours goes as well as mine.
By the way I get only the first photo. I miss all the photos and really look forward to your posts.