Fifty Plus (50+) - Wife having 2nd TKR tomorrow

Nora (73 yo) had a TKR - left knee - about 4 years ago. As previously discussed, she had a bad meniscus tear - the 2nd - on her right knee a couple of months ago. The tear is so bad that it cannot be treated with arthroscopy, and she is in pain from any type of walking.

After numerous consultations and checking around, we have chosen a surgeon who will be performing the surgery tomorrow, with check-in at 5:30 am and surgery at 7:30 am.

As she will need a great amount of support during the recovery period, I will be sticking around the house and keeping in shape by using the trainer inside the house (actually, we have two trainers inside the house - one in the family room and one in my basement gym - they make wonderful paper weights and conversation pieces). We are all set up with various support, toilet and other assistance devices.

Interestingly, after her first TKR, there was a great deal of discussion about whether or not bicycle riding was appropriate. One PT - who had asked several surgeons she worked with - said absolutely not. Nora's surgeon said "no restrictions." So, she rode her bicycle.

This time, on the well-done TKR info brochure, there is a picture of a lady riding a bicycle after her TKR. Times sure change.

Prayers and thoughts greatly appreciated. This has been our year of surgery - Andy, 17 days in the hospital to repair a broken femur that had been undiagnosed for 6 months - and our living in a ratty hole near the hospital for that time. Nora - sinus surgery. Me - L4/L5 fusion, and now this!!

Getting older takes courage. But, Nora should be back on the bicycle by Spring.

Prayers and best wishes for Nora, you, and your family.

I'll keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm rooting for Nora... good luck!

My prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery to Nora.

Thooughts and best wishes to Nora for a speedy recovery.

And don't push your back out with all the housework you will be doing till Nora is mobile again.;)

I will send positive thoughts for a quick and painless recovery for your Nora. At least her recovery will be assisted by an attentive and competent male nurse she finds extremely attractive, yes? :)

Prayers on their way for Nora! Having met her in person, I know what a sweet person she is, and I wish her all the best.

My dad had TKR when he was 80. He recovered very quickly and spent a lot of time on a stationery bike during rehab. He wished he'd had it done sooner.

Dnvrfox,
Nora and you will be on my prayer board until you say she is recovered. I imagine your forum time will fall off with your responsibilities taking care of Nora. let her know she is on Monica and my prayers and I will have her put on our churches intercessory prayer list, too. All our best thoughts and wishes for her and for your strength.

Regards,
Bill

It seems you two are overdue for some good luck! I'm hoping for a sppedy recovery for Nora and can't wait to hear about her next ride.

Good luck and best wishes to you Nora.

What to ask the doctors and nurses in surgery just before you go to sleep: Did you all remember to wash your hands?

Good luck to Nora!

Best wishes and good luck! A massive deluge of thoughts coming your way.

All my best wishes coming from frozen NE Ohio, Nora.:thumb:

My prayers go with y'all for a safe surgery, and a quick recovery.

Wishing Nora a successful surgery and recovery. Good thing you're as strong as you are Dnvr to do all the taking care of her that she's going to need!

Wishing Nora a successful surgery and recovery. Good thing you're as strong as you are Dnvr to do all the taking care of her that she's going to need!

Thanks to all for your kind and encouraging comments. Nora is in surgery right now, and I am sitting in the waiting room with the never-ending TV blaring away!! But, the care seems excellent and I will know more in about an hour.

You and Nora are on my prayer list. Let us know how she is doing as soon as you can and God Bless both of you.
Tony

Best wishes and a speedy recovery from -7 degree Maine

wpt

Keeping good thoughts for you and wishing Nora a speedy recovery.

Thanks to all for your kind and encouraging comments. Nora is in surgery right now, and I am sitting in the waiting room with the never-ending TV blaring away!! But, the care seems excellent and I will know more in about an hour.

As time permits, keep us posted. Got my fingers crossed.

Nora is doing great. Came through the surgery with flying colors. I am now with her in the hospital. She will go home in a couple of days - that is when the real work of gaining full use of the knee through PT will be in our hands.

Thanks for all the inquiries, prayers and good thoughts.

Best of luck to Nora and you!

Fingers crossed (toes too) and powerful thoughts are with you both.

I had my left knee replaced 11 weeks ago today. Hope your wife does very well in the coming weeks.

Great news.:thumb:

That's Great News Dnvr.

Later, when she's feeling much better, you can relay to her the great good fortune that our species developed into bipeds. Then sir, be prepared to run as she now has a full set of new knees and will be able to catch you now. :innocent:

Denver, you and Nora are two of my favorite people. Best wishes for a rapid, thorough, and uneventful recovery!

Nora came home today at noon. She is doing fine, walking a bit with the walker. Doc wants ther knee above her head as much as possible. We are suppsed to have home therapy for a couple of days, and she starts outpatient therapy Monday. She has an ice machine to cool her knee. We keep hearing raves about the ortho surgeon, and the newer techniques he has developed for fast and easy recovery - this from PT's, OT's, RN's and even the Medical Doctors (hospitalists).

I was even able to get out for a 2 mile walk.

Great update! Thanks.

Dnvr and Nora,
Glad to get some good news about the surgery.Hoping the recovery goes smoothly, too.

Bill

Great news Dnvr! Sounds like you guys did an excellent job dong your homework to select the surgeon.

Remember to feed Nora grapes while her feet are up! lol!

Keep the good updates coming.

Nora came home today at noon. She is doing fine, walking a bit with the walker. Doc wants ther knee above her head as much as possible. We are suppsed to have home therapy for a couple of days, and she starts outpatient therapy Monday. She has an ice machine to cool her knee. We keep hearing raves about the ortho surgeon, and the newer techniques he has developed for fast and easy recovery - this from PT's, OT's, RN's and even the Medical Doctors (hospitalists).

I was even able to get out for a 2 mile walk.

Don't know why but I just imagined Nora Doing backflips and hand stands as part of or her PT.

Tell her to take it easy till the weekend- Then remind her that there is no food in the house and she needs to go shopping.:innocent:

Hopefully she will not be stuck indoors for too long so get a few trips out in the car if she is comfortable. I get cabin fever after 2 days of being stuck indoors.

How did the surgery go? I hope all is well and that recovery is under way. Prayers for you Nora, and for the old Fox. He has to fend for himself and spend some nights on his own.

See below


Nora came home today at noon. She is doing fine, walking a bit with the walker. Doc wants ther knee above her head as much as possible. We are suppsed to have home therapy for a couple of days, and she starts outpatient therapy Monday. She has an ice machine to cool her knee. We keep hearing raves about the ortho surgeon, and the newer techniques he has developed for fast and easy recovery - this from PT's, OT's, RN's and even the Medical Doctors (hospitalists).

I was even able to get out for a 2 mile walk.


How did the surgery go? I hope all is well and that recovery is under way. Prayers for you Nora, and for the old Fox. He has to fend for himself and spend some nights on his own.

Glad things are going well :)

Nora is now walking a bit without the walker, mostly out of pain, no longer using oxycodone, and generally feeling pretty darn good, but bored out of her mind. Neither one of us sits (or lies) well.

The doc wants her on her back with a special ice machine they give you that pumps ice water around her knee - elevated above her heart and with no support under the knee joint to urge stretching of the joint to a 0 degree extension.

I am busy making ice, cooking, washing, makiing the bed, helping with the shower etc. Formal PT at home starts tomorrow. The PT was out yesterday, but it was mostly paper work. Outpatient PT starts in a week at the hospital.

All-in-all, she is doing EXCELLENTLY - and this time around is a lot easier then 4 years ago. Newer TKR techniques are great, and, also, we know what to expect.

Glad things are going well :)

Same here!

Happy to see Nora making great strides in her recovery.

Nora doing a 1/2 mile walk 12 days after her knee replacement. It was a beautiful day for a walk - we watched some ducks in the stream deciding whether or not to traverse a small "rapid." The male did, the female got out of the water and flew downstream. Ah, yes, the female species IS smarter!!

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs038.snc6/166871_1724090715111_1623675348_1712189_330555_n.jpg

She slowed down to let you pass her to take the picture, right?

She slowed down to let you pass her to take the picture, right?

:lol: :thumb:

UPDATE:

4 weeks and two days after TKR

No more walker
No more cane
Almost full extensions, and full flexion
PT says she is doinG "Excellently" and is far ahead of others with same surgery at 4 weeks.

She can drive (right leg TKR), but not yet entirely comfortable

Building endurance by walking. Rides bicycle on trainer. Full pedal circle with no problems.

big kudo's! :thumb:

That's wonderful! My very best to you both, you certainly are troopers!

Had the 6 week checkup. 0 degrees extension (that's full extension as I understand it) and 130 degrees flexion. These are normal or better, again, as I understand it. Doc cleared her for all activities, including aquaerobics, bicycling and traveling. When she went into the Doc's office, he said, "What, no cane and no walker?" She still has some swelling if she works out too much, and some nerve regeneration pain, etc. at which time she must ice and elevate. But, overall, she is doing great.

Had the 6 week checkup. 0 degrees extension (that's full extension as I understand it) and 130 degrees flexion. These are normal or better, again, as I understand it. Doc cleared her for all activities, including aquaerobics, bicycling and traveling. When she went into the Doc's office, he said, "What, no cane and no walker?" She still has some swelling if she works out too much, and some nerve regeneration pain, etc. at which time she must ice and elevate. But, overall, she is doing great.

That's great Denver. Cycling clearance just as Spring approaches; what could be better?

Glad to see that she is making good progress.

Congratulations to Nora! She's made a fantastic recovery.