It was close to four years ago that I got the word from my orthopedic surgeon that there was not much left to do (after ten years of trying) for my hip and knee joints but to get replacements. The news hit me hard, although I am not sure why since I had been battling arthritis for a long time. I think it was the thought of having all four joints replaced that scared me. Sure I know lots of people who have had one or two replaced but I have never meet or even heard of anyone who has had all four replaced. Still haven’t for that matter, but Dr. L assures me he has other patients with all four joints replaced.
Having to endure four surgeries and four recoveries frightened me enough, but the unknown of what life would be like after those surgeries scared me more. How much would I be able to do? Would I be trading off pain relief for a life of limited mobility?
I started this blog two and half years ago to chronicle my journey through the four surgeries. At the time I was about three months out from surgery #1 to replace my left hip and I was preparing for surgery #2 to replace my right hip. You can read about those experiences here and here. Those surgeries went extremely well and left me with so much more mobility that I just wanted to enjoy life for awhile. I was able to do things I had not done in years, ride my bicycle on trails, get back on the motorcycle with the hubby, go shopping, go site-seeing,etc.
I was able to go about two years before I knew it was time to start on the knees. My left knee was replaced last April. Everyone told me the knee replacement was a more difficult surgery to recover from and they were correct. It took about four months before I stopped thinking about my knee with every step. It is better all the time but there is still some swelling and occasional pain. I have been told by both my doctor and physical therapist that the healing process for a total knee replacement is about one year.
The interesting thing is that this replaced left knee is now definitely my good knee. It is funny how that happened without me really thinking about it. The constant arthritis pain is now only in my right knee. So in about six weeks, on February 18, I will undergo what I hope will be my final surgery, the total replacement of the right knee. I am so NOT looking forward to that recovery, it is painful and seems to take forever. Patience has never been a friend of mine. I also hate relaying on everyone to take care of me, especially Dave. He has been through as much as I have, with just a different source of pain :).
However, I am looking forward to the possibilities that the future holds, walks, hikes, bike riding and who knows what else. The final countdown has begun. Just one more time!
We are all pulling for you & looking forward to seeing you enjoy life with a new spring in your step!
Thanks julie!
Last time, yay! Keeping you in my prayers and can’t wait until you can get back to enjoying all the things you love to do!
Thank you Joy!
You’ve so strong and brave to get this far. I will pray that the next surgery is the last and hopefully gets you to full mobility without pain.
Thanks debbie!
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So glad to know you are up for your final surgery. Good luck. I had my left total knee replacement 4.5 weeks ago. The first two weeks were pretty rough but much improvement sine them. Still working on my bending. Take care.
Good luck on your recovery!!
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Boy can I relate to everything you’re saying here! I’m riddled with arthritis but my hips are good thank goodness. My knee was replaced in December 2012 and I still have swelling and issues with the replaced knee although it is my good knee. It’s strong. But it doesn’t like to be pushed and I rarely am unaware of it. I’m so glad you’re doing better!! I got gel injected into my unreplaced knee two weeks ago and it’s helping me immensely. I want to put off the second knee as long as possible so I can have at least a year of freedom! lol Happy New Year!!!!
Thanks for sharing your journey. I’m close to having my left knee replaced. Probably in the next three months sometime. I look forward to the day that I can hopefully say my left knee is my good knee. Best Wishes.
Thank you and good luck on your knee replacement. You will be happy you did it!
That’s nice to know. Thanks again.
Thanks again for the reassurance.