Started on the path toward getting my third knee replacement today

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

...and please-- no "third leg" jokes. (Those are all mine!)

I had my first replacement 18 years ago, and had to have it redone five years later when it literally failed in mid-step in a parking lot. So now it's the other one's turn. Hopefully it's another step toward me walking again (yep, pun intended), since I had foot surgery at the end of May that healed remarkably fast (the surgeon's words).

I'm gonna walk again if they have to replace every single friggin' bone in my body with steel. I will NOT give in to the arthritis. I will NOT.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Prisoner_Number_Six!

I know you won't give in!

I've got your back, babe!

I'd love to see you walking again.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

3. I never for a moment thought I was alone.

[pinboy3niner]

2. "Those are all mine!"

With your sense of humor and your determination I'm giving you a good prognosis.

Best wishes to you!

[tk2kewl]

4. Good luck

And yes, I had my joke ready to go when I clicked

[LiberalElite]

10. me too - three knees?

so, here's a stupid joke -
Q. What fish has two knees?
A. Two knee fish.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

20. D'oh!

Not bad at all.

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. good luck

[sarge43]

6. Yes, you will walk again

Have you got a date for the surgery yet? Let us know and we get the Lounge good vibe machine warmed up.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. No date yet

I had x-rays today and will be scheduled for an MRI next. Some time before winter, I hope.

[The empressof all]

7. It sucks doesn't it!

I'm gearing up to my other one sometime this fall. I have one knee and a hip done already. They have come a long way with the computer guided surgeries. My knee replacement last year was far easier than the hip I had done 5 years ago. I was home in two days!

Good Luck! Third day is a bitch but keep doing the PT, if they have you on that stupid movement machine and icing contraption...use it! And don't worry about taking the pain meds....Take them as prescribed....and don't don't try to cut them back for the first few weeks...Don't wait for the pain...Keep ahead of it.

[mythology]

16. The CPM machine is really just a fancy torture device

I have no idea how people can sleep in it.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

21. I remember that torture rack very well.

...I mean, that leg bender. I was actually able to talk them into letting me take it home with me for a full week!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

9. Juses Christ, 3? I had one done in 2011 that is now giving me problems.

I'm not sure I can do this again. The last one was brutal.

[rurallib]

11. glad it isn't your wee knee

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

22. That would be bad.

VERY bad.

[Scuba]

12. Good luck, and please keep us posted.

[Skittles]

13. curious how long they are supposed to last, with normal wear and tear

[sarge43]

18. Two hip joint replacements here

I was told average 20 year warranty. A lot of X factors -- general health, weight, muscle and bone condition, etc.

Other replacements, maybe less. Knees for example get a lot more stress than hips, so they're probably up for rotation sooner.

[Laffy Kat]

14. Ouch.

Positive vibes your way. I had a hip done loooong time ago when I was still a pup and it I thought THAT rehab was rough. I've always heard that knee rehab is harder and longer. At least you know what to expect. My hip is still goin' strong and you'd never know unless you saw the scar.

Good luck! Third time will be the best.

[mythology]

15. Good luck

I'm doing my best to delay mine, as I'm all of 33. The did a surgery called ACI on me where they grow new cartilage out of your existing cartilage, but it comes with 18 months of recovery.

I hope this replacement keeps. It's a crappy surgery, but keep at the rehab, even when it sucks.

[Kali]

17. good luck!

sounds like you are making real progress

[awoke_in_2003]

19. Then we can call you

Wolverine

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

23. That's right.

Bones of adamantium, plus two bionic eyes (plastic lenses from cataract surgeries in both eyes)-- hell, I'm gonna kick some ass!

[awoke_in_2003]

24. Growing old

ain't for wimps.

[Grammy23]

25. I am at home recovering from Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Last Tuesday. Luckily, our house is one level and my husband is able to take care of me. Otherwise. I'd be in a rehab facility for at least a few weeks. The last few days have been rough but bearable. The pain medicine is working and I am not trying to get bravery awards by stretching out the dosing. You don't get extra points for hurting needlessly!

I had a PT Assessment on Friday and go for the first real session tomorrow a.m. This old gal will dose up with pain meds and will have a bullet handy for biting since I know doing what they say is the key to getting back on both feet. Sissies need not apply! I consider myself very fortunate to live at a time when worn out, rotten knees (hips and other joints) can be replaced instead of offering more pain meds but little else to FIX the problem!!

Prisoner_Number_Six, I send you sincere good wishes for a safe, uneventful procedure, followed by a successful rehab that gets you back in the swing of life ASAP!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

26. Merci beaucoup

And hang in there!

...and save some Vicodin for me...

[sarge43]

27. "....very fortunate to live at a time..."

That's what I kept reminding myself during rehab.

[onecent]

29. I am glad I found you. I am having TKR Feb 9th 2016

I am a 70 year young woman, a widow and live in a 2 story house and the wood bannister is wobbley.
I don't have any way to have a bed downstairs, it is a rec room, tiled, but I couldn't handle the bugs, and
it is mainly used for storage of tubs of many years belongings that I don't know what to do with. i need to
downsize, but after my husband's death 8 years ago, it took me 5 years to wish I was alive.

I am petrified. I don't mind going to a facility to recuperate for 7 to 10 days, and wondered if you know if
medicare will pay for that? Last surgery I had they sent me home with something with Acetamenaphin in it...
I would have been better off taking M & M's..I am afraid they won't give me a proper pain medication, as they
have taken vicodin from everyone. Morphine makes me itch, I believe they have an itching medication to counteract
that..not sure.

Do i have TO HAVE THE DRESSING CHANGED EVERY day the first week?
Do I wake up with a catheter..

Ha, went to "frequently asked questions"..and scared myself to death.

Anything you can tell me will be appreciated.

May I ask a few questions?

[Enthusiast]

28. Best of luck to you, Prisoner_Number_Six.

Walking is a challenge for me now. But I am reluctant to have my knee done or a hip done due to some bad experiences with past surgeries. I suppose I'll have an attitude adjustment when it gets so bad I cannot walk at all.