Terrified of going for TKR surgery in both knees

By Anonymous February 7, 2016 - 2:29pm

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2013 I was diagnosed with knee bone on bone osteoarthritis and was scheduled for surgery on my left knee which I cancelled. In the meantime I researched everything about the TKR surgery in forums, watched surgeries performed on You tube & read everything I could and talked to different people who had their knees replaced. All the information I gathered added to my fear especially a lady I know in my community who said when she had her TKR surgery done they operated on the wrong knee and now suffers and refuses to get surgery on the one that was supposed to have been done in the first place. Others I read about have so many post op problems and other people's surgeries were successful and wonder why they waited so long to have it done. I'm aware the surgeon that will be doing my surgery has is very experienced doing TKR surgeries for a long time and I'm still full of fear to have the operation done. I wear braces on each knee and use a cane on bad days otherwise the pain is not that bad. The only meds I take are T3's with Codeine 2x day and apply heat/ice when needed. I am a healthy 77yr old woman, exercise everyday, eat healthy, non smoker/drinker and am a good candidate for the TKR surgery so my doctor tells me. I don't know how I'm gong to overcome my fear. I'm wondering if there's anyone out there with the same problem or who had the same problem and solved it and had to surgery done and happy they did. I'd appreciate a response please. Thank you

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fchacon Guide

Hello and welcome to EmpowHer,
Knee replacement surgeries have high success rates and most people who have the surgery return to there normal lives after recovery.
In order to overcome your fear you may want to analyze your two options which are: do not have surgery and discuss with your doctor alternative treatments, or get the surgery and most likely improve your physical condition.
Below I have pasted a link with more information on the success rates of TKR.
http://www.healthline.com/health/total-knee-replacement-surgery/outcomes-statistics-success-rate#3
You may want to research success rates from different doctors who do TKR surgeries as well. As you have discovered, not all doctors have the same skill level. So if you are not confident in your own doctor, you may want to look into others.
I hope that helps.
Faith

February 7, 2016 - 9:10pm