What Made You Decide to Have Knee Replacement?
I endured the pain for 6 years and it was slowly getting worse. It was getting to the point where I could no longer do the things that I loved and it was affecting my lifestyle. I also had read and heard about minimally invasive surgery which made the procedure more appealing.
What Were You Not Prepared For?
I was not quite prepared for as much pain as I experienced for as long a time, especially when I had minimally invasive surgery. I knew it was not going to be especially easy since I had both knees replaced at the same time. Furthermore I did not know that I would have to undergo those long periods of physical therapy and expected quicker results.
Lessons Learned
- Do your physical therapy, you will never regret it.
- Don't expect rapid healing after the first 3 months.
- Don't do both knees at the same time unless you are willing to commit to the physical therapy and more pain then you are willing to put up with.
- The first 3 weeks are the most difficult.
- Don't think about having both knees done simultaneously unless you have an adequate support system - caregiver, because you cannot get around easily.
- I am so happy that I had both knees done now so I am able to resume my lifestyle except jogging and running. I need my new knees to last me the rest of my life.
