I haven't been on the website for a while but do look at it every day for any updates on common problems. My af episodes are still daily and am awaiting second ablation. On March 11th I am due to have a knee replacement operation and am worried about whether I should go ahead with this. Currently my knee hurts a bit when I walk and more the next day after I've done a longer walk. Having recently been looking at some statistics I read that less than 50% of people are completely pain free after having had this done and now feel a bit dubious about having the operation as I had assumed that a miracle would occur!
Whilst I know that is is a site for AF issues I was just wondering if any of you could give me the benefit of your experience of the aftermath of knee replacement surgery......are you completely pain free or co you still experience pain in your knee. Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply.
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rothwell
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Having a complete knee replacement is a bit of a lottery. I had a left knee replacement in 2011 which was a success and a right knee in 2014 which was and still is a mini disaster. The right knee still hurts after and during a walk but in fairness not the acute pain I had before the OP. So you may or may not be lucky. The success rate is much higher than you think just about 80/20. So my advice, if the pain is causing you considerable QOL issues especially in bed, go for it. In any event you will not have the severe Arthritic pain you have currently. Incidentally I also had a replacement hip in 2017 an a Crio-ablation for my AF in 2018. I am 75 and walk every day and play golf (weather permitting) and use a Hydrotherapy pool weekly for exercise. The pool was such a real plus when recovering from surgery. Bit of a long post but I know how you feel. I would be pleased to offer any other advice which might be helpful. Best wishes.
Odd, thats exactly what my friends, who work within the NHS, have said to me!
Based on a knee replacement being seen as a QOL intervention!
G'day rothwell,
I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF at the age of 65 in 2010. In November 2015 aged 71 I had a partial knee replacement, right knee, medial compartment. I turn 75 this September and I am still working usually around 30 to 40 hours a week driving a bus in the tourist and also in the age care industry.
From the date of surgery it took me 11 weeks to return to work bus driving. I was able to return to driving my car ( a manual) at the 8 week mark. You will need to notify your car insurers if you have one ( a car that is).
My party bag of drugs is - Ramipril, Simvastatin and Felodopine ( blood pressure and cholesterol). I was put on Bisoprolol and Warfarin to deal with AF and potential stroke issues.
A week before surgery I stopped Warfarin, immediately after surgery I was given two bridging anticoagulant injections (Fragmin) and returned to Warfarin the night of the day of surgery.
My knee was useless, the issues were caused by osteoarthritis. It was taking me half an hour to walk downhill ( which ordinarily would take me less than 10 minutes) into total and absolute pain and requiring me to get a taxi for the return journey, totally unable to walk uphill.
I regard myself as a 100% success. I was operated on by a brilliant surgeon as an NHS patient in a private hospital.
The keys to success are the skills of the surgeon and the way you approach your exercises during the post op recovery period. Success will come only if you do your exercises, not just the lazy way of once or twice a day but 5 or 6 times a day. You'll need to do exercises until you cry and cry and cry. and the exercises will be different to do different jobs with your new knee. Do not rush recovery. Your body will heal itself but its no good rushing it.
The most significant thing I did to aid recovery was to go to a sport injury massage therapist, one who knows and understands all about tissue, muscle, ligaments etc. Then as soon as my dressings were off and I was declared free of infection I got her to give me quite intense massage on a weekly basis along the scar/incision line where the surgeon cut me open. This is essential to break down and prevent scar tissue forming within the internal leg/knee area. Once that internal scar tissue forms you'll be facing a massive task with effective recovery.
Look, this is seriously major surgery and its nothing to loose up to 4 hours of your life whilst you were out of it. I had a general anesthetic but others have epidural.
If your existing pain isn't severe you may well defer, BUT, if your knee issues originate from the onset of osteoarthritis then eventually you'll beg, just beg for surgery.
Nowadays I have no issues except a feeling that the operated knee doesn't feel the same as the natural (left) knee, NOT where the implant went but on the outside part of the knee, the opposite location to that which was replaced. No pain just a feeling of discomfort. Not even worth thinking about, except you just feel it.
Hope this helps, you want to know more just ask away.
I'm in much the same psoition as you and have dates for both a touch up ablation and for knee replacement, just four weeks later.
Oddly, I have second thoughts about the knee where I'm looking forward to the possible benefits offered by the ablation.
Although bone on bone for 8 years I still manage long walks with the dog UNLESS I slip, twist, or tweak the bad knee in which case I can be non weight bearing for up to a month and hobbling for several more.
Yesterday I met someone who was four weeks out from TKR surgey who was delighted with the result, and regretted waiting until the pain was unbearable before going ahead.
My EP is happy for me to go ahead with the knee op. He is a manfor whom I have the greatest respect and I'm sure he would have made me aware if he had any concerns about the procedure.
My knee specialist, another brilliant consultant, offered TKR several years ago but left me to decide when I was ready. In the end an acute injury resulting in me being airlifted to a strange hospital where the orthopods shook their heads and said "the only intervention that will help this knee is TKR" made me realise there would never be a right time. Hence my forthcoming op.
Interesting dilema. Over ten years ago I was offered at least one new knee but at the time was trying to get diagnosis of what was actually prostate cancer and didn't fancy having a painful operation if I was NOT going to get much use out of it. Seven plus years since surgery for that and my knees are still mine and still hurt 95% of the time; Fortunately I live in a bungalow but find it impossible to take my wheely bin down my steep 40 yard drive due to the pain. When the knee pain starts keeping me awake at nights I may change my mind.
For me it truly was a miracle - a genuine new lease of life. But, not something to be rushed into or taken lightly; my other knee can cause extreme pain but I am trying to make it last as long as possible having had a couple of (successful) cortisone injections and losing weight. I had an epidural and sedation. Completely pain free for years, I had it done about 10 years ago, but now from time to time I get a twinge or two.
I had a TKR nearly 3 years ago and have been on the waiting list for 7 months for my other knee to be done. The left knee replacement was a complete success, as I hope my right one will be too. I can't wait to get it done as it is really having an impact on my life and is also extremely painful at night. As has already been said, keep up with the physio, as painful as it will be. Never say, I'll do it later! Success is as much in your hands as in the surgeon who did the op. I don't get pain in my left knee any more, although I can tell it doesn't belong to me, if you get my drift. If I lay in an unusual position in bed it can ache a bit but does stop when I move.
There is no denying, it WILL hurt a lot when you've had the op and especially in the early weeks when doing the physio, but take it from me it is definitely worth it. If it wasn't, I certainly wouldn't be having the second one done!
Once I recover from my TKR I hope to have an ablation for my AF which I'm now getting weekly. I'm currently still on the waiting list to see an EP in Bristol.
Thanks again for all the responses.....what with flipping knees and flipping hearts (literally!) I just don't this flipping ageing!
I had my right knee replaced in 2016 and my left in May last year. Absolutely brilliant - I’m like a new woman.Agree with reply from carneuny about the recovery process. I had both my replacements done at The Horder Centre in Crowborough, Sussex, a private hospital taking NHS patients. The care was superb and the physios fantastic during the 3 day stay. I followed the detailed exercise plan to the letter once home and recovered extremely quickly both times. You do have to push yourself through the post op pain to achieve the required angle of bend. Walk a bit further every day too (I walked without sticks after 3 weeks both times).
I was pain free during the day after about 8 weeks following the first knee but still had pain at night for a few months. I was pain free day & night after only 6 weeks after the second one.
I was lucky enough to attend twice weekly aqua physio sessions run by a local physio in Eastbourne which I’m sure speeded my recovery.
Can’t comment on effects on AF as mine was only diagnosed a few months ago.
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