Knee replacement advice needed

Due to osteoarthritis I have been told that I need a right knee total replacement. However, I have been hearing some horror stories and told that they don't often have a good outcome. Does anyone have any advice on how their op turned out for them please?

[PFKAAde]

Hi June

I had a left TKR in Nov 14 and (apart from the next day 😬) it has been fantastic. I was weight bearing after two days and home in 4.

I was able to choose the surgeon as I have work based insurance, and after some research picked one that specialised in revisions / difficult operations and uses laser guidance to take the 'guesswork' out of positioning the new joint.

He did say at the time that the problem with TKRs is that even if you do a 'perfect procedure' the patient can still have a bad outcome. I don't know what the percentages are, maybe that's a question for your surgeon as their rates all differ slightly.

Ultimately I had no choice as I couldn't walk on mine any more (I had a vagus deformity due to RA).

There are people who didn't have such a good time though, for sure.

Good luck.

Ade

[Heacdwrecked]

Hi june-gibbs

I had TKR last October had Surgery Thursday up weight bearing next day and I even managed some stairs came out of hosp Sat. Do exactly what your told by your consultant. I have heard horror stories too but they were usually from people who did not exercise several times a day as advised and started driving before the 8 week post surgery. I did not even need physio I had a bad limp before I am in heaven now. The pain after surgery depends on the severity of pain before the surgery I was in agony before so the surgery was and still is a blessing. Good luck and be brave.

Headwrecked

[arthritis_action Partner]

Welcome to the group June! We are sorry to hear you have been having a difficult time and experiencing pain and wish you all the best with your knee replacement procedure. We hope this platform here offers some information and you find the support of the HU community helpful.

For more information on arthritis, about our self-management approach to managing your pain, local upcoming events, recipes and more information about our Membership, you can have a look at our website: arthritisaction.org.uk

All the best,

Despina

Arthritis Action Communications Officer

[syltownsend]

Hidden Welcome to our forum! There is a lot of support and experience here and I'm glad you reached out.

Yes there are horror stories, but the fact is, most people who have a knee replacement do have a good outcome, especially these days when the procedures as well as the implants and rehab are much better than say, 20 years ago.

I had my right knee replaced in 6/13. I have to say that it was difficult and painful and a lot of hard work to get where I am now. That was largely because I also had other issues, including severe OA in both hips, also in neck and lower back, and have fibromyalgia and ptsd to boot. Because of all these things and depression (which shouldn't be surprising, considering), I was in poor physical condition and had had ankle surgery about 6 months previously. The hardest thing about the rehab for most people, myself included, is breaking down the scar tissue that forms so that you can both flex (bend) and extend (straighten) the knee. This has to be painful or it doesn't work, or so I'm told. So it took a lot of pt and hard work to become semi-functional again.

I live alone and was not considered safe to be by myself after surgery, so I was sent to a rehab center, which I had requested anyway because I knew I would be unable to care for myself (I have no family nearby either). I expected to be there for 2 weeks, but it turned out to be about 4 weeks. I could not drive for 3-4 months, because of it being my right knee and also my car was a mid-sized van with a big step up to get in.

I had rehab at home until I was able to drive. I have to say it was all worth the pain and hard work. I did lose a bit of range of motion but not much, as long as I keep challenging my knee, such as on stationary bike, so it doesn't stiffen up. I had my right hip done about a year later, and left hip about 6 months after that. The hips are much easier for most people, and in my case especially because with each surgery my pain lessened and I became more functional, more able to do things and to exercise regularly, which I had never done before.

Today I walk several times a week, go to the gym a couple of times a week, and also attend exercise classes 3 times a week, including Yoga on Fridays. I have walked as much as 4-4 1/2 miles in a day, did that for the Heart Association a couple weeks ago, and am entered in a 5K walk for a women's recovery center in a few days. And for the first time in my life (I'm 70) I actually enjoy exercise, especially yoga and walking.

Others have said, you have to be willing to do the work, also have a bit of luck to not have complications. The incidence of complications is low, usually 1-2%, and is to some extent dependent on your following the recommended regime. Your surgeon should have more detailed information.

Good luck, I hope that helps!

[Cat33]

Hello June I haven't had knee op but they think I will need a hip replacement Try not to listen to any horror stories there's always someone with an Auntie Mabel that had it done and now can't walk!! I had to have an operation on both my big toes as the arthritis made me feel I was walking on needles I couldn't walk anywhere I told a friend who told me it was a complete waste of time her sister in law had it done and she's worse I had them both done and can walk like a dream now

I'm sure you will be fine and have a new lease of life Don't listen to anyone but your doctor and surgeon

Anyone who can tell you something negative about something you have to have done isnt very nice

I hope it all goes great for you sure it will

I expect the Auntie Mabel stories will come out when people know I have to have a new hip

Take care xx

[Mypain321]

I had right knee replacement several years ago but afterwards was forced to lie on my back for a coup;e of weeks because of severe back pain - consequence - the knee has been very bad ever since and on last examination was told that the wrong size had been fitted! Am now almost 90 so just have to live with it. Moral of the story - if anything seems abnormal afterwards(which it probably will not) seek help immediately.