Knee

[Deejojo]

3 month down since knee replacement still very stiff although no pain

[Deejojo]

This was the day after surgery

[Hidden]

Hell .... whadya expect. You've just had some very challenging surgery. I'd say that's sort of average, that's about how I was and I was back at work driving a manual bus at 11 weeks. Driving my manual car at 8 weeks.

It'll be 12 to 18 months before you get anywhere near the stage where you can do things without your knee reminding you that you've had surgery. That said, I'm now at 4 years and I still find it very difficult to kneel. Apart from that its brilliant.

[katieoxo60 in reply to Hidden]

thank you for your facts about the knee replacement . I'm being considered for one, as I live alone its a major decision and your info has helped me to understand the time factors in recovery.

[Hidden in reply to katieoxo60]

Hi Katieoxo,

I am in Cornwall UK.

Thinking about my sequence of events ... I was 'done' as an NHS patient in a private hospital about 10 miles from home. I was in hospital 3 days then discharged home. Hopefully you have someone who can help you with transport arrangements and get you settled into home.

So, some comments I would make is to prepare your home, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and your favourite chair - not an arm chair but a dining table chair where you can sit and do your exercises. Get a clean tray or buy an Orthoglide, (assuming you have a carpeted floor) the most valuable bit of kit ever - this is to enable you to slide your foot back under the chair, which is an exercise designed to get some bend into your knee. Remember also, that if your right knee is being done then use your left knee as a guide as to progress, vice versa. I might say, even now 4 years down the track my operated knee still occasionally craves exercises/stretches and I still use 'my special chair to sit in'

Probably, around the home you'll be OK with one crutch, outside - initially you'll need the 2

Think about food. The first week at home you'll not feel like cooking - if you have the space get a bar stool for the kitchen to prop onto when you need to. Maybe you buy in some ready meals before surgery and put them in freezer. Buy your groceries online for home delivery.

Be prepared to learn to walk again - exaggerated - I mean walk - heel, ball of foot, toe .... heel, ball, toe - heel, ball, toe .... try it now on your good knee and see what I mean and note how it affects the leg.

You'll find Youtube has some great short videos on exercises. Just type in search box "exercises following knee replacement surgery". When you are discharged from hospital you'll be given your orders for exercises, but, I found these an additional help to improve my understanding of what I was doing and why.

Finally, consider going to a massage therapist so that when your dressing is off and the incision line is cleared of any possible infection and the stitches are out, unless you have the ones I had, and get the operated area massaged regularly. The idea is to work the area to prevent scar tissue forming. My therapist got me to do this using an aloe Vera Gel.

Hopefully, all the above will get your mindset for this sorted and get you thinking outside the box. Do your exercises regularly, and take the time for appropriate rest - elevate and ice. Consider the RICE acronym ........ Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. I guess Youtube will have something on that too. Knowledge is power - don't forget to arm yourself with as much info as possible - it will help you to adjust to your new circumstances ...al beit for 8 weeks or so only. Any questions message me by clicking on my user name.

John

[katieoxo60 in reply to Hidden]

Hi thats brilliant info, my biggest problem will be getting outside as I have five steps to my front door. My granddaughter can possibly do the driving bit with enough warning , but I am actually entitled to patient transport if any is available. No need to worry for now as I am sure it won't be happening before next year. Thanks

[pffft2017]

Sounds like you need a can of WD40. There's quite a few different knee joints used by the NHS but you rarely get to know what type they're using. Too technical for us plebs no doubt.