Knee replacement

[Judym]

Hi,I heard yesterday that my surgeon has been allotted some theatre time (28thNov),I live alone and am rather worried about recovery especially the first week or so,any advice on coping after the OP would be helpful since at the moment I'm going to be alone unless lockdown restrictions are lifted.

[Happyrosie]

Hello Judy and it’s good that you might be having the op you need. I’ve no idea about recovery etc but what I DO know is that there are exceptions to the distancing rules in circumstances such as yours. You need to take a fine tooth comb through the rules to find the info you need - best of luck!

[DorsetLady]

Are you in a social bubble? Or can you form one with relatives or neighbours who could pop in when needed after op?

Under normal circumstances, hospital isn’t usually happy in letting you go hope alone - they prefer that someone is with you on the first night....but not always possible I know and not normal circumstances.

You will find getting around a bit difficult - certainly if you aren’t used to crutches! So make sure you have enough room to manoeuvre yourself around bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen.

Stock up on frozen meals - you won’t want to cook somedays - and plenty of tins etc - soup, beans etc that can make a quick meal. Frozen veg good idea as well. Have a pint of milk and a sliced loaf in freezer for when you come home.

Make sure you can access clothes easily - and initially loose trousers, skirts - so you don’t have to struggle around your knee.

Invest in a hot water bottle or similar - you will be sitting more than usual initially and the worst thing is feeling cold.

If you have trouble getting compression sock off/on - who doesn’t - might be worth buying an extra pair - plenty on line at reasonable price. Hospital may give you extra pair to bring home.

I found that if they were too difficult to get off - I left them on when I had a shower - and dried them with a hair drier! Probably cause the H&S people to have a fit - but you need to do what you need to do. And don’t be shy if you have a visitor ask them to help you get one pair off and new ones on!

Make sure your crockery and any cooking pots you might need is easy to get at - you don’t want to be bending or stretching.

Your pre-op assessment should cover most other things.

Do as much pre op exercises as you can - plenty on line if you have already got some - they really do help recovery.

Good luck.

[Judym in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for your helpful advice.One of my worries is that it seems apart from a covid test I may have to have preop consultation via phone.I just feel that I dont know enough about what's going to happen both on the day and after,its difficult to take everything in from leaflets received through the post !

[DorsetLady in reply to Judym]

That’s true. Must admit our local hospital was very good with information regarding knee replacement surgery.

Might help - dchft.nhs.uk/patients/patie...

[Judym in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for that, very useful and informative, I've had no such info from orthopaedics but I'm wondering if that's because I'm having it done at the local private hospital because of the pandemic -that being said the ensuite rooms and food are very good , I had a hysterectomy there too!

[DorsetLady in reply to Judym]

I may depend on the hospital concerned - but I had hip replaced in private hospital last year (under NHS) and did get similar info. Didn’t stay in long - recovered very quickly - but was nice while I did!

But I do have to say, had shoulder replaced this year in February in same NHS hospital that I linked to you - and the information was much more scant.....which I thought was odd.

[Batty1 in reply to Judym]

Can you get home healthcare help, even if its only for a few hours a day?

[katieoxo60]

Hello Judym, I just came through five weeks post op, wish I could say it was fun but it was not. No one should have to face this time alone especially the firsts two weeks. not only was I immobile there were other things like toilet arrangements, answering the front door, meals, washing , dressing, do you have a bed downstairs? a commode or toilet downstairs. Do you have transport to get you to physio a fournight after op are you well enough to travel a two hour journey to hospital after the op? thats just a few obstacles for those alone. I survivied but my leg is still not normal as I cannot straighten it yet and have been told it will take longer than six weeks to get better. Hope you get better care than I did at the hospital who did it. Every best wish for a good recovery and care according to circumstances., Best wishes and good luck

[Judym in reply to katieoxo60]

Thank you for your concern, I can't help but feel this is going to be pretty challenging during lockdown. I am wondering if I'm being foolhardy to accept the appointment, I am however fairly fit swimming 40 lengths 3 or 4 times a week until the pool closed again and on days when I can't swim I try to cycle to keep my grating joint mobile!

[katieoxo60 in reply to Judym]

Hello again Judym. You sound fairly fit, for me that was not the case but I was still treated as fit. Don't get me wrong the hospital care was good including nurses to tend most needs as quickly as possible. Its the aftercare & discharge I wasn't even made aware that Age UK and adult social care do this I just found out this week. I was told I had to arrange all my own transport and aftercare to spite being registered disabled and living alone. Fortunately I was able to get Ambulance Transport to Physio due to my immobility. The number I was given for voluntary transport drivers was not available in fact I tried all five in my area and all came up with this number has a problem on the line, I presume due to coronavirus. If your date is not till later this month you should be fine as this lock down may end on 2 December. But things are not normal as yet, so be prepared for hitches. Now I have an appointment for next week presume its to discharge me even though my leg wont straighten. The details on TKR on line say twelve weeks recovery not 6. Do take care and resume swimming as soon as you can as that helps the joints. Many people do recover quicker especially if fit before hand. Do keep us up dated on your progress if the op proceeds. Thanks for your reply sorry to share my difficulties with you , I was fairly mobile from day one with a frame sort of a good & bad mixture of experiences.

[Tonyland]

I had knee replacement in March of this year. I was able to walk up my stairs to my bedroom that same evening.

Now, I must mention that I am 46 but prior to surgery I was not very mobile due to my knee pain.

[Judym in reply to Tonyland]

That sounds very positive ,I'm a lot older (70) but do exercise regularly ,the stairs are my real worry but I do have a downstairs cloakroom so once downstairs I'll be set for the day. I've been allocated a local private hospital due to the pandemic, I think I may be allowed to stay in a little longer for more physio if needed since I live alone and am not in a bubble!

[Tonyland in reply to Judym]

I think you will be just fine. I was afraid and very much thought that I would have to live on the first level for a few weeks. I was completely shocked in the ease of movement.

If you can stay however, that would be a good idea as well. Nice to have someone around as well as someone to monitor.

[Sjhoney]

Hi, I had a KR back in January and found the rehabilitation much easier than folk had said it would be. You will be pretty mobile by the time you’re allowed home and they give you sticks rather than crutches which are much easier to handle. After a week or so I was walking about with my sticks in my hand but not actually using them 😄

Good luck with the op!

Sarah x

[Judym in reply to Sjhoney]

Thank you so much for that , it's very reassuring !I was beginning to think I'd be better off putting up with the pain after reading some of the responses.I think I'm fairly fit and am determined to keep up with the exercises etc and hope to have the other one done as well in due course.Will let you know how I get on!

Judith

[Sjhoney in reply to Judym]

You’re welcome!

I’m 58 and was mobile, altho in pain, right up to my op which I think makes a big difference. Positive mental attitude helps too 😊👍