Post op full knee replacement questions

[Divasong]

I had total knee replacement 11 days ago. What exercises should I be doing? Knee is v swollen, v painful! I'm trying to walk little bits throughout the day with crutches. Bending the knee is agony due to swelling.Seeing physio end of next week. They didn't give me any exercises when leaving hospital. It looked a little red yesterday like it might be a bit infected so the gp gave me antibiotics for a week. Any advise on exercises, swelling etc? Thanks.

[DorsetLady]

This link gives full details, and is similar to what I received when I left hospital after mine.

Your hospital was remiss in not giving you some exercises covering time between discharge and seeing physio.

uhs.nhs.uk/Media/UHS-websit...

As it’s swollen, try icing- bag of frozen peas or two [wrapped in a small lightweight towel] fits around knee …

Bit more info in this post penned on another forum. ..but you should be able to read -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

Try gentle exercise

Try gentle exercising… little and often. , but don’t push too much, too soon.

[MarmiteLover1 in reply to DorsetLady]

I would have thought it was almost unheard of to not be given physiotherapy after this op!

[DorsetLady in reply to MarmiteLover1]

Almost unheard of -but I was discharged 36 hours after my hip replacement so I didn’t get any in hospital, but plenty of info and exercises to do at home.

Slightly longer after knee - so did see physio on ward -plenty of info to come home with as well the icing equipment used on ward.

Shoulder - little info compared to others, but still info booklet with exercises. Unfortunately no physio (apart from 1st appointment) as Covid lockdown came in a few weeks after discharge.

[MarmiteLover1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes, she may not have actually done the exercises in the hospital, to be fair, as she was discharged quickly. She walked with crutches around her housing estate twice a day and also did exercises she was given. I do remember he saying that the arthritis forum she was on included some people saying they regretted not doing the exercises assiduously though as they felt it it had put them at a disadvantage. All interesting stuff as I might need such as op at some point!

[MarmiteLover1 in reply to DorsetLady]

I was in touch with my MP regularly at that time about lack of care for chronic diseases and those in pain. Eye examinations were cancelled for those with glaucoma etc., and dentists didn't try and save teeth, just pulled them. All these could have been kept going with the will and organisation. He raised the dentist situation in Parliament and in June they were grudgingly allowed to reopen.

[Divasong in reply to DorsetLady]

This is such a great help thank you so much!

[Runrig01]

The focus in the early days is getting the knee straight, so don’t be tempted to put pillows or rolled up towels under the knee. I can’t believe you were discharged with no physio. Did you not get exercises in the days after surgery? The main ones you want to do are straight leg raises, keeping leg straight lift it off the bed, then slowly lower and repeat 10 times. The other is with leg supported on a bed or sofa, with leg straight push your knee down into the bed and hold for 5, repeat 10 times.

Ice therapy is very good, if you don’t have special gel packs, frozen peas are excellent, but only do for a maximum of 20 mins every 2-4hrs to reduce the swelling. If you get swelling down try bending your knee. When resting keep your leg elevated, ideally above heart level, to help reduce swelling. I worked as an orthopaedic nurse for 30yrs, and have never heard of a patient being discharged without physio. If you don’t work at getting the knee straight, you will end up with a permanent limp, and possibly further surgery called MUA - manipulation under anaesthetic, to break adhesions. Also do the exercises little and often rather than lots just once or twice a day.

[Divasong in reply to Runrig01]

They told me about pushing the leg into the bed to straighten the knee and told me to bend it but that's it. I have an appt to see a physio later this week but I just worried about not doing enough in the early stages. It's so swollen I can't bend the knee much at all. Using ice packs. The thigh is so tender and I have hip pain too. I didn't get an exercise sheet. They discharged me at 8pm at night which was ridiculous as I then had to navigate getting into my home in the dark. Thanks for all the advice I appreciate it.

[MarmiteLover1 in reply to Divasong]

We don't have a car so if that happens to me I'll just ask them where they will let me sit until morning.

[MarmiteLover1]

A pal had one a few years ago. She was given exercises - I think - before she left hospital or shortly after. Intensive physiotherapy is vital for a while so that the operation is successful, she was told. She was very assiduous in doing physio and hence for back to driving and work quite quickly. Her ma had the operation and didn't fare as well as she only did the exercises when my pal was with her.

[MarmiteLover1]

I'd chase for physio - big time...

[Divasong in reply to MarmiteLover1]

Thanks. I'm seeing one this week. Hope you're friend recovered well.

[MarmiteLover1 in reply to Divasong]

She did indeed and would go for a second one if required.

[DorsetLady in reply to MarmiteLover1]

So would I. I rarely think about knee [2018] hip [2019] at all.. Shoulder [2020] is a bit troublesome, but that due to a damaged rotator cuff not the actually replacement …and doesn’t impact much to be honest. And I went to Pilates before each op, and as soon as I could afterwards…

[MarmiteLover1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Same here with rotator cuff! Twisted shoulder getting off train at Victoria 🙄

[DorsetLady in reply to MarmiteLover1]

Think mine was too many cortisol injections by GP for a “frozen shoulder” that wasn’t! - GCA unfortunately…. (Giant Cell Arteritis if you’re not sure) …

[katieoxo60]

I am very shocked that no exercise was given or details of suitable exercises. I commenced exercises straight away in the hospital and was sent home two days after op with follow up home physio , it sounds very remiss of the hospital you attended for this. Most of the exercises are to be done in small doses immediately after op, they usually dope you up so the pain is less Gp s are not normally involved in the after care. Keep icing the swelling if only with a bag of frozen peas. twenty minutes at a time but wrap in a towel. Where you given pain control tablets and things for constipation caused by the pain relief tablets? The exercises are only light ones at first and your leg may be bruised. You need a rolled up towel under your knee to do the exercises.its not easy but do try and it is usually painful for quite some time but the exercises do help, I speak from experience.

[Divasong in reply to katieoxo60]

The hospital experience had its down sides. I was in agony and due to shortage of staff had to wait 3 hours for my meds one night, I was crying my eyes out. The pain meds didn't work enough but they wouldn't listen. Physio saw me and said i was in too much pain to do anything, we'd try the following day. They got me walking in the hall a small bit and next day i got up and down stairs. They said they would give me a sheet of exercises but i didn't get any. There was no advice given on what i should do at home. After I got home late at night, I contacted my gp the following day who tried me on a different opioid which finally gave me some relief. It gets worse at night I find. I'm walking on the crutches inside the house, short walks but often, and have started some of the exercises someone posted on here. I can't lift the leg yet. It's all v bruised and I'm on antibiotics as we think there might be a small infection. Had a suppository in hospital which sorted that out!

I was just concerned that I wouldn't have done enough, or done the right things and that it might slow down my recovery. Thanks for your comments.

[DorsetLady in reply to Divasong]

You can only do what you can do, and not everyone’s experience of treatment and personal healing is the same.

Fortunately I heal very quickly, but my late husband always had issues with any wound…. He always maintained it because he was redhead…😳.

[Divasong in reply to DorsetLady]

I used to be a redhead 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[DorsetLady in reply to Divasong]

Maybe that why you are having problems then 😊… I had an auntie who was as well, and she always complained about healing..

Hubby was in armed forces for over 20 years… so not really very sensible - good job he didn’t put it to the test then.. 😂🤣

[katieoxo60 in reply to Divasong]

Sounds like you have had an unsuppotive experience, I had to beg for pain relieve although it was agreed I could have extra. I think at night it gets worse , I had nurses come to the house for 12 days to check it was healing correctly and add new exercises. Once I was mobile on crutches hospital physio was commenced. Glad your Gp gave you some opioids good luck with your recovery, by the way your Gp can print exercises for this of his computer.

[Divasong in reply to katieoxo60]

Sorry you had such bad pain too. You were lucky they came to visit you. It was my understanding someone would phone the day after I came home, but not a dickie bird. I'm on a mission now to get back to fitness. Thank goodness I lost 4 stone before the op or I dread to think what state I'd be in now! I'm not doing the other knee!🤣

[katieoxo60 in reply to Divasong]

That is a brilliant weight loss Divasong, I am overweight too but exercise only helps a little as my health and age stop heavy exercise but I lost 4k and am managing to stay stable. Do hope your weight does not go up after all your hard work to lose it, heres to you feeling a bit better and more mobile in time for christmas. Take care on the wet floors outdoors and beware ice now colder nights are here. I feel a little like you disenclined to have another lower limb op.Stay warm and virus free if possible.

[MarmiteLover1 in reply to Divasong]

Ah yes, I'm very glad I've kept my weight the same as it was when I was in my 20s as I now understand every extra pound of excess weight adds four pounds' worth of extra pressure to the knees. Who knew! 😧

[Bluebell999]

Are you able to go to a swimming pool? Not necessarily to do gentle swimming, (although it is helpful), but to stay by the edge and do general excersises, like leg lifts and bends. Walking through the water helps, although you may feel a little wobbly at first. The water helps support your knee, and you can make up your own movements to gently bend, straighten and even slightly squat when you are up to it.

I was lucky enough to be given hydrotherapy which helped.

You will probably reach a point when you wonder if having the knee done was worth it. It was, it just means you begrudge the things you can't do yet. Be patient, you will get there. x

[MarmiteLover1 in reply to Bluebell999]

Local Hydrotherapy pool closed 'due to Covid' 🤔 and if they won't reopen it I'll get onto my local health trust.

[Bluebell999 in reply to MarmiteLover1]

Is there a local pool which has a gentle slope or concrete steps to enter? Perhaps your local primary school where their children practice swimming lessons? The water tends to be warmer there too.

My local pool is quite small, but used for swimming lessons for all ages so is practical. Every Monday, (when there are not swimming lessons) there is a special session for those with mobility problems. I found there were plenty of older people doing their own exercises, or swimming gently. It was good because we all had op scars, lumps and bumps and were very considerate to each other, no jumping in from the side, or splashing!!

Could you go with a friend, you are bound to have fun and it will certainly lift your spirits.!!