hi had a meniscus op repair for torn cartlidge 2007 and have all sorts of problems since, with by right knee, swelling so much with walking and can’t stand in one position for long, and have a bakers cyst swelling pouch on the back crease of knee which is painful.
my left leg has carried the right for years now as I have to limp when it swells up so bad as won’t bend. Now the good knee has started also has the swelling at back and pain of bakers cyst
Already Had injections painkillers antiflamatry gels etc, referred to physio and waited 12 months for my apt last week. As Iv tried everything I’m now being referred to consultant and she said next step knee replacement.
just wanted to ask anyone how painful it is and how long to recover until as normal a can be, she said crutches and walking aids for 6 weeks and recovery would be ongoing for 12 months tia x
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Nat107
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I haven’t had my knee replaced, but worked for many years as a ward sister on an elective orthopaedic ward. Knees are notoriously more painful than hips. The people who do best, are those who do the exercises prior to surgery, so they are starting off in a better place. This is just the he straight leg raises, as well as sitting with kegs outstretched and pushing knee into the bed. It is a long slow recovery, usually your in hospital for around 3 days, cans generally most are discharged on crutches. The knee does tend to swell badly after surgery, so it’s important to use ice to reduce swelling and allow you to continue exercises. Otherwise it can stiffen quite quickly. It’s also important never to put pillows or rolled up towel under the knee, as it’s imperative to get the knee straight early, to prevent you having a permanent limp. It’s not unusual to need your knee manipulating under anaesthetic, to free adhesions from lack of exercise.
Basically with knee replacements, you get out of it, what you put in. You are usually invited to an information day, where therapists go through the exercises, discuss aids to buy in etc. Nurses will usually talk you through the day to day expectations whilst in hospital.
have a look at this post [on another forum but should be able read okay] - and the video re TKR -
Agree with Runrig01 knees can be more difficult to recover from [having had knee, hip and shoulder done] - or maybe it was because it was my first replacement- but if you do the exercises and keep icing it, especially early days it will be fine.
Hi Nat107 I had exactly the same problem when I had an arthroscopy for torn cartilage back in 2001 but it left my knee vulnerable and after developing osteoarthritis in it eventually had a half knee replacement in 2019 and it was amazing! Felt so good to be able to walk again- it does take a few months to recuperate from and you have to br REALLY motivated to do the post surgery exercises but you will be given pain relief for as long as you need it. Please don’t hesitate to go ahead as you won’t regret it
A pal, late 50s, had a total knee replacement and recovered fast because she followed the physio to the letter - but when she read the forums they were full of people saying it hadn't gone so well as they'd not been so assiduous. Many cautionary tales.
I would look at knee replacement as a improvement to what your currently suffering with as with any surgery you will hurt for a while …. My sister was walking bone on bone with bone cracks and she had knee replaced and was walking within a week and within 2 months she felt great … she is getting her other knee done on the 5th of next month … she is excited to live pain free!
I too am bone on bone both knees but no great pain. I too have Baker's cysts and they can ache in the small hours (they pick their time) but respond well to Voltarol gel at that time. I too have been condemned to TKR and it is frankly a brutal operation and I have huge reservations. Although my walking is limited, and I cannot crouch and stairs are difficult, I willl continue with my physio exercises until and unless I am in great pain. But, I have now heard of lateral approach surgery for TKR, which if offered to me I would accept as it has nothing like the extended and extensive intervention of frontal surgery. Look it up.
Thank you very much you said exactly same as me, I use volturol gel also, and massage the knee swelling both back bakers cyst and frontal as when that swells I limp, I have not been able to bend or crouch since having my cartlidge tear repaired and thought that would solve my problem but just made it into another problem, swelling and limping no bending followed that, that’s why I’m so apprehensive about having the operation taking the risk. I did actually say no to physio as any strenuous movement causes the swelling to start again and then limping etc
One comment on physio - I book courses of massage at a local private physio which helps the mobility of the knees and breaks down some of the inflammation, also is a boost to morale, and she recommended exercises tailor made for me which over time have improved the angles of bend and stretch even though they can be uncomfortable while I'm doing them.
You can get the fluid drained. Or, as happened to me, it burst on its own; pain shot down my leg, and I was on crutches for a couple of days. I think it needs drainig as it's impeding your ability to bend your knee.
Yes they offered that a few years ago but said it would fill up again and as mine swells on movement so it’s up and down depending how much I do or how much walking I do, doctor did say it would be painful if it burst the bakers cyst and might need to go hospital if that were to happen
So happy for you I have a lot of thinking to do now, I have so much planned fir 2024 being a big birthday my family have paid for lots of holidays celebrating and just scared now they will throw me off the books as such if I ask to delay it
Sorry I started replying then fell asleep 😄. I can’t really remember but I was up walking about v quickly, I would walk about carrying my stick instead of using it! I’d say 3/4 months walking confidently xx
Hi, sorry you have had so much pain in both knees, and now need surgery. I had mine new knee nearly a year ago now, and for me I'm pain free, still the odd ache and stiffness, but always I would recommend it. Yes it can be painfull, but each day is a step closer to less pain. Its an absolute must to do the exercise and to do all that the physio recommends. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Hi, I had a KR in 2020, just before lockdown. Folk told me the recovery was very hard and painful but I didn’t find this at all. As long as you keep up with the physio it’ll be fine. I feel it took a year/18mths to really bed in but it’s been totally life changing! Go for it and good luck 🤞 🥰👍
Sorry but mine is not a happy outcome. Had a tkr in 2018. The recovery was difficult. In hospital for 10 days due to bleeding (2 blood transfusions) and massive swelling. I’ve had 14 surgeries but this was far and away the most painful. I did the physio assiduously but without much benefit. Eventually had hydrotherapy which helped with my bend. 5 years down the line I can use my leg - my bend is 135 which is good - but I’m in constant pain. I have nerve pain the full length of my leg which never lets up and pain in the joint especially on stairs. Knowing what I know now I wouldn’t have had the surgery. My other knee is bone on bone but I won’t be having it done.
Look into the chances of a negative outcome. It is quite high. It’s up to you of course but my advice would be to put it off as long as you can.
I’m so very sorry to hear this, that’s awful and completely changed the quality of life for you in a negative way, this is my concern after my cartlidge tear repair, which helped with the locking and clicking but then started the fluid swelling which causes me to limp when it does, so hard now to make a decision just really don’t no, but I hope you can get help for your pain as not a good thing to suffer after all youv been through
I’m sorry to add to your dilemma. Hope you make the right decision for you and that you get a good outcome. These things are so life changing- if only we could see into the future. x
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