Hi there . I've had lymphoedema in my legs for the last twenty five years and have now developed arthritis in both hips and both knees for about the last three years . I was referred to a specialist for potential hip and knee replacements but told the following information . They said that the main intention of any replacement surgery was to firstly remove the pain of the arthritis and secondly to regain movement in that joint and limb . My consultant felt that the lymphoedema could make me very high risk of the wound not healing or of getting infection and on my very bad left leg then they wouldn't consider it . As I also had a constant element of pain already from my lymphoedema taking the risk of surgery wouldn't give me full benefit .

I have recently had another flare up of my arthritis in my better right leg which resulted in a locked knee which caused excruciating pain and very little movement in the whole leg . It has taken about three months for me to get this leg any where near normal where I can weight bear on it . During this time I saw physics who gave me very easy excercises to do to strengthen the muscle above my knee cap . This involved lying flat and pulling the toes of my right leg upwards towards my body whilst trying to push my knee cap down . This causes the muscle above the knee to tighten and then release as you lower the toes . I've built up the number of times that I can do this now and try to maximise it at about thirty bends at a time . I also do excercises where I put a cushion under my knee and clench the top part of my outer thigh and buttock and this helps . Finally I lift my leg straight in the air and try to hold it for a few seconds . Circling the ankles also helps . These are very simple excercises that can be done anytime that you have a few minutes and I've found them really beneficial .

Finally I'd say make use of your walking aids . I'm a very young minded person in my early sixties who didn't want to go down the road of being reliant on anything but I've learnt the hard way that you are better being sensible . I use an arm crutch rather than a stick as I find that this gives me more support than a stick and I bought one off the Internet in bright turquoise !! I keep it in my car and use it whenever my legs are feeling extra tired . I also have a modern looking wheelchair that I take all over the world with me . I use it for distance walking . Most of the time at the moment I push it myself and use it as a walking aid . If I get tired I stop and sit in it for a while as I find standing quite difficult . My husband before his death then used to push me back when I got tired . Now that I'm on my own I still use it but I just can't go as far. I've learnt not to worry about what I think people must think of me . If it helps me to get through the day then I'll use anything that I need .

During my recent knee licking experience the consultant I saw at a different hospital said that he wouldn't necessarily rule out surgery on my better leg so I think it's worth getting expert opinions . Whether I would totally be able to take the chance of the surgery is another matter having experienced how ill I was previously from an infection i. I wish you all the best however .

Have you been referred to a Lymphoedema Clinic? If not you must make a fuss to be seen at one. Also, contact the LSN (contact details are on this page somewhere) and speak to one of their advisors - they have articles and leaflets they can send you about exercise and surgery.

No such thing as I can't. Try and build up your walking time. I was in agony and had visions of becoming disabled and completely dependent on others. I hated the thought. I walk every day and now can walk for half an hour. I also have an exercise bike at home. I began with 20 secs and can now do 15 minutes. - I was advised to cycle by a lymphedema specialist - both arms and legs are affected.

As Lynora says please contact the Lymphoedema Support Network lymphoedema.org . As well as a website they have a telephone help line. They have information on operations in affected lymphoedema areas. I have primary lymphoedema in both legs/ feet as does my sister (& one of my brothers). Both my sister and I have had our bunions done, on both feet. In my case I was put on antibiotics for 2 weeks before the operation and kept on them until my wounds had fully healed. The main risk was infection / cellulitis but all was fine. The other issue was the fact I couldn't wear my compression garments while recovering. All settled down to my normal pretty quickly, though. My sister's swelling (in her worst leg) took longer to get back to her normal size but it did.

Thank you all who replied to my post re my knee op. you've been very helpful and reassuring about this with regard to how to get over the problems with my lymphoedema. I feel more hopeful now that I may be able to manage both problems. Thank goodness for this site - it makes it so much easier to get info. straight from the horses mouth as it were. Again, thank you and I hope all goes well with your individual problems.