Scared

[Laceygreen]

I'm having a total knee replacement in September and my knee is ok at the moment, so I'm thinking of cancelling as I'm so scared

[jillab]

Hi,I've had a total hip replacement, and hubby has had a total knee replacement, and neither of us can believe the difference it has made for both of us, I still hobble a bit after being on my feet for a long time but have no pain at all, put the hobble down to my age, but hubby who is also 71 is so different it is unbelievable, honestly his leg used to cause him so much pain and was turning out at the knee looked like a large c shape, and caused him so much pain, but now he is running around like a spring chicken. He did exercise it a lot after the op. which I won't cover up it did make him ache, at first but boy was it worth it. Once the stitches or staples come out ours were after 10 days it feels a lot better, and when it has healed completely I would recommend using bio oil, massaged in morning and night on the scar, it doesn't leave you oily as it sinks right into the skin, it really does help and you can hardly see our scars now. So I would definately say go ahead with your op. By the way we both had a session of it stopping hurting and then pain came back with a vengance so don't be fooled. Go for it, for a couple of weeks being sore you will have years pain free. What hospital will you be going to? We were both done at Weston super Mare.

[Laceygreen in reply to jillab]

Thank you for that,I'm having my op done at the spire hospital in Cheshire,it's private but having it done under Nhs ,I'm 58 and wondering if I should put it off for a few years

[jillab in reply to Laceygreen]

I would go for it myself.

[Hidden in reply to Laceygreen]

I'm 61 & have just had my other knee done 5 years a go, so don't worry about the age thing the best is to get it sorted.

I won't say that I'm without pain but my RA is still active & so I still feel pain & discomfort.

I had my first knee done privately at a Spire hospital & it was fantastic, both care & the food were good. This last one was done under the NHS & wasn't nearly so good.

[victoriablue]

Hi I cancelled mine for the same reason. Since then I am now under a new doctor who had told me it's not a knee I need it's genetic. I now go back every 6 months for X-rays going again 3/7. He did say there could be a op that will help on the side of the knee holding the bones apart.

Any one else had this ? Just as scared lol

[Judetheobscure]

Hi, exactly the same thing happened to me when I was due to have my first knee replacement but I was very glad I went ahead with it and the other knee a year or so later. I understand there may be a better outcome if not left too long. The thought of It is scary but it can make quite a difference to your mobility. The period of pain and discomfort is relatively short - making sure you follow the exercises achieves the best results. May be you could talk this through with your consultant to determine whether it would make a great deal of difference if you did put it off for a few years.

[Hidden]

The other thing is to try & build up the muscles before so that you'rein the best fitness level before the op. I bought an exercise bike to help for afterwards, I walked a lot & went to hydro - good luck!

[bluetit33]

hi, I too have had both knees replaced, one, the r side, has been since 1992, and is still working wonderfully, the left leg, I have had 2 replacements, and while it does not bend quite as much as before, works well and above all NO PAIN. please do not be scared my replacement knee in 92 when I was 52. hope this of help. good luck to you

[farm123]

I think our minds block out or at least tone down the memory of the times when we have been in a lot of pain and discomfort. Try and remember back to then and why you went down the route of knee replacement. If it is RD you have it can vary so much and there is no telling what you will be like in 1 months time yet alone 3 months so please don't be in too much of a rush to cancel.

[trianon]

I had both my knees replaced, at same time, in 1996 (I was 39). I agree with previous comments, just because your knee feels okay now it doesn't mean it will tomorrow, let alone next month! Talk to your surgeon, he won't do it if you're not sure. I didn't really have a choice as I was in such a bad way - to be honest the pain the first couple of days post op is pretty bad (much worse than hip replacements - which I've also had both done!) but once you start exercising its amazing. I remember being given some exercises to do before the op to strengthen muscles too.When I think back to the pain I was in prior to the replacements its scary - well worth a few days pain post op. Take pain relief as and when too. Good luck whatever you decide.

[wiseEagle]

There must be a reason why u need a knee replacement. I know u will need help...that is for sure. Do u have help lined up?

[lab-lover]

Nothing to be scared of....I chose to just have the epidural thing, so was awake all of the time...if you have that rather than full anaesthetic, recovery is a lot quicker.

[joan_w]

I had a total knee replacement last January and I know how you feel. I had met as many people who said it was the worst thing they had done as ones who said it was great. I was convinced I would come out worse than before the op.

I had the operation as I was in so much pain and for me it was fantastic. Not half as bad as I had imagined and the recovery was good. I now cannot tell that I have a `false' knee, it feels so natural - and no pain! I can move it as much as my other knee.

I am having the other knee replaced on 18th July and just hope it goes as well.

I am so pleased that I did not back out of the operation. It has made such a difference to my life to not have the terrible pain in that knee and hopefully when the other knee is done I will be totally pain free in my knees.