new knee

[8124]

hi I have quite a few of health problems to many to mention for now but right now I am facing a new right knee replacement op, surgeon tells me it is longer recovery time compared to the hip replacement which was 18 months back and will still give some pain for the foreseeable future and will not be able to kneel down on it, any advice or comments would be useful. Thanks, Neil J

[Hidden]

I know someone who has had a knee replacement earlier in the year, is very pleased with the pain relief from having it, couldn't kneel anyway and is keen to have the other done. Another friend had one under spinal block 10 days ago. It has been more painful than she expected, but then pain relief wasn't managed well. If you go for it just ensure you have what you need for pain relief at home. None of this 'i'll be fine' attitude! All the best.

[Jarme]

Hi 8124,

I had a Ltkr on June 21,2018! Before the operation I was using a walker and could barely walk! This operation has given me my life back! Listen to your surgeon and physical therapists! I haven’t knelt down on mine yet! Wishing you all the best with your surgery!

[Lematt]

Hi. I had a knee replacement last December and am absolutely delighted, what a difference a year has made. This time last year I could hardly walk as my knee had collapsed to one side, now I’m straight and can walk so much better and with no pain. It true that a knee replacement is more painful than a hip ( had mine done 16 years ago) but if you take your pain meds and do your exercises religiously you should have a good outcome.

All the best for your op.

[oldtimer]

My sister has had both knees replaced - she got back to playing social tennis (that is - not competitive) after several months of having each done. She had first one and a couple of years later, the other. But she was very fit beforehand!

[ROBERT_CARMICHAEL]

I had my right osteoarthritic knee replaced some 5 weeks ago and can walk over a mile now without any problem. The knee is still quite swollen but otherwise no problems. A very good result!

[MissMinto]

Hi Neil,

I've had both knees replaced, first one two years ago and then a year later the other. In short the operations were life-changing - I went from being a lame, sofa-bound blob to someone who can walk around freely with no problems at all.

I won't lie, it's not exactly a walk in the park (sorry, couldn't resist) as it's a pretty invasive operation and tougher than hip replacement post-operatively for the main reason that the hip is a straightforward ball and socket joint, but the knee is a more complicated hinge set- up. BUT when you're in constant pain and unable to walk, it's a no-brainer.

I had mine done in a specialist unit that only does joint replacements, so all post-operative care was totally specialised and excellent. So much progress has been made in both anaesthetics and pain relief - I didn't have a general anaesthetic and this helps you recover more quickly.

If you follow their instructions properly about maintaining adequate pain relief so that you don't get 'break-through' pain it is all very manageable. No point in trying to be a martyr to pain and brave it out - you need good pain relief because they will have you up and about on the day of surgery (if your op is done in the morning) or at the latest, the next day, to start on physio, which is absolutely vital to your recovery.

How quickly you are discharged depends on how long it takes for you to master going up and down about six stairs with your crutches (guided by the physio) and time it takes for you to produce the all-important post-operative poo.

You'll have to wear compression knee-high socks for six weeks, and do an anti-clotting injection into your tummy daily for about three weeks I think.

For me, I noticed big improvements in three 6s - six days, six weeks and six months after the ops.

I don't know where you are geographically, but anyone can opt to go where I did - it is both a private and NHS centre of excellence, it just happened to be very near to where I live and my GP referred me there through the NHS Choose & Book scheme.

This is their website which has a lot more info about what to expect:

eoc.nhs.uk

Good luck in whatever you decide to do X