PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

[girli1111]

I’ve been told today that I need a partial knee replacement. I’d be grateful for any hints and tips from

Anyone who has experienced this, particularly in terms of preparation and recovery.

thanks

[Fruitandnutcase]

Someone in my Pilates class has just had her second knee done. First time round she just used ice packs that she froze herself then I told her about Koolpacks from Amazon but were heavy for packing in holiday luggage then for this knee she found out that you can hire an ice machine. They are easy to find if you Google for them, they aren’t cheap but it made a massive difference to her recovery. She also used it while she did her physio. Physio - it is really, really important to do your physio. She also saw a physio privately for some extra exercises.

She went on a holiday after her first knee and that involved walking on cobbled streets which was a very bad idea. She also had a lot of visitors over a few weekends and that was a very bad idea too. So rest is good too.

Without having had the op myself I’d say get yourself as fit as you can before you have it, do all your exercises afterwards and if you can, rent an ice machine for a few weeks afterwards. My friend extended her loan.

Another friend who had both knees replaced swore by his Nordic walking poles - he got them before he had his operations - his physiotherapist approved of him using them too - they take a lot of the weight off your knees and hips and they are good for balance. You can get a starter class to learn how to use them correctly or I’m sure you can see what to do somewhere on YouTube , they are not the same as walking sticks.

I’m sure others will come along with a list of helpful gadgets, like trolleys and a bag that you can put round your neck to carry things you use every day like your phone.

[girli1111 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thankyou, that’s a really helpful reply

[Madmusiclover]

I was told because I have RA I can’t have a partial: new kneecap. Have to have TKR. Expecting to hire the ice machine that wraps round your knee during recovery. Already got two new hips.

[girli1111 in reply to Madmusiclover]

That’s interesting. I wonder why? The orthopaedic consultant who saw me today was fully aware of me having RA.

[Madmusiclover in reply to girli1111]

He’s not the only consultant to have told me this.

[girli1111 in reply to Madmusiclover]

Did they tell you why?

[Madmusiclover in reply to girli1111]

Not really but it’s to do with progression of RA I think and the likelihood of it degrading rest of knee joint. The rest of my knee joint is not great (but not enough in itself for new knee just yet) so I’m happy to get a TKR at this point.

[Pjf0265]

I had a partial knee replacement 8 years ago - best thing ever - just do all the exercises they give you and rest when you need to too

I am actually awaiting a total knee replacement on the same knee as the osteoarthritis had made things worse and the surgeon said best to replace the whole knee than do several repairs !

In the last three months I have been diagnosed with RA and now on methotrexate and folic acid ! Good days and not so good but just got to learn to pace myself

[girli1111 in reply to Pjf0265]

Thanks for reply. Hope you get the right meds for your RA journey!

[grumpygirl]

I had a partial knee replacement a year ago yesterday. I had it done in the same hospital as my Rhuemy team as I was warned that many surgeons will not do Partials on RA patients as they think it is a waste of time. However my team was in dialogue with the surgeons who were quite happy that where RA is well controlled a partial is perfectly appropriate, heals more quickly and often gives a greater range of movement. Because my knee had deteriorated over a long period my joint had adapted by turning inward and it was this that caused the most issues afterwards, not the joint itself which healed quickly. My tendons and ligaments had to be reminded of the new correct positioning and I needed a lot of physio to achieve that. Even now I have an ache in my hamstring this morning as I walked 10 miles yesterday. The knee itself is absolutely fine. So the moral is do your physio religiously. Even now twice a week I do my exercises. If I stop I can feel it within a few weeks. Ditto yoga which helps keep things stretching and mobile. I was an active person before and I am an active person now but you do need to be prepared to put the work in to get the most out of it. Good Luck!

[girli1111 in reply to grumpygirl]

Thank you. I printed out some pre op exercise sheets yesterday and started them this morning. I will absolutely invest my time into making a success of this

[Madmusiclover]

This has proved educational! I’ll have a word with my chap on July 11. Tbh my other knee is grim too, but not as well diagnosed as to what the problem is!

[girli1111 in reply to Madmusiclover]

After your reply I did some googling. It seems there’s a possibility that a full replacement may be needed after partial replacement but a recent study found this was no more likely in RA patients than in the control group without RA. Your specialist will have seen your imaging and I’m sure every case is different. My cartilage is totally worn on the inside of my right knee but there’s still a good space on the outside. I was told that my left knee is ‘a few years behind. That’s from X-ray only - I’m having an mri this afternoon to get a more detailed picture. I’m sure that eventually there will need to be more surgery for me…..

[Madmusiclover in reply to girli1111]

Yes. I think I’d rather bite the full bullet! Both knees are going the same way as both hips did and as for my left ankle….

[girli1111 in reply to Madmusiclover]

Sorry to hear that, best of luck

[Doodlereggie]

Hi I had a total knee replacement 7 years ago,and best thing I ever did as no more pain,best bit of me!As others said painkillers,ice ice ice and exercises every day.Two tricks I was shown was when first having to lift leg out of bed,use a belt or scarf etc to support leg round ankle area and lower gently to ground,much better than just dropping leg initially.The other thing was put a plastic sandwich type bag on foot when trying to put green stocking on as it makes it slide on better and then when on leg just slide bag out.Otherwise it is a real struggle to get stocking over foot!!Silly things but very useful.My doctor said take meds 4 times a day regularly,and don’t be brave and try and go without!I live alone,so stayed with my son for first week,but couldn’t wait to get home again!Was all nothing to be worried about.Also went back to Harlow Hospital for 3-4 weeks for group physio so was lovely to catch up with friends made in ward!Ggod Luck xx

[girli1111 in reply to Doodlereggie]

that’s very encouraging, thank you

[HeadInASpin]

My mum had a complex total knee replacement eight weeks ago and she had someone staying with her for two weeks when she came home. She had an epidural and, although she was awake for the surgery, she was sedated. Advice given already is great. We bought two packs of cheap frozen peas…used one in an old pillow case, whilst the other was freezing. Iced for 20 mins on the front of the knee then the same at the back. Very cost effective way of always having an ice pack available. As others have said it’s imperative to do the physio, even though it will be extremely painful at first. My mum is now able to walk around the house with no walking aid and uses one crutch when she goes outside. My mum’s operation was a major one as the knee had subluxed (partial dislocation) so fingers crossed your surgery should be more straightforward and you’ll be back on your feet in no time. Good luck x

[JAC1947]

Hi

I had a partial knee replacement 11weeks ago. Bit of a shock to the system but getting through it. I live in Bucks and their care has been excellent. They supplied stuff to go round the loo, a walker and crutches. Also sent me home with ice strap which you keep in the fridge, not freezer. They also sent me home with morphine and tramadol, a horrible drug and avoid if you can. My GP prescribed high strength co-codamol which was better. Initially for the first few days you will be in pain, it does get easier. If you do not live on your own keep phone handy so you can text for tea and sandwiches!

Like previous people the post op exercises are painful but must be done. Also get together a small carrier bag when home for your phone, tablet, chargers, meds, exercise instructions and your everyday bits and bobs. You can load up each day and night, makes life a bit easier as all in one place. Had to wear the socks and inject for two weeks after. I now walk around the house unaided and take crutch or stick when I go out.

Keep positive and tho it will hurt for a while, it will get better as my friends who had their knees keep telling me. Good luck and check out some good films.

Kind Regards

Jane

[girli1111 in reply to JAC1947]

Thank you, that’s helpful - I like the bag idea! Is it hard to get the circulation sock on the leg with the new knee?

[JAC1947 in reply to girli1111]

Bit of a struggle at first but put your foot in and try to roll up the sock. Practice made perfect! You may need help at first.

[JAC1947]

Me again

My husband bought me a chair for the shower which made life a lot easier for the first 2/3 weeks. I think he got it on Amazon well worth it as you can wash your hair and body safely.