pre operation assessment- knee replacement

[TheBoys]

morning everyone

Has anyone had a knee replacement pre- op assessment recently in London

If so - did you meet your anaesthetist? surgeon? I m not keen on general anaesthetic to be honest

I m scheduled to have my knee done on November 8 but have only just tested negative for Covid having had a couple of bad infections since Summer. It feels a bit soon to be having surgery but I will raise it.

Moreover my RA has been out of control since Aug now and more pain isnt what am looking forward to as even typing this has caused me problems with my hand.

thanks

[AgedCrone]

Raise it now… if you are thinking of backing out, let your hospital have the chance to give the slot you have been allocated to another patient.

[TheBoys in reply to AgedCrone]

I ve just emailed them saying I don’t feel fit. Hopefully I ll get another chance.

[AgedCrone in reply to TheBoys]

That is kind of you…I m sure they will appreciate your action,

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Hi I had 2 diff op The anaesthetic saw me first time for couple mins more about the meds I was on then as going in for op outside theatre

The second time never seen them until ready to in for op outside theatre

Any concerns

I'd phone gp for an appointment and discuss etc

[TheBoys]

tnx. I ve just told hospital am not ready - I can’t even sit on a chair today as have so many aches so will have to hope for the future.

[TheBoys]

updated - I asked for a postponement. I ll hopefully get a new date when health is better.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA in reply to TheBoys]

Hopefully you get better soon to have op

[veg_c2000]

I had Covid in December last year and only tested negative about 4 days before Christmas. The pre-op assessment was 2nd Jan (blood tests, height, weight, blood pressure etc) followed by telephone call with anaesthetist. I told everyone about the Covid so had two more calls with anaesthetists to check my breathing . Got to the operating room mid-jan and was told by surgeon that NHS guidelines were NO elective surgery for 7 weeks post Covid (the surgeon did say that the guidelines hadn’t been updated since the pandemic, but that the Covid bug could stay dormant in throat/lungs for 7 weeks). I was royally p.o’d , particularly as getting work sorted out for 8 week recovery ….. Why did none of the 10 healthcare professionals I interacted with pre-surgery know this? Op was rescheduled to end of Feb.

Most knee replacements are done under a spinal with sedation (best sleep I’ve had in years). My understanding is that you are assessed as if having a general just in case they need to put you out. I’m in west London.

[Runrig01]

I think you made the right decision, someone else will benefit from that space, rather than be an expensive waste. I’ve worked in elective orthopaedics for many years, and it is extremely rare, to have it under general. Most have it under spinal and sedation. The bonus is no post op vomiting, and being on your feet as soon as your numbness wears off. Hopefully you get the flare under control, before you need to stop for the surgery.

[BunchOfFlowers]

I had a knee replacement last year and one the year before. I’m was terrified of general anaesthetic but more terrified of being semi awake! I saw the anaesthetist before the op to discuss options and of course as I was going into theatre. He was wonderful and I was so glad I had a general. In lockdown in 2020, I became allergic to methotrexate and had to stop taking it. By February 2021 I was all but paralysed. The pain was unbelievable I began leflunomide that year and it took a while to kick in. My knees were in a terrible state. I then had the ops. I have never in my life had such pain free knees. I’m 70. The rest of me has taken longer to recover from the year off mex as my knees were so bad if affected my shoulders and arms.

I had e-coli just before my first op and was in such a state but my goodness what a difference those knees make . And my mental health improved significantly when I came off methotrexate.

The initial couple of weeks after the op were painful when I walked on the knee but I never felt any pain otherwise . I hope things go well with you I found the NHS staff to be absolutely wonderful

I wish you all the best

[dippyd09]

I live in Scotland where most knee replacements are performed either epidural and sedative if that puts your mind at rest even a little. Have a word with with the staff at the pre assessment unit and tell them of your worries, they’ll explain everything to you. Ultimately it’s your decision.

[Nyreedw]

Most people have spinal and sedation for hip and knee replacement surgery now, recovery is better. They will ask you if you have tested positive for covid within so many weeks before you get go ahead. I had surgery on my hip on 27th Aug and was asked if I'd had covid within past 7 weeks or had any vaccines within the last month before x

[TheBoys in reply to Nyreedw]

Hi

Many thanks for this… I’ve postponed it now as had Covid until last week so hopefully early in the New Year !

Tnx

Paul

[Nyreedw in reply to TheBoys]

Good luck x

[Chrissycl]

Im not in London but I'm hopefully due to havhave this op in 12 days time, I was told it would a spinal anaesthetic so I would be awake for it and if alls OK can go home on the same day.

[TheBoys in reply to Chrissycl]

Hi

Thanks for that

Good luck and hope all goes well!

Paul