PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

[Patient007]

I had a partial knee replacement 10 weeks ago. Is it normal to still have aching pain around the knee and stiffness? Stiffness mainly first thing in the morning.

[Batty1]

I haven’t had knee replacement but I would suspect with such a big surgery that yes being stiff and sore probably go with the territory … do you do physical therapy? Does the stiffness and pain disappear after you have been walking?

[Patient007 in reply to Batty1]

Yes I am still doing physio and going out and walking as much as I can. Stiffness mainly when I get up in the morning.

[DorsetLady]

Had a full replacement , and yes there was stiffness around that for some time. Even with a partial replacement they still pull you about I imagine...surgeons may be brilliant, but they don't exactly treat patients with kid gloves...and it takes times for surrounding areas to settle back down.

You might find a bit of self massage with body lotion/cream helps...and warm area up beforehand.

[Hunt70 in reply to DorsetLady]

Got both knees replaced..it's work to get back but I can walk at least...was no picnic been a few years done a few years apart love a hot shower 🚿

[Bcol]

Hi there, I had a full replacement, many years ago and I suspect if we saw what they actually did we wouldn't be surprised about why we have aches and pains for quite a while. I was struck!! by how similar the operating tools were to the ones I taught my students how to use in an engineering workshop!!! Stiffness of joints after being in one position for a while is normal so its good to try and move around, get out the chair, make a brew, lookout of the window, whatever, just something that provides a different angle for the joint/s. Yes, do keep the exercises, gentle walking and physio going and you will find that things get a lot easier and also that you start to trust the knee again.

[DorsetLady in reply to Bcol]

As I’ve said before I was semi conscious when I had mine - can remember sound of sawing and the tap, tap, tap of a hammer! Needless to say, shoulder and hip operations I was fully sedated!

[Bcol in reply to DorsetLady]

I was lucky, I was out for the count the whole time. Waking me up though was another story!!

[Patient007 in reply to Bcol]

Thanks for all your comments. I do tend to be a little less stiff after walking about. I do go out and walk as much as I can but my other knee needs doing and I have stenosis of the spine so walking is difficult for me anyway. I paid privately to have my knee done but cant afford to pay again to have the other one done.

[Patient007 in reply to Bcol]

I would definately have the op done while I was awake when I have my other knee done. It didnt bother me at all listening to everything and talking to the anaethatist. They were a bit surprised that I didnt even want any sedation.

[Bcol in reply to Patient007]

As much as my heart tells me, as a technologist, that I would find the operation interesting my head tells me I would rather be asleep. Sorry to see about the stenosis, that combined with your other knee must make life a lot more difficult in trying to walk naturally and not to put extra pressure on your new one. I'm sure you will get there, might just take little longer.

[Patient007 in reply to Bcol]

Thanks for your kind words. The best part about not having a general anaesthetic is that you dont feel ill or sick after the op and can eat almost straight away and dont have a sore throat from having the tubes down it. Depends on how you feel about being awake. I understand it isnt for everyone to be awake.

[Bcol in reply to Patient007]

Good news is I had mine done in 1999 and its still going strong ( that's probably put the mockers on it, but it has been brilliant.)

[Patient007 in reply to Bcol]

Thats good to hear!

[Patient007 in reply to Bcol]

Thanks for that. Stiffness usually worse in the mornings until I move about more.

[DorsetLady in reply to Patient007]

Think you’ll find it is with most things after a few hours not using. Maybe try exercising gently whilst still in bed-or if, like me you have a cuppa in bed before getting up put a hot water bottle or microwaveable heat pad on knee. Warm/hot shower also helps.