Knee replacement

Hello, everyone Am writing to ask for advise and insight regarding full knee replacement. Have any on the forum had a full knee replacement? I am due one in a little under 6 weeks. Having lots of reservations about going ahead because my health has taken such a battering in the last 3.5 years. Overweight but fit before PMR diagnosed Apr 19. Reduction in Pred brought chronic fatigue and virtually no excercise for last 3 years. Now adrenal insufficient and being monitored by Endocrinologist. He is happy for me to go ahead with knee surgery.

Had hoped to improve fitness before op but still very overweight, still finding walking a struggle and currentlyhave Covid.

Would like to hear experiences of those with similar issues .

Thank you.

[suzy1959]

I have had 2 knee replacements- one partial- whilst on about 11mgs pred. I am very overweight too. I also had 2 hip replacements. All the ops went well, my healing was normal and I didn’t get any infections. I was pretty immobile beforehand. There are always risks with surgery but despite many surgeons refusing to operate on me, it went well. We just have to do the post op exercises which are brutal at first but get easier.

I was lucky enough to go to a convalescent facility after my last knee op and would highly recommend it as they provide daily hydrotherapy and physio therapy as well as the “ Game ready” icing machine which really helps with the pain.

Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to suzy1959]

Thank you so much for your encouragement - brilliant . That has been so very helpful, Suzy1959. May I ask where your convelescent facility was?

[suzy1959 in reply to Hidden]

it’s called the Claverdel and is in Guildford. Fabulous!!

[Hidden in reply to suzy1959]

Ah I was just looking at the Claverdel on line!! Thank you, Suzy1959 - so much.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

How long did you stay at the Claverdel, Suzy?

[suzy1959 in reply to Hidden]

5 days which is the minimum. It was fantastic!!

[Theziggy]

My partner had a full knee replacement. Upon getting out of hospital her leg above the knee when purple and sore and she had to go to hospital for a fortnight to cure her for blood poisoning.

[Hidden in reply to Theziggy]

Oh dear - how awful!! Does she have PMR?

[Theziggy in reply to Hidden]

No

[piglette]

If you surgeon is happy to operate you will be fine. They would refuse to operate if they felt you were too overweight. I know my surgeon would not do hip replacements or knee replacements for anyone with a BMI over 40.

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

Thanks, Piglette. Here's hoping

[Summerrental]

I had a full knee replacement in March, I was on 10 mg of pred. at the time,. Surgery was a success, I was afraid to have it done, but it went very well & was not as bad as I had heard this surgery was.

[Hidden in reply to Summerrental]

That is good to hear. Two friends have had hard experiences with their knee replacements - but of course we are all different. Thanks for replying.

[DBE46]

I am 3 weeks post op hip replacement. The best thing I did, previously had other hip replaced 5 yrs ago. My PMR is under control but fairly newly diagnosed. Had to go back up to 15 but down to 10mg now. The way I look at is I can exercise more now get as fit as I can. Trying to stay on top of the weight was hard enough as I also have hypothyroidism. I just feel so much happier get that knee done it’s life changing. Good luck

[Hidden in reply to DBE46]

Thanks so much. I am sure once the initial weeks are over it will be very beneficial. Just daunted!!

[Bella59]

i had both knees replaced over ten years ago,with a break of five months between ops.You must persevere with exercises after op,they are painfull but will get easier in time.I still get swollen knees but i cannot get fluid taken off as it could cause an infection in my knee.I use frozen peas wrapped in tea towel to help with swelling.I have had two hips replaced in last year,what a difference this has made.I had no infections with four operations.Take painkillers to keep on top of the pain.Good Luck.

[Hidden in reply to Bella59]

Thanks for your reply, Bella. Encouraging.

[pegpowell]

I had knee replacement while on 6 mgs pred several years ago and hip replacement this year. After knee op, I did have to up pred to 7 mgs. Do be sure to do the exercises afterward. Both legs were terribly bruised and swollen after op but soon went away and knee has given me no trouble.

[Hidden in reply to pegpowell]

Thanks so much for the encouragement

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

have a look at this post -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, Dorset lady. The article and the video with Judi Dench both very helpful. Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Good..hope it eases some anxieties. Mine’s brilliant - 4 years on…

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks so much

[Anonnomus]

I have had both knees replaced. Key to recovery is doing the exercises faithfully and stretching.

[Hidden in reply to Anonnomus]

Thank you for your response. Exercise and stretching for sure is the way to go.

A friend suggests hydrotherapy which really got her on the road to recovery.

Thank

[Dlangan]

Not what you want to hear, but I developed a septic prosthetic joint infection seven years after my initial surgery. Bacteria forms a biofilm infection on the replacement- it's a dangerous, life threatening situation. Surgical infections are not the only possibility for infection. You are right to be concerned if you are very overweight- this increases your chances of both surgical and long-term infection. The average weight gain post joint replacement is 16 pounds- there is a clinical study on this. Most people underestimate how long it takes to recover from this surgery, and how immobile they will be. Can this be a life enhacing surgery? Of course. But when things go wrong, I cannot exxagerate how bad it can .

[Hidden in reply to Dlangan]

oh dear. So sorry to hear of your experiences. Will certainly consider what you have shared.......

[artfingers]

Thank you for posting this! I too am facing an upcoming right knee full replacement (and then left knee soon thereafter). It is very intimidating! I am trying hard to eat low low carb but so far have not been able to shift any of my excess weight. I was told to do pre-surgery exercises AND post-surgery ones so I have opted for physical therapy to strengthen and stretch what is a super tight, painful knee. I also do my home exercises (very painful). My rheumatologist thinks it may sort out which pain is which (PMR or mechanical issues with knees) as I have become very immobile and I hate it. I'm at 10 mg pred so surgeon says that is fine.

[Hidden in reply to artfingers]

hi Artfingers.

So pleased you have posted. When you say you have opted for physical therapy is this a private physio you attend? I haven't been given direction re any pre or post surgury exercises.



[artfingers]

So first, I am in the U.S. so my orthopedic surgeon visits and the surgery is covered through my Blue Cross insurance though he has to be part of my insurance "network". I just have to pay a small "copay". He recommended that I do physical therapy before and after the knee replacement. His belief is that if you strengthen the legs and stretch out the tight muscles beforehand, the operation tends to be more successful. Then afterwards, he recommends physical therapy to make sure the muscles and tendons and all remain flexible and strong. Some people, he mentioned, do the exercises on their own and he gave me a booklet with the exercises that he recommends. However, I do better with physical therapy (PT) as they push me and guide me to do things which helped greatly in the past. The exception is I have to tell my PT person to go light on the massage and also the muscle work due to not being able to recover as well as others due to my PMR. I am lucky my retired teacher's insurance covers most of all this. (I am in the U.S.)

[Hidden in reply to artfingers]

Thanks for info. Think I need to look up some pre-op exercises. Keep in touch and let me know how your op goes. Do you have a date? Mine is 25th Nov.

[artfingers in reply to Hidden]

Ah good. My operation is November 23rd. We'll have to compare notes as we go!

[Hidden in reply to artfingers]

very encouraged - yes lets

[Hidden]

Thanks for your response. The adrenal insufficiency I have does concern me but Endo assured me anaesthetist will follow strict protocols!

All the