Hip and Knee Replacements

Not to mention the embarrassment when they take you aside and pat you down at Airport security.

GrandmaAnge I also had both my knees replaced about four years ago now. I'm 66 and still commuting into London for work! Do I need a carer -noooooo!!!

I hate it when people talk about those in their 60s as if they were senile and decrepit!

Last time I was in hospital (sort of emergency visit after having had my gall bladder removed), I was in the X-ray department and mentioned that I had had x-rays there before when I had had my knee replaced. I felt so good when the radiographer said that I didn't look old enough to have had a replacement!

The other knee needs replacing now and I am deferring it for as long as possible (my consultant has said that he will do it whenever I want). Whilst the last replacement was, on the face of it, successful; I really don't want to have the other one done until I am absolutely forced to. No, I don't have any pain any more, but I do find that physically it is very restrictive.

I'm 67 had 3hip replacements a partial unsuccessful fusion of the ankle and am permanently on crutches. I still work!

Only when you're not aboard a cruise liner being waited on hand and foot jeni.

Wow jeni - you are brave. I am enduring the pain rather than go down the surgery route - sheer cowardice and no more. Pathetic I know. In the end I will have to give in - or I will give way!

GrandmaAnge...now well on the mend from second total hip replacement. I'm 71 in August. I had surgery under an epidural. Was aware of saw and hammer banging merrily away. Didn't feel at all afraid. Gorgeous surgeon with a lovely smile helped to make a huge difference. When surgery done, asked if I could have a G&T. Response...maybe tomorrow!

Didn't some lovely young man hold your hand too, or was that another op?

Mishap, go for it. It's so worthwhile because the pain goes away almost at once. I, too, had an epidural and sedative rather than a general anaesthetic.

Agreed, so do I every time!

I would much rather have an epidural as I am not at all good with anaesthetics (and have a sensitivity to the anti-emetics that they give you). It sounds as though this is now more of an option than it used to be - maybe I could ask for that? Didn't know that option was widely available.

Ariadne...had a lovely young man hold my hand when I had both eye and hip surgery.
Mishap I agree with jeni and Annobel...you won't regret it.

Still feeling worried about my sciatica/hip/knee problem so reading with interest anything about hip replacements. Would definately have an epidural if I did need a replacement as I'm pretty scared of the thought of an anaesthetic.

My hips are the only bits of me not hurting at the moment! Metal can't feel pain!

My half-replaced shoulder is giving me a hard time - wish they'd replaced the whole damn thing. Can't take anti-inflammatories while on steroids for PMR. Can't win. There! I can moan too!

Shall we have moaning thread and see who can moan the hardest?

Don't encourage me jeni.

I have had two knee replacements and they are brilliant.well worth th pain.I can do city breaks again.

After a fall 4 yrs ago I’ve had knee pain and need walking stick.Had xrays,physio,pain-killers,chiropractic.exercise etc.
Osteo arthritis diagnosed. Pain now extends to back and hip.
My G.P not keen on knee replacements even though my general health is good.
So I’ve just changed my surgery.my new G.P.recommends knee replacement and is very willing to put me on list -but recommends waiting until after my cruise as being on a waiting list may invalidate my insurance!

What is it about some GPs? Joint replacement was one of the greatest innovations of the 20th Century. How dare they deny anyone the benefits of this routine surgery?

maniac do not , repeat do not! Do anything that would jeopardise our cruise!
We are going to have a ball!

I thought that you could have as many hip replacements as you like but only one knee replacement, so they tend to leave it as long as possible before operating. It's also a lot more complicated than a hip op.

An old friend (male), who would admit himself to being overweight, successfully had two hips replaced last year (one on each side, natch!). He put the first op. off for months, afraid that he would be permanently disabled. However, once he had the first op. and made such a full and quick recovery, he couldn't wait to get the second hip done. He and his wife have just been on holiday in Italy, the first time in years he has been able to join her in walking about the places of interest instead of sitting with a coffee while she went out and about.
So go for it!!!