Total Knee Replacement

Just returned home from seeing he Physio. She was quite happy with my progress, concentrating on improving range of movement now, but she said it could take a year to return to normal.
BUT -- BEST OF ALL - I CAN DRIVE AGAIN

Great news, how long did it take you to get behind the wheel, lol?

It took me 6 weeks but I had 100 degrees flexion from the 1st day post op. I had to get my quadriceps working so that I could control the pedals.

5 weeks post op, but it is my left leg and I drive an auto, so just need to be able to sit comfortably.

Struggling to get past the 90 deg, still very swollen, but physio says it will come.

I think I was driving my automatic a couple of weeks after I had my left knee done -but I'm admitting nothing

DeeDaa, my insurance company would not cover me until the surgeon/physio said it was Ok.
I think could have driven at two weeks, but the physio would not agree to it, so it was not worth the risk of being uninsured.

Pompa, I wasn`t making light of your predicament with my lol, I was thinking that maybe being told you could drive had sent you straight back behind the wheel. Sorry.

IT DID !!!!!, soon as I got home! -- took the car out for a run, purely to re-charge the battery, blow the cobwebs out etc. Couldn't wait, feel so isolated without a car. I knew I could drive, I had moved the car around the driveway to make space for my neighbours car a couple of weeks ago.

When I discussed driving with my surgeon before the op, he said he would be happy with 4 weeks post op if the physio was satisfied with my progress,
didn't see physio week 4 so had to wait until week 5

Trips will have to be interspersed with breaks every 1/2 hour or so, just to stretch my leg. 90% of my trips are less than 1/2 hour so all is good. Hope to go to our daughters in 4 weeks, that is 3 hours drive, so planning cafe breaks.

This was a real milestone in my recovery, cheered me up no end.

Next milestone, get knee to bend far enough to use exercise bike. Watch this space.

Oh, doesn't it feel liberating, pompa? I absolutely hate having to say "please could you take me..." (Unless, of course, I want to be dropped at the door somewhere..)

I don't have an automatic, but could drive with relative comfort after about 4 weeks, which is when the physios discharged me.

Well done!

I bet your DW is pleased too!

I can't wait to be able to drive again, but I suspect t might be a few weeks yet. I too have an automatic (bought when broke foot) but it is my right hip that has been replaced. I certainly would not feel as though I could safely do an emergency stop at the moment and am happy (but frustrated) to wait until it is really safe - especially as the tiny lanes round here are a bit unsafe. Drive carefully pompa.

Mishap may I suggest that you ask the physio (if you are still seeing one) to show you how to get into the car following a THR as it can be difficult. You may also need a cushion to increase the height of the seat to prevent dislocation.

I've had a call today, giving me a date for my second knee replacement.( middle of next month ). Five months from the first. I have mixed feelings. I will be pleased to get it done as then I will feel the full benefit but not looking forward to the first few weeks afterward. Just hope this one goes as well as the first.

Good luck ginny!

I felt just the same as you before I had my second one done ginny but I've never regretted having it done. Good luck!

I have to admit that I never did get round to telling the insurance company about my knees After 9 years I never think about them at all when I'm driving.

Did you consult your surgeon again? What did he say?

----
OrthoTexas, Irving

Take your meds and do your PT and you'll feel okay soon. Post-op is really a hard part. www.placidway.com/search/Thailand,Knee-Replacement-Total-or-Partial,/search.html

How are you all doing now?

Date is set for my knee replacement on the 22nd of March- with a half-knee replacement perhaps in the autumn.

Very nervous, as they will have to scrape a lot of extra bone growth as well- etc. Off to Sicily first to take my mind off things. In my case, due to a very old severe injury in a car accident 45 years ago which has finally caught with me.

Good luck granjura - I have so many friends with new knees and they have done very well. But it has been a bit of a long haul to full recovery, but they all say it has been worth it.

15 months and 20 month on from my op's and all well. No pain at all and walking well. Muscles at top of legs get a little a hey if I do too much but nothing like the terribl pain I used to get in my knees before. Good luck with your op'. Make sure you do all the exercises. Not very pleasant at first but well worth it.

I'm sure you won't regret it granjura It's 10 years since I had both knees done and they've been no trouble at all.

Day 4 - it's been an awful 3 days I have to admit- but feeling much better today. Had a peridural and femoral block, so was awake for the 3.5 hrs to sawing, scraping, banging, etc, with headphones and my favourite music on. But the next 2 days were dreadful- not for the faint hearted.

Onwards and forwards, just been for 1 hour on the electrical splint that gently forces your knee to bend and extend- and will be doing a bit more walking on crutches later.

I loved being awake and hearing all the agricultural noises, also a bit of banter with the surgeon, also no pain overnight until the block wore off.

First 3 days or so are definitely the worst, all good from here on (except the physio of course). You will soon be back up and dancing again.

Glad you are feeling better today granjura. Oh, how I hated that machine ! Persevere with the exercises, it will be worth it.

I am now enjoying walking and a 'Zumba Gold' class every week. I have also lost just over 1 1/2 st. in weight which must help.

Hate it- but the key to improvement, so have asked to hire one when I go home.