Knee replacement operation

my mother had both knees replaced in one op. She was cracking on a bit in age and they did not want to do it twice. She was amazing - and the results were good but would have been better had she had better post op physio. I had one replaced 18 months ago and it is fantastic - apart from the scar you would not know the difference. Just a slightly numb kneecap. I would agree with other posters that post op pain was not something I want to go thru again (morphine does no good for me) - and you MUST do the rehab - however much it hurts at the time.

I had both knees replaced last year. Certainly wouldn't have wanted to have them done together. First was done in June and the second in November. A year on I am very pleased with the result.

I personally would never consider a double knee replacement or double anything! If you have both done at once, you literally do not have a leg to stand on because it takes a while to get the quads muscles working again.

As it was, having one knee replaced, I still had problems eg getting in and out of a shower and in and out of bed going to the loo during the night. Think of the practicalities- will you be able to cope? I was on my own and for a while I had to have all drinks and food in the kitchen because I could not carry anything as I was using crutches.

It is also very painful post op so that is another consideration. Good luck.

Hello I'm a newbie. I would be grateful for any thoughts on whether to have a double knee replacement or keep them separats please. I'm 51 and I understand a knee replacement only lasts 10 years or so. thank you

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After a few years of trying alternatives, my husband had his knee replaced in January and it was a great success. He wished he had done it sooner

He suggested I posted this article : www.mobilityhut.co.uk/blog/alternatives-knee-replacement-operation/

No need to put off the operation at all!

I had a hip replacement with a spinal and sedative. The best thing about is that the spinal continues to provide pain relief for up to 12 hours after the operation. You are asleep and you really know nothing about what is going on.

If the pain is really bad why put off an operation that can make it better? So glad I had both my knees done last year.

aries52 don't delay any longer! I put it off for nearly ten years and I really, really wish I hadn't. Life is so much better now.

Hello Morcottgirl and welcome to GN! I haven't had any knee or hip replacements (yet!) but a few years ago I had cartilage removed from my left knee. This was done with a spinal block, which is very similar to an epidural but is used for shorter and simpler procedures. It has the same effect, blocking all feeling from the lower half of the body, so there is no sensation whatsoever. I was conscious throughout and in fact watched the entire procedure on a monitor which they swivelled round for me! It was such an odd feeling because, since I couldn't feel anything that was going on, it was as if I was watching someone else's knee being operated on. The recovery is so much quicker - I had a nurse stay with me in the ante-room until my temperature had returned to normal (can't remember now why it drops) and then I was wheeled back to the ward, feeling none the worse for the whole procedure!
Good luck with your op

I had my left knee replaced by the NHS 7 months ago, very happy with it. Only had to wait a couple of months.

Hi there,

I have suffered from arthritis in my knee for several years and it is steadily getting worse. I have been told that I need a knee replacement but keep trying to put it off. Would love to hear from people who have had this operation.
Also, if there is anyone in the Birmingham/Solihull area who could recommend a good surgeon that would be very useful.

I've had both knees replaced, 2011 and 2013. I had a GA and epidural and didn't know a thing about it! It was great to be out of pain but you can say goodbye to kneeling after as its like kneeling on stones ..... And hallo to bleeping as you go through the scanner in airports! One bit of advice I will give you is that afterwards when you start physio, the more you put into that physio, and the more you do the exercises at home, the more you will get out of it ..... No pain, no gain is the mantra!

Welcome to gransnet Mercottgirl and thanks for your post. I'm off for a scan on a knee with osteo arthritis in it. The GP thinks the problems I've had are possibly due to a Bakers Cyst but this thread has reassured me that if/when the knee needs to be replaced, all will be well

I had both my knees done with epidurals and sedation. No problems and no after effects. They don't look any better but they sure feel better. Now, after 9 months and 4 months the scars are fading well.

Nor mine - still have two chubby little knees, just that one has a scar!

MCG, I think your husband may be disappointed, the op did not improve the look of my knee.

I had epidurals for my knee replacement (last April) and my hip replacement (January) and they were excellent - the sedatives knocked me out and I woke up comfortable and hungry.

Quite a few of us have had replacement surgery recently, Moorcotgirl and there are a couple of threads about our experiences - if you look in "Health" in Forum topics you'll find a lot! Some clever person here might even find you a link!

Good luck with your surgery.

I was not only allowed to keep my glasses, but I took my MP3 player and headphones (although I was chatting to anesthetist most of the time)
I have found GA's take a long time to get out of the system and have caused me nausea and depression (could have killed myself after having a kidney removed, 14 hour op)
Another advantage of an epidural is that the anesthetic effect takes several hours to gradually wear off, during which time you won't need any pain relief and will be able to sleep well.

My preference is a GA because I never have any side effects afterwards. I was given around 6 choices when I had my knee replaced around 2 and half years ago now but I was not allowed to keep my glasses on and watch the surgery so I decided to sleep through it. I am sure that you will be fine.

I had the same for my hip - didn't feel or remember a thing. It is standard now - very seldom done under a GA.

Its nice that you are so reassured, you probably won't care what your knee looks like once you realise that the PAIN has gone..

Thank you so much everyone who has replied, I feel so much more relaxed now. I only joined gransnet today, so I feel very welcome after this response. My husband is hoping my new knee will be more attractive than the existing one but I expect that is too much to ask, mine have always been rather podgy!