Knee replacement

Gosh thats almost like private treatment. You must keep us all up to speed on the post op recovery. I'm sure you will be very good, and do all your physio exercises. I will probably be following in your foot (knee) steps before too long. When you're in so much pain you're just desperate to do something, so here's wishing you all the best. You should be ok in time for Christmas, but with a ready made excuse to put your feet up.

Go for it! The sooner the better. I have had both of mine done.
But, you must do your exercises. Start doing them now, gently and this will benefit you even more.
Good Luck.

Thanks for the encouragement. It's so nice to think that there are folk geeing you onwards.

Auntieflo there is quite a large section on knee replacements- hearing both sides of the story because not all worked 100% afterwards.

Charleygirl, thanks. I did think that there probably was something on the site, but where do I look for it please?

Can I echo Claudiaclaws please. Make sure you are discharged with every know painkiller under the sun (and some sleeping pills) because everyone is different and different drugs work for different people and you cant just get something else when you are housebound. Then those exercises ..... some NHS areas are very good in sorting physio but I met someone a couple of days ago who was given ONE session with a physio!!!!! You really must do the work and if you dont think your physio is enough then private round here costs £40 for a 40 minute session which I think, if you can afford it, is very good value. I cried through most of my appointments, but less than a year later I was climbing in an African rain forest after chimpanzees, riding, swimming, biking and truly would not be able to tell you which knee it was, apart from the scar!!!!! It was brilliant.

I know that a couple of years down the line I may well need hip/knee replacements. I've been advised that lots of relevant exercise NOW will aid recovery as the muscles will be stronger and more supportive. Do as much as you can in the next few weeks, though I realise time is short. However for anyone else in my position I'd say start NOW.
Very best wishes for a successful outcome and a quick recovery.

I have had both knees replaced. I would certainly endorse the need for the exercises, especially afterwards. Not comfortable but worth the effort.

My ops. have meant that from continual pain on the smallest amount of walking and pain if needing to sit with knees bent for the shortest time, I now have no pain in either knee what so ever. I had 5 months between each op.

Hope your result is as good as mine.

Good luck, Auntieflo! I agree with ginny, the exercises are important but the relief is immeasurable.

Oh, you are a lovely lot, meant in the nicest possible way . Thanks, I am so pleased that the op will be sooner rather than later, but now starts the " what if" thread going through my head, daft, that's me.

Thanks for all your support. I went for my pre-op assessment last Tuesday, and came home with a sheaf of paperwork. Also some special body wash soap and six bottles of Nutri drink? I have to drink four on Thursday night! I'm wondering whether I can space them out during the day. Then the final two on the morning of the op. I am apprehensive, but will be so glad to get it over and done with. I know the exercises are important, and will do my best to get flexion ASAP. Will keep you updated on progress.
Off to write my cards now.

I achieved over 90 degrees flexion the next morning so it is possible and that was without any effort except pain!

Hope it all goes well Auntieflo I had both mine done 10 years ago and have never regretted it. I am the worst person ever for exercises but I persevered with them after the operations and it was really worth the effort (and discomfort)

Good luck with your surgery Auntieflo - I hope it gets you on your feet and out and about.

All the beat Auntieflo. It must be about time for the op? What a short wait you have had. Better that way. As soon as you feel able do tell us how it went and how you feel. You're bound to be sore for a while but it seems most people are really glad they had it done. I am at the arthroscopy stage but I know I'll have to go for the op sooner rather than later. Good luck - I know I should say break a leg, but it doesn't seem too appropriate

My new hip is nearly a year old, and my new knee about 18 months, and I am absolutely delighted with them! Is you find the threads,, AuntieFlo I'll be on them, progressing from whinging and moaning to delight!

I had a new hip last March and, like Ariadne, you will find me moaning and groaning and being scared on the old threads. Nine months later I have a new lease of life, can walk long distances and play competitive badminton - without pain! Wonderful. Do EVERYTHING you are told by the hospital, especially the exercises, and you will be fine. If, like me, you have to sleep on your back for a few weeks, get a vee-shaped pillow, which you will find very helpful. I did come home with pain killers but it really wasn't that bad and I soon gave them up. Good luc - and a very happy Christmas.

luck!

well here I am in bed and full of those 'Nutricia Pre op' drinks, showered and hair washed to within an inch of my life and ready to go to sleep. The alarm is set for 5 am, as I have a lift booked for 6.20, in time to get me to the hospital at 7. I must say I wasn't looking forward to the drinks, I thought they would be milky or like a dilute yogurt, but not a bit of it. They were actually as clear as water, tasted like flat lemonade and very sweet, so not too bad. The hair washing was a pain, as I don't usually was it every day. so night night one and all, only two more drinks to go tomorrow morning, see you after the op tomorrow.

Oooh exciting ! Get back to the thread soon

Am now back home, DD picked me up but there was gridlocked traffic around Reading, it finally took us two hours to get home, 8 miles !!. I am sore, but trying to persevere with the exercises. Did not sleep well last night, but have slept this afternoon. I am feeling nauseous all the time, but notbeing sick. On the morning of the op, the anaesthetist tried two epidurals and I finally had a general anaesthaetic. Weird. Couldn't have had better care in hospital. My operated leg is still feeling "pins & needly" and a bit cold at times. Maybe it is because of all the drugs. Anyway afetr speaking to a GP he has prescribed an anti sickness potion, DH is out collecting it now. Am managing well on my crutches, and the loo is a little lower than I would care for, but manage OK. Just want to feel ' myself' again, and not sick and tired all the time. Thanks for all the posts on here.

Oh good news Auntiflo. It's all behind you now. Hope the antiemetic helps you to feel better. It's a big op and it will take time but just look forward to your pain free knee days, and do your exercises. I may need your advice in future. Keep us posted on progress. All the best x

It will take a minimum of 8 weeks before you start to feel yourself again as you have had major surgery. Because of the nature of the surgery you may have permanent numbness down the outside of the operated leg- nothing to worry about- you may or may not have been warned about it.

The main thing is to do your exercises- I do hope that the nausea wears off with the tablets being collected as I write.

Charleygirl, no I hadn't been warned of leg numbness, maybe I will be left with that, so will ask when I go back for the post op check up. Have taken the first tablet, just before dinner being served courtesy of DH. He is such a novice in the kitchen, but the guy did good tonight. Don't think I will starve, although it wouldn't do any harm, especially with Christmas coming up.