Knee replacement. Help!

Jane hang on on there. My elderly, widowed neighbour had this op. and as her 'carers' often didn't bother to turn up, I went in a lot to help her.

So I know how hard it must be for you. Well done on your progress so far, and as you say at least you're clean. Do what you can and take breaks when needed.

I've just had a vision of you lying down and all the animals piling on top of you. That's what used to happen to me when I was doing yoga but I'm guessing you're not down on the floor.

Ouch you poor thing- yep- fits and starts (or as my friend used to say 's*its and f*arts') - keep that leg up as much as you can to help with the swelling.

There are several videos out there on stairs up and down- depends which leg, and if handrail or not, etc. Keep yer pecker up, it will get better soon. x

For heaven's sake don't trip over a dog!

Thanks all. No chance of tripping over a dog and the cat is a massive and shy Maine Coon who lives in fear of anything my stick. Am feeling brighter. Physio phoned and appt made for Thursday so at least ill be doing something. Now all the worry of next shower and worst of all removing the dressing.

Jane- Thanks for bulletins, Can't believe I'll be out as soon as you but hoping!

Elrel they'll be keen to get you out asap. I was in for 4 nights and could have stayed another but I wanted to get home. I've heard of people being discharged sooner than that though.

Have you got a date yet Elrel?

If I could have my knees replaced I would be over the moon, I have been suffering for nearly 15 years with the agony of pain. I can hardly walk around my house, the pain is there 24/7. I am at my wits end. But they NHS will not replace them because they say I am overweight. The idiots cannot understand that it is not my diet that has put the weight on but my lack of movement. You have to move to burn calories. they wont have though. Now I am pre type 2 diabetic, have COPD, high blood pressure all because I cannot exercise. give me two new knees and I would be able to enjoy my life and not be a burden to my husband. go for it and enjoy your life. I hope you don't live in Wales like me, because they are worse for not doing knee ops.

whereami555. It is much harder for you to lose weight if you cannot move, but it can be done. Your health is suffering and your quality of life is poor, so losing weight would help both so much.

Have you considered bariatric surgery perhaps? Or get professional help from your GP. It's all very well them saying why they won't operate, but they ought to follow up with advice and support.

That sounds like a nasty vicious circle but Anya is right. There's more to weight loss than physical activity. When I was more or less confined to the house for about 6 weeks before surgery (things came to an extremely sudden head in my case), I decided not to focus on what I couldn't do but on what I could. Hence I did the 5:2 diet. I found this remarkably easy to do. While I don't think I lost much weight, neither did I gain any which I was at risk of doing, but my BP plummeted and inflammation was markedly reduced.
Try it yourself. It would also demonstrate to your GP that you're really trying to help yourself.
As soon as I've recovered from my surgery I'm going straight back on to the 5:2 diet.

It is absolutely true. After my op my appetite disappeared and in spite of hardly any exercise I lost a stone in 6 weeks. I am now working hard to keep it off and have succeeded so far.

icing should help bring down the swelling - I borrowed a vacuum pump thing and icepacks that connected to it - iced a lot. I had physio twice a week on discharge from hospital, for at least 6 weeks, then once a week for another month. Now I am totally 'sound' and the only reminder is that kneeling back in yoga and Pilates is not really possible, but fine for downward dog and cat stretches, and getting out of our very narrow bath is interesting. Leg lies totally flat. The utter joy of being pain free is amazing. WhereamI555 your situation sounds utterly horrendous. I truly sympathise.

Icing? Does it matter what type or colour? Pink royal icing would look nice

Just took the plaster off. Some lovely buttercream frosting might help. It looks hellish!!

whereamI555 - under the NHS you can ask your GP to refer you to a consultant anywhere in the UK. If you are in Wales, maybe you should ask to be referred to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry just over the border in Shropshire.

If the advice is that your weight is a total contraindication (and there are sound medical reasons for that) maybe you could talk to them about strategies and support to lose weight even though you cannot exercise. A friend of mine has had a brilliant service from them at their pain relief clinic and it has transformed her life.

Blue icing may be a bit cooler than pink

I have to keep reminding myself that its only been a week since the op but although knee good at straightening it just doesn't bend much. Still swollen of course and black and blue from ankle to bum (GSs very impressed -they really wanted to see). Physio tomorrow so they might have some suggestions. Am off the Paracetamol btw.

To be off pain relief after a week is absolutely brilliant, I thought I did well but was still taking cocodamol well after that, probably for 5 weeks. my bruising lasted a long time. You are doing really well, give yourself time to recover.

Jane you seem to be doing really well. As are you, Ann. I think it's Eirel,s turn next?

You're all very brave and stoical. Here's looking to continued improvement and pain reduction

Seem to have seized up in the night. I think I need some WD40. Scary physio today so maybe muscles have frozen in fear.

Ouch - honestly don't do the heroics with the painkillers - take painkillers about 1 hour before the physio anyhow so you'll be able to work better. Just no need to suffer more than absolutely necessary x

My first visit to the physio (a little guy from Mauritius who is the physio for the Swiss football team- so used to work with big, strong, fit men ...) - I just burst into tears and sobbed like a baby- he just massaged my knee and helt me tight and said it was OK - will never forget that. Next session I did really well. S*its and f*arts as my friend says .... Hugs x

deffo take those painkillers before physio.
Crying is all part of rehab I think.
I cannot believe you are off meds!! I simply could not sleep for the pain and had to take sleeping pills for a short while. But if it hurts keep taking paracetemol - it was the only thing that worked for me -
A good physio is a real godsend - one who understands your long term expectations (for me it was to climb jungle trails to see chimps 9 months later - with a girlfriend who had had an ACL reconstruction) - we shared a physio and he was brilliant.
You sound utterly amazing - power to your elbow (knee) - Respect.

It's 4 weeks now since my knee replacement and I'm doing fine. Out walking every day, and a few days ago I caught a bus into town to do vital errands. Thank heavens for online grocery deliveries, don't know how I would have managed without that. But I still need some paracetamol for the pain, especially at night. Walking unaided indoors but still using a stick when I go out. All in all very successful, and I send good wishes to all of you facing the same procedure.

Even when you are loads better taking a stick is such a good idea as it means people around you know you have a problem and give you more space, and even give up their seat to you! It gave me more confidence.