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Knee replacement. Help!

(503 Posts)
Jane10 Fri 30-Sept-16 11:41:27

Just been informed that my knee has 'reached the end of the line'. Need replacement. Am devastated and really worried about it all. Any positive info welcome.

annsixty Fri 07-Oct-16 08:57:28

I didn't have access when I was in, henetha may be the same. I trust she is ok.

Wobblybits Fri 07-Oct-16 09:14:29

Luckily, I was treated in a private hospital both time and had a good internet connection, and I think some NHS hospitals now offer this.

Jane10 Fri 07-Oct-16 09:15:21

I don't have a laptop. Just use my mob if I can't get to my PC. I remember reading annsixty's post op posts and worrying about you! I am a very experienced worrier. I hope my mental waves of good wishes got to you at the time.

annsixty Fri 07-Oct-16 09:25:06

Well thank you Jane 8 weeks now and I am fine,as you will be. I am so happy without that grinding pain.

Charleygirl Fri 07-Oct-16 10:31:35

Jane please stop worrying. I agree with ann the grinding pain was horrendous- I now have that in my left knee but not in my right.

Take wet wipes with you, you will need them. My ward was the old fashioned Nightingale ward and there was no way that I could have walked to the loo.

The days are flying past, it will soon be over, please stop worrying- you can only get better.

granjura Fri 07-Oct-16 11:58:15

tbh- if you are in hospital for 4 to 5 days after a knee replacement- having WiFi access is the least of your requirements- truly. Doing the physio and exercises takes all your time and energy.

Jane10 Fri 07-Oct-16 13:11:53

I don't know if it is a grinding pain. There seems to be flare ups of deep aches in both upper and lower limbs and if I walk too far (or much at all) my knee swells up and can't be bent much at all. There can be hell to play for hours after with shooting pains and nagging aches after any exertion. I seem to limp all the time and its as if my leg has somehow shrunk. Its crept on like this so I actually can't imagine how 'better' it will feel. Sadly my other knee is beginning to display the same symptoms. Just reading this pathetic description makes me realise that I just plain have to get on with it. What was I thinking trying to get by on exercises and icing?! What a dafty (as my son would say!)

Wobblybits Fri 07-Oct-16 19:03:39

ATM, the grinding pain I can sort of cope with (thanks to c-codomol * ibuprofen) what is getting to me is spending most of my day in this chair because I can't walk more than a few paces. I'n even bored with GN, been on it for days now, practised my new ukulele pieces, read my book, watched Tv --- BORED. Ok I know i shouldn't complain, plenty have real things to moan about. sad

Jane10 Fri 07-Oct-16 19:30:27

Yup. Its so BORING! I seem to have been stuck inside for weeks. I want my life back. Mind you this really makes me appreciate what I had and hope to have again.

Wobblybits Fri 07-Oct-16 19:33:39

You will have a life again soon. We are planning to get back to dancing in the spring. I did try two sticks today, and that helped.

granjura Fri 07-Oct-16 19:58:48

How is the other knee Jane?

Elrel Fri 07-Oct-16 20:35:13

Jane, I tried 'conservation' - painkillers and exercises. The consultant wasn't at all surprised that I asked to see him again and change my mind a couple of months later. The big thing I'm told by both professionals and people who've had a new knee is that we must do the exercises, both pre-op and post-op.
I've been assured that leaving the house and walking will become a normal part of my life again instead of a teethgritting trial when I force myself to go out.Walking holidays and dancing have been mentioned, along with running but painfree walking will suffice!

Elrel Fri 07-Oct-16 20:40:43

Whoputthecatout - you must have been a very fit and active person before your op. A cousin, 70+ is like that and has had 3 successful TKRs. Wish my physical condition was more like his!

Jane10 Fri 07-Oct-16 21:05:26

Blimey Elrel a 3 legged cousin. Jake the peg, with the extra leg maybe?
Actually my other leg isn't that great just now. Its taking a lot of the strain right now and I'm feeling the same sorts of pain that the bad knee started off with. sad

Wobblybits Fri 07-Oct-16 21:32:32

When you walk badly due to a painful knee or hip, your other lower joints suffer as well. My left knee is also very painful ATM , but i am sure that it is due to my poor pasture as that knee has been replaced.

Luckygirl Fri 07-Oct-16 21:37:58

......."poor pasture" - I have a vision of you on hands and knees grazing!

Wobblybits Fri 07-Oct-16 21:46:22

LOL. you don't know how near the truth that is.grin

Whoputthecatout Fri 07-Oct-16 23:32:10

Don't know if I was particularly lucky Elred. I was quite a gym bunny until the knee got too bad, so maybe that helped. I was 72 when I had the op and my experience seems to have been fairly typical among friends and others I know who had TKRs, though I seemed to have much more bruising than most. Maybe the bruising coming out so vividly actually helped by dispersing the swelling quicker. It was certainly spectacular and I didn't find I needed any pain killers either after the first 48 hours.

annsixty Sat 08-Oct-16 06:53:30

Jane that story is truly inspiring BUT do not be disappointed or feel bad if you are not the same. I have been told by most people that I have made a very good recovery but I still take pain killers some nights when I have been busy and I was using a stick at 5/6 weeks if I was walking far. I still have cabin fever as we have no car and I can't leave my H for !ong. You will get there in your own time. Just be realistic and patient. Everyone is different.

annsixty Sat 08-Oct-16 06:54:51

That was to Elrel as well,sorry.

Wobblybits Sat 08-Oct-16 08:46:12

Recovery from knee ops seems quite variable. I remember that I was disappointed that I was not getting as much flexion as others at the time. But the recovery crept up on me and now I have equal flexion in both knees. Be patient and your new knee will be pain free and work well.

lena80 Sat 08-Oct-16 14:40:05

I can't help much but want to wish good luck

Jane10 Sat 08-Oct-16 15:12:24

Thanks lena80. Still grazing Wobblybits?

annsixty Sun 09-Oct-16 10:48:10

Now this really is the last thing but don't forget you will be very constipated whilst on the meds. You need lots of water, fresh fruit, prunes and dried apricots and you will be fine. If you don't you will suffer the indignity of suppositories or an enema.?

Jane10 Sun 09-Oct-16 11:17:43

I'm on it Annsixty I'm always drinking lots of water and love fruit. Thanks for the tip off though I'll increase the apricot and prune order shock