Knee!

The knees take a lot of abuse from us chunkier people. Losing weight and attending a physio course on how to manage knee pain has helped my 2 arthritic knees no end. I downloaded a list of exercises to do in water, as it is much kinder to the joints, and this also helps. Whatever you do Babs758 don't rest it too much.

Babs758
Please please don’t take advice to do Pilates at home from a YouTube video ?

Thanks for the replies to date.

I went back to swimming yesterday for 45 mins very gently. Noticed less stiffness in the knee today and pain under control with paracetemol. At work today so trying a few flights of stairs at lunchtime.

It might be worth while trying gentle Pilates exercises. There are loads available on YouTube.

I had mild arthritis in one knee and had a cortisone injection, which relieved the pain for about six months, then I had another one, and the pain hasn't recurred, and it's worked for about three years now. Meanwhile the other knee has some arthritic pain at night, which I am treating with ibuprofen gel. I use it at bedtime for a few nights and it seems to reduce the pain to an insignificant level.

Got my hubby to do the test last night and he got a lower score than me, didn't realise the lower the score the worse you are.

Try it again next week Elless. Don't try to be brave with your answers. Tick how you are on a bad day.

Aveline - just did the Oxford Knee Score and it is very interesting, I thought my knees were bad but I only got a score of 20, I dread how bad they must be to get a high score.

Nfkdumpling I remember when you had your first knee done. Time flies! I wouldn't even try to kneel but my new knees are string and stable and up for walking miles. In time I suspect my new hip will be too.

It sounds as if you're 'in the system' now which is good as I fear the list is a very long one! Losing weight will also help with your recovery a lot when you do have a replacement.

I couldn't even get to see a consultant as my x-rays didn't show any sign of arthritis as my knees were collapsing the 'wrong' way! So, I paid for a private consultation and was told I needed a replacement urgently - and that wasn't going to happen, even pre-Covid! So I forked out for a private operation and it's very, very expensive! It did mean though that the same consultant did my other knee on the NHS without waiting on the list, so I got a bogoff.

Five years on, I now have two lovely new knees, can walk miles and climb stairs - and come back down frontwards. But kneeling feels like kneeling on a pebble beach so getting up off the floor, although no longer requiring two hefty firemen is still uncomfortable. Replacement knees aren't like you had when you were a teenager, but they are considerably better than the old collapsing ones.

Thanks Aveline. Will do!

Seriously everyone, take a look at the Oxford Knee scale. It's easy to complete and is the one used by surgeons when assessing your need for knee replacement.

My sympathies Babs758, I am sick of being told to lost weight, it is difficult especially when you have pain in knees/hips/feet, I know that losing weight will help but it is really hard, also everyone's pain is relevant and it is annoying when they diagnose it as moderate and tell you to go away and take pain killers when it is affecting your quality of life. Good luck

Thank you. It has to be done so I’ll do my best to come out in one piece. The surgeon explained replacement knees are never quite as good as natural knees but a whole lot better than a knee with grade 4 osteoarthritis. Just hoping it’s not cancelled, so many are at the moment. I’ve had a look at the bone smart web site too, useful tips on there, reassuring as well.

I had a partial knee replacement of my right knee in 2016, which I paid for. I recovered well but still get the odd twinge. I had my left knee replaced in May this year. It was bone on bone so stung a bit! I had that done privately too. This time recovery is taking a bit longer. I know I’m five years older etc., but the surgeon told me that the swelling was quite severe this time even though the actual operation was a success. I am still using one crutch when I walk outside but not indoors. There is still some pain and it is still difficult to get comfortable at night. I’m glad though I had it done as I could barely walk.

cornergran don't be unsettled. It's well worth going ahead with this surgery. I was grateful for support received from other Grans before and after my TKRs. Be as well organised as possible in advance and don't expect to be dancing in weeks and I'm sure you won't regret it. Check out the Bonesmart knee forum. It was a lifeline for me. Real info from people going through it at the same time as you rather than 'experts' who've never had the op.

I'm a little unsettled by this thread as I'm booked for a TKR in a few weeks. definitely hoping for a positive outcome with less pain for sure. Consultants are all different in their approach it seems chewbacca. After looking at the x-rays mine said he would have preferred me being referred for surgery four years ago when I wouldn't have said pain was particularly difficult to manage, from his angle surgery would have been simpler. Be careful with that walking stick!

Chewbacca it makes a lot of sense to me if you stop these midnight walks and if the present stick is not working lying beside you, maybe a 3 pronged one would help but be careful it may tear the bedding. What a stupid thing to say to you.

Shaunwool book to see your GP. You will be asked questions and have your leg waggled around while you lie on a couch! The pain may be caused by tendonitis. Further treatment might involve referral to a physio for exercises and/or an X ray. (That's based on my experience, for what it's worth)

I have started to get what feels like around or on/behind the knee pain when I bend my leg, especially after sitting for a long time. After moving it backwards and forwards a few times it is much better than before but doesnt actually go. I haven't been to the drs but wonder if I should. I would like to think that the correct exercises could help but where should I start??

To avoid aggravating my knee pain I use the raised toilet seat which was necessary after my hip replacement. If the pain isn't too severe but enough to prevent me falling asleep I use a gel icepack (from Boots) for 20 minutes. This can be enough to allow me to nod off.

At least get yourself on the waiting list for a TKR. They really are well worth it. I felt that I got my life back after mine. Then my hip started to play up! If I didn't have such good strong knees now my recovery from hip replacement would be unimaginably difficult.

Most but not all surgeons wait until your sleep is disturbed because of pain.
That made me smile Charleygirl! I've had 3 arthroscopies on my knees over the years and was told that they won't do a 4th. As my knee pain is far worse at night, I asked if a TKR was possible as it disturbs sleep and I struggle going down stairs now. Consultant suggested I "wait a bit longer until it's really unbearable and use a walking stick at night"! I've tried laying the walking stick beside me in bed but it's not helping!

I am regularly waking up at 4:30am with sharp pain, get up and walk around, stretch, drink water and then put a radio play on to distract me so I can go back to sleep! Daytime is better although I stiffen up quickly and walking is painful if I try to go more than 1/2 Mile. Flexibility in knee is still good. I am taking on board the advice about the success of knee ops against hip ops as want to stay active as long as possible! My left hip op was very successful.

I find an antinflammatory before bed helps me sleep. I was also told a Tkr is never as successful as a Hip replacement