👯‍♀️Hip & Knee Replacement #3 👯‍♀️

Hooray! I'm so glad it went ahead and wasn't delayed for too long at all. Sounds like you've got a good support package too. Spring is just around the corner in more ways than one

Having surgery done privately can be a Godsend as it is done without a long wait provided one has sufficient help at home. As Aveline has said, Spring is around the corner and soon you will be enjoying the warmer weather and being able to get out and about. It can only get better now.

Hi all,
I'm new to Gransnet but I am waiting (impatiently) for a total knee replacement & kneecap on both knees. Anyone out there got any advice, please? Also, I have an overactive thyroid and secondary Adrenal Insufficiency to add to the knee problem!!

Congratulations Fishwife, glad you got your operation and are receiving the help you need.
Korat I sympathise with needing two new knees, I expect the surgeon will decide which to do first. I need two new knees as well and I can't decide which one should be first.

fflur if you have any pain in either hip I would choose the knee on the side of the hip pain because that would relieve some pressure from the hip if that makes sense

Korat you do not have a separate knee cap fitted, you have a total knee replacement.

I haven't read all through the thread but am posting in case this helps. Bit of a long read but the details may be useful to someone. I've been on the TKR waiting list for 15 months, on crutches for 12, which have affected every joint, particularly my shoulders. Emailed my surgeon's secretary early Dec last year after a disastrous visit to my disabled daughter when my shoulder problem meant I couldn't help her go shopping, which we both love. The secretary said she would arrange an x-ray to see how much my knee had deteriorated and that my surgeon would ring me in the New Year to discuss. Meanwhile I self-referred via my GP surgery to see a physiotherapist who asked me how much my life had changed in the last year and to my horror I cried!!! My physical and social life has virtually ground to a halt but I keep soldiering on, like you do. She said, 'I will write to your surgeon and ask for your operation to be done soon because of the quality of your life and how it is affecting your daughter.' Three days later I had a call from my surgeon's secretary giving me a date for my op, in six weeks' time. And I cried again! Ha ha ha ha. (My daughter and I are planning a holiday to celebrate later in the year. New York maybe.)

So pleased for you, well done for taking the initiative. I did the same after my nhs THR referral was lost and it worked for me too.
You will be feeling so much better by the summer. Lots to look forward to.

Koratlady3

Hi all,
I'm new to Gransnet but I am waiting (impatiently) for a total knee replacement & kneecap on both knees. Anyone out there got any advice, please? Also, I have an overactive thyroid and secondary Adrenal Insufficiency to add to the knee problem!!

Welcome! Yes, we’ve got lots of advice!
Anything in particular?

Well done Mizuna! 👏

Well here I am, due to have TKR on Thursday. When I was talking about it to you all before Christmas you all said the time would fly by. You were right!
I am not as scared as I thought I would be, I think because my quality of life isn’t great, not able to do all the things I used to do. I can’t wait to get some kind of normal life back.
I know it will take time.
Any last minute words of encouragement would be great!

Wow! That has rolled around Susy

susytish it is a mere 5 minutes since you told us when surgery was due. I personally think it is a good time of year to have surgery because you have Spring and hopefully warmer weather to look forward to and by then you will feel a different person.

Have you got everything ready- eg picker upper, long-handled shoe horn, elastic laces if necessary and a pair of slippers with backs so that you do not fall flat on your face.

The very best of luck- it will soon be over.

Excellent news. Soon it'll be over and you'll be on the way to recovery. Take it easy. Ask for whatever help you need in hospital.

Good luck Susytish....hope all goes well....x

Thank you. Will be in touch on the other side….

Good luck Susy! We’re all thinking of you! x

Charleygirl5

susytish it is a mere 5 minutes since you told us when surgery was due. I personally think it is a good time of year to have surgery because you have Spring and hopefully warmer weather to look forward to and by then you will feel a different person.

Have you got everything ready- eg picker upper, long-handled shoe horn, elastic laces if necessary and a pair of slippers with backs so that you do not fall flat on your face.

The very best of luck- it will soon be over.

Yes, perfect timing. When I was due for my first one, this is exactly what surgeon and physio friends told me- if you can choose, go for late winter- perfect time, as spirit is rising, and looking forward to longer days, sunshine and no fear of slipping. Perfect. I did both of mine early March, with 1 year apart.

Today's the day Susytish! This time tomorrow it'll be done!

All good wishes fir the operation Susytish

I agree, this time tomorrow is the start of a new woman. 3 months from now a new life. Good luck.

I'm not long back from THR which was done on 31st Jan. I had the other one done 5 years ago. I was the the Golden Jubilee National (Elective Surgery) Hospital.( they have some informative videos on Youtube)

Things have significantly moved on since the last time.

Before, I got the suppression socks and the injectable blood thinners. This time no socks , thank good ness, just the blood thinner for 38 days. It's very easy and pain-free to do yourself.

My leg seems to be more swollen this time and quite red down the calf. They only worry about this is if you have a fever or 3cm difference around the calfs. (doctors note) . I found it quite alarming myself but it's actually fine but check with your doctor if you are worried in any way. They can offer support and reassurance over the phone and understand that people need contact in the early stages of recovery.

Also they said I no longer had to sleep on my back for weeks on end and suggested when I felt Ok I could sleep on my side and said better, but not obligatory, to sleep on the operated side.

Day 9 and I'm still feeling a bit nauseous... this was the same last time. I had a spinal anaesthetic both times. I think it's quite common. Many have some post-op nausea but mine has lasted quite a while. I am very sensitive to the drugs and doctor thinks that's why.

I'm usually very independent and asking for help has been another learning curve. I've been very fortunate to have family and friends come and stay and the first 3 days I did really need constant help. Today, day nine my walking is really quite good- still using the sticks but can stand at the kitchen counter for easy meal prep.. Don't attempt lasagne from scratch..lol!

If someone comes to help, here are the tips I've learned:
Make sure they leave you with a full kettle or good supply of water
Ask them to leave out and easily reachable... a few pans, cups, plates, bowls, cutlery etc and in the first days you might want a small jug of milk leaving out.

You can get a leg lift gadget on Ebay that helps you initially to get your operated leg on and off the bed easily.

Make sure you have a few grabbers nearby. I have one near where I am at all times. If you prop your walking sticks against a wall or furniture and they fall you can't bend down to pick them up and you are pretty much stuck where you are. Grabbers are also needed for getting pants on!

My local council supplied a swivel seat over the bath and a raised toilet seat with handles at the sides... both great aids, the latter essential for my very low toilet!

Keep moving as much as possible..get up and down from bed and sit and practice walking about. Get used to doing the foot pump and hip abduction exercises and do them all the time, even when just lying or sitting.

Eat as much fruit and veg as you possibly can to keep your system moving. DRINK LOTS OF LIQUIDS! Constipation is no fun at any time but worse when newly operated. Buy some Anusol ( suppositories easier) before you go into hospital just in case.

It's easy to get a sweaty groin rash or under breast rash from lying around and overheating. Make sure you also have some Sudacrem in the house.

It can be grim for a few days post op, for all sorts of reasons, as you would expect with major surgery but it's really amazing how quickly the body heals. Some people don't have any grimness at all and sail through everything. We are all different and each operation is different.

Good luck if you are soon to have the op.

Well done Philippa you seem to be doing very well. Am sure your advice will be very helpful though you didn’t mention my favourite aid, the long shoe horn, preferably two of them one upstairs and one down and eben a third at the back door if you ha ve one. I am nearly 10 months post surgery and still use mine . £1 in Ikea well spent.

Phillipa have you tried the bath seat that the council gave you? How does it work?
I love a bath and can now get in and out, just about, but always wonder once in, whether this will be the day I cant get out.

silverlining48

Phillipa have you tried the bath seat that the council gave you? How does it work?
I love a bath and can now get in and out, just about, but always wonder once in, whether this will be the day I cant get out.

Hi silverlining. The swivel seat is just ok, better than nothing. It's a challenge to get your newly operated leg over the side of the bath whilst seated so mine stick out and much of the shower water goes all over the floor. It's difficult to wash your private parts but so nice to be able to wash hair!
Lucky you in and out of the bath.. I haven't been able to do that for a long time now... so relaxing!
I hope you have someone in the house when you're in the bath!!

Yes I have Dh though he is quite deaf so probably wouldn’t even hear my cries for help.
I have only just started using the bath and am nearly 10 months post operation.
I can get in and out easily it’s the sitting down and getting up which is more awkward.