👯‍♀️Hip & Knee Replacement #3 👯‍♀️

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with severe arthritis of both knees 18 months ago and at that time was prescribed exercises with a view to a TKR in the future. Last November I was told all my exercises could do was slow down my decline and he was surprised I was still walking about. The wait for an Nhs operation was 4 years (its 6 years now).
I know people who have had hip or knee surgery in Lithuania (there's also been a lot of research on this clinic and articles in the Guardian, local papers and on the BBC.) We have the money but I am feeling despondent.
My muscles have weakened a lot, I still do the exercises the surgeon prescribed but I sit a lot because walking even about the house is so uncomfortable. I struggle to get out of a chair even using my hands to push off. So I wonder if it's worth spending that much money when I've already declined so much. I know the stronger your muscles pre op the better the outcome. Some days are better than others of course and the afternoons are always better than the mornings. Of course in 6 years time I'll be much worse so an early operation is probably best

Thank you both. The surgeon sort of brushed over any questions I had so I will be sure to write them down for my physio. I will forget otherwise and then remember when I get home!

That is interesting to know about the self referring silverlining I might look into that further down the line.

Malibu glad you have a physio appointment. They are so used to seeing people post surgery so have a great deal of knowledge.
Hope it helps,

Malibu it may make life a tad easier if you write down the questions before you see the surgeon and the physio. If you do not ask you will not receive.

Good luck.

Another thought. My lovely physio told me I could self refer to the local nhs hospital for hydrotherapy. I didn’t have my op there but it didn’t matter so I rang and after a short chat they offered me an appointment 2 weeks later. I have had about 5 sessions so far was there yesterday, and it has really helped.

Oh and plantar fasciitis is awful, had it twice. Really hurts.

Hi ho Fanny. I take so long to type on this tiny very ancient phone that by the time I finish loads of other comments usually beat me.
I am sorry it’s still a struggle. I am a lot further ahead on the journey than you having my op mid April but still don’t find it easy with sitting down on the floor/getting up.
I can get my socks on now but it’s not a smooth sock putting on experience if you know what I mean. Pant action improving and can get into and out of the bath though, which pleases me greatly but know one day I might get caught out and need to call for help.
It’s earlier for you and I wish you well. Very soon.

Fanny I'm sorry to hear the trouble you are having. The plantar fasciitis sounds painful. I hope you didn't do any damage when you got stuck on the floor. I hope the physio gives you some relief.

I can sympathise with you as I get down some days, it is hard to feel positive. I know (as I keep being told by everybody) that it is 'early days' for me, but when you feel like you've just gone from one problem to another it is very hard to just be positive, especially when you just want to be 'normal' again.

You're not the only one that could tip into a mammoth whinge fest, I feel like it is all I do lately, total opposite of the pre op me !!

silverlining I received a phone call from the physiotherapist a couple of weeks ago. She has booked me in for next week. I'll be about 8 weeks post op by then.

I have struggled to bend my leg so the exercises the hospital provided have been quite difficult. I find it easier now I have ditched the stockings as the swelling goes all down my leg instead of just in my knee so although it makes my leg heavy, my knee is easier to bend. My leg isn't very strong at all I can feel this when I am trying to walk, this is where the limp (or should I say waddle) is coming from.

I am looking forward to seeing her next week, especially after what you said silverlining, about her giving me guidance on what I can and cannot do etc. Thanks all for listening to me moan on!

That sounds absolutely brilliant Silverlining
We have all had such very different experiences in all areas of the process

Exercises which I never did at home, but I found the talking about problems and solutions very helpful. She was very encouraging and gave me confidence. As she was at the hospital she could have discussed a concern with the surgeon. She was just lovely and encouraging.
I didn’t pay for this. It was part of the process.

What did your physio entail Silver?

Hi (ho) Silverlining
I think that it’s me who is seeing the physio, not Malibu, I could be wrong.
I wasn’t offered physio at all. I did ask, but was dissuaded.
I was private though.
As usual I’ve been a bit of an ostrich, I should have sorted things sooner.
Sorry - I could very easily tip over into a mammoth whinge fest!

Oh sorry just spotted you will be seeing a physiotherapist. We’re you not offered this by the hospital where you had your operation? I had a course of about 8 appointments and she said if I needed more she would still see me.

Malibu are you having physiotherapy? She was helpful in answering questions and told me when I could drive, stop sleeping on my back etc as well as monitoring how things were going.
This was arranged by the hospital so she was able to refer back to the surgeon if necessary.
I am trying to remember if I had an X-ray at 6 weeks. Not sure if I did it or not.
I did keep a note of my progress though which I found helpful. Will have a look.

I know exactly what you mean Malibu

I haven’t had any problems like you, but I’m nowhere near anything like normal.

My body was in such a state prior to my op (which should probably been done around 7 or 8 years ago), I sort of knew it wouldn’t be plain sailing.

My mobility is still poor and I’ve got terrible plantar fasciitis which means that I can only be on my feet on and off for a couple of hours a day.

I can’t bend over, and I kneeled down to do something the other day, and my legs gave way and I got stuck on the bluddy floor.

I try to be positive but sometimes it really gets me down.
I’m seeing a physio privately next week.

Hi Fanny
Thanks for your kind reply.

The swelling is very annoying, like its holding me back. The GP told me it was Lymphedema but I didn't get a concrete answer from the consultant so I suppose I will just have to wait the 4 weeks.

I had an X-ray straight after also. I always thought you had one at the 6 week check up for some reason, to see how the hip was setting. I must of misread the information somewhere. I have done that much Googling lately I cannot keep up with myself !

Just battling with the sore heels and trying to walk without my crutch and not limp at the minute!

I have been very naive to think that this operation was going to be straight forward.

Hello Malibu
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been having so much trouble with swelling.
I’m also sorry that I can’t be of much help!
The only thing I can add is no, I didn’t have an X-ray at the check up.
I remember that I did have one straight after the op itself.

Thought I would post an update. I saw a consultant on Friday (not my own) and he didn't really tell me anything that I didn't already know.

He told me it was swelling and to go back in 4 weeks.

I presume the visit was going to coincide with my 6 week check but nothing else was discussed.
Do you have an x-ray at your 6 week check ? I didn't have one. I haven't been given the all clear to drive/sleep on my side etc as none of this was discussed.

I am left none the wiser!

Hi Susy!
You could possibly have White Coat Syndrome, which means that your blood pressure rises as soon as you are in front of a medic.
My husband has had problems with his bp results because of this.
If I were you I’d get a little bp monitor so that you can check it yourself at home when you are relaxed.
That way you will be able to tell if your bp is raised due to a touch of anxiety.
They don’t cost very much.

The very best of luck, and follow Silver’s advice

My surgery just emailed asking me to take my bp and send it back,
The first time it was much higher than the second until after 6 goes 3 on each arm, it reduced.

Try not to panic, breath deeply, focus on something other than things medical and tell them you are nervous 😬 about the operation being cancelled 😡
It will be fine. Really

Hi everyone. Well my knee replacement op is 9 Feb. Just want to get it done, but on my pre-op visit last week my blood pressure had shot up ridiculously high.
Had to get it taken again at the GP, and was prescribed a blood pressure tablet, started Thursday. BP went down, but took it again this morning and it had gone up a bit.
Hospital made me an Echocardiogram appointment for today.
I don’t want to get stressed, but think I am worried more about op being postponed than op I think!
Any advice, reassurance would be appreciated!

Excellent! I knew that you wouldn’t be disappointed Susy

FannyCornforth I bought a pair of the slippers. They are the first slippers with some sort of back that I have actually been able to get on! They will be great, especially in the hospital. Thank you so much!

Malibu it is also important to elevate the leg when you sit down.

If a stocking was digging in I would not wear it but that is my personal opinion.