👯‍♀️Hip & Knee Replacement #3 👯‍♀️

I've had a spinal with sedation three times. Absolutely fine. You just drift off to sleep and are woken up when it's all over. Nothing to fear.

I visit a chiropodist every 2 months as I get hard skin on my big toes and athletes foot occasionally. The chiropodist said last visit that my operation might not go ahead if I have athletes foot so I have been putting stuff on every day. No sign of athletes foot, but am now worried in case it comes back. Anyone experienced this!

Gosh. I hadn't realised that. I suppose they can't risk fungal infection anywhere when there's going to be an open wound.

Hello Philippa welcome. I had my new hip hop 9 months ago and had a spinal anaesthetic. I didnt want to be awake and felt or heard nothing waking very quickly still in the theatre I think.
I was unsure as had never had this befire but it was absolutely fine, really, dont worry.
Grandmafrench hello, its good to hear how well your dh is doing.

Its also sensible to see the dentist fir a check up prior to surgery.

Aveline

Gosh. I hadn't realised that. I suppose they can't risk fungal infection anywhere when there's going to be an open wound.

My friend was about to have a new knee but they cancelled the operation because she had a fungal nail infection.

Very sensible. But something else for people on the point of having the op to worry about!

I have always had an ordinary anaesthetic and have been fine afterwards so the anaesthetist spent a while talking me into having an epidural for my last TKR and it was fine- I did not hear a thing and had no after-effects.

I agree silverlining teeth especially should be checked out as one can have mild gum disease.

After any major surgery, if one has an infection anywhere, even minor, it is better to contact your GP and possibly be started on antibiotics. Always state the type of surgery you have had and when.

I had a spinal injection for my last knee replacement and was SO nervous about it. But in fact it was fine. They give you several tiny pin prick injections first so when the real needle goes in you feel absolutely nothing. It was so much easier than I imagined.

Thanks everyone for your helpful info about going down the sedation route. It does sound Ok. I think I'll call the hospital tomorrow to discuss. Really helpful to hear that you didn't hear or see anything!!

Glad you are reassured Philippa. You will not hear, see or feel anything. Let us know how you get on.

There was an earlier post about slippers to wear in hospital. I have sent for several ones with backs but the back slides down. I normally wear slip-on slippers with no back.
How did you ladies get them on! Do I have to use the shoe horn?
Skechers have been mentioned.
My op date is hurtling towards me! 9th February. My granddaughters birthday, so hope that’s a good sign!

A shoe horn is very helpful, I still use mine, 9 months post op.
You will need slippers or lightweight shoes with backs. It should not matter which make, as long as they fit. I can recommend those I am wearing now. Have had them for over a year, £6.50 Asda. Machine Washable. Other makes available of course.
Exciting, its not long now, you wont forget that date if its your gd birthday.

Hi. Back again. Still checking in on this thread, It is great to hear everybody's different experiences.

I am about 4 and a half weeks in and still having horrendous swelling in the front and back of my knee, as well as it being very firm and tight.

I visited my GP and she said it looks like Lymphedema and to contact the surgeon if it hasn't gone down in 2 weeks.
I have bought my appointment forward with the surgeon and am going to see them next week.

I just wondered if anybody else experienced this. I have Googled etc and have read that Lymphedema never goes away and can just be eased with treatment. I am very scared to say the least.

Other than than that my hip is doing great, it is just the knee thing that is holding me back.

I feel I have gone from bad to worse. I am still icing, elevating, getting around but am struggling to bend my knee which is very frustrating.

Has anybody had Lymphedema as a result of surgery ?

Hi Malibu sorry about the swelling, would have thought it’s a bit early to diagnose that so hope it’s just post op swelling as it’s early days post op.
See what the surgeon says when you go. Hope it’s better news.
I was told I had oedema and necrosis in my hip, then was told there was no necrosis after all. O wax do worries and it caused me more than a nights loss of sleep.
Let us know how things are going and try not to worry. Keep elevated and hydrated.

My first TKR was still so swollen at 12 weeks that I could only bend it to about 50 degrees. I then had a manipulation under anaesthetic and never looked back. Give it more time.

silverlining48, thank you for your kind words. I keep telling myself that it is early days. As lovely as the GP was I keep hoping that she is wrong and that it is post op swelling.
I suppose I will just have to wait and see.

I know I am being a bit impatient, It is so difficult, especially when you just want everything to run smoothly. This operation has bought more challenges than I thought it would.

I am glad it turned out well for you, you are right about the sleepless nights.

Aveline, thank you for replying. I bet you were so fed up. I can only imagine how frustrating that could of been. I am glad it worked out for you in the end. I will give it more time.

I will report back when I have seen the surgeon next week, fingers crossed it is good news.

It really does help to hear other people's experiences.

Thank you.

Susytish I favour slip on slippers with ‘a bit of a back’.
You can just push your foot in, as opposed to slip, and they are very safe and secure.
I get mine from Next. They have a good thick, flexible sole, and are very soft and light.
I’ve still got plantar fasciitis, and they are my most comfortable footwear.
I’ll post a link for you.

fhwt.app.link/Bz0ottqvLwb

Malibu I have lymphoedema in both lower legs due to surgery.

It started after I broke and dislocated my ankle, That was in 2009 then my first TKR in 2022 and my second in 2018.

It is mainly nurse-led, so I am seen 6 monthly at a local hospital.

I wear below-knee compression stockings which are horrendously expensive but I do not pay a penny. They are difficult to remove.

They do help the swelling but as soon as I remove them eg before bed, walk to the loo and back my legs have swollen again.

I have read that one can have one's legs massaged privately specifically for this problem but these are not everyday masseurs (es). I have not investigated that yet.

At least it is not painful but I can only wear trousers now. I may be 79 but I still take some pride in my appearance!

FannyCornforth I. Can’t seem to open the link to the Next slippers. Can you send me details. They sound good.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202301/medium-583859-7a8ca8ed-a9fb-4249-bd9b-340fcae87cd5.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202301/medium-73090-5c71bded-ed11-4926-bcdc-b6adffef0e69.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202301/medium-980848-9e2032e7-38d8-4d73-acaf-e2b8e2f0cc8a.png

Hello Susy
I’ll try again
They really are fab.
I’m going to get another couple of pairs in case they stop doing them

fhwt.app.link/8nbUn02LLwb

Charleygirl Thank you for replying. I am sorry to hear you have lymphedema in your legs.
Interesting to read it was caused by surgery, I was beginning to think it wasn't possible as I can't find much on the internet.

Thank you for the information on how it is treated.

I am unsure what to do about my stockings, I was told to wear them for 6 weeks but I took them off last night as they dig in my knee. I went from a small to an xl so it isn't the fit. They are just so uncomfortable with the size of my knee.
When I don't have them on the swelling goes to my lower leg but my knee still gets large.

I had the 28 day tummy injections but have finished those now.

Useful to read about the masseurs, certainly an option to explore if needed.
I did ask my husband to rub my legs last night and it offered temporary relief.

I am glad you aren't in pain, that is certainly good to hear. I'm a trouser person myself so that wouldn't be a problem but I get what you mean. It must be awful to have that choice taken away, especially when your are only 79 years young

Thank you for your reply. You have reassured me. I will just sit tight and see what my surgeon says next week.

Malibu I can only say what I did, which was 28 injections after surgery and with agreement I didn't wear the stockings at all after the first day. They are very uncomfirtable.
I kept moving as much as I could during the day.
Apparently surgeons have different views on post opera tive management. Some are more cnservatve and ithers less.
If you are seeing the surgeon next week you can ask.

silverlining48 . Thanks for your point of view on the stockings, its always good to hear. I think everybody has different opinions on them !

I can see the good they do but they have very quickly become the bane of my life. I don't know how on earth you are supposed to put them on if you have no help, it must be impossible.

I was told that I had to wear them for 6 weeks but I feel so much better without, although the swelling does travel down my leg without them. I aim to get up and walk every hour so hope this will keep the blood moving.