Full Knee replacement

Sorry that was for @Allira

Ah ok! Possibly because you can buy it over the counter so they don’t want to prescribe…

The problem is my knee was like this @14 years ago and a chiropractor got me walking again ( the NHS were useless). But he was ver brutal with my knee and I’m not sure that I want it manipulated in that way now that it’s obviously deteriorated. So I still have it in my mind that it will improve. At least it means I can ask my family to help me get my house prepared for a possible post operation recovery time as it’s still a dumping ground for everyone.

Please decide to have the surgery because if you decide no, over time you will find that other bones such as your tibia will become affected. The surgeons dithered with me so I ended up having a tibial osteotomy as well.

You will not be out of action for 6 months. I was still in a lot of pain at 6 weeks but fine at 3 months. If you have a garden can you throw balls for your dogs and that will release some of their energy. Are there helpful teenagers around?

I have had both knees done and I hope they will "see me out".

argymargy

Naproxen has not been banned (at least not in the uk). There are some concerns about using it when people have certain other health conditions, eg asthma. This is not unusual with medicines.

Oh, I'm sure it's still available, argymargy!

It's our surgery which has banned it.

MayBee70

Did the steroid injection give you a lot of relief and for how long? I’m asking because I want to do as many exercises as possible prior to having a TKR at some point and I think an injection would help me achieve that. I did a group dog walk today that I did a year ago and was very aware of how much worse my knee was compared to last year. I’m on a TKR Facebook page and must admit that it’s scaring me. Then again, people who sail through it are less likely to join a Facebook page I suppose. The thought of possibly losing six months of my life recovering ( and having to get someone else to look after my beloved dog) is really worrying me.

MayBee70
The last steroid injection did not last long at all , this was in January 24 & probably lasted 12 weeks no more than that !
My first one was over 12 years ago which was more successful & the next was during Covid times .
Like you I find walking my pooches quite difficult a lot of the time . I can start out ok but soon want to turn back .But I am going to push on , yesterday we drove to a park as it meant we would all get a longer walk & with the added benefit of benches if needed & a coffee shop for respite lol That’s my plan in future , though the rain today may change that .
On holiday last week , we went to an area in Spain that we last visited pre Covid . Back then I was up & out walking miles to the next town . Last week, it was a case of me saying to my husband “ I’ll sit on this bench “ every 200 feet or so . I feel like a little old lady. Omg the airport was murder as well .

Naproxen has not been banned (at least not in the uk). There are some concerns about using it when people have certain other health conditions, eg asthma. This is not unusual with medicines.

Allira
I was given the option of ‘another ‘ steroid injection.on Saturday .
My last one in January didn’t last too long at all , ie no more than 12 weeks, if that ! However that was the option if I chose not to go down the TKR route.
For now I am on that list , I’ll take the next few months to work on the weight loss & give thought to the operation.
Thankfully , as I mentioned those banned Naproxen prescriptions would on the whole stay in the drawer . I chose to take them on a very very limited basis .
It’s funny though as I think GP surgeries should have on behalf of the NHS sent letters to patients explaining the whole Naproxen story. There must be people who took it as a daily basis !
Thats another matter though .

Annoyingly I just read that steroids, even in the form of injections, can affect your immune system and I’m worried about that with so much covid around still.

NanaTuesday

Allira

They give strong sedation as well as an epidural.
It's a big decision but it's not going to get better on its own, NanaTuesday
I don't think you're allowed more than three steroid injections either.

Allira ,
That was my thought on steroid injections .
I was given the option of another steroid while at my appointment yesterday . But the last one only lasted not quite 3 months & that was given in January!

One I had lasted for quite a long time, the other in the other knee not so well.

They won't give a steroid injection if you are due to have the operation in the next few months. They'll only suggest Paracetamol here too, no Naproxen - it's banned, said the GP. 🤔

Did the steroid injection give you a lot of relief and for how long? I’m asking because I want to do as many exercises as possible prior to having a TKR at some point and I think an injection would help me achieve that. I did a group dog walk today that I did a year ago and was very aware of how much worse my knee was compared to last year. I’m on a TKR Facebook page and must admit that it’s scaring me. Then again, people who sail through it are less likely to join a Facebook page I suppose. The thought of possibly losing six months of my life recovering ( and having to get someone else to look after my beloved dog) is really worrying me.

It’s an ongoing thread nanaT , look for the 👯 👯.
We are hardly ever on active list, none if us understand why, but the 👯 make us easy to spot on the health forum list.

Silverliming48
Thank you , I think I did see that but as I was reading g I saw it was 2 years old & didn’t continue scrolling . I will give it a whirl .

Allira

They give strong sedation as well as an epidural.
It's a big decision but it's not going to get better on its own, NanaTuesday
I don't think you're allowed more than three steroid injections either.

Allira ,
That was my thought on steroid injections .
I was given the option of another steroid while at my appointment yesterday . But the last one only lasted not quite 3 months & that was given in January!

I’ve had both knees and a hip done with a spinal. Brilliant !
Recovery with rest and exercise was steady and after 6 weeks each time I was doing all the normal things, just with a little care.

I was also told you can’t have more than 3 steroid injections
and have already had two, so will save up my third as I have another hip and two knees to think about.

Hello nana Tuesday just wanted to let you know that we have a hip and knee thread which has been going ipfir ovdr 2 years so lots of help and information on there.
We rarely get into Active so you need to look under the health forum and click.
As for being awake with spinal you won’t be aware of anything. They add a lighter anaesthetic at the same time. You won’t feel a thing.

Hopefully I can reassure that it will be fine. I've had both knees replaced and both operations were very successful.
I had a full GE for the first one years ago, but a spinal anaesthetic for the second one just a few years back. I was simply dreading it, but it was far easier than I thought. Lots of tiny injections in your back, barely felt, just pinpricks, - then compete numbness when the big needle goes in. I felt nothing.
Soreness afterwards of course, then a few weeks of physio.
It was wonderful to be able to walk without pain .
Good luck, whatever you decide.

OH has had both replaced a few years apart. The second op began with him ‘awake’ but they soon put him out completely.
Another friend had both his replaced within three months. They had a quick recovery.
OH’s recovery took longer but he is older. Now fine, with both living normally and pain free.
You must do the physio exercises afterwards to gain full mobility. You will definitely need to take the meds.
Not an easy op to go through, but both would go through it again.
Good luck!

My husband has had both knees replaced under epidural he was not looking forward to it and was very nervous so he asked for plenty of sedation. He didn’t hear anything and can’t actually remember the op. Go for it

This as others have said is fine...I have had both Hips and a Knee done this way. Apparently better recovery time, you don't remember a thing, just getting on the table and then it's all done.
It's more painful in recovery than a Hip but so pleased I has it done.

That should read ‘spinal block.. ‘

I had a total knee replacement with the sounal block and ‘light sedation’ and ot was absolutely fine. In fact I was quite out of it.
I was numb from the waist down for about three hours after the surgery but otherwise felt ok — but i did take the paid meds. You do need them, IME.
I had it done privately and they were very good on timely pain relief. I had paracetamol and codeine with oral morphine as needed.
It all helped as they get you up either later that day or the next, with physio starting the next day too.

They give strong sedation as well as an epidural.
It's a big decision but it's not going to get better on its own, NanaTuesday
I don't think you're allowed more than three steroid injections either.

Oh my word I wouldn’t want it without a GA is that how they do it now ?
I know people who are happy they ve had it and two who have both said they d never get the other one done, even if badly needed I do know that knees are harder to get over than hips butI m sure you ll get lots and lots of positive help on here