👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ Hips and knees part 6 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️

WalterAlter You do not need to sleep on your back post-knee op. I cannot remember which side I found most comfortable, but I put a pillow between my knees and another at my back to prevent me from rolling over and hurting my knee. It is trial and error.

Awake at 5 am and couldn’t get back to sleep, not only am I struggling to sleep lying on my back after my knee replacement 2 and half weeks ago, I’ve had a bout of restless legs in my good leg last night. Does anyone else get this and what helps you?
I was doing so well too

Sealover, not being able to concentrate is the painkillers. Our WI committee still laugh about the meeting I chaired after a couple of weeks!

Sealover I’ve actually had you on my mind, thinking you were due for your op around now. Well done, my lovely, you’re out the other side in spite of everything. Now just concentrate on getting your strength back and that new hip working. Good news about the back sleeping, long may it last. See, all those worries were for nothing!

Hi, Sealover checking in, had my TLH done on Saturday afternoon. Was completely chilled out??? Admitted at 7.30am, third on the list, they were running late so the op must have started about 2pm. Everyone very nice, spinal was painless then bang, out of it. Surgeon said it had been bone on bone plus the osteophytes, now in the bin. Felt invincible! Had a blip that evening, BP in my boots, can't say the after care was great in the private hospital, shortage of food! Leg compression machine working all night, tortuous. Room was stifling hot, asked if there were any fans, two were found. Awake all night, hand over reported I had slept all night! Less than 10 mins with physio, bloods done and OK so was discharged at 9.30am. Glad to be home, but the hospital rang yesterday to see how I was, said I felt very nauseous and dizzy. Told to go to A and E! Circle hospital did not have the facilities to deal with someone as poorly as me! I'm not medically trained but do have common sense. My husband contacted our GP who sorted me out, off BP meds and codeine. Feel better today, only the 3rd day,have been doing the exercises and pottering around on my crutches. Very thirsty all the time, can't quench it. No nasty jabs,tablets, compression socks which are a bit dubious, they didn't have my size! But hey, I'm through the other side! I don't think I would have been very happy if I had been self financing, £17,000 , I was in 26 hours, had a tuna sandwich, pear and a packet of 2 biscuits! Main job done, horrendous groin pain etc gone. Marvellous ! And, might be speaking too soon,don't seem to be having any problems sleeping on my back. Thankful for this gorgeous weather, can't concentrate on anything (is this normal?) so am enjoying the lovely view we have over morecambe bay and the fells beyond.

Thanks for letting us know, WalterAlter. I think you need to get in touch with a physio sooner rather than later. Roughly to what degree does your knee bend?

Where I had surgery, they were reluctant to discharge if one could not bend to at least 80 degrees, 90 being the magic figure.

I am trying to save you from having an MUA, a manipulation under anaesthesia.

Silver lining48 I’m fortunate to have my husband here doing a good job as housekeeper and nurse
Ps my username might be a bit confusing but I’m female- I chose the name at random

Do you live alone Walter? Do you have anyone coming in to help?

Nannytopsy they checked that I could walk with a Zimmer and crutches and that I could get up and down stairs before I could go home. My knee is swollen and feels like a lead weight at the moment. They gave me a booklet of exercises and advice, and I’ve an appt with physio coming up in a few weeks. Onwards and upwards

WalterAlter, did the physios work with you before you were discharged? I was encouraged to keep up the painkillers so that I could do the exercises. There was no follow up physio, so I had 3 private sessions over about 6 weeks. She measured the angle my knee would bend to when I was lying on my back. The aim is 65 degrees I understand but it does take time when your knee is still swollen. Good luck x

Thank you Bea. I use aloe vera for sun burn

Sorry! sent too soon before i could edit my post. This knee business is all new to me

Thanks. Silverlining48 and vharleygirl I’ve a booklet they gave me at the hospital with physio exercises to do. I’ve also got a appointment with physio in a few weeks

I think Walter is only two weeks post op Charleygirl. If that’s the case it’s early to be thinking about too much knee exercise isn’t it?
As you say chatting to a physio or speaking to the hospital would be helpful.

WalterAlter you were vague about how much you can bend your knee. Please can you be a bit more specific?

If your knee is very swollen, it will not bend and needs ice and elevation.

If you can safely get in and out of a bath, that is the best place to gently bend your knee.

If you are in contact with your physio, that should be your next port of call.

This is a problem you must address please.

silverlining48

Just thought of another helpful hint. Use a shiny plastic bag on the car seat as you get in and you can then slide round easily.

Yes ..I used black bin bags on bed for couple of weeks.helped 🙏

Awake again with this stinging knee pain..gently massaged it voltarol emulgel and another naproxen…watching tv on mute

WalterAlter I’m a worry wart too! Love aloe vera gel and I keep it in the bottom of the fridge so it’s nice and cool if I accidentally burn myself from steam with microwave meals so should help with scars too🤞🏻

Hi Applegran, I used the long tie belt from my dressing gown with the ends knotted together to lasso my foot and haul my leg onto the bed. It worked a dream and made getting into bed so much easier in the early days after my THR. Every hospital seems to be different, mine didn’t use compression stockings (thank goodness) but like a few others on here I had to inject myself each evening for a month with blood thinners. I was also given laxatives to counteract the codeine tablets, but as far as possible I managed with paracetamol. Welcome to the hipsters club.

There’s some good tips on here. I read that aloe vera gel is good for the knee scar too has anyone tried it?

I’m 2 weeks post op and am wondering when my knee will be less stiff as I can’t bend it much yet - I’m worried it’s not going to loosen up. - that’s me though, I’m a worrier

So far so good Susytish. Welcome to the hip hop club.

My hospital prescribed oxycodone and when asked, our GP gave me another prescription. I didn’t need all of it.
BeaI found Bio Oil was great on the scar. It was recommended on here. It smells lovely too and does a good job n my nails as well! Got mine in Tesco.

I had my left THR op on 1 May and not doing too bad. Listening to my body, which seems to be saying rest a lot!
Looking at previous threads, I was given blood thinners, Apixoban, twice a day, no stocking or injections. All hospitals seem different. Depends on the surgeon.
Also was given a leg lifter upper by the Occupational Therapist. She was the nice lady who helped me get a shower too before I left.
I was given codeine for a week on discharge which I took with Paracetamol. I contacted my GP who issued a prescription for codeine.
The main thing, I think for me anyway, post surgery is doing a little bit of everything - exercise, rest, walking about, bit of fresh air, watching diet. .
I am getting an old hand at this now. 2 hips and 1 knee done!

I didn’t see a physio at all Redcar, not til after when I was walked down a short corridor and back the day after the operation. I was then discharged. Super fast.
I asked not to wear the stockings as I knew it Woukd be near impossible to put them on, and surgeon agreed without debate, but had the self injections to do for whatever seemed a g e s …

Just thought of another helpful hint. Use a shiny plastic bag on the car seat as you get in and you can then slide round easily.

applegran every hospital seems to have it’s own way of doing things. In my area, I had to wear compression stockings for 6 weeks and have anti coagulant injections for 4 weeks. I was sent home with a pair of crutches and a raised toilet seat. Other areas differ from this.
I react badly to codeine and opiates, so only took ibuprofen and paracetamol, which were fine.
I had a left lifter and only used it to lift my leg into the car when I was going home from hospital!
I did have an hour long session with physiotherapists before the operation at which they told us what to expect before and after the operation, including what equipment we would be provided with on discharge from the hospital. It was very informative and reassuring.