👯‍♀️ Hips and Knees part 7

MaizieD you've done pretty well as well, your previous hard word paid off.

silverlining, your story is amazing. I do hope you can find it a wee bit amusing now. What a tale to dine out on!

The access to the boat reminded me of a lovely small boat cruise in the Adriatic that we went on to celebrate my retirement, A holiday taken in term time!

The small boat docked at a different island every afternoon and there were often a few other boats there, moored in a line at right angles to the usually, tiny quayside. Up to 10 boats on occasion. So if your boat was late in you could only reach the quay via the gangplanks which stretched between many boats. Over the gangplank, across a boat, over the gangplank to the next, and so on. It wasn't too bad, but a bit wobbly, when the boats were all about the same height, but some were higher than others and crossing between them, from low to high and back again, felt very hazardous.

It was a lovely holiday, though. The Croation Islands were fabulous. And the food that came out of the cruise boat's tiny, tiny galley was unbelievable..

I can laugh ( but not too heartily) now Maizie but still wonder why I thought it was a good idea.
Will never underestimate how hard it can be to walk out on the sea on those wobbly walkways and clamber into different boats in the middle of the ocean. Have to accept at my age there are some things it’s sensible to avoid, and paragliding is one of them.
Glad you enjoyed your time in Croatia, it is a lovely place to visit.

A long time since my last post but I’ve had partial (I think) knee replacement today. On NHS but at Spire 7 mins away from home. AFAIK all went well. Pretty dopey atm. I wet myself in bed due to spinal so now have big pad on but think I’ve leaked. Dying to wee but not been out of bed yet and think I’ll struggle to get on bedpan. So far so good and will keep you updated on my progress. When painkillers wear off the pain is pretty bad but everything under control at present. Physio hasn’t been to get me out of bed yet so bit apprehensive about that but would like to be able to use WC.

Hello Surfsup, congratulations on your new knee and glad to hear it’s done now and that it’s gone well. My sympathy because the same happened to me after surgery, years ago now but I was mortified. It happens. Once you can use the loo you will feel much better, tell someone you need some help.
Just rest now, and keep in touch.

Reading this thread with interest as I am currently on an NHS list for FKR left knee,

I had my first key hole clear out on left knee.18 years plus ago also 3 cortisone injections & 2 steroid cortisone on RK.

Only last year did I get in the waiting list & tbh it scares the life out of me !

Quite a major op more so than a hip replacement . Which co incidentally my younger brother (by 10years) had in March. Private hospital NHS list = he has had nothing but problems ever since . Went in as a perfectly healthy 62year old ,never smoked ,or drank, not even tea or coffee.,not over weight etc.

His *pelvis fractured during the process & he has nerve damage in his left leg now. HR was on right side . His feet are always cold & swollen .

None of this paints a good picture which isn't helping either * I am aware of the fact that HR is no where near as bad a FKR .

So fast forward , I am now experiencing almost as bad a problem with my right knee that has never been as bad as my left is now . I have just this week managed to get an X-ray & telephone chat with a physio who ordered the X-ray.

However , with my misgivings about the operation I am about to commence with a course of Shock Wave Therapy .

I am quite positive about this & aware that it is not a cure . I am at the stage where my quality of life is severely affected .

nanatuesday I’m sorry your brother has had such a bad experience with his hip replacement. It sounds awful but I hope he will improve with time. After both my hip replacements, my legs and feet were like telegraph poles and took months to go back to anything like normal. I was told that hip replacement was a major operation, like knees but I know knees are a more complex joint than hips.
Good luck with your operation and I hope you don’t have to wait too long for treatment.

Redcar you are correct, a THR has always been classed as major surgery. It has been known to be done occasionally as a day case, which, to me, is ridiculous. I was around 100 years old when a patient was admitted for 2 weeks, then to a convalescent home for another 2 weeks. TKRs were in their infancy.

charleygirl my godmother, who died aged 100 recently, had both hips and knees replaced about 30 years ago and was in hospital for two weeks each time. She was horrified that I came home after 3 nights after my hip replacements. I know that a THR is now available as a day case, but I wouldn’t want to be only in hospital for the day!

I can’t imagine having a THR as a day patient. It was bad enough having the operation on the Tuesday morning and coming home on the Wednesday afternoon and I’m very fit for my age.

When I trained we had patients on the ward who were well enough to help other patients and do the evening drinks round. I do think the pendulum has swung too far and we’ve lost the art of convalescence.

Nanatuesday I hope the shock wave therapy helps. Knowing that a relative has had an awful experience like your brothers makes deciding whether to have surgery so difficult.

I was lucky having had my knees replaced at an orthopaedic hospital so there was no A&E dept so less pressure on beds. My last knee was replaced in 2018 and I was in for 11 days. Even so I had a struggle at home as I live on my own and was still using crutches.

The attitude is if you can bend to 90 degrees, put two legs on the floor, goodbye. I think a lot of people struggle at home unnecessarily.

I need at least one THR but I know I couldn't cope here.

surfsup

A long time since my last post but I’ve had partial (I think) knee replacement today. On NHS but at Spire 7 mins away from home. AFAIK all went well. Pretty dopey atm. I wet myself in bed due to spinal so now have big pad on but think I’ve leaked. Dying to wee but not been out of bed yet and think I’ll struggle to get on bedpan. So far so good and will keep you updated on my progress. When painkillers wear off the pain is pretty bad but everything under control at present. Physio hasn’t been to get me out of bed yet so bit apprehensive about that but would like to be able to use WC.

How are you doing? I have to decide in a few months whether to go for a TKR but one of the things putting me off is my weak bladder. I’m ok in the daytime but as soon as I’m lying down I seem to need the loo all the time.

MayBee I have acquired several indispensable items over the years, stored in my garden shed and a bedpan chair was one of them. I was lucky because for 6 weeks I had free help for eg bedpan emptying and other things I couldn't do because I was using crutches.

I found it easy to transfer from bed to chair and back again. I kept disposable wipes for my hands, but took them downstairs for disposal the next day.

I think the Red Cross will hire out items at very low cost.

I live on my own, and I used a Zimmer during the night to keep me safe once I felt safe to go to the loo.

I had everything sorted out before I was admitted. I am up to the loo x3 on a bad night.

Make sure the chair is wheelless, as some are.

Please don't cancel surgery because of your weak bladder.

nanatuesday so sorry your brother has had such a bad reaction to his THR. Mine, like Redcar's was straightforward even in my mid-80s. He was just bloomin' unlucky. THR is major surgery as others have said but TKR is more complicated & when recovering the joint seems to me to be more load bearing, hence the pain & complications. I do wish you well but take heart from us, we feel your pain at the moment but for most of us our mantra has been, hard as it is "this too shall pass." Big hugs.

MayBee

Came home after two nights in hospital and have daughter staying with me. I know some people go home and have carers coming in a few times a day but I definitely needed someone with me 24/7.

Regarding the op everything is ok initially as the use a nerve block on the knee so you aren’t in pain from the get go. I was being given painkillers, anti sickness and anti constipation pills about 6 times a day. Apparently it’s better to prevent the pain rather than ease it so you’re constantly topped up even when you don’t feel it’s necessary.

I wouldn’t worry about the weak bladder as they are rather blasé regarding supplying pads (just like modern disposable nappies that turn liquid to gel). They expect you to wet yourself because of spinal and when I could control my bladder they still insisted I use the pads until I was safe to get out of bed on my own.

I won’t underplay the pain - it’s a pretty brutal op but I’m 4 days in and it’s definitely easing. One has to keep the knee moving even against the pain. The exercises really hurt but then I’ve got morphine and codeine and take that after and it soon goes away. I’ve stopped taking the codeine as the constipation is awful and it makes me feel so nauseous. I feel like I’ve turned a corner today so hopefully I’m over the worst.

surfsup I’m pleased that your op went well and that hopefully the worst is now over. Keep taking the painkillers and keep the knee moving!

Things are moving! Hospital phoned yesterday to check that I would be available for hip replacement in January or February, physio pre op booked and today I had an email with my pre op appointment. I shall have to be very diet aware over Christmas!

Good to know that your op is on the horizon Nannytopsy. Hope that majoring on healthy eating doesn’t top you from enjoying your Christmas treats.

Nannytopsy That is very good news, and the days will fly by. You have a lovely summer ahead, pain-free and more mobile.

I’m 3 weeks post THR which was done as a day case, in at 7am and home by 7pm including an hour’s journey home. My consultant recommended day case surgery as being at home helps mobility.
I’m a healthy 65 year old and all has gone well.
Just wanted to reassure anyone who has been offered the procedure as a day case.

Wow Purplesky, not too sure that I totally agree with your consultant as I’m sure one size doesn’t fit all. However, delighted that things turned out well for you, I really am. Onward and upward!

purplesky pleased that you’re doing so well. I’m guessing (hoping) that the consultant arranged the operations for day cases for early in the day? My first THR was at 3.30pm so no way would I have been able to go home that day!
I can see your consultant’s logic though, as in hospital mobility is fairly restricted.

Purplesky that sounds very positive but at the same time, rather scary! I’d hope to be in hospital a lot longer than as a day patient.

I’m not (yet) on the list for a THR, but my consultant won’t do another injection and told me to start the process through my GP when I’m ready. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis four years ago and the first injection into the hip worked really well, the second didn’t so he said there’s no point repeating it.

At first I was terribly upset that I could no longer run, swim breaststroke, ride a horse or bicycle, but I can get up and down stairs and I can drive, so I’m putting off contemplating surgery!

I find ibuprofen with codeine most effective on bad days , better than the meptazinol I have on prescription. I was going to get some Voltarol gel but apparently it can’t be used with ibuprofen. Does anyone find the ibuprofen gel any good?

The consultant didn’t list everyone as a day case, each person was assessed for suitability.
It’s fair to say I was a little surprised initially but did understand the logic about increased mobility at home. If I hadn’t been fit to leave, then I would have stayed in longer.
And yes the day case patient was done first, I was down in theatre at 8.30am.
It was all very uneventful, I’m pleased to say.

Oh, for goodness sake, twiglet, don’t put it off, get that THR done as soon as possible.

I delayed to the point where even walking with two sticks was slow and painful. I never had to give up driving, getting in and out of the car wasn’t easy, but the driving was fine. But it’s a bit sad when life is reduced to just being able to drive…

I put off the op because of fear, just plain fear, but, knowing what I know now, it was such a daft thing to do.

I had my THR in early August last year. I was back on a horse within 4 months, swimming is pain free, I can run, I could ride a bike if I needed to… It’s absolutely life changing.

Get it done 😆