Having a total knee replacement in three weeks
Discussion
I've read the various threads on PH with interest over the years, so I think I know what to expect 
I had a minor arthroscopy (Keyhole operation) sixteen years ago which helped, but it has got worse the last four years.
I'm 70, fit and active, but things have got that bad I can't put it off any longer, I used to think nothing of walking thirty miles, but now struggle to walk two without being in quite bad pain .
Actually looking forward to it funnily enough.
I'll let you know how I go on.
I had a minor arthroscopy (Keyhole operation) sixteen years ago which helped, but it has got worse the last four years.
I'm 70, fit and active, but things have got that bad I can't put it off any longer, I used to think nothing of walking thirty miles, but now struggle to walk two without being in quite bad pain .
Actually looking forward to it funnily enough.
I'll let you know how I go on.
dobly said:
My other half (under 60) had her left knee replaced back in August. She enjoyed the experience so much that she is getting the right one done this coming August!
She built up her strength and fitness in the 6 months before the first one was done - this really helped her have a speedy recovery. She was almost a religious fanatic about doing the physio - it really is essential. We borrowed an exercise bike from a friend that hadn’t used it for years - it’s in one of our spare rooms and got a lot of use, and still does get some.
As others have said, movement is the key - not a lot at first but some, building up gradually. She was on her feet the day after the op using a frame for a day, then 2 crutches, then one She loves swimming and swam as much as possible from about 6 weeks after the op.
The scar has faded to be just a faint red line, not bad when you see the size of the thing they shoved in there!
Best of luck with the surgery and recovery OP.
Cheers. Appreciated. She built up her strength and fitness in the 6 months before the first one was done - this really helped her have a speedy recovery. She was almost a religious fanatic about doing the physio - it really is essential. We borrowed an exercise bike from a friend that hadn’t used it for years - it’s in one of our spare rooms and got a lot of use, and still does get some.
As others have said, movement is the key - not a lot at first but some, building up gradually. She was on her feet the day after the op using a frame for a day, then 2 crutches, then one She loves swimming and swam as much as possible from about 6 weeks after the op.
The scar has faded to be just a faint red line, not bad when you see the size of the thing they shoved in there!
Best of luck with the surgery and recovery OP.
UPDATE:-
Well I had the full right knee replacement yesterday at 1 pm, according to the consultant surgeon, everything went well with minimal blood loss.
I had an epidural and sedation to put me to sleep (Not a GA )after coming round, for the first hour was a weird sensation in my legs, there was absolutely no pain and i could not even feel my legs or waggle my toes.
In the hospital i did three sessions with their electronic compressing ice machine, (Apparently you can hire these at home for about £300 for four weeks, but I will see how I go on.)
I left the hospital at 9 pm armed with about five different types of tablets/blood thinners and a strap that you put in the freezer and apply for twenty minutes every four hours to reduce the swelling.
At home, I had a fairly poor nights sleep, and as I type am in a lot of pain, but this is to be expected for a week or so.
I'll be doing loads of physio as this is the key to getting back to normal apparently.
I'll update the thread a couple of times a week for those that are interested
Hopefully after six/eight weeks I should be driving again and it should all be a distant memory,
Well I had the full right knee replacement yesterday at 1 pm, according to the consultant surgeon, everything went well with minimal blood loss.
I had an epidural and sedation to put me to sleep (Not a GA )after coming round, for the first hour was a weird sensation in my legs, there was absolutely no pain and i could not even feel my legs or waggle my toes.
In the hospital i did three sessions with their electronic compressing ice machine, (Apparently you can hire these at home for about £300 for four weeks, but I will see how I go on.)
I left the hospital at 9 pm armed with about five different types of tablets/blood thinners and a strap that you put in the freezer and apply for twenty minutes every four hours to reduce the swelling.
At home, I had a fairly poor nights sleep, and as I type am in a lot of pain, but this is to be expected for a week or so.
I'll be doing loads of physio as this is the key to getting back to normal apparently.
I'll update the thread a couple of times a week for those that are interested
Hopefully after six/eight weeks I should be driving again and it should all be a distant memory,
sherman said:
Dont try to be a big man and skimp on the pain meds.
Take them as prescribed. It will aid recovery.
Get walking to even if that means a cane or walking poles for a few weeks.
I've been walking around the house a bit this morning with a Zimmer frame/crutches, very painful but I appreciate I have to push myself through the pain barrier.Take them as prescribed. It will aid recovery.
Get walking to even if that means a cane or walking poles for a few weeks.
I won't over do it though. Little and often.
Geffg said:
My mrs had a partial replacement last year and is going for a full one on the other leg in July.
At first she said she regretted it because of the initial pain, but after a day or so said she was happy she’d had it done as the initial pain eased.
Good to know.At first she said she regretted it because of the initial pain, but after a day or so said she was happy she’d had it done as the initial pain eased.
Hope she is OK in July.
50 years ago, you would just have to live with it.
FBP1 said:
I had my left knee replaced with a full TKA in March 22. I’m 62 and had had 20 ops on that knee since I was 19 (wrecked it playing rugby). 2 reconstructions and lots of hoovering/ black and deckering via arthroscopies.
The day after the op I could feel the arthritic pain that I had for decades was instantly gone. The surgery pain was significant, obviously, but I could feel the difference.
I found a “Koolpack” that you fill with a mix of ice cubes and water very helpful as you can mould it around the knee post each physio/exercise. I kept it in an insulated box by the bed and it lasted a long time that way.
I’m now 2 years on and walk about 10-15k steps a day with no pain. Things like back pain also disappeared as I can now stand straight again. My leg was 22 degrees off straight (0 = straight) and 90degree max bend pre op. It’s now 0degree ie completely straight and 114 degree bend- you basically need at least 105 degrees to walk / do stairs normally.
Best thing I’ve done for years. The next few weeks will be tough for you, but it will be worth it. Good luck.
Here’s a couple of photos to show my progression - which isn’t unusual.
Morning after op.
Kool pack
1 month post op
Thanks for that, very encouraging, Day three now and the severe pain definitely seems to be receding.The day after the op I could feel the arthritic pain that I had for decades was instantly gone. The surgery pain was significant, obviously, but I could feel the difference.
I found a “Koolpack” that you fill with a mix of ice cubes and water very helpful as you can mould it around the knee post each physio/exercise. I kept it in an insulated box by the bed and it lasted a long time that way.
I’m now 2 years on and walk about 10-15k steps a day with no pain. Things like back pain also disappeared as I can now stand straight again. My leg was 22 degrees off straight (0 = straight) and 90degree max bend pre op. It’s now 0degree ie completely straight and 114 degree bend- you basically need at least 105 degrees to walk / do stairs normally.
Best thing I’ve done for years. The next few weeks will be tough for you, but it will be worth it. Good luck.
Here’s a couple of photos to show my progression - which isn’t unusual.
Morning after op.
Kool pack
1 month post op
Also, many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread, sharing their experiences.
FBP1 said:
No problem. You’ll get there and this will all be in the rear view mirror shortly.
As further encouragement- 2 months after the last photo above, I drove 200 miles to my nephew’s wedding in Wales and had a good time, including a 17k step (v slow) walk around some welsh hills. No dancing mind!
Oh, yeah- i took the family skiing this year. No pain & better than I’ve skied for years.
Very pleased for you. Sounds like you have been through the mill over many years.As further encouragement- 2 months after the last photo above, I drove 200 miles to my nephew’s wedding in Wales and had a good time, including a 17k step (v slow) walk around some welsh hills. No dancing mind!
Oh, yeah- i took the family skiing this year. No pain & better than I’ve skied for years.
One of my hobbies is fellwalking in The Lake District, so I'm hoping to get back into it, but if I can't it's not the end of the world.
Update 8 days post op.
Well, it certainly hasn't been easy, been using a Zimmer frame and crutches to hobble around the house, even walking up a couple of steps was agony, so I have been sleeping downstairs,
Having plenty of pain relief, co codamol, Ibuprofen, Nefopam and Liquid morphine.
My leg has swollen up quite a lot, compared to the left one, with some bruising.
Been using ice compression pack four times a day and keeping it elevated.
However, after being quite depressed for a few days, I am now feeling more positive, I can walk SLOWLY around the house for a few minutes unaided which feels wonderful.
Back to the Hospital on Monday for some physio and again on Friday to have the clips/stitches out.
Onwards and upwards.
Well, it certainly hasn't been easy, been using a Zimmer frame and crutches to hobble around the house, even walking up a couple of steps was agony, so I have been sleeping downstairs,
Having plenty of pain relief, co codamol, Ibuprofen, Nefopam and Liquid morphine.
My leg has swollen up quite a lot, compared to the left one, with some bruising.
Been using ice compression pack four times a day and keeping it elevated.
However, after being quite depressed for a few days, I am now feeling more positive, I can walk SLOWLY around the house for a few minutes unaided which feels wonderful.
Back to the Hospital on Monday for some physio and again on Friday to have the clips/stitches out.
Onwards and upwards.
Edited by Wacky Racer on Saturday 1st June 10:23
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