Total knee replacement

[Gemini]

It's a month until my operation so I thought I would start thread to update on the progress.
Tomorrow is my pre op assessment.

My surgery is on September 19th. I have to go in at 7.30am but don't know what time my slot will be. I am guessing it will be morning as my surgeon holds his out patient consolations on Tuesday afternoons.
I may stay one night or several nights, depending on how I am. The friend I had lunch with today was in for 4 nights, but it's usually less.

[Plantaholic]

Gemini, getting closer now, good job when it is over and you are free from pain.

[Oma]

Fingers crossed it all goes to plan Gem and your pain free soon xxx

[Nanto2girls]

Hope all goes well Gem.

[Daisy]

Gem, you must be feeling a bit apprehensive, but also (I hope) very positive that once it's healed. you will be free fro pain and eventually able to walk as far as you wish.

[Gemini]

Thanks everyone

I know it will be a road to recovery and the pain will get worse before it gets better, but I am prepared for that.

I am apprehensive Daisy, but I won't back out as I really need this.

[Oma]

No you can’t back out , you know it’s the right thing to do as it will get to the point you can’t walk
You can do it Super woman 😁

[Daisy]

Gem, Oma's right!

I hope they give you good pain control after the op. I'm sure it helps recovery when you can rest in comfort and sleep as much as you need to.

[Clover]

Gem you’ll be fine. After my hip replacement the pain wasn’t too bad at all - much less than before the op. I know a knee is different. but someone I know had a knee replacement and sailed through it. My only advice would be to diligently do any exercises you’re given. Hard at times but really worth it.

[Gemini]

Thank you Clover. I certainly intend to do all I can to help my recovery.

[Daisy]

Gem, our neighbour's DD is a physio and she says the same as Clover - do the exercises exactly as shown and as frequently as advised.

I don't know how much tissue/internal bruising you get with a knee replacement, but it might be worth asking if there is anything you can do to help reduce or heal your knee.

[Gemini]

The size of a grapefruit I have read Daisy!
I have ordered a pair of ice packs which will mould to my knee and have elastic to hold them in place as regular icing for 15 minutes is advised.

[Daisy]

That sounds a really good idea, Gem.

[Gemini]

14 weeks post op.

It hasn't been an easy ride.

No problems with the operation (apart from the anesthetist) and no recovery problems . I was discharged by the consultant at 6 weeks and the physio at 9 weeks

However problem free doesn't mean pain free. The pain especially at night has been considerable. My leg was very swollen for 5 weeks. I went back to have to checked at 4 weeks as it was alarming but was told it was normal and would go down, which it did.
After the external scar is all healed there is a lot of hidden scar tissue and healing to take place.
My knee will swell with any extra exercise and icing and elevating the leg will be routine for some time yet.

I joined a FB knee replacement forum and it has saved my sanity! I know everything I have been through is standard because of them
We all feel surgeons play down the recovery period. 12 to 18 months is the general time but they tend to say you will be over it in a few weeks.

At 4 weeks I plucked up the courage to watch a YouTube video of a total knee replacement. They call it routine but major surgery and they are right! Bone, sawing, hammering etc etc. It's brutal. Once you see it you understand the pain and length of recovery.

I have had a lot of spells of totally regretting having this surgery, especially as I had to pay for it. People expecting me to be pain free when I was actually in more pain made it worse!

I knew I would feel differently in time and in fact now at 3 months I am beginning to see the benefits.
Although there is still pain it is different. Post operative healing pain not the bone on bone pain of arthritis. I can walk with no knee pain in that knee. Back pain is still the problem but that may improve.

I can walk a lot faster, can do the majority of the exercises at my aquafit class and keep up with the work on my library morning. The main benefit is not being awake at night with knee pain . That went on for a very long time and was hard. I still need a cushion between my knees, but I am so much more comfortable at night now.

I will update again at 6 months

[Daisy]

Gem, you've been brave and determined. I've commented on the other thread as well, but I wanted to say that your recovery has been helped by you doing the recommended exercises and following doctor's and physio's instructions.

It's great that you are so positive and getting better and better every day. And it will soon be Spring, which will also lift your spirits. xxx