Knee Replacement Surgery

[chokkie]

Just wondering about this as I've been told I will need this in the future (but apparently too young at the moment!). I've been told that it can be a very painful experience ... is that correct - and how long, on average, would recovery take ... ?

Hope someone can offer advice, best wishes, Chox.

[Connemmara]

depends on your positivity - my next door neighbour got two hips - got out of hospital on the Monday and started to walk down the street on the Wednesday with crutches

My friends'husband got a new knee = very nervous but things have happened in the domestic home he has to get on with it and he doing very well.

[chokkie]

Thanks connemmara - I doubt I shall be lacking in positivity - have a full-time job I would like to go back to at the end of it and a lovely husband to look after as well. I got through three months with a broken ankle a couple of years ago and only had a week at the very beginning where I felt oh so sorry for myself and wouldn't go out .... just really wanted to know what I might be letting myself in for .... cheers.

[milkybar]

Depends a great deal on who does it and where.Had my right knee replaced at Hinchingbrooke hospital in Huntingdon.I only wish I could have talked them into doing the left one as well. Best thing I ever had done if it wasn't for my age I would put my cricket kit on again!!best advice do your physio this is the quickest way to get up and running again. Recovery about three months I found, but we are all different. good luck let us know how it goes.x

[black_cat51]

of course it will be painful -they take a hammer and chisel to a joint :)
However, it's a different kind of pain to the wearing, getting you down everyday type of pain you get with knee problems and as a bonus, it recovers quickly. Recovery time is all subjective, especially to how bad your problems were before. Six weeks to feel much more normal and to feel it's actually your leg you've got on, three months to be "getting there" six months to be completely normal and over it, 1 year to completely forget you ever had a knee problem.

[murraymints]

my dad has had both knees done..as long as you do your physio etc..after a few weeks you'll be fine, best thing dad ever did !

[Buenchico]

The NHS website has a 'real life' story and video here:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Knee-replacement/Pages/Janetsstory.aspx

There's lots more information here:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Knee-replacement/Pages/Kneereplacementexplained.aspx
In particular, if you click the 'Recovery' link you'll find that particular part of your question well answered. (There's a video as well as lots of useful text).

[chokkie]

thanks guys, you've been very helpful. having spent three months recovering from a broken ankle, I reckon I could cope with knee replacement .... thanks for all the information, and will check out that link. However, I haven't even been referred to a Knee clinic yet, hope my GP will do that soon ...

Cheers, Chox.

[mollymalloy]

I had my knee replaced 6 1/2 weeks ago and was awake during the op (epidural) and remember mostly the smell of burning bone as they cut through it. The pain has been 24/7 since then, am not a painkiller lover but have had to take them to help alleviate the pain a little. NOTHING alleviates it totally. I apply ice throughout the day - only place I can get comfy is on the bed. Can't sleep at night still as can't get comfortable with the knee. Yes, am doing the exercises, but can't bend the knee properly. I am really worried, but with you more success with yours when you have it done. There are some lucky people who sail through without a hitch.