replacement knee operation

[herbie]

Have been told today that i need a new knee anyone had one done? how long does did it take before you could climb stairs and go back to normal living? and most inportantly how bad was the pain(im such a baby) also since my knee really hurt and swelled up at the beginning off the year by back and hip has been killing me could they be connected?.The consultant said that i will proberly need another one in about ten years and it was up to me wether i had it done now or carried on with the pain killers dont really know what to do shall i have it done now or wait till im i total agony and have to go through it again im in my early 50is any help or advice much appreciated.

[Ice.Maiden]

I'm sure you'll get some mixed replies here herbie. A friend's father went into a hospital near Chesterfield and had his knee done. He was soon up and about, and felt far less discomfort then before the op. He was soon walking without the aid of a stick, and says it was well worth it. We know a woman who also went into the same place, and she said the same thing. She didn't even USE a walking stick afterwards.
On the down-side, an old lady in the village had one of hers done some years ago, and reckoned it took her months to walk again properly - but things've moved on since then. Best of luck.

[joannie10]

mums friend got this done 3 weeks ago. She is around 70 years old. She got it done on the Tuesday and they had her up and moving around on the Wednesday. It was the Monday she got home as they would not let her home until she could manage the stairs. Cannot comment on how she found the op but doing very well already.

[fbg40]

Hi Herbie
Had a TKR (Total Knee Replacement) in October 2005. Op on the Friday at 11 a.m., back on the ward by 1 p.m., up walking with a frame at 5 p.m. !! I was 57 when I had it done. Don't get pains anymore, but you really do have to learn to walk again. A frien had the same op two weeks ago and he said the same. In the long run I think it's worth it. Couldn't drive for 8 weeks +, just couldn't press the brake pedal. Walking was no problem really, just remember not to limp and BEND the knee.
Good luck, keep us posted.
FBG40

[blackcat77]

My mother wouldn't hve a knee replacement when she needed one (at about 75) as she was scared of anaesthetics. Her ability to walk became less and less although she had pyhsiotherapy which really wasn't any help. She eventually ended up with her knee so badly distorted she could not walk at all. It was horrible to watch progressing. Whe i eventually managed to persuade her to see a consultant he said that it was too late as she was by then over 80 and not in very good health. She lived out the next 7 years in a wheelchair with a really badly distorted leg. I would think that if it was me I would definitely have the operation and run the risk that I might have to have it redone sometime in the future and be able to enjoy the better quality of life that you will enjoy from it now. I know that a friend of ours had very bad arthritis and has had both knees replaced and has found life much easier since then. Good luck with whatever you decide.