Total knee replacement?

[beyond the blue]

I've been holding off asking this question since having the above Op on Monday. Has anyone had total knee replacement surgery recently and remember where they were on the recovery ladder after 5 days? I have my first physio assessment on Monday and feel that I'm going to be somewhat behind their expectations from what was discussed when I was discharged from hospital on Tuesday. More info to follow if anyone can offer any advice!

 

[Dangermouse]

Hold on I will ask the missus, its not good news though

 

[babytiger]

Hi 1.It depends where you had it done as I found out.This is a big op and takes at least 2-3 months before your knee feels anything like a knee.To be honest you came out of hospital quick I was in at least 4 days so really 5 days post op isn't long at all.Just keep doing the exercises,yes it is painful but it will help recovery.Get some E45 cream to rub onyour wound this will stop it from drying out,someone gave me that tip..

 

[beyond the blue]

Hi 1.It depends where you had it done as I found out.This is a big op and takes at least 2-3 months before your knee feels anything like a knee.To be honest you came out of hospital quick I was in at least 4 days so really 5 days post op isn't long at all.Just keep doing the exercises,yes it is painful but it will help recovery.Get some E45 cream to rub onyour wound this will stop it from drying out,someone gave me that tip..

Thanks, its the exercises that are the problem! They gave me four to do three times times a day. I started walking (if that's what you could call it) and doing the exercises within a couple of hours of coming out of the operating theatre and all seemed well but the following day I couldn't manage to do two of them (knee lifts & hip lifts) they said not to worry and keep trying as all will be well in a couple of days, well, they were wrong as I still can't lift the leg at all. There doesn't seem to be anything else wrong as I can move my ankle and there is no infection from what I can see.

 

[babytiger]

Thanks, its the exercises that are the problem! They gave me four to do three times times a day. I started walking (if that's what you could call it) and doing the exercises within a couple of hours of coming out of the operating theatre and all seemed well but the following day I couldn't manage to do two of them (knee lifts & hip lifts) they said not to worry and keep trying as all will be well in a couple of days, well, they were wrong as I still can't lift the leg at all. There doesn't seem to be anything else wrong as I can move my ankle and there is no infection from what I can see.

Can you bend your leg at all? my physio was concentrating on trying to get my knee to bend but you will still have the stitches though.I wouldnt worry too much after a few days.I finished up on crutches and enough pain meds to knock a horse out for months afterwards

 

[beyond the blue]

I can bend my knee up about 30 degrees until the clips hurt but nothing else at all. I send all the signals but nothing lifts at all. I just keep remembering the surgeon saying if you don't complete the exercises it is pointless doing the op in the first place. Maybe l just need to calm down and tell them on Monday.

 

[Di Stone]

I had my left knee totally replaced on 25th August 2017 and can honestly say I've have little or no pain to speak of since. The operation was on the Friday morning but couldn't do any physio the next day due to the blocker they used on the knee being so good, I couldn't feel my foot to put any weight on it to support myself. With physio on Sunday I was able to walk stairs although slowly but no pain to speak of. I had a sick note for 6 weeks but my boss was wonderful and let me work from home the day after getting out of hospital. Within two weeks, I'd gone back with a few hours in the morning and then continued admin work in the afternoon. By week 4, I'd extended the hours and was almost back to normal working days. Thankfully I have an automatic car so could drive a week after the operation.

With the blocker in place, I was able to straighten and bend the leg immediately with no discomfort at all. Slept like a log with the drugs. 8 months on, I can't totally kneel down on it without winching but that will be down to nerves still healing but that doesn't stop me kneeling on the right and supporting myself with the new knee bent. It does feel like it is being gripped when the weather is cold but I've put that down to whatever the joint is made of.

At the 6 weeks check-up my consultant couldn't believe that my movement and walking was as good as it was. I was only booked in for 1 post physio at the hospital and just told to keep doing the exercises at home.

I don't know what your circumstances are Neil but I was initially bone on bone with little or no cartilage behind the knee so this is a 100% improvement.

Good luck. Hope you have as good a surgeon as I had and recover as well.

Di