Knee replacement

bellabella
bellabella Member Posts: 3
edited 12. Feb 2010, 05:15 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, I had a knee replacement 8 weeks ago. I was sorta prepared for the pain afterwards, but I didn't think I would be so debilitated. Mabe I was just being naive. Another thing really bugging me is the swelling, not just my knee but my ankles are humungous!
Anybody else had this?

Comments

  • bertyboy
    bertyboy Member Posts: 1,860
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sorry i dont have any answers but i wish you well and i would suggest you ring your dr for advise some body will be along soon that might know more xx
    I know i am a lady ,all life is a journey xx MAY xx
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear Bella

    I had pain for weeks after my left TKR especially at night and also swelling of the knee. Are you on your feet too much perhaps ? Regarding your ankles, are you elevating your legs when sitting/lying.

    Ice packs on the knee helps the pain as it numbs the area. Do not put the ice directly onto the knee but I am sure you know that.

    I am having my right TKR op at the end of this month, 2 years after the first op. It was well worth having the first op and I admit to pain and discomfort post op although my knee bend and mobility was good very early on. It does take time - well it did for me and as my consultant said more than once it is a major operation and he recons one year for full recovery. I would say 4 - 6 months.

    I wish you well,

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,396
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bella,

    I had TKRs nearly 10 years ago. Mine did hurt a bit afterwards and tended to ache in bed at night but nothing like the pain I had before the operation.

    If you're worried I suggest you phone your surgeon just to check with him/her ......although it is early days yet.

    Luv Legs :)
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bella,

    I haven't had a tkr but did have the cartilages removed and it took a while for it all to settle down. They told me I was on my feet too much and maybe thats whats happening? I really hope it will settle soon and you will feel the benefits. Take care Cris
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bella

    I'm having my first op on 15 February. I am sorry to hear that you'e been so poorly. Did you manage to see your GP? How is the pain now?

    Take care and try not to overdo things.

    With regards
    Sharmaine
  • eternaloptimist
    eternaloptimist Member Posts: 2
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I had my first total knee replacement a year ago and second one will be soon. The relief of no pain in at least one knee is wonderful. I would say to anyone with any doubts - go for it! My consultant says on average it takes 12 -18 months to feel the full benefits however it obviously will not be what it once was.
    My question is - I appreciate everyone is different in terms of what they will be able to acheive e.g. the angle at which you can bend the knee varies from person to person but does the OA continue to make you feel tired, affect your mood etc still. I can bend 90 degrees only and I am happy with that but I still find it difficult to .eg get easily out of a car with the operated leg leading and if the opposite side the operated leg obviously cannot bend to get out of a small gap. I still cannot walk far because of my second knee but please be honest when I ask -Will I be able to walk long distances or still have to take breaks as I do now. I can't kneel or crouch down and in bed the operated leg feels heavy - BUT would I do it all again - You bet I would because I am in my 50's and have a lot I still want to do.

    As a matter of interest would it be worth my applying for any benefits with the difficulties I have mentioned or once you have had both replacements are you supposed to be fit again and I would not be considered?

    Thanks for answers in advance


    Sue
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,396
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sue and welcome to the Forums.

    I can't your question about tiredness and OA 'cos I'm a rheumatoid. I still need to have rests when walking but that's because I have RA I'm sure it's not the same as OA, others, like Elna, will be able to advise you better than I.

    I do have 120 deg bend in mine but it all depends on what you had before the op and doing the exercises afterwards. I stopped doing mine but have taken them up again recently and have found a vast improvement with gaining muscle support.

    As for Benefits, go for it, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Each case is judged on it's own merit.

    Good luck.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sue

    I had a TKR 2 years ago and have not looked back since with that knee. It did take time but I don't really think about it now, the only time is when I knock it badly and I did have a couple of bad falls at the end of last year which scared me and it did give me jip but the surgeon had a look, I had xrays done as I was seeing him anyway about the other knee with a view to an op on that one. He said it was fine. My op is a week today. It does sometimes remind me, more so in the cold weather that it is a replacement but mobility wise, it is excellent. I have oa in other places so cannot comment on the tiredness really. I do get tired depending on what I have done. All I know is that the knee is now my very good friend and I hope the other "new" one, will eventually be so too. I have not been able to walk long distances anyway the past year, due to horrid intermittent sciatica brought on when walking and standing but after two jabs recently in my lower back so far this is sorted and walking is fun again. It will be even more enjoyable when the other knee is done as that gives me a lot of gip and discomfort, whatever I am doing. By the way I am 59 and like you I have things I wish to do too.

    I am unable to answer your question about applying for benefits because so far I have never looked into that side of things.

    Look after yourself,

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • eternaloptimist
    eternaloptimist Member Posts: 2
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you both so much for your answers
    Sue :)
  • bellabella
    bellabella Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry to everyone for not replying but I've been a bit incapicitated. My new knee gave way, I landed on my 'good' leg and ruptured my achilles tendon! If I didn't have bad luck I'd have no luck at all. I've just spent the past week in hospital and now am home. I've gotta have a full cast on my leg for 6 weeks and then a half leg cast for another 6 weeks. That's what I get for moaning about my knee replacement! Hope you are all battling on.
  • bertyboy
    bertyboy Member Posts: 1,860
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    oh poor you Bellabella you do sound in the wars i hope you are getting on ok it cant be easy with a cast on your other leg , i will send you lots of careing gentle hugs xxx
    I know i am a lady ,all life is a journey xx MAY xx
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear Bella

    I am so very sorry to read your posting. You sure have been a bit incapacitated, to say the least! You poor thing. Goodness, what a thing to happen, your new knee giving way. I wonder how/why that happened.

    I really am so sorry to hear that you will now be set back a good number of weeks. Your sense of humour shines through still though. :) Bless you.

    If you need some company and it is not too difficult to sit at the pc or use a laptop, please call in to us on the different zones. You know where we all are. If the board is a little quiet you will probably find everyone in the cafe. :D

    Lots of love and gentle hugs
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bellabella

    Hi sorry to hear that you're not doing so well after your surgery. :cry::cry: I'm going in for my first TKR on Monday. Have you spoken to your GP about this swelling? You haven't been overdoing it??? I know you have to take it easy for a number of weeks. I would see someone about this.

    Let us know how you get on.

    Sharmaine
    bellabella wrote:
    Hi, I had a knee replacement 8 weeks ago. I was sorta prepared for the pain afterwards, but I didn't think I would be so debilitated. Mabe I was just being naive. Another thing really bugging me is the swelling, not just my knee but my ankles are humungous!
    Anybody else had this?

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