Knee replacement aged 48yrs old.

I had a hip replacement at 58, not as young as you I know but certainly on the younger end of joint replacements age. Recovered fantastically and apparently joints are lasting longer than was originally expected. My op was in 2016. I would say if you have it done, look after your replaced joint. Don’t jog or play tennis or football, but swim and walk instead. Looking after your new joint is crucial so follow your Orthapaedic surgeons advice. Sometimes very young people have joint replacements, for example if they have hip dysplasia, so it is possible. Hope all goes well for you.

Hello Emmalong,

Its the best decision I have made. I had a knee replacement in December and my other knee was was done in April. I had all the fears as you have. The operations went well . Pain control and physio are important to do. To have a night's sleep without being woken up with pain and getting to be able to walk my dog again has been wonderful. Good luck

Hi Emmalong, isn’t it so frustrating especially when you are young. That said thank goodness there are options. I really will be interested to hear how you get on and wish you well. I am waiting for X-rays for a swollen knee and after nigh on 3 months of physio I’m still non the wiser of my problem other than it was a sports injury. I may have to face surgery too but like you I need my life back . All the best

@EMMALONG I had mine done on 17th Sep so I think I’m a couple of days ahead of you!

At 56 I was just delighted to be described as young and fit by my surgeon having not been able to walk for 2 years. 😂 I hope you’re recovering well. I feel like I’m making real progress now, but my knee was so shot before and permanently bent so I can already walk better and with one stick instead of 2, very slowly, but with much less pain than before. Of course it’s totally different for everyone but my surgeon suggested that he generally finds younger people recover quickest, so I hope you’re soon back to the things you love.
My daughter moved to Australia in June and we’re visiting in January so my dream is to walk on Bondi Beach and not have to hire a wheelchair for our trip (which was the plan before surgery). Good luck 👍

@SoniaR Oh goodness that sounds horrendous. 2 weeks today then, same as me! I really hope you’re doing well now and starting to feel better. My experience was very different so I don’t think I can really help much on the pain relief, but I was on Codeine initially in hospital that made me really dizzy and I had very low blood pressure so they switched it to Tamadol which was better, but still made me feel very weird so I just took it at night. I’m back to my pre-op Naproxen and paracetamol when needed (before bed or physio), but I’ve not had a hematoma to cope with so don’t compare. I have RA and had a permanently bent and excruciating knee before so just being able to straighten my leg is enough to make me very happy rn. Hopefully now you’re able to do some physio you will see more progress. My swelling goes down a lot now overnight but comes back with activity and especially if I sit without raising my leg. Hang in there and I hope your pain gets easier soon.

Keep me posted 👍

Hi @EMMALONG

I was 42 when I had both my knees replaced in the same operation and I was so thankful I did!

Beforehand I couldn't walk outside the house and had to be pushed in a wheelchair. I still walk independently at age 66! I did have to have a revision of my right knee in 2011 but my left knee is 24 years old and causes me no problem.

I decided that age 42 I, hopefully, still had much life in front of me so if there was a chance to enjoy it without the awful pain I would go for it! I have no regrets.