Total knee replacement 1

alwayssewing
alwayssewing Member Posts: 105
edited 6. Mar 2025, 00:11 in Living with arthritis

I thought it best to start a new discussion because this time it's my knees being done.

There was a bit of a hiccup when I arrived on 10th of December for my x-rays and consultation about having my knees done, the consultant wasn't there ,he'd gone away. They did do the x-rays though.

I had a phone conversation this week with the consultant to discuss the x-rays and he said I had bone on bone and it was very bad in both knees. It was agreed he will do the right one first because it is the most painful. Less than 20 minutes later I had a call to say they had a date so I will be going in on 10th of March.

Comments

  • Bryony
    Bryony Member Posts: 82

    I presume being done privately, and not NHS? If not then which hospital?

  • alwayssewing
    alwayssewing Member Posts: 105

    @Bryony it is a private hospital but used and paid for by the NHS. I was given a list of hospital options before I had my first THR last year . I chose this one because I knew it well having taken others there in the past. It is in Blackburn if that helps.

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,298

    Oh my goodness that is fantastic @alwayssewing are you ready for another op?

    Amazing

    Toni x

  • alwayssewing
    alwayssewing Member Posts: 105

    frogmorton yes I am ready. I have suffered long enough with my knees from my teens onwards. My hips are great but I still struggle walking properly because of my right knee in particular.

    My general health is good and now we are on the right side of winter I feel a bit more energetic. I'm an Autumn/Spring person.

  • Janlyn
    Janlyn Member Posts: 646

    @alwayssewing and not long until the 10th March now and will be a good time for your recovery too!

  • Bryony
    Bryony Member Posts: 82

    Thanks. I've been waiting over 2 years with the NHS, and told not until end of July. I've been bone on bone in both knees by X ray for over 3 years, but probably 4 and a half, but that was peak covid time and face to face appointments were not available, so diagnosis got very delayed, so didn't get referred for X-ray for a year and a half.

    I've sent a complaint to the hospital I am with, and they even delay with complaints, don't respond in the time they are meant to. When I was originally referred I was given a choice, but in my immediate area virtually none were trained in partial knee replacement, and I wanted to have that option as it was likely that I'd be suitable. (Since then there are now 2 consultants in my area that do them, though one may be out of area - it is in the new ICB, but outside the old CCG. ) I went slightly outside my area, but wasn't given a proper choice.

    I've just made an appointment with my GP to try to get referred elsewhere. I can't get any meaningful information on waiting times either - all I can find are the median times for orthopaedics that bear no relation at all to what those waiting fro knee replacements are.

  • alwayssewing
    alwayssewing Member Posts: 105

    @Bryony I feel I have been extremely fortunate that everything has happened so quickly.

    I waited it out in extreme pain and sleepless nights right through COVID. As soon as they allowed face to face I sat in bed waiting to make an appointment on the app and there was one left which thankfully I got.

    I don't know what the answer is, I hope you get sorted soon.

  • sticky300
    sticky300 Member Posts: 1

    I had both my knees fully replaced in 2015 for the first 3 years. They were fantastic along side using biological drug treatment (benipali) now as from then to date I am in just as much pain an am as immobile as I haves been in the past so don’t expect miracles to last I really really hope and your in my prayers that they do just haves it in mind it may not be as amazing as you wish and want it to be xxxx

  • alwayssewing
    alwayssewing Member Posts: 105

    @sticky300 I looked up the treatment, and see it's for rheumatoid arthritis. That's a bit more complex than osteoarthritis.

    I have end stage bone on bone osteoarthritis and have only taken pain relief and standard anti inflammatory medication. I had both hips replaced last year and both are really good.

    Now it is my knees turn. The surgeon always recites everything that could go wrong so I'm well aware of the risks. I am 69 and would like to have a few years of being able to move around freely before the rest of my body starts giving up on me.

  • alwayssewing
    alwayssewing Member Posts: 105

    Pre op was done and just have 17 days to go. I am isolating now because I don't want to catch anything after having to move my operation date last year due to getting a nasty virus.

  • noddingtonpete
    noddingtonpete Moderator Posts: 1,365
    edited 22. Feb 2025, 13:22

    @sticky300 welcome to the Online Community forum. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

    I would recommend having a look at our website as it has lots of useful information on arthritis, treatments and hints and tips, or if you have a specific question to ask just create a post on here.

    Please keep posting,

    Best wishes

    Peter

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on0800 5200 520Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • alwayssewing
    alwayssewing Member Posts: 105

    Well it's been an eventful week in many ways. My operation date has been moved to May owing to my surgeon having to fly back to his family. I was offered another surgeon and keep the original date but decided I would rather wait. It's only another 11 weeks so not long. I will have to do the pre op again.

  • Janlyn
    Janlyn Member Posts: 646

    @alwayssewing Oh, I'm sorry to hear, but as you say only another 11 weeks and if you have faith in your original surgeon it's a good choice.

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