General Chat

How much walking did you do on the first week home after discharge????

Listen to your physiotherapist Ann.
Recovery depends on how well you co-operate with instructions.
I know someone whose knee never recovered properly because he launched straight into a very active life including lifting heavy weights. I also know someone who was extremely careful and did exactly as they were told and now leads a totally normal, pain free life.
Listen and obey, Ann!!!!
all the best,
Jill

Thanks Jill
I am listening and have been for my first physio session,she said my knee bend is great,but some days i feel like doing more than others.
This is nearly the end of my second week,I try and do a little walk each day and do my exercises 3 times a day.
I don't want to do too much or too little if you see what I mean

Yes I have had a Knee Replacement I would only advise to listen to Physio until you see Consultant
I do understand months of pain then you want to go mad I know the feeling, but remember they know whats best for you
Good Luck

thanks Mabel and Maggie---I am wondering if I am expecting too much---it's evening time that I can't find a resting place,maybe when the clips are out---that's tomorrow ---I'll feel better.
And I'm only doing a bit of walking really.

Will keep on taking the painkillers then ---off to bed soon

Knee operations are notoriously more painful than hip replacements, but the return to normal life (if you do as you are told!) is much quicker. Hip replacements take much longer to heal but are less painful.
Good luck with the rcovery Ann - be patient and stop fretting - just lie back and appreciate the time to smell the flowers - but don't bend over and do it!
cheers
Jill

Thanks Jillian
Maybe I am wanting to move on too quick---ad i got the day wrong for removal of clips---it's tomorrow!!!

I had both knees replaced last year - the first in May and the second in November.

We live in a little cul-de-sac with twelve houses round a bit of grass. By the second week I wasn't doing more than go down our path and round this cul-de-sac. I walked around a bit in the house (more because sitting down wasn't that comfortable as my leg was very swollen after the first op). Just do whatever you feel is o.k. for yourself but remembering not to go too far because you have to get back again. Are you still using two sticks (which I think you should be outside)?

I think in the first couple of months doing the exercises is more important than a lot of walking. I still don't do a lot of walking because over the 3 years that my knees have been really bad I have put on so much weight that it's now the weight that stops me walking too far rather than my knees!!

Kath. x

Hi Kath
Thanks for your info,I have been to physio today and they are pleased with me my bend is 105% so asked about the walking and she said as my wound is a little red still just to do the excercises and leave the walking for a few more days----yes am using 2 sticks outside but one inside.
I don't think I will be brave enough to have my other knee done within a year!!!! But will wait and see.

My 70yr old brother had both knees done within 6 mths, and in a year was off on a walking holiday and climbing a small mountain. He said keep up the exercises, even though they can hurt.

GET WELL SOON ANN XX

Hi Ann,

After my first operation I said "never again" for the first couple of months - It was much more painful than I had expected and I also got an infection in the knee which put me back in hospital for two weeks and had to have another operation to clean out the wound and had the wound left open and packed so that it could heal from the inside out. That was two months after the original operation and I was still saying "never again" for another couple of months but once I started to feel the benefit of the op. I decided I may as well get the other one over and done with, so when the surgeon said he could do it as soon as I had passed 6 months I said yes.

If you are getting 105 degree bend after two weeks you are doing very well indeed. I still only get about that on a good day. I'm sure it won't be long before you are out and about properly. If you need the other knee doing as well I would get it done, but perhaps leave it 9 - 12 months as I think 6 months was a bit too soon in hindsight.

Did you get the clips out? It certainly feels better once they have gone.

Take care.

Kath. x

Hi Kath
sorry I havent had the computer on ---had a virus so felt off it,better now,
Yes I had clips out and wound is very good.
I am going out for little walks and the bend is still good but as you say I didn't realise it would be so painful,so I hope that I feel the same as you and get the other one done ---as the other is grating even more---pressure on it I suppose
ah well I'll keep on with the excercises
I don't think my surgeon does them within 1 year
Thank you