Has anyone had a knee replacement?

Looann2

Anyone had a knee replacement ? i'm having mine done next month i'm really scared of this as i had a hip replacement and it has tuck me a long time to recover my walking is worse since i had it done and still very painful and my consultant has said prepare myself for the pain it's not like having a hip replacement that's put me  rite off 

ShirleyW

I had a knee replacement nearly 7 years ago when I was 61 years old.

It is painful for about 6 weeks but if you do your physio religiously it starts to improve.  The physio is painful but I told my husband to make sure that I did it.  He would stand by the bed and count the number of times I did each exercise so that I did not cheat.

The only regret that I have is that I didn't have it done earlier.  Yes there is intense pain for a few weeks but I now consider that it was worth it as I can walk almost pain free which I couldn't do before the operation.  I used to be in a lot of pain whilst walking and also at night in bed.  

My hips are fine but I've had 5 other joint operations on my toe, thumbs and shoulder.  Including the knee operation I would say that the shoulder operation has been the most painful and debilitating.  

Tori_Scope

Hi @Looann2 Thank you for posting about your knee replacement. I hope that ShirleyW's kind insight has helped you to understand what it might be like to recover from a knee replacement. Has it put your mind at ease a bit? 

I can imaging hearing your consultant say that was a bit worrying. Do you have the opportunity to speak to them again about what to expect, and how to prepare? 

Are you confident in knowing what you'll need to do in the following weeks or months? 

The NHS have a page on recovering from a knee replacement, which you might find helpful to read.

Is your medical team aware that your hip is still painful, and that your walking has worsened since you had it done? 

Steve_Ston

I too have had a right knee replacement back in 2016. In truth the pain shouldn't be that bad if managed by pain meds in the initial recovery stages, around two weeks or so.

The key to this and any other replacement joint surgery is physio, physio and more physio. It will be painful for sure but as the saying goes - no pain, no gain.

As I recall I was back driving after 4 weeks having been practicing in the car for a week or so using the brake pedal (this actually served as good physio too)

Unfortunately due to multiple other conditions particularly severe spinal issues, I do need crutches to walk any distance outside but can walk around the house in short bursts and was able to do this at around two weeks post op.

It can be off putting when your surgeon tells you it will be painful but for me, better being prepared for the worst and possibly being pleasantly surprised once the surgery has been done.

As ShirleyW has alluded to the worst pain I've had from replacement joints and the toughest recovery was in 2019 when I had my left shoulder replaced in the January and then the right one replaced in June, bear in mind I need crutches to walk so the shoulders must be good, so far it's been remarkable, indeed life changing, I can now put my right hand over my head and touch my left shoulder blade and the left one has been just as succesful but it's all down to whacking in the physio.

I hope your knee replacement will be a leasant surprise for you and you soon get to a pain free situation.

Good luck.

Alex_Alumni

Thanks for sharing your experiences in such detail @ShirleyW and @Steve_Ston I'm sure @Looann2 will find them very helpful insights  

I'm glad you've both got through all the pain and hard work after your knee replacements, and feel better for it.

Wibbles

I had a partial knee replacement (aged 53) in 2016 - the op itself was not painful (you are unconcious) - and the recovery was not painful - the fact is that I was given the op way too late - when hyperextension had already set in - I am wheelchair bound now !

L_Volunteer

Thanks for sharing this with us @Wibbles. I can hear that it is difficult that you were given the op way too late. How frustrating! 

elaine321

I have had a full right knee replacement 3 weeks ago - I was told the same about the pain - for the 1st week it was painful but has gradually subsided - have been doing physio and today walked with crutches 1,600 steps so doing really well - just have to be patient - down to one crutch indoors and can manage stairs easily - good luck