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Knee replacement in 2 weeks time

Posted , 12 users are following.

Eastie
Eastie

I’m 52 and facing knee replacement in 2 weeks time , I do a heavy manual job and have been off work now for several weeks with arthritis , whilst off work I’ve been in less pain and now as the op is nearing I’m feeling very nervous and wondering whether I should ask for injections and postpone the op a while longer . 

‘I have a BMI of 36 and am wondering if it’s best to try and lose weight and have the operation later in the year or if I’m just being scared as I’ve never spent a night in hospital  before .

ive looked on this site and there seem to be a lot of people in pain or still suffering , my preop is on Tuesday and I really don’t know what to do for the best . 

0 likes, 48 replies

48 Replies

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  • Eastie
    Eastie

    Posted

    Some very reassuring posts here many thanks - I have the preop tomorrow and think I will opt for the spinal anaesthetic if fit to operate , I’ve spoken to a couple of people who had spinal and they seemed happy with how it went and being in control of their own breathing .
  • Eastie
    Eastie

    Posted

    I guess the question is will waiting 6 months and losing another 2 stone make much difference recovery wise?
  • cherry75260
    cherry75260 Eastie

    Posted

    Hi Eastie,

    Best wishes at your pre-op tomorrow, you have a lot of people thinking about you.  Let us know what you decide, either way we all understand.

    Blessings,

    Cherry🍒

  • dawn220
    dawn220 Eastie

    Posted

    Hello there. My preop was about 1and 1/2 hrs. I was in rexovery about 2 hrs after operation. I walked to bathroom that night but my surgery was at 9am. I left the Ortho center on day 3 to my apt. I had Home health aid for 3 wks. Now outpatient PT but I consistently do the exercises EVERYDAY....
    • Eastie
      Eastie dawn220

      Posted

      Hi dawn , great that you are doing so well - I will see what happens tomorrow - if it will benefit me to lose a couple of stone then I will probably take that option as my knee doesn’t feel too bad right now - however I guess that’s due to a few weeks rest ,  when I return to work it may hurt again as it’s a standing job .

      i will go there keeping all options open tomorrow - thanks to all for your kind posts and advice .

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 Eastie

      Posted

      Are you having op on NHS? If so I would just get it done as you may end up having a longer wait than you can bear, possibly? Who knows how the demand and supply balance will fall?

      Another thing is I think if you have a steroid injection you have to wait 6 months before surgery...not dead certain on this but there is something about infection risk...might be worth asking.

      And steroid injections don't always work.

      How is your mood? Apart from the obvious anxiety about the operation, how would you feel if you left it and then things got worse again? It's possible that losing weight wouldn't improve your symptoms sufficiently. It didn't help mine, though it was a beneficial thing to do, of course.

      I get that its a good idea to lose the weight, because of decreasing risks however have a good long think about it, because with a spinal its safer anyway. Do you have other risk factors which mean you are more worried about an operation?

      It is a hard decision, but delaying it may introduce other factors, i.e., if you struggle to lose the weight and lose more mobility, it is going to be depressing and that I n itself will not help your recovery when y ou do have your operation. It may just prolong the agony?

      Think hard, and remember, there is a big part of us before a major operation desperately looking for an escape route!

      Whatever you decide I am sure it will be right for you, but think about your capacity to bear things not just short term but longer term.

    • Eastie
      Eastie jenny80029

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply - very informative and helped me decide to proceed -now I have 2 weeks until the op so will try and relax and prepare myself for the long road to fitness .
    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 Eastie

      Posted

      Glad it helped.... now you can get your home ready...! The more organised you are the better! Keep us posted!
    • Eastie
      Eastie jenny80029

      Posted

      Will get a little bell to ring for wife to make a drink etc 😁

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 Eastie

      Posted

      😀 great idea! This certainly is a time when our nearest and dearest have to help us in many respects! I still remember the strained face of my husband as I called out for yet another ice pack, another cup of tea, etc... It was alright for the first few days, and then the novelty wore off, particularly if I needed something in the middle of a snooker match or some other inconvenient time!😀😁

    • sue64229
      sue64229 Eastie

      Posted

      Ha ha!  A bells, such a man!  Good luck.
    • cherry75260
      cherry75260 jenny80029

      Posted

      Great post Jenny...had a good laugh!😂   Geez, I get to do all that again during my second tkr in 2 weeks...poor hubby, ya gotta love 'em!

      Cherry🍒

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