Knee surgery

I agree with this. Pain does funny things to you and I am taking the routine 'six weeks' estimate as just that - an estimate 

You can always wear a brace for a couple of times out (for peace of mind), but if you can climb a few steps without pain, then you should be able to cope with the brake, no matter how hard you have to stomp on it. Try driving a block or two or round a supermarket carpark.

My word of caution are: long journeys can be painful, no matter how far along you are.  The vibration from the road travels up from foot to knee.  You may not feel it at first, but when y ou try getting out of the car, there will be a few ouches and hops and why did this happen.  Even smooth roads can be bothersome.  If you have cruise control, use it and stretch your legs out in front of you (lifting your knees off the seat) if you can (a) you will be stretching them (b) slight relief from the road. If not, then a few stops along the way will help.

Short journeys can be bothersome to, especially in traffic.  All the stopping and starting. Certainly one way of testing how strong your muscles and tendons are.

Thank you sueisobel Some great advice there.

I'll bear your thoughts in mind - the advice on managing both short and long journeys will I think be very useful.

Thanks again

 

Yes, sueisobol knows a lot about this surgery and recovery.  I am 12 weeks as I said before, and rode 1 1/2 hour each way to see my Mom on Sunday.  It was worth it....as she is 83.  Met my siblings and we ate together with her. We had to wait 1 hours for table...then 35 minuttes at table for food.  The ride back was very uncomfortable.  I made hubby stop and let me get in back of car to stretch out my leg...so he was driving miss daisy the rest of the way home.  I was very stiff Sunday late afternoon...and sore yesterday.

it all makes sense. I did stretches and rode my bike Sunday night...then hot bath and early to bed.  Yesterday pushed thru the sore feeling and today I am good.  Now I just have to make hubby understand as he wants to make a 8 hour drive get away the end of June.  I told him I will not commit to being able to go at this time.  We will see.

pam

You are so welcome,I have driven many miles and not listened to my own advice, sometimes to the point of not being able to walk once I had reached my destination. If I can help someone else, then all is not lost ;-)

I too have a long drive this weekend. 5 hrs. Then camping out for the weekend. Will be traveling and camping in our motorhome. I will ride on couch that has seat belts so I can move my leg around. I talked to pt person about it. He said I should be ok. Just exercise and rest often. I also have the pain behind my thigh which often causes cramping. Hoping I'm not making a mistake by going on this trip. Im happy I won't be confined to the front seat.

Thanks Pam. There is nothing worse than looking forward to an evening out, only for the knees to be the party pooper. With regard to your impending 8 hour drive; can you put something in the front well so that you can push your seat back and prop your feet up, so your legs are straight, then with a small spongey cushion or something under the back of your knees, the ride will become bearable.  Nothing wrong with being Miss Daisy, if you want to travel in silence, or your other half is in the doghouse......

(In restaurants and shops if I have to wait more than 10 minutes, I will always ask for a chair/stool.  They don't want to lose your custom, then when you sit, make sure there is something under the table, unless you sit on the end and can stick your leg out)

Interesting that you mention your OH. My husband is lovely, but he can't begin to understand the pain and the limitations my knee imposes on me. He was very keen for me to have the op, so that "we can get on with our lives", as he said. I think that 3 weeks post op, it's beginning to dawn on him that it's going to be a long while until we can plan trips etc without taking the knee into account .....So good luck with your June trip

By the way, I also visit my mum, who is nearly 95, but fortunately it's only a twenty to thirty minute ride! 

My birthday was 8 weeks after operation.  I had to explain thru tearful eyes why I could not go out to dinner....to the hubby and by best friend.  I reminded them then the doc said 3  to 4 months to start to feel normal and a year to heal.  I am up and about doing all types of stuff now, so I think he thinks I am OK.  BTW he has to have rotator cuff surgery in July.....

Pam

thank you again, sueisobol.  I did not think of that.  I bought a wedge that I use for elevation....That should work just fine.  I was quiet on Sunday coming home....other than the request to stop so I could get in the back seat.  He has been really good thru this entire thing.  He just thinks in a month I will be good as new.

i did sit while waiting at the restaurant....sitting so long at the table without putting my leg up was the culprit.

pam

Hi Pam, thanks for the reply.

The thing is, if you're in the UK, the NHS website really underestimates all these issues, in my opinion. So anyone could read it and expect their partner / spouse to be driving at 4 weeks, back at work not long after, all tickety-boo!!! Presumably they don't want to frighten people...but it's important to be realistic. For example, we have theatre tickets in another town for mid June. When I tried to make attending this a goal with my physio, she was more than cautious.....but from the website, you'd think there would be no problem....

linlee,  That sounds like the way to travel.  That way you should not have the vibration issue, from having your foot on floor.  Just do NOT over do it.  I know you said your husband races...so assuming you are going to race.  Even if you have to support him from the motor home...just be careful...when moving in public at the track....people can be rude and pushy....you by all means do not want to fall.

good luck to the driver and you.

Pam

Thanks are not necessary, we are all in the same boat one way or another.. be careful of the wedge, just in case it presses into the back of your thighs.  It is so tiresome and people, even family think you are being moody, when all you what to do is take the weight off your feet and that dull insistent pain to just go away.  It does get better, though I am not so sure about the long distances and those road surfaces that seem to sing as you drive along, for me it is still work in progress (has been for years), as you progress you will be able to tweak your own comfort. You will be amazed at how creative you become, no matter how crazy.

Sometimes you have to put up a fake front when around people, smile and make the right noises and then take the odd 5-10 mins to go mentally crazy in private, your skin will grow a little thicker for a while, people, especially loved ones cannot see your pain, they do not understand the mental trauma that you can go through. Some people can just sail through, some struggle; some more than most. You just have to convince yourself that there is light at the end of the tunnel and a huge ray of sunshine is waiting just by the exit to blast you with warmth and happiness and wellbeing. 

Don't feel guilty when you cant raise a smile. It is a now and again glitch

Hi Pam, my birthday was 2 weeks after my op (50th) and was not popular with my three grownup kids for not wanting to go out for dinner. Hubby was totally fine and got a chinese and watched a dvd.

We went away ovenight at the weekend nearly two hour drive,hubbywas driving, but oh my i was so uuncomfortable and stiff. Took our time coming home and changed position regularly. I certainly didn't think about all of this before op, but at 8 weeks still gladi did it x

I am in the states.  I am just a overachiever at 55.  Always fit...always doing something priOr to this surgery.  He read the book type pamphlet I received...I think he just thinks that is me.

pam

Sue, I am very glad I had this surgery also.  Now as thing pop up...I just deal with it and go on.  No matter what so far the pain is not as bad as before surgery.  Well at least not now...I am on a med for the nerve pain that started at 11 weeks po.  But still glad.

😄pam

Yes we are going to a race. I will be 8 weeks po on Friday. My husband thought I would be ok by now. He doesn't quite understand why I . still have pain. I will be careful. I know how people can get. I just may stay at motor home relaxing. Won't be able to see him but can hear on pa system. Thanks Sue for your advice. I started with a new pt person yesterday. So I'm hoping recovery will start moving quicker....

Ooops. Thanks Pam

If your husband cannot understand why you still have pain at 8 wks p/o maybe he needs to read these forums, l am 17 wks and l still have some pain, l did have a bad fall last week so that has put me bk but before the fall l was still having a lot of discomfort, saying that l have been bk to work in the caring community 5 wks . Everyone is different but pain free at 8 wks no way ..take care

Cathy in Alabama here.  I showed my husband a YouTube video of a TKR.  He has since been much more understanding of my needing rest and choosing to relax at home between therapy sessions!

Hi Cathy well done it's good that you showed hubby this, nobody understands what we go through and maybe if more actually saw this video this would allow them to show  more empathy Its horrendous surgery l need my other knee done but cannot bear the thought of going through it again. Well done hubby for seeing it through now give Cathy some extra TLC, take care keep posting x