Hello everyone.
Saw the surgeon today, lovely man complimented me - said I'm young for knee op!!

2 things offered - keep taking pain killers or total knee replacement op.
Went for op for long term gain.
18 week waiting list.
I get invited to a knee replacement workshop to have things explained followed by questions and answers after.

Said I want to be awake listening to music on my ipod!!! He said no problem!
count down begins xxx

hi Jane,

i hope once the surgery comes around it will be a great success for you,

the time will soon fly by and hopefully you'll be walking pain free.

Suzanne x

Hi Jane - you have such an inspiring attitude to all this - it's great that you're looking at the long term gain! Before RA I only knew older people who'd had knee replacements but now through this forum I've met lots more, and it seems to me that if you're younger when you have it done then recovery should be easier - our body's ability to heal itself does diminish with age - there's no escaping that! And I guess if you've got a bionic joint then that's one less for the RA to munch on! .

18 weeks countdown does seem a long time to wait but you can use that time to prepare yourself, your home and your family for a nice restful recuperation - you know a bit more what to expect since you've had your foot done, so next time it's bound to be that much easier.

Very best wishes - Sylvia xx

Hi Jane

I had both my knees replaced in 2008, 6 months apart and I was 38. The first operation on the right knee went very well other than having a huge flare from coming off the Enbrel. The second operation was a nightmare, got a nasty bacteria infection in the knee a month after and took months to clear it. The left knee has never been as good as the right replaced knee.

However I don't regret having my knees replaced at all, it got me out of a wheelchair, you will need loads of physiotherapy afterwards. I won't lie but the pain from the op was horrific mainly because I am allergic to all opiate drugs. It is a big decision to weigh up, you just have to think of all the pros and cons. I still have pain in my knees from the R.A disease but it is no where near as bad as before the operations.

Hope it all goes well for you Jane. Best of luck to Sophie too.

Love
Rebecca

Jane

I had my first knee replacement two years ago in January.

The first thing the hospital physio said to me in my pre-op appointment was, don't expect to come in for a rest. The next day after the op they get you out of bed and it is a continual round of physio to get you moving as soon as possible. I took in books, cross stitch etc to keep me amused but I never touched a thing as I was so busy with nurses, negotiating the shower, physio or when I was left alone trying to get some sleep.

Take lots of loose clothing with you into hospital and comfortable and loose slippers and shoes. You will even find it difficult to get your feet into shoes and slippers without jarring your knee.

I had a full anaesthetic and an epidural for my operation. My Surgeon does not allow his patients to be awake. They did have trouble getting the epidural in because as well as RA I also have osteo arthritis in my back and they had difficulty finding a space between the discs. I don't think I would have opted to be awake even if it had been allowed.

The one piece of equipment I can highly recommend is a leg puller. One end hooks around your foot and the other around your hand so you can carefully maneouver your leg on and off the bed. With lots of stitches it can be very painful after the operation. I will try and find you the link when I have finished this post. I recommended it to NRAS and it was mentioned in one of their magazines a while back.

You will get lots of help with washing etc. To be honest it is a steep learning curve. You have to make sure that everything is positioned in easy reach before you step in the shower and for the first few days they gave me a stool to sit on in the shower as you are unsteady on your feet. Getting dressed can be a challenge. Putting knickers and socks on gave us some hilarious moments without being able to bend your knee.

For the first few weeks you will find you have to sleep on your back as you cannot bend your knee to lie on your side. This took some getting used to.

I had my operation privately so I had to buy crutches but I think the NHS do supply them for you. Also you may want to invest in a seat to go over your bath at home if you do not have a walk in shower. You will find it difficult getting in an out of a bath and will need to sit whilst you shower.

You will have difficulty getting into the car when you are discharged so make sure whoever picks you up brings a car where you can easily stretch out your leg.

You will need lots of help when you go home. If it were not for my Mum and Daughter, my household would have ground to a halt. Once the metal stitches came out after about two weeks, things do get a little easier. You will have substantial bruising and you need to ice your knee as often as you can to reduce the swelling. Keep this going for many weeks. You can buy ice packs or I just bought some ice cubes from the supermarket and they were put in a bag for me and then wrapped in a tea towel. Your physio will continue for at least six weeks after the operation and the more exercises you do, the more likely you are to have a better outcome.

I realise now, having gone through this, that having a knee replacement is not a light undertaking and I do not want to frighten you but it will take time and energy for you to come out the other side. The good thing is that you are positive. I hope you don't mind me posting all this as I was not told any of this before my operation and it came as a big shock. I know they say ignorance is bliss but I really wish someone had told me some of the above which would have made it easier for me.

I will now go and find the link for the leg puller.

Take care

Jackie
xx

ThankU Jackie
Your post has been most helpful.
I never imagined a shower so soon after op.

You forget about knickers & socks!!!!
I take in a loose skirt, things to be comfi but baggy.

It will be good to have people motivating me to get up and use the knee - takes your mind off things.
Thanku for your post, its things to bear in mind.

I have a look at the leg puller tomorrow.
Good luck for your other knee.

Jane
Xxx

Hi jane

I had a spinal anaesthetic for my first knee so I was fully awake throughout the op, the second knee I had to have a general anaesthetic because the spinal didn't work. I preferred the spinal block because I am so poorly after a general. I didn't mind being awake through the op, chatted to the surgeons and then when it got noisy they let me listen to my MP3 player.

I believe you can take a kindle into hospital but just hope it doesn't go missing. I take very little cash in, you won't have much time for tv, the physio is non stop. I made really good progress with a CPM (continuous passive motion) machine, it's a device where they strap your leg in and it moves you leg very, very slowly up and down. It's not as painful as it sounds really!!! Ask your physio about it in hospital because it really helps your recovery and mobility. The physios will sort you out with crutches and show you ways to wash/dress yourself. you will need an assessment by an occupational therapist to work out what aids you will need at home e.g raised toilet seat, raisers for bed or chairs, reacher, stool etc. It's amazing how quickly you will make progress with all the exercises they give you to do.

Also I found a tens machine really helpful with pain relief.

You will soon be doing the can-can!!!

Best wishes
Rebecca