Knees...

Oh good luck Jane - yep glucosamine or chondroitin - will not help when you are bone on bone ... 6 weeks after my second knee- I am doing 100x and more better than for the first one- been working in the garden all day.

I am glad I do not have 3 knees- and can truly see the light at the end of the tunnel and a new life ahead.

Have you got a date yet? Bonne chance x

Good luck. I hoped my knee would be somehow OK but the doc showed me the X-ray and it was bone on bone. Och.
Hope you get an appointment soon.

I may be starting out on your journey Jane, I wrote previously that glucosamine with chondroitin was helping me, but unfortunately no longer, I am in such pain and have been for a Couple of months now, both day and night. Off to the doctor when I can get an appointment.

Well that's it. Just back from hospital appointment. Am now scheduled for another knee replacement. Bit of a thought but at least I know what's wrong and that something is going to be done about it even though it's not exactly a terrific prospect.

Well, just say when ... We could do an exchange (or not...) as I have never ever visited Edingburg- or Glasgow for that matter. Only been to the lovely Trossachs.

That's kind of you jura2. Bit of a wait first though. Too much to do over the next 6 months. Life just fills up. Retirement eh?!

Also recommend Glucosamine with Condroitin

Why not a trip to Switzerland - you and OH would be very welcome ... can lend you a car when here- and you can use the jakuzzi ;) onwards and forwards x

I am bl**dy glad I have not got 3 knees- could not cope with more...

I mean that after the last one I couldn't face going out and about as it was so b****y difficult! I just wanted to rest and recover and do away in my own time. You certainly find out who your friends are at that time and I was very lucky indeed.
After feeling somewhat imprisoned for weeks it was nice to emerge and set off on a South African tour.
Wonder what the carrot will be next time?

I am so so sorry Jane- but after a knee replacement- the last thing I want to do is 'hybernate'. Someone recently sent me a pleasant pm, saying I was perhaps too combative - and yes, in with tkr - you just have to be - but that is my ho. Docs, surgeon, OH and physios all agree.

Bonne chance to all whichever way you choose to do it.

Oh no- so sorry to hear anno. The knee I just had replaced was making the loudest cracking noises if I put any forward pressure on it, bone on bone. That was audible to all around, not just me 'internally' - the physio said she'd never heard anything like it.

Get referred asap and don't delay- the sooner the better.
Doing exercises beforehand to strengten quads, etc - will may massive dividends as and when. x

The rheumatologist says I may need a TKRx2 sometime in the future though I have yet to be referred to an orthopod. My right knee is making walking painful and I am reluctant to go as far as the local shops. By the end of a wonderful performance of Madame Butterfly last week I was almost howling in agony because I couldn't move to stretch my leg and the knee complained very painfully. Meanwhile, the rheumy has prescribed hydroxychloroquin, more often used for rheumatoid than osteo-arthritis, but I react badly to almost all painkillers except paracetamol. So far, it has made no difference at all! As exercising on foot is painful, I have found some chair exercises on YouTube which I hope will be beneficial. They are far more strenuous than I expected!

I'm thinking I'll have to have next one done in October (again). I can hibernate and emerge in Spring. Best laid plan gang oft agley though so will wait and see.

Perfect timing then!

We are going to a wedding in Austria in May, then to Crete in June ... great to be looking forward to nice things too.

I agree. I had thought the autumn would be best as not so much happens socially in my life then and the garden would be put to bed, but having it done last March worked wonderfully and the sun encouraged me out to potter and walk. I would have this one done at the same time but a holiday planned last year has got in the way, so I'm having to wait a bit. Still, I'll have all the summer before me!

Only things stopping me now is the bruising (leg yellow, gree, blue .. from behind knee to ankle) - because they had to take drain out quicker- and the stitches- Once they are gone on Wednesday- everything should 'fall into place'.

So, we disagree about the Kinetec machine (going up in a mo for first session of the day - active not passive) - but THE ONE piece of advice I will give to anyone facing this, is to do it very early in Spring- so by the time you are able to walk, etc, you can do so in the sunshine, with longer days- and with your 'sap rising' - better physically and emotionally, and from all aspects.

Well, there you go - isn't it great we can agree to disagree.

Even if the benefits are 'only' psychological - I am mightily pleased I have the opportunity to rent and use one.

Onwards and forwards- in our own way.

I agree Jane cost was not part of the equation. The results of the research carried out in this country must have been the deciding factor.

I don't think cost comes into it re these machines. Even in USA they are not considered to be effective. Obviously thinking is different in Switzerland.

Older machines had to be operated by a nurse- so you would not be in control- and because ot restriction in time, they would set it for a long time with big increases/jump in degree bend.

With the one I have, I have the control in my hand, and can start low, and increase every few minutes - in small increases. This afternoon I started at 85 for 2 mins- then 88, 91, 95, 98, 100, 102 and 105.

This evening knee felt tight as we had visitors and had leg down all the time- so did just 15 mins- starting at 80 and only going up to 85- just to loosen everything but not 'work hard'- felt so much better afterwards.

Ice now, top then bottom and top again.

My first op was private - my arthritis doesn’t really register on x-rays as a wonky deformity disguises it and getting to see a consultant was a problem - but I was only given excercises and checks to make sure I was doing them. I expect cost is a consideration in the decision whether private or NHS.

Thanks NfkD - and courage for number 2.

As they had to take the drain early after the op as it was in nerve (ouch) - quite a bit of fluids in there and massive bruise behind knee. The only thing stopping me now, is that swelling and the stitches- coming off on Wednesday.

110 Degrees so far- it took me nearly 2 months with the other.

Machine must not be used passively- it is set at minus 10 for extension- and I have to work it with muscles to push knee down to regain extension- and at the top- it helps push the bend just beyond what you'd be able to achieve otherwise.

I suspect the reason why they are not used in UK is because it would significantly add to cost. Mine is partly covered by insurance- but I am very happy to pay the rest- and use it for 30 mins only, 3 or 4 times a day- as well as other exercises of course.

Somehow I missed this thread! I'm so glad your op went well Jura, I'm having my second knee replaced at the end of May. NHS this time but the with same surgeon and much quicker than I'd anticipated. I could have had it done this month(!) but wanted to delay to avoid cancelling a holiday.

Last time I'd asked about the possibility of a machine to do the bending for me and was told not to be so lazy! I didn't know they actually existed! 130 degree bend is very good though, mine was 120 when I was discharged but is more now I think as I can now just about cycle.

Jura each country to its own. The CPM machine was used in the 60's and 70's and yes, they were used for many hours at a time. As others have said, research has moved on and they are rarely used in this country now.