Another knew knee, here we go again.

Sounds a good place to be Felice if you’re having to endure such an op. I would check out podcasts to listen to and download. So many brilliant ones out there. And easier to listen sometimes than read when you’re feeling a bit meh. Take some headphones! Hope op goes well.

I've lived in several countries and have always been amazed at the difference in healthcare. Good luck with your operation and recovery it sounds as if you're in very good hands.

I Googled Belgium health care and it seems very complicated!

Like Jane I didn’t do any physio excercises after my 2nd op and the recovery was even quicker! My surgeon doesn’t believe in physio if the patient is a normally active person and said to just potter and stretch as much as was comfortable. Also none of the surgeons at the hospital used catheters which pleased me - and it makes sure you get out of bed quickly!

Does everyone have such an amazingly long convalescence in Belgium? How does anything get done? It sounds like such a massive healthcare industry!

The more I see and hear about the UK, the more I want to move out. France, Spain or Brussels look a very inviting prospect.

Hi felice, my mistake, I was taken to St-Pierre in Brussels.it sounded very similar to your hospital. Just excellent standards all round, I guess. Question, do you have connections in the N.W. U.K. ? Good luck with your op.

I had no physio in hospital apart from giving me crutches and watching me use them for 5 minutes.
Then no appt for 6 weeks, then just one more after that.
I did the exercises on the sheet I was given and did ok but no thanks to the physio dept at the hospital, it was abysmal.

I think many people here are assuming that the 'hospital' experience you have here is the same as felice will have but it almost certainly won't be. Are you aware of how many people end up back in hospital after their quick discharge? How many end up in pain for longer because they haven't had the proper physio? Once upon a time you would have had a couple of sessions a week with the physio as an outpatient. Nowadays you'll be lucky if it once every 3 weeks. Maybe if you are doing the exercises right, that works but it is really soul destroying to find out you've been doing it wrong for weeks and set yourself back.

Ridiculous.I had TKR(total knee replacement) 4 months ago...aged 80.Two nights in hospital.Taught how to use crutches and negotiate stairs.I suppose someone to help is useful but certainly not essential,assuming your health is generally good.

At 79 I was in 3 days but different countries different regimes.
I was just glad to get home.

You'll be staying in hospital for 4 to 6 weeks?! I know 3 people who have had knee joint replacement surgery and they were all out of hospital in 3 - 6 days!

Clementine ?

I too wish you all the best Felice and will try and think of a few good books that would keep you occupied. I assume if you feel better you can be discharged , there is no pressure to stay six weeks if you don't feel you need it.

I am envious of you and your health system, but bit upset by some of the criticism you have received on this post. Awful when all you were doing was asking for book recommendations . I am very new to the site and found this quite off putting how judgemental some people are with regards to your hospital stay, very odd that they felt they had to ' wade in" when it was nothing whatsoever to do with them.

Not too far then to keep in touch with the family and friends.

I wish we could afford a health service like that in the UK but I don’t know if there’d be room for it. If everyone where I live (with a fairly high elderly population) stayed in for that length of time and with special shopping areas and facilities there’d be no room for ordinary housing! And we’d all be gate crashing!

carpedeum, it is St Michel near Merode.

Nothing to do with my other health problems, just the way it is done here, for anyone.

As i am now in the granny flat in Grumpy guts, oops DDs house I hope i will get home a wee bit early.
I am 15 minutes on the Tram, 10 by car from the hospital, not the closest Hospital but my choice.

I had my right done under the NHS, went in on the Monday for the op and out on the Wednesday when I showed the physic I could walk up stairs. I didn't have to wait ages for it, as we going to Cambodia for a month in Nov/Dec last year I contacted the hospital when I got back just a week before Christmas and had it done in the last of January this year. Before the op I could barely walk but I could cycle so thats what I did until two weeks before the op and was then cycled 8 miles on the flat 7 weeks after having it done and have never looked back. It was hard work after the op all I did was eat, sleep and exercise and also a a 2 night stay at a Spa when the stitches came out to take advantage of the lovely warm swimming pool and hot tubs. Best thing I ever did.

Good luck Felice, hope it all goes well, you live in Belgium where hospitals are very different to the UK, we should not be so quick to be so opinionated on the way other countries run their health system, and if you are prepared to stay in for that length of time then good on you, hope all goes well.

I'm green with envy felice! Does anyone from pour government even bother to see how health systems are run overseas or do they just assume 'British is best' so why bother?

Felice,I fell and broke my femur, whilst in Brussels visiting my daughter. It sounds like I went to the same hospital. Moved after one week to their separate rehabilitation unit nearby. I was there one month, my own room and the greatest treatment. Morning and afternoon sessions with physiotherapists, about ten all helping patients. Treatment was free, I opted have own room and pay for that. I had my E111 card with me. I felt privileged to be there. Since my return ten days ago, I’m still struggling to find any hospital physio. In desperation went to one privately....£94 where I live and rubbish excercises ,after Brussels . I’m fighting all the way. Good luck with your knee, you’re in great hands.

any physio,
Endless barriers in our health system.

(Even if the hospital provides booze and a convalescence village. How far from your home is it?)

I wonder if some of the reason for a long time convalescing is due to Felice having heart problems. I have to say with both my TKRs I was back to normal life within three or four weeks - but had to wait to see the surgeon to get the all clear to drive (emergency stops and all that). I think I’d be rather frustrated at being out of circulation and stuck in hospital for that long. Can you come home earlier if you want Felice?

I am Scottish so no surprise there Marelli

Nothing to do with knees, but my DH was offered - and accepted - a nip of whisky the night before his triple heart-bypass. This was at Edinburgh Royal in March.

grrrrrrr , " My Hip "