Knee!

I had a partial knee replacement of my right knee in 2016, which I paid for. I recovered well but still get the odd twinge. I had my left knee replaced in May this year. It was bone on bone so stung a bit! I had that done privately too. This time recovery is taking a bit longer. I know I’m five years older etc., but the surgeon told me that the swelling was quite severe this time even though the actual operation was a success. I am still using one crutch when I walk outside but not indoors. There is still some pain and it is still difficult to get comfortable at night. I’m glad though I had it done as I could barely walk.

Thank you. It has to be done so I’ll do my best to come out in one piece. The surgeon explained replacement knees are never quite as good as natural knees but a whole lot better than a knee with grade 4 osteoarthritis. Just hoping it’s not cancelled, so many are at the moment. I’ve had a look at the bone smart web site too, useful tips on there, reassuring as well.

My sympathies Babs758, I am sick of being told to lost weight, it is difficult especially when you have pain in knees/hips/feet, I know that losing weight will help but it is really hard, also everyone's pain is relevant and it is annoying when they diagnose it as moderate and tell you to go away and take pain killers when it is affecting your quality of life. Good luck

Seriously everyone, take a look at the Oxford Knee scale. It's easy to complete and is the one used by surgeons when assessing your need for knee replacement.

Thanks Aveline. Will do!

It sounds as if you're 'in the system' now which is good as I fear the list is a very long one! Losing weight will also help with your recovery a lot when you do have a replacement.

I couldn't even get to see a consultant as my x-rays didn't show any sign of arthritis as my knees were collapsing the 'wrong' way! So, I paid for a private consultation and was told I needed a replacement urgently - and that wasn't going to happen, even pre-Covid! So I forked out for a private operation and it's very, very expensive! It did mean though that the same consultant did my other knee on the NHS without waiting on the list, so I got a bogoff.

Five years on, I now have two lovely new knees, can walk miles and climb stairs - and come back down frontwards. But kneeling feels like kneeling on a pebble beach so getting up off the floor, although no longer requiring two hefty firemen is still uncomfortable. Replacement knees aren't like you had when you were a teenager, but they are considerably better than the old collapsing ones.

Nfkdumpling I remember when you had your first knee done. Time flies! I wouldn't even try to kneel but my new knees are string and stable and up for walking miles. In time I suspect my new hip will be too.

Aveline - just did the Oxford Knee Score and it is very interesting, I thought my knees were bad but I only got a score of 20, I dread how bad they must be to get a high score.

Try it again next week Elless. Don't try to be brave with your answers. Tick how you are on a bad day.

Got my hubby to do the test last night and he got a lower score than me, didn't realise the lower the score the worse you are.

I had mild arthritis in one knee and had a cortisone injection, which relieved the pain for about six months, then I had another one, and the pain hasn't recurred, and it's worked for about three years now. Meanwhile the other knee has some arthritic pain at night, which I am treating with ibuprofen gel. I use it at bedtime for a few nights and it seems to reduce the pain to an insignificant level.

It might be worth while trying gentle Pilates exercises. There are loads available on YouTube.

Thanks for the replies to date.

I went back to swimming yesterday for 45 mins very gently. Noticed less stiffness in the knee today and pain under control with paracetemol. At work today so trying a few flights of stairs at lunchtime.

Babs758
Please please don’t take advice to do Pilates at home from a YouTube video ?

The knees take a lot of abuse from us chunkier people. Losing weight and attending a physio course on how to manage knee pain has helped my 2 arthritic knees no end. I downloaded a list of exercises to do in water, as it is much kinder to the joints, and this also helps. Whatever you do Babs758 don't rest it too much.