Lynda

How's the knee?

How kind of you to ask, Caryll!

Well, I'm glad I had it replaced. It took longer to get over than I in my ignorance thought it would, but before I had it done I was limping badly and it was affecting my other knee (which my surgeon tells me is nearly as bad) and my hips, which are also arthritic to a lesser extent. So any walking was an effort, and I got tired very quickly. Stairs were a nightmare.

Now I can walk without a perceptible limp and my other knee and my hips are feeling the benefit from having the pressure taken off them.

I can't say hand on heart that my new knee is as good as a natural knee, even when walking on level ground I'm aware of it, it feels "artificial". Stairs are still a bit of a problem and I still get some discomfort or even slight pain but as I say, better than it was! One thing I wasn't warned about was that it is impossible to kneel down on a replacement knee, which makes scrubbing floors or weeding the garden a problem.

My other knee (or my hips) will have to get a very great deal worse before I consider replacing them!

Why can't you kneel down? Is it too uncomfortable?

Yes it's uncomfortable - and unstable. Like kneeling on a wobbly stone.

tbh if I was told this before the op it wouldn't have put me off - the benefits have out-weighed the disadvantages.

On the plus side you arte almost 100% guaranteed to have some components now inside you with a contribution from my company .

Yep - that's a great comfort to me Dave!

How long ago did you have it done Lynda?
My step father had his left knee done about 1yr ago now. He was naughty & didnt do his excersices everyday. Now he wishes he had & is going to have his right one done in the near future.
It really does take awhile to recover, but it is also major surgery.

It was 6 months ago almost to the day, Tracy.

I was told in hospital (another thing I wasn't told until after the event) that it could take up to a year to recover from.

Oh I did my physio - not as much as I was told to but who does - but the flexion in my knee is now perfect. The other exercises were weight bearing and as I have two flights of stairs in my house which I have to ascend and descend a squillion times a day they take care of that.

I wish your stepfather all the best with having his right knee done

Here's a bit of good news....

My mums friend, who has just turned 90. (Marie, you'd swear she was 70. God bless, I love her to bits) She has had both knees &a hip done. She wants them to do her other hip so she will be fully functional for the next 20yrs!  No, her marbles are not loose. She is as on the ball as a 20yr old. She is just busy keeping up with everyone. The woman refuses to sit back & relax! She's in the middle of everything! She even got an ipad so she can keep up with the grandkids on facebook!

That's great news - well done Marie! Raising a glass to you for the next 20 years

Damn woman doesn't mind a sherry either!

It'll take time Lynda, but my point is...your movement & stability will get so much better.

No pain, no gain babe.  Hang in.... it will only get better.

Thank you Tracy!

If it doesn't get any better than it is now, it's still a damn site better than it was before!

 though I haven't personally gone through a replacement, I have been through...  other things.  

I do get it.

Keep up the exercises.  It may be hard today..... but it will serve you well into the future.