Knee replacement

[SerenDippitty]

I don’t know for definite if I need one, but saw rheumatologist today about my knee problems and he’s referring me to the orthopaedic surgeon. So it might come to that. Anyone had one? Can you get back to normal mobility wise?

My BIL had one this year due to overuse and repeated dislocations due to martial arts. He was off work for 3 weeks, on office duty for almost 5 months and just in the last month has started training and doing active work again. Everything apparently looks good so far, goes to rehab and does a lot of stretching but is back to about 80 percent mobility already.

Not me but 55 yo DM had one after her knee randomly gave out last year. Once everything had healed she was a new woman. Stitches were minimal and dissolved on their own and her pain was very effectively managed. I’d be confident having a replacement if I needed one!

And yes she returned to completely normal mobility after!

My mother had both done in 2006. She walks for miles and hasn’t had any problems.

I know four people who have had it done. Two of them were a complete success, they are both now able to do stuff that they hadn't done for years. My db had his done and it will have to be done again, but he flouted all the rules he was given and was driving and doing all sorts of stuff he wasn't supposed to. A friend of my mum's got both of her knees done, one was 100% successful but the other had to be done again and has never really been right. So a real mixed bag. It's likely that i will need mine done at some point so this is of particular interest to me.

My FIL had his done just over 3 weeks ago. He's 72 and he's already back in work! He still has some pain but it's been minimal. He hasn't touched a pain killer. He was uncomfortable with the swelling for the first 5 or 6 days but he's an absolute trooper.

I had mine done two years ago at 43.

My knee has still not got back to Pre-op usage despite me doing everything I possibly can, and over and above according to my Orthopaedic Surgeon, it's just not healing properly.

However I have just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and it looks as though I’ve had positive RF for at least 4 years but it has only just been flagged up (whole other thread) so presumably this could have interfered with the healing.

Personally I would put it off as long as you possibly can as it is not easy to recover from and there are so many possible complications that can leave you significantly worse off than you were Pre-op.

Please feel free to PM me if you’d like specifics.

MIL had a double knee replacement, she said it was very painful at the time but she's made a complete recovery.
I need to have a double knee replacement but by the time I'm eligible I'm not sure there'll still be an NHS.

Thanks for all your replies, some very encouraging.. Therewere5inthebed sorry your knee is not healing properly. my blood rest for inflammatory factors was very marginally positive. I’ll be sure to flag it up with the surgeon.

Mine was replaced at 45 after RA in that knee for 20 years. Up and about within 36 hours (went to view a house day I arrived home - Estate Agent drove). Did my exercises like a good girl and my quality of life is now fabulous (I'm 55 now).
I am now a pretty good skier (I didn't ski before the op) can run, do spin classes, walk for miles & miles......
My only regret was putting off having it done as I was worried it would go wrong and my quality of life would reduce from poor down to zero.
Go for it. Build up with spin & cycling before the op and you should be fine!