Very scared about knee surgery

[Niminy]

The title says it all really! I'm on the list for a total knee replacement. I don't have as much pain as some do, just discomfort when going up stairs, pain at night, sore knee if I stand for a long time, or if I walk a long way, but x-rays show that there's total cartilage loss and my kneecap is disintegrating, my leg is very distorted.

So, I've been referred for total knee replacement, but everything I've ever read or heard about the op scares me so much. Everyone talks about nerve pain afterwards. I'm particularly worried about this as there's a risk of peroneal nerve palsy (aka foot drop) due to distortion of the leg. As I understand it this would mean I couldn't drive. The surgeon mentioned the possibility of another operation on the nerve, which is another scary thing.

Does anyone have words of wisdom or comfort?

Had my knee replaced about 8 years ago. I was in my late 50's at the time. Yes it was painful just after the op but nothing excessive. I stuck to the physio as prescribed which was quite difficult for a few weeks BUT, I now have a pain free knee. Three months after the op I was cycling in the Alps. The knee is still fine, I walked 7.5 miles round Edinburgh on Wednesday and 6 miles yesterday. The replaced knee is fine, the other is a little sore! Doctors are required to tell you of the risks but they are rare.

My mum had this done in her late 70s. She complains about everything all the time and is a huge hypochondriac. Even she had nothing bad to say about it - other than considerable pain immediately afterwards. She was home the next day as far as I remember, and healed quickly.
Make sure you do all the physio. And take stool softeners alongside your pain relief.
My mum was able to walk properly again afterwards. It transformed her life.

Had mine done last November, it was sore afterwards, had oxycontin for five days then managed with paracetamol. The exercises aren't easy, but do them, it really helps with recovery. My hospital gave me icebags to keep in freezer. You get a bandage thing which wraps round the knee with the bags in, they really work. I can easily walk a couple of miles now, I'm 76.

Thank you! That's helpful and reassuring. I'm relatively young to have this, at 62, but I'm crossing my fingers that being active and fit beforehand will help. I've been doing exercises to strengthen quads and glutes for several years now, so really hoping this will make a difference. Lovely to think of walking all those miles, cyclist, at the moment the most I can manage is five with walking poles.

Being active and fit before hand will certainly help. I found the hardest to get back was a decent amount of bend in the knee, but I persevered and now I have decent amount of bend and still have no knee pain in that knee. Definitely worth having it done!

My DH had his first one five years ago aged 70 (yep we're golden oldies!), after six weeks was back to normal walking and very little pain, which was post operative anyway, and that faded quickly.

He had the other (much worse) knee done on 25th July this year at 75, and is now walking unaided and mowed the lawn yesterday! It is an amazing recovery and he is so delighted to be able to walk again without a cane. He is starting physio tomorrow and has to see his surgeon next week for follow up. He has some pain, but that's expected and is controlled with co codamol only now although he has to take aspirin for six weeks to prevent blood clots. He's hoping surgeon gives him the ok for driving next week, and I think he will as he has full movement, bending knee and so on now.

You will be fine. Focus on the good news stories and ignore all the scaremongering, and whatever you do stay off Dr. Google which would have your whole leg amputated at the slightest niggle.

Best of luck to you. Your life will be transformed.

Had mine done in my 40s. Never regretted it and it gave me back my mobility. Only painful for a couple of days but you have to keep with the physio and movements suggested to get the best results.