About Knee Replacement Surgery

I am currently recovering from knee replacement surgery, and would like to share my thoughts about it with anyone who may be interested.
I hesitate to do so, as many people seem to be experts on this subject and freely give gratuitous advice and predictions based on such experience as they may have. Everyone seems to have had knee surgery or knows someone who has. I have hear contradictory accounts: e.g. “My dad was in agony for four weeks,” or “In three weeks old Jim was riding his bike down the high street.”
The medics who saw me were careful with their advice, perhaps on the basis that every patient is different and not all operations are quite the same.
I was not allowed to leave hospital after the surgery until I could walk up and down stairs using the hand rail and a crutch. The hospital also wanted to know what care I would receive at home. Fortunately my family who live in the same county rallied round and provided the care I needed.
On the day after the operation I was able to dress myself, go to the toilet and wash myself unaided. I was soon able to walk on two crutches, although it was painful. The use of two crutches means that you do not have a spare hand to do anything, like opening doors or making a cup of tea.
I understand that there are two types of knee operation: full replacement and partial replacement. Partial is less intrusive and recovery is quicker. I had to have full replacement in view of the condition of my knee. The surgeon also had to straighten my leg, which had become distorted by arthritis.
Regarding pain I did not know what to expect: was it to be agonising pain or what? The pain was tolerable with a course of painkillers. More like a continuous dull ache. Strangely it was worse when lying in bed at night than when sitting or moving about during the day. My sleep was affected but after 2/3 weeks this improved.
Stiffness in the joint is common but I fared quite well as there was good movement in the joint very soon after the operation. I kept on with the exercises from the physios.
For me help at home was essential for at least a week: particularly getting meals and some shopping, although I have a weekly delivery of the main groceries.
The wound healed up well, but there is a long- term problem of swelling in the whole of the leg, which is treated with icepacks and elevating the leg.
After 3 weeks I am at the stage of managing with one crutch or stick, and more mobile and in less pain. Full care at home is no longer needed. It will be a few more weeks before I may drive.
I hope my comments will help anyone contemplating knee surgery. Although a common procedure, it cannot be called minor surgery.
My conclusions for full replacement are:
1 Get help at home for at least a week
2 Keep up with the painkillers as advised by the medics
3 Do the exercises
4 Take regular rests to help the healing process
5 Do activities: whatever hobbies that do not strain the knee.

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