Bending knee

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi

i had a THR 5 weeks ago hip fine but struggling to bend my knee past sitting position is this normal I'm walking and driving but the swelling behind the knee is frustrating me . Thanks John 

 

2

Hi John

I was told John not to drive until at least 7 weeks after my op. Different surgeons must have different views on this.I also read in the pamphlet they gave me that swelling could occur until 12 weeks after the op and when it did happen to sit with my feet up as swelling was a sign of doing to much too soon. Hope this helps.

3

I had my op back in early December and mostly had foot and ankle swelling for weeks after. But I still can't get my leg to lie completely flat at the knee.

As for bending it, I absent-mindedly sat down on the bathroom floor at 5 weeks post-op when doing something. I didn't even realise until I was down there and panicked a bit about getting back up. Luckily, a towel rail was close by and I was able to reach up just enough. I've also had a volunteer job that involved a lot of squatting and hobbled home in a lot of pain at the end of each shift. Bending is still something I don't like much; maybe not a struggle, but difficult.

Just give it time. Five weeks is early days. It can take up to a year to recover properly. I'm still having pain, but am back at uni where the campus is the size of a suburb and every class involves a hike. 

4

Hi John, my knee was particularly bad at the back. I elevated with a bag of frozen peas every hour (bag on top for 10 mins & then underneath for 10 mins). It will go down, it just takes time x

5

Thanks Elaine 

went to Phyisio at 4 weeks they told me I could drive because I have a automatic car and had my left hip done thanks for info John .

6

Many thanks.

7

Will try thank you x

8

Hi John

When did you start driving? I had left side done too and Dr said he thought I could be driving by 4 weeks. Really curious because I'm supposed to go back to work in 2 weeks and I'm 9 days out from the surgery. Sounds like ur doing great.

9

It really depends which hip you have done and also if you have an automatic. I know people having their left hip done with an automatic driving after three weeks. 

10

Hi 

ive got a automatic so can drive had left side done driving after 4 weeks hospital gave me a 13 week sick note.im looking to go back around 8 weeks.

11

I am right there with you Belle -- I don't know why , but squatting or kneeling down ????  maybe because of such a long time not being able to do so and then not allowed to .... Oh well, need to practice it more ---

great to hear you are doing well ...

big warm hug

renee