compression stockings

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I guess this would have been discussed a thousand times, just wondered if 6 wks is the norm for keeping the compression stockings on for as that is what I have been told. I am quite active now 4 wks after partial knee op , on the static bike for 15mins walking without crutches for 30 mins.

Sleeping still a problem though I usually wake up every 2 hrs.

2

Yes, this gets asked frequently . We all hated wearing them, mine had to stay on for six weeks . Keep at it, sounds as though you are doing well 

Pam 13 weeks 

3

You are doing really well ...putting me to shame

and yes we are supposed to wear the socks for 6 weeks

roll on my sigh week 

jean 

4

Oops   Roll on my 6th week 

5

Yep, six weeks day and night.

6

Hi Robert, I wasn't given stockings. As I've said on here before my hospital stopped using them last year. I am 3 wks plus 3 and only have 3 stomach jabs left. I have had no problem with swelling except around the knee itself and that is only when I've had a long physio session. Obviously you must do what your surgeon wants but I do wonder about the different ideas.

7

Hi Carol, what part of the country NHS Trust are you from? I would love to not to have to wear the stockings! Remember them from when I had my veins done. I am only at the stage of arranging the referral for the first knee replacement so looking at all these posts with lots of interest! Thanks. 

8

I'm in North Wales. Glan Clwyd hospital. My surgeon is Mr Kumar. Although the surgeons here differ on the amount of jabs none of them use stockings. I wonder if others play it safe with jabs and stockings because they're not sure that everyone will use the injections once home.

9

I don't think that is the case . We. We're given blood thinning tablets instead of injections , I was allergic to them and had to change and go back on injections , but we all still had to wear the stockings for 6 weeks 

10

Thanks Carol. I'm in West Lancashire so think it's probably stockings for me! But I will mention it to the surgeon when I meet him.

11

I think that's a good idea. In the end we all have to do what our surgeons tell us to. The most important thing seems to me to get the swelling down one way or another. At 3 wks plus 3 my bend is 105 and I'm sure that wouldn't have been possible with swelling.

12

Sounds like you're doing really well, Carol! 

13

So they say. However I;m taking nothing for granted. Other people on here have thought they were doing really well and then gone backwards agin. If I could get my sleep pattern back to normal I would really feel good, Actually having a straight right leg for the first time in years makes it all worth it. I actually now have a matchtng pair! cheesygrin

14

Thanks Pam, I thought as much , at least they will keep my legs warm with the onset of winter. LOL

15

Hi Carol I'm just 5 weeks post op and my knee is still badly bruised and swollen...my bend is only 90 ...and now I realise it's because of the swelling I do use my ice regularly ...but after the op my leg was black from top to bottom even underneath my foot and all I was told is ....some people get that bruising and some dont

it was quite scary ...no where near as bad now but still feels like a tight band around my knee 

I wonder how others are doing at 5 weeks 

Jean 

16

Hi Jean, I know the feeling about the band. That's just how I described it to my hubby. I was at knee class today with people at 6 to 8 weeks and they were all struggling. I got some horrid looks from them when I climbed on the bike, which I was dreading, and did full circles straight away. I'm sure they thought I was further on than I am. The point is though that I have very little swelling and the bruising is now yellow. From the day my dressing came off I was massaging and icing. One of the nurses actually askeed why I was massaging. You seem to be normal for 6 weeks, it's me that's abnormal. But then I always have been weird!biggrin

17

Ha Ha....In that case I wish I was weird ..

i think you are doing brilliantly I can't use the bike because I have a problem in my spine.... But I wish you all the best 

Jean

18

You too Jean. I went into this knowing nothing about it but I learned so much from the people on here who had gone before me. A very big thank you to all fellow sufferers.

 

19

I'm in Western Australia and have had 2 TKRs and both times had stomach jabs daily for a week then daily blood thinning tablets for the next 2 weeks. No stockings ever.

20

Hi Jean. I am  9 weeks post op and I have so much swelling that my GP has requested that my consultant drains some fluid off! I have only been able to bend my knee 95 degrees for the past 3 weeks, before that it was stuck at 90.  Like you my knee is constantly tight and although the pain is not too bad, the tightness and vice like feeling is getting me down😪. I have been having physio weekly and exercising 2 to 3 times aday followed by icing and elevation after each exercise bout.  The swelling is hindering my progress and I cannot peddle right round on the bike - just backward and forward. It is so frustrating seeing others who had their op weeks after me peddle the bike normally😒. Apart from all that, I am doing fine lol!!  Keep at it, Jean, it will get better - so I am told!! Xx