Hi All,
Been busy reading the forums here and struck by how friendly, helpful and supportive you guys are.
Not sure what to expect really post op - judging by the forums a
lot of ups and downs, pain, sleepless nights and feeling generally downhearted some days.
I have a couple of specific queries - I know there are no hard and fast rules and everyone is different but on average how long is it before you can:
a) Drive
b) Go on a long haul flight of more than 11 hours
Any other information most welcome!
Thanks 
Hi. I was told three months before flying. I drove at nine weeks.
Thanks Susan!
That sounds very reassuring news! Much appreciated
Driving depends which knee and if you drive automatic have to be cleared and able to do emergency stop.anything from six weeks to three months
Flight depends on consultants view but not for at least three months and the longer the better
Thank you Caroline that's really helpful.
It's the right knee and no I drive a manual car.
I have always used the 4-6 week period spending on which surgery if had and the amt of pain meds I'm taking. As far as the flights.....that really depends on your Dr's as ice and most of all, your strength and progress. Flying is grueling. I was told to walk the aisles every hour. On one leg of one trip we were relegated to sitting for over 3 hrs due to weather. Begin to think it was going to take the entire cabin crew plus one of the flight deck people to be me on my feet. When they talk times they are talking text book averages.....unfortunately most aren't average. I would keep an a open mind to everything. Painfully we had to give up a 4 hr flight to our son's wedding last month as the body just wouldnt handle it
Hi Daisy - I had a left knee tkr five months ago. Drove after six weeks and have just returned from a 2 and half hour flight with no problem. The journey is very up and down at first but believe me it does get better. I was really fed up after having it done expecting everything to fall back into place really quickly but it takes time. It's a massive op so of course it's going to take a while but I think we are all very impatient - well I am any away!!! Good luck with the op and my advice would be stay positive do what your told and have a goal in mind!! 😉😉😉
Hi Daisy
I have landed this morning after a long haul flight.
Flew with BA, staff brilliant, putting ice cubes into plastic bags that I bought with me to keep icing and got up a few times, walked a bit with hubby holding the reins to make sure I didn't fall.
Doctor permission to fly and I am 7 weeks Tkr.
good luck with your op Gill x
Not sure about flying but was told by my consultant at 6wks that I could resume doing whatever I felt up to. I drove my automatic car that week. My operated knee is my left knee which is the leg I use for the controls. Can't use right leg to drive at all as had polio as a child and it's not strong enough. A friend of mine who had her knee replaced too didn't feel up to driving until 9wks post op. As we are constantly told, everyone is different!!!!
Many thanks Oldfatguy!
Just trying to plan ahead for next year but yes understand I have to take everything on a day to day basis and our post op recoveries and progress are all different.
Learning a lot already!
Thank you Clarkey,
That sounds very reassuring - I aim to stay positive though I realize there will be times when I wish I had never had it done.
Sound advice - a goal in mind.
Thanks Gill,
Wow 7 weeks!! Well done!
Good idea to ask cabin crew to help provide ice. Will be flying Emirates, hopefully at 4 months post op.
Feeling much more optimistic now than yesterday )
Thanks Pru,
I am aiming for 6 weeks post op to drive but will take things as they go and not be disappointed if I can't.
Aim to read everything I can before the op and heed all the advice.
You guys have been really helpful - thanks!
You can I'll be fine flying at four months
Had a double TKR and was to I could drive at 5 weeks. Told I could fly....6 hour flight after 8 weeks, though I actually did the flight at 10 weeks. Just be prepared to get up and down a lot so you don't completely stiffen up. I was pretty anxious S out it but it was ok. If you can upgrade to more leg room, it's a lot better. I also was advised to start taking a baby aspirin a few days before flying.
Thanks Joyce that's really helpful.
I will try to get an upgrade to Business (if not with miles then willing to pay at least one way)
Never realized you have to keep moving around - learning new things all the time here - thanks again!
Well Daisymay. I drove after six weeks, but get your doctor permission first; also be careful driving under the influence of all the meds. I have not been on a plane or taveled a long distance. Maybe an hour drive. I am nine weeks post TKR. Up until three days ago I was ready to call it quit. I put my cane down and hobbled around the. Yesterday I went PT and really pushed myself. I got a 117○ bend, it hurt like hell. I have been weaning myself off ofvpain meds. Still taken tylenol. Well today was third day with my cane. I swept my house for first time since my surgery. I cooked dinner andvonly had to sit down once. I hope it holds out. I didnt experience much pain,but some stiffness this morning. I exercised and iced. right now I feel okay. Thank you Jesus! !!
I was driving at six weeks, but it is an automatic . . If your braking leg is the one operated on, obviously longer for safety reasons. Eleven hour flights are hard work even for those in perfect condition . . I suppose it will depend on how much you are prepared to suffer, but even from the point of view of DVT I would have thought inadvisable before three or four months at the least. i would still find it difficult at six months. . .I would try not to actually book anything until you are a couple of months post op and you can see whether you are one of the lucky ones recovering quickly! Regarding the immediate post op period, it's good to have everything ready in the house to make life as easy as possible. . plastic glasses and plates to cut down on washing up or filling dishwasher, all loose rugs removed to avoid tripping. . a seat for the toilet to make it higher (a great help!) a comfortable chair high enough to allow you to push the leg back under it . . perhaps a freezer full of ready meals . . a bag which you could wear across body in which you could carry small articles from one place to another (difficult with two crutches!) Unfortuantely, doesn't work for cups of tea or coffee! Most of all, a large dose of patience , a good supply of strong painkillers (don't let them fob you off with paracetamol!) and hopefully someone to give you a hand especially in the first couple of weeks!
I had "smaller operation" than most folk, a new plastic knee cap and metal trochlea (the bit behind it). I'm 15 weeks post op, didn't drive until about 10 weeks and was advised not to fly long haul until at least 3 months. Knee healing fine, but waited a long time for op (11 years, as was considered too young before, I'm 56 now). I wore a knee support all that time and now experiencing big problems with muscle wastage which is seriously affecting recovery. Just be prepared for pain, tears, depression, frustration (use every swear word you know!) and laughter.....you'll see from posts on this forum we've all been there. Stick with the forum.......it has kept me sane!. You can ask absolutely anything and someone, somewhere has experienced it. It gives you a real boost when you think it's only happening to you. Good luck!