Stiffness When Changing Position

Thank you.  This just affects my whole life at the moment, so desperate to get back to normal.  I work at home, but the constant sitting doesn't help either.  I have my hospital pre-admission tests this afternoon which is a 52 mile round trip :-(

Hi Patsyrose

Are you driving?

If so can someone else drive you?

You need to take breaks every 20 minutes. By that I mean just get up using a walking stick to take the weight off your knee as you get up out of your chair. Then just walk a few yards wven if it is only  to walk around your desk/computer station. The objective being to prevent postural stress.

Are your core muscles ok?

Jean   

I was given the choice in discussion with the anaesthetist. I was happy to go with it - as long as I was sedated. Some people opt to stay awake. I couldn't handle that! As I said, I genuinely wasn't aware of anything till I woke up in the recovery room and I was able to chat with the nurses there without feeling groggy at all. I would certainly recommend it but everyone is different. 

I was the same - it was the CHANCE of an improved lifestyle that made me decide to go ahead. And, although I still get some stiffness, I can walk so much better and do most normal things again. I've got 5 grandchildren aged 5 and under and look after them a few days a week so they keep me busy! 

It's taken year for me to feel really happy with my knee but I can now say, yes, it was worth it 😊 

Enjoy your new grandchild - being a grandmother is wonderful. My youngest son gets married too in December. I'm looking forward to that too and to dancing all night 💃💃 lol. 

Enjoy your family celebrations.

Jen x

Great to hear things are better for you!

It's wonderful that you are doing so well that you can take care of your FIVE sweet grandchildren! I am looking forward to having a GRANDDAUGHTER after two sons (and lots of their friends!) that were always at the house, in the yard etc.

Enjoy that DANCING at your son's wedding! I know what you mean about taking the plunge and KNOWING that it was SURGERY TIME!

I am very anxious to get KNEE#2 done next month. It is the one holding me back now!

Take care, and keep getting better and better!

Hug those five sweeties for me!!!

I don't quite manage the 5 of them all at the same time but they are good fun. I too have 3 sons so my 3 granddaughters are quite a novelty. I also enjoy my 2 grandsons though. 

Good luck with your op. Hope all goes smoothly for you. 

Jen 

When I went for Pre-Admission testing and had a lot of stuff done, nobody came for me to go anywhere else, so I left to make it to dinner before we went to Joint Class. I got a call while in Joint Class that I needed to come to get X-RAYS but couldn't come that evening because they were now CLOSED. Someone was supposed to tell me to get X-RAYS but never did.

I went THE NEXT DAY for the X-RAYS. They had a sign in the one room about a Patient Portal where you can get results from your testing ONLINE that evening. The girl had never noticed the sign but said she would get me information.

As soon as she gave me the papers, I was called to do more X-RAYS.

I left to head home a second time.

When I got home I read on the papers that I needed to be AT THE HOSPITAL to set up the Patient Portal!

You guessed right...I headed BACK to the hospital a THIRD TIME in THREE DAYS!

I am telling you this so you are SURE to ask before you leave there if there is ANYTHING ELSE you need to do BEFORE you leave!

Fortunately we are just 20 minutes from our hospital, but going THREE TIMES did take lots of time!

It became a QUEST!!

Wishing you smooth sailing for everything!

oh cheryl i think everyone can agree with you here just because we are made of metal now !!! ha !! stiffness still takes time im afraid sometimes i feel like they should of left a keyhole on the side of the knee where we could put some 3 in one oil  inthe joint to oil up the metal to give us a looser bend ohh if it were that easy we would all be running (excuse the pun) to get TKR keep doing what your doing cheryl it will improve over time and i know your telling me time is not on your side with the other op in october but dont worry you will cope and you will be amazed by the way this knee will just get on with it when you get the other one done so dont worry your doing great best of luck

Thanks Jennifer. I feel more hopeful now since reading your response and those of otherss.

I am feeling depressed due to the worsening pain.

I live in England.

Kind regards

Jean

You are a PRO!

My son's mother-in-law has seven grandchildren already. She is the true Veteran! I am a true ROOKIE, but I am willing to LEARN!!!

Any tips on Granddaughters after having SONS will be greatly appreciated!

Have fun!

Hi Jean.  Yes, my knee was actually done a year ago today so U've been driving from the 6-week mark.  My knee was ok initially, but started to stiffen up again in about Feb.  I had a manipulation in Mar, but it didn't straighten it so I can't walk well.  My consultant told me that I had to wait the year before he could remove the excess scar tissue that he thinks is causing the restriction.  My quads, etc are ok.

My friend is due to drive me to the hospital for my next operation in 2 weeks, but she broke her wrist this morning!  So much stress.  I had my pre-admission tests this afternoon, went to supermarket and when I came out someone had damaged the back of my car.  I have had enough now :-(

Hi Patsyrose

Sonds like me.

Well on the positive side at least you have some time to arrange alternatives in order to get to your hospital appointment.

How long do you think you will be in hospital for?

Try to keep positive.

Kind regards

Jean

 

Will be in 3 nights, as will be on a CPM again (but this time with a wound...so was told that it will be very painful).

Thanks for your support.

I laughed when you mentioned having a hole to pour in the OIL! My husband, who likes to joke around so things don't get too serious, closes his mouth tightly (like the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz movie) and says, "OIL CAN" ...hoping that SOMEONE will give ME some OIL when I get all stiff!

It DOES make me laugh...only because I am TRYING TO THINK how I might manage just that!!!

Thanks for the encouragement. I think LEFT KNEE will do fine having GRADUATED a number of weeks ago to "THE GOOD KNEE!" I sure hope RIGHT KNEE cooperates during recovery. RIGHT KNEE is a real PISTOL, a snap, crackle, pop of a knee...always wanting attention and able to do PAIN DRAMA very, very well.

Yes, I think of my knees like individuals. Today at Physical Therapy I told them to WORK TOGETHER like a TEAM on the leg presses. The lady next to me said SHE talks to her shoulders, too, having her right one replaced several months ago. We struck up a nice conversation and have become friends!

I like to make things a game, a competition, between RIGHT KNEE and LEFT KNEE, too. Makes me laugh and helps me keep things in perspective.

We will ALL make it...all in our own time frames! I love hearing about everyone's experiences here on this site. What a great support group!

Best to you, Linda!!!

I agree.

Does anyone here live in the UK I ask because of the different therapies.Jean

I'm in Lincs, Jean, and had my operation privately in Peterborough.

I live in Wales. If you're in a lot of pain I would say it's definitely worth going for the op. But find out all about it first from your consultant and posts on this site. Good luck. X

I was amazed how they will sit for ages colouring  and drawing! They love cuddly toys too. Quite a change after years of rugby kits and sport on the tv. 😊 

Hi Jean

I live in Essex. The care and op I had was excellent.

👌

I LOVE coloring, drawing and all kinds of crafts! Maybe I will have a Craft Buddy! My Aunt Laurel was MY Craft Buddy! Wonderful Sunday afternoon memories of that after church and dinner at her house or ours!

Sounds LOVELY!!!