In two weeks time I get a new knee and following a hospital visit yesterday to the physio clinic where we also had a talk about what to expect, I’m feeling quite aprehensive.
There is no doubt, none at all, that I can’t carry on as I am. Today I had to use my stick to get up the garden. That’s after doing my post op. exercises !
Up to now I have at least managed in the house, there’s always furniture to hold if I need it, but I’ve not gone out of the house without my stick for months now.
We’ve just had 4 days in Lisbon (instead of our usual month long motorhome trip to France in September which is not going to be possible). We walked quite a lot but with lots of stops and Never without my stick and at the end of the day, a lovely refreshing swim in the hotel pool.
I do wish though I could keep my own knee and just get it cured. In 30 years time I’m sure I might be able to get an injection of stem cells instead of the promised replacement with a heavy piece of metal but though that’s available in the USA it’s not here yet.
So if I sound a bit nervous in the next two weeks you will understand. I know it will be better once its done but I’ve got to go through a phase for a few weeks first when it’s going to hurt much more than it does at the moment and I’m going to find it really difficult to do anything. This is where I wish I lived in a bungalow or that one of our two loos were downstairs.
Never mind, I can at least get my tax return done early as I don’t think I’m going to be doing much glass making in the month of September and as soon as I’m sure my leg is still attached, I can have my shop open as Bob can be my despatch clerk.
So if you hear a click clicking in the next few weeks that will be initially, me and my trusty stick and after that my crutches.
Oh Joy, you poor thing. I have osteoarthritis in both knees, so I can understand the pain you’re in, my consultant won’t give me a replacement yet, just steroid injections every few months, and load of tablets.
Anyway, I thought you’d also like to know that my friend, after years of severe pain and arthritis due to a car accident, had a knee replacement a couple of months ago and she says that she has never felt better! It’s changed her life and she feels so much better and back to normal again. The pain was really getting her down before she had it done. She was up and about quite quickly after the op.
I know it’s different for everyone, but I wanted to give you some positive news on someone whose had it done. Let us know when you’re going in and how you get on.
By the way, I was on crutches for a few months a few years ago, I found that wrapping fairy lights around each one made me feel a bit jauntier
Take care of yourself and get plenty of rest before and after the op.
Thank you Natalie. That’s exactly what I need, reports of good results.
I have my mother’s knee genes and looking at my knee, I think I quite possibly have her actual knee too.
Mum had her right one replaced when she was a bit older than me, at about 75 and she was quite desperate by then so I know I must get it done before I get to that stage and I’ve known for some time it was going to be needed.
The worst bit now is when it locks when I’m standing at my bench hot soldering iron or a sharp piece of glass in hand and trying to work out the best way to unlock it without dropping something and / or , squealing so loudly it disturbs the neighbours
Steroid injections haven’t touched it for last couple of years.I just keep a supply of icepacks handy in the freezer.
xx
Oh god, I hate the locking! Mine do it when I’m in bed, it’s agony and even more agony trying to unlock them, I can’t imagine what it’s like for you when you’re standing up at your bench! Watch where you put that hot soldering iron!
The sooner you get it done the better definitely. It’ll hopefully make you feel brand new, and you can also then start planning your next motor home holiday!
I think someone needs to make your Bob a Dispatch Clerk badge
Joy @JOYSofGLASS - in my former life I was a chiropodist and I cant tell you how many of my clients had knee replacements. Out of all of them (and there were a lot) I can only recall one who had any problems and that was just that the knee was a bit stiff and she couldnt bend it as well but it was at least pain free. Just make sure you follow all the rehab instructions - dont overdo it or indeed under do it and I’m sure everything will be great and you will be running around in no time Good luck and looking forward to seeing you back at the workbench reinvigorated soon.
Joy, good news story, the gentleman Ben, who has the allotment next to me had his knee done last year. Yesterday I saw him cycling the 2miles to the golf club. No sticks.
Hope all is successful
Suzzie x
One of my neighbours has had both knees replaced and you wouldn’t know it. It hasn’t stopped her from going out and about so it worked for her, no stick and no sign of a limp. I hope everything goes well for you and you get pain free soon.
Oh Joy, I feel for the pain you’re in. Like the others, I have friends who have had knee or hip replacements, and one most recently with a full hand of new knuckles! Nobody’s expecting you not to be apprehensive though x
One of my buddies down the allotment has now had both his knees replaced - his reappearance down there after the first one took us all by surprise as we had been expecting him to laid up much longer. He wasn’t exactly skipping about (at the time he was still waiting for the other one to be done) but we watched him wandering up and down his plot watering cans in hand and breathed a sigh of relief as we were no longer worried that he was going to fall over and injure himself. Listen to the doctors, listen to your body and you’ll be fine.
(and speaking from experience (leg in plaster with cracked knee cap) try not to to spend too much time online shopping if you can’t get downstairs to answer the door to postie!)
All the best to you Joy and hope that you will recover quickly after the op. I’m sure you will as you always seem such a bright positive person. Like others on this thread I know of people who have had knee replacements that have been very successful. xxx
Joy - there will be BNK (Before New Knee) and ANK (After New Knee) in all your postings and chats with friends,if my friend David is anything to go by! It’s changed his life I reckon. As well as his bad knee joint, he also had strains on other parts of his body (back and other ankle) from years of compensating for the painful knee so those aches and pains have gone too - ANK!
Good luck with the op Joy, my dad had both his knee’s replaced, they felt so much better afterwards. As and Roz says just follow all the rehab instructions. All the best x
Wishing you well Joy, as others have said do what the physio recommends and I’m sure you will be up and about in not time, and think of all the new designs you can plan whilst recovering
Thank you all so very much for your good wishes and positive stories. I’m feeling much happier now if just a little sad that my naughty knee has to go. I’ve been telling if off for several years now on the basis that “knees bend, arms stretch” so why don’t you.
At least, all being well, I’ll be up and running for the couple of lovely Xmas fairs I’m down for as they’re not till November and Bob always fetches and carries to get me set up.
And… in 6 months from now we have another trip to India in the planning. Couldn’t do it with my current knee, too many high steps and curbs as I discovered last time. As soon as I know my leg is still attached Bob will book the flights How’s that for motivation
Good luck and looking forward to seeing you back at the workbench reinvigorated soon.