Knee Replacement

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yhanni

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I have OA in both knees and am quite limited in what I can do, however for the last 3 weeks, the left one has been really painful and I'm struggling to cope with it. I saw a surgeon 3 years ago who said I needed knee replacement surgery and to put myself on the waiting list when I felt ready. I am now waking at night with the pain despite Co-Codamol and Naproxen. I am going for acupuncture on Friday and am hoping that will help as I need to be able to keep going until the Spring when the horses are turned out etc. I am still riding a couple of times a week but mounting and dismounting are interesting! Has anyone had knee replacement surgery and is still riding? I have no great competitive ambition - I just want to do clinics, fun rides, hacking etc etc. I am 61 and reasonably fit ... apart from my sodding knees!
 
Yes, do stress what you need to be able to do. When I was assessed for a hip replacement I stressed that I lead an active with my sheep and dog agility and needed to be repaired. Despite not being as bad as some poor souls they thankfully agreed it needed doing and it was done within about 4 months.
I know knees are a much trickier op than hips and a lot depends on how well you follow the exercise programme after surgery. No short cuts.
 
Echo Errin Paddywack - the re-hab is vital. My friend was a bit feeble about hers "because it hurts" and now has problems with all the soft tissue around the joint which seems to have "shortened and set" - whatever the technical terms for that might be! I would do my homework on the surgeon you choose and ask around about success rates - even better if you can find a previous patient to ask - but the re-hab is down to you and worth all the effort in the end. Good Luck.
 
When I was assessed for my op I had the choice of waiting for the consultant to do mine or going on the list to take whoever had a space first. I opted for the consultant despite having to wait a bit longer and I made sure I was as fit as I could be when I went in. I was given a booklet in advance giving the exercises to do afterwards so I started doing them in advance. Helped a lot.
The only thing that I was not happy about afterwards was that my pre-op blood test showed I was very slightly anaemic which I wasn't told. Only found out after the op when I nearly had to have a blood transfusion because of anaemia. Slowed up my recovery because of feeling very dizzy. If I had known before the op I would have taken iron supplements and adjusted my diet.
 
I had my left knee replaced (half replaced) 5 years ago and would heartily recommend it, I have had such a better quality of life since it was done. I'm now 55 and started riding again at 6 weeks, when I got the all clear for driving. I am now starting to get grief with my right hip & knee but I think it's good to keep going as long as you can as the replacements don't last forever but it's a balance. It's also important to keep your weight down and DO THE EXERCISES afterwards, I do yoga and everything I did before the operation with no problems (but go easy on the knee with some yoga moves :))
 
Total right knee replacement 12 years ago. Still riding at least three times a week, would thoroughly recommend doing it! Do the physio religiously and you should have no problems! Enjoy your pain free knees!
 
Archangel said:
My friend has had both hers done and is still riding (she is in her 80s and had the second one done in her 80s). She told the surgeon she rode and he took that into account.
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Friend took a couple of photographs in, one of her going over a jump and another of her being presented with a rosette after a dressage competition. The surgeon immediately said he would make sure that she would be able to carry on riding after her op.
 
Thank you all so much. More positive than I was fearing. I'm not far from Oswestry which is a centre of excellence but I will do my homework 're surgeon & try & get as fit as possible in the interim. It's horrible feeling so disabled although there are folk who are in a far worse predicament obviously enough.
 
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