Knee replacement!

My serious knee injury from years ago is leading to a replacement.
Are there any do's and don'ts related to this operation.
Many more years of detecting is at the top of the list.
Advice welcome here.

Ouch, just make sure it good by next detecting season ay.

The only don'ts I can think of are:.........I don't need one. and and and make sure they don't put it in backwards or use a left in stead of a right, sorry, it's no laughing matter, just trying to add a bit of humor.

cheers dave

Dave, That's what worries me, along with planned OS holiday that entails lots of walking.
I see where you coming from with your humour....

yes I'm sure all will be fine, just don't get an apprentice on his first one though.

Wish you all the best mate, take care.

cheers dave

Write on your leg before the operation “not this one” had a friend go in for a knee op done it on the wrong leg,so ended up getting two done, makes you wonder sometimes

Good luck with the op Nightjar. When is it scheduled?

I've a number of friends who've had this op (and I think I'm in line some many years in the future) and can only suggest to do the rehab they push, religiously. It seems to me to be the fastest way to get back to "normal".

Do the rehab as instructed and continue after you are home and above all else, do not get an infection in the knee and that means no cuts n scratches anywhere on your body and if you get dental work done after the op make sure the dentist knows about the replacement so as to give you antibiotics to ward off blood infection. An infection in the knee is a major issue.. If you don't do the rehab correctly the knee will stiffen up real fast and pain will persist for quite some time.. You can expect a dead spot or two around your knee coz some nerves are likely to get cut.
My knee is ok but still a bit stiff. It is very strong as I discovered when after just two days in hosp I slipped and almost fell over, my whole body weight went onto the operated knee . It held up just fine with no ill effects aside from a bit of strong pain. Being a bit of a dh I did not tell anybody that I fell.

My mother had one done when she was over 80 . After 2 days she wanted to get out of the hospital and go home . She did not have any problems and could then get around without a stick . She passed away when she was 94 .

So a month later. Did you or didn't you get the replacement?

Nightjar wrote:My serious knee injury from years ago is leading to a replacement.

Hey NightJar, sorry to hear that, hope the operation goes well and you are doing better now.

Replacement op was on 22/11 and now almost 3 weeks into recovery progress is ahead of schedule.
Photo when dressing was removed 04/12.
Still lots of pain, especially through the night, but can walk short distances unaided, relying mostly on one forearm crutch.
Should be ready to go digging a nug or two by next season.

Nightjar wrote:Should be ready to go digging a nug or two by next season.

Glad to hear it mate looks like its healing nicely. Bunnings sells some good knee pads you might want to look into also https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/tools/safety-equipment-workwear/knee-pads The padding might help you. I bought a pair of the tradesman ones ages ago and wouldn't be without them now. I only wear one of them when I am detecting.

Hi Peter

Good to hear you are up and walking about
I wish you a speedy recovery.
 

Take your time in excising it right & you should be back to normal in no time Pete. Speedy recovery.

Cheers Kon.

G’day Peter,

Glad to hear your operation went well and you are on the mend now. Wishing you good luck for the next season as well.

Cheers.

Mike.

Looking good pete,the most important thing you can do is follow the physios instructions to the T.
Time for a long handle pick?

cheers moredeep

Thanks for the encouragement fellas, sure hope to be back to my old ways in a couple of months, with out lugging a long handled pick around.
The chest mounted one has dug 99% of my nugs.
Should get clearance from surgeon on 23/12 that wound is sufficiently healed then 5 hydro sessions with Physio beginning 07/01 and I'm on my own paddling around in the ocean after that.

Peter I'm glad that you are slowly but surely recovering from your op. But mate don't rush it as you will only be bushing the recovery time further backwards, not forward.
wombat

It looks to be healing nicely. Take care mate.

Certainly looks good Peter, did they stitch with needle and thread or staples?
Staples certainly lift you as they yank them out.
You will be surprised where that scar ends up, will show you how much out of kilter your knee was
M

No external stitches Michael, we are in the age of "super glue"
Was bone on bone inside of knee joint.

Pretty scary when you see what they replace your old joint with.

This is my very manly and super attractive left knee   15 months after the replacement . It was 20cm incision stitched with staples that gave no probs when removed. The nurse said that I might want to hang onto something while she removed them. I said don't worry about it I will finish my cross word while you do it.
Healed up just fine.
Give it a bit of time mate and rub a bit of vitamin E cream into the scar(after fully closed over)and give it a massage now and again

Healed well Adrian. Has it improved your mobility ? less pain? cheers Pete.

Can ache  a bit on cold days and is still a bit stiff even tho I work it pretty well most days. Is no where near as painful as prior to the op Mobility is not as good as with a natural knee but still is ok. I can scramble around the rocky river banks but have to be careful not to subject it to strong side on forces. Does not like that very much and will let me know about it.

You're a hairy bugger Adrian, great to hear it was a success.
Me, one month has ticked over on Friday, Monday should get clearance from surgeon to do a bit of aqua exercises in ocean nearby.
Last night was the first refreshing sleep, only woke once.
Still a fair amount of pain but can flex knee to 125°.
Discarded first forearm crutch a week ago, have now discarded second and getting around OK (carefully) SWMBO comes in swinging if I don't.
Apparently the puckered lip look on scar will disappear in time.

Nightjar, looks like you will just have to be patient with your recovery. Hope all goes well.

Nightjar,
I remember the days when we all talked about how much we had drunk the night before, now we seem to talk about our ailments honestly I do hope you are back kicking dust soon, take care!

It’s amazing the tech now , my new hip is a beaut

[quote="Nightjar"]You're a hairy bugger Adrian, great to hear it was a success.
Me, one month has ticked over on Friday, Monday should get clearance from surgeon to do a bit of aqua exercises in ocean nearby.
Last night was the first refreshing sleep, only woke once.
Still a fair amount of pain but can flex knee to 125°.
Discarded first forearm crutch a week ago, have now discarded second and getting around OK (carefully) SWMBO comes in swinging if I don't.
Apparently the puckered lip look on scar will disappear in time.


Quote:
Lotsa hair yeah yeah. The missus calls me  Chimp.
Yes the scar will fade. You need to massage it a bit in a length wise direction with a bit of vitamin E cream a few times per week. Flattens it out a bit and maybe helps with the healing.
Anyway it worked for me.