I Need A Knee!

Scarlett | 13:05 Sun 09th Mar 2025 | Body & Soul

39 Answers

I've needed new knees for years, but I subluxed one getting Into the car, and haven't been able to straighten my leg for two months. It's very painful. I can't get a new Knee until I live somewhere else as I'm on the second floor. In the meantime, any advice about painkillers?

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barry1010

The only advice I can give is to see your GP. OtC painkillers won't be much help

bhg481

I had a knee replacement 5 months ago and had to show that I could cope with stairs before they would let me out. They teach you how to go and down using a stick or crutches. To be fair, I live in a house, so only need to go up and down morning and evening, whereas it sounds like you live in a flat and so might have to use the stairs more than me.

MargoTester

I too am waiting for a knee replacement. MyGP wanted to prescribe codeine but I'm not keen on it because of the side effects

MargoTester

Bhg481 - did you have it done under local anaesthetic ?

bhg481

Margo - no, an injection in my spine and I was knocked out as well. I have had breathing difficulties for a couple of years so they thought very carefully about the best way to anaesthetise me, so perhaps I'm not a suoitable person to compare with.

I failed to answer the question about painkillers. I had paracetamol and codeine prescribed but nothing was much use. I also tried physio and an injection but neither made any difference. My other knee has started to go now and I'm booked in to see the GP soon.

Peter Pedant

The only advice I can give is to see your GP. OtC painkillers won't be much help

yup - you need help from s GP - is your knee back in place?

MargoTester

Thanks bhg481 I'm not sure any painkillers really help much. I've already had a hip replacement,after 3 attempts of administering an injection in the spine they gave up and knocked me out so I'm not really looking forward to it.

Scarlett

Question Author

Trouble is, my kneecaps are already in the wrong place because of the hypermobility, and I think my hip flexors got short and tight from lack of walking and standing, pulled my knee out even more, and then I bent it to get in the car, resulting in damage. Massive crunch. Apparently takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal a general soft tissue injury, but I'm now on week six and still can't straighten my leg. Really don't know how I will cope with a knee replacement as I'm on the second floor and on my own!

bednobs

but you are on the second floor and on your own now. if you have a knee replacement, as bhg says you'll be shown how to get upstairs before you leave hospital. your new knee will most probably be better than what you hav now.

Maydup

Are you able to start the process of moving to ground floor accommodation?

Scarlett

Question Author

Maydup, I am looking for something suitable, but all private rentals in my area are jumped on by about 80 people, so it's very difficult. I need somewhere where I can store a mobility scooter/ Charge it up, as my current building won't let me.

jourdain2

Ask your GP for co-codamol 30/500 -- stronger than you can buy off-prescription. That's what I was given last year to help me cope with a broken hip while I waited (weeks) for it to be operated on.

A new knee should enable you to manage stairs far better in the future. The physios do train you to manage stairs.

I'll be needing my knees done before too long has passed.

Good luck!

hellywelly4

I hope you don't mind me butting in Scarlett but could I ask Jourdain a question please. I'm taking Zapain which is 30/500 codeine/paracetamol as I've been told I need a hip replacement. It doesn't seem to touch the pain. Do you have any suggestions as to how I might improve things?

Scarlett

Question Author

Hellywelly, out of interest, what is your hip pain like? I've got really bad pain from my groin to my knee when I try to raise my right leg, and I don't know whether that signals a hip problem or something else!

hellywelly4

It's awful! It starts in my groin and goes below my knee. I've tried all sorts of pain killers and nothing seems to help. I can't take ibruprofen because of kidney problems. When I've been sitting I have to stand and not move for ages until it gets slightly easier but it doesn't go away except at night which is strange. I lie on my back which helps.

jourdain2

Hellywelly, I wish I could help more. It doesn't really seem to touch the pain, I agree - but it is worse without.

My GP also prescribed Amytriptylene , but it can affect Glaucoma and I am borderline on that (Dad had it) so I refused to take it. If you can take it, please do.

I was naughty. I took an extra 200 or 500 of paracetamol as needed - alternated with ibuprofen at times. Not recommended.

Good luck. It is ridiculous to have to wait so long. I've had 2 hip replacements in France, with no - repeat NO - problems. Here they do not use drains any more and kicked me out in 36 hours. That hurt like Hell (that was the alternate paracetamol/ibuprofen bit for a few days - stock up). Why? They didn't need the bed - I was the only occupant in a room of 4 beds!!!

Anyway, still here, still fighting. I'm sure you'll be OK - wish I could help more, good luck. :) x

Scarlett

Question Author

Hellywelly- oh dear, that does sound very much like me. Is your pain when sitting to standing? I know everyone is different, but mine just feels like a tendon in my groin has stopped working, and I can no longer operate my leg. Hopefully, I'll get my x-ray results tomorrow 😔 I recommend a TENS Machine If you haven't tried one already

hellywelly4

I tried a Tens machine with no effect at all. It doesn't hurt when sitting, just walking. Hope your X-ray results are helpful.