I Need A Knee!

[Scarlett]

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?

[furrypusscat]

I had Gaberpentin and also Morphine patches. Now after 2 knees and 2 hips am not on anything. Good luck with finding somewhere suitable.  Just a note, you will need some help afterwards for a couple of weeks after surgery if you have family or friends close by that can help as post surgery is very painful and limiting.

[Scarlett]

Jourdain- That is very interesting. I haven't had a hip replacement, but it certainly feels like a tendon which is catching or in the wrong place.I believe it is impinged. Good to know that injections are a possible thing to try.

[Scarlett]

Furrypusscat- that is my concern, living alone and no family nearby. I really don't have the sort of friends that would stay for two weeks, so I don't know what I would do. 

[hellywelly4]

I've decided to go into a care/nursing home for a week or two after I have the hip operation. I live alone in a block of flats for retired people which is fine but there's no room for anyone to stay with me.  If you're looking in jourdain, you said you took extra paracetamol when you were having problems before. How did that affect things? I meant to come back before but got diverted, sorry.

[barry1010]

I don't blame you for going in to a care home, shame convalescent hospitals seem to be a thing of the past.

[Scarlett]

Hellywelly I would love to know more about this, please could you share if you have more details on the nursing home? Any idea what it would cost and where I would find one? I think this is going to be the only way I would survive after an operation, is to be somewhere else for two weeks.

[hellywelly4]

I haven't looked into booking anywhere yet as I don't expect to have an operation for ages. I've tried to investigate going private but not got any information so far. Apparently the specialists at the hospital where I will go are only now seeing people who were referred to them this time last year which isn't very good. 

[Barmaid]

Mr BM used ibuprofen and paracetomal together (on GPs advice I hasten to add) but then was given codeine and towards the end, morphine.

Have you enquired about an arthroscopy?  Mr BM had one on his left knee 6 years ago which helped enormously (the one on the right knee did not and he ended up having a full replacement).  However, he is now heading towards full replacement on his left knee.  He may need a spousal replacement first though.

[bednobs]

In this area, a nursing home costs about £1500 PW.

[barry1010]

hellywelly, you need to start your research now.  A lot of homes don't accept very short term convalescent/respite care so you need to find a few that do, then make enquiries as to price, facilities etc.

It can be cheaper to have a live in carer if you have a spare bedroom 

[hellywelly4]

I'm in a very small flat and there's no possibility of anyone sharing with me. I've heard of a care home which helps people with problems like mine so I will investigate. 

[barry1010]

Good, best to be prepared, you may be offered a cancellation 

[Scarlett]

I googled respite care in my area, and found somewhere that does an ensuite room for £1500 per week. It's specifically for people short term or recovering from operations, so this is what you would need as well.

[Giggsie]

Scarlett I managed fine after my knee replacement did my usual maybe bit more resting times but just got on with it. Painful yes but movement a must. So didn't hold me back. Had both knees replaced now. 

[Scarlett]

Giggsie, I'm disabled though, I cant walk sit or stand so I think I'd struggle after an operation on my own

[bednobs]

But that's what I don't get scarlet if your knee is causing you that disability now, A knee replacement will only improve it. If you already can't sit or walk or stand even if they *** Replacement upYou won't be in any worse positionn than you aare now, and I presume you're living by yourself now and managing

[Scarlett]

Bednobs- people with EDS are often told not to have operations because of the overly lax ligaments and tendons. A lot of operations fail because of this, the soft tissue just doesn't heal the way it should, and it can become hyper mobile straightaway. We are just not good contenders for operations. Also, the knee replacement would focus on the kneecap, and I have major problems with my fibular dislocating. They can't put a nail through it to secure it, as that would affect my ankle, which I have to keep rotating until it clunks in order to get stability. I would be worried about not being able to get up, move around, straighten or bend my knee, Everything that is already difficult would be even more difficult after an operation For several months. Hence, I don't know whether I could cope with that or not. 

[bednobs]

I don't know if I'm just being thick or what  but If you already can't walk or stand or sit, how CAN it be worse mobility post op?

[barry1010]

bednobs, I can understand Scarlett's attitude.  The thought of having to climb two flights of stairs to get to her flat straight after being discharged from hospital must be daunting.

She lives alone and if she falls, getting up again could be problematic.  Even showering and / or getting in and out of the bath will be a worry.

Getting used to the new knee and learning to trust it, becoming more mobile and confident in a residential home for a few weeks makes sense to me.

[bednobs]

I'm just struggling to understand how someone who can't walk, can't sit and can't stand is managing now. I presume all she can do is lie in bed and crawl or bum shuffle round to the loo and to get food etc. I just can't picture how someone lives like that without help and how it could possibly be worse after an op