NHS physio after private surgery?

moneylover

If you concentrate on the physio afterwards you should do well and physios obviously like patients who make the appropriate efforts. Its obvious you will do that, but perhaps just as important is not to overdo it - it can be tempting to do an exercise 15 times instead of 10
Please do let us know how you get on I am sure you are not the only one on this board who will need a new knee at some time or other. The other thing is - is there any particular reason why this knee has gone. Have you had a proper biomechanical assessment eg might you need inserts in your shoes? If you havent, you can ask the physio they are good at this kind of thing better than the surgeons quite often
Anyway, glad you are not travelling the high seas to get this done and tht you are persuaded to stay in UK

Becc4

dear OP could you humour me and measure the distance from behind the knee to floor whilst sitting?, then measure height of settee whilst sitting on it?

also give the zimmer frame and crutches to thte local hospital as you will be issued with the appropraite walking aid(ie assessed for by a proffessional) when discharged, and as you are only having knee done i would expect you to be discharged with crutches.

btw recovery is not all about doing excerises, standing to make dinner, answer door, etc are all part of the recovery.

Traveller37

Moneylover:

The problem started about 18 years ago when I twisted my knee badly and had a bucket-handle tear of the lateral meniscus. I had an arthroscopy, they trimmed the tear and tidied everything up. Everything was good for 15 years, then problems again. Another arthroscopy worked well and I had 2½ years without problems. Then about 2 months ago the knee started to get stiff and sore, so I was referred to the orthopaedic surgeon who said that I needed a partial or full knee replacement - the cartilage on one side is completely gone and it's bone on bone. It is getting rapidly worse so I need it fixed asap.

I hate illness, doctors, hospitals, medication, but this has to be done, and I will do exactly what the physios and surgeon tell me to do. My highest priority is a speedy recovery because I have bought non-refundable airline tickets to Florida for a dive trip in September - I'm thinking positive!

Traveller37

Becc4:

Happy to humour you, willing to listen to all suggestions. Floor to back of knee while sitting is 41cm. Height of chair seat is also 41cm, and I never sit on the settee, always this same chair.

The crutches are adjustable. When I have my pre-op I will see the physios for an hour as well, so I will take them with me and see what they say. No point in paying for new ones if these are suitable. I have serious respect for physios and will take their advice. Once you have done the research and decided on a surgeon you have you have to trust him/her, so I will do exactly what I am told to do.

Becc4

just to help then, when ur discharged you will need to bend you knee approx 90 degrees to transfer from chair to standing. if not you may require equipment.

Traveller37

Chair is an old wooden slat-back with arms, very easy to push on them to get myself from sitting to standing at the moment.

Becc4

if you can stand with no problem why are you paying to have operation, sorry, i dont see the logic, if you are not struggling with everyday activities etc..

Becc4

sorry missed an earlier post, are you sure your leaving enough time to recover to go diving in sept.

Traveller37

>> are you sure your leaving enough time to recover to go diving in sept<<

I booked and paid for the flights when I intended to wait out the 6 months and have it done on the NHS. The knee then started to get much worse so I decided to pay and get it done quickly. I just have to hope that I'll be fit enough by then, nothing else I can do. Even if I'm not fit enough to dive I hope I'll be able to at least make it to Florida.

moneylover

you will need to keep your insurance company fully informed! I am sure you will enjoy yourself even if you cannot dive - you will be so thrilled its all over and you are on the mend. Do you get a follow up from the orthopod after surgery as he will be able to advise you, but main thing is that its just one diving holiday and more important not to jepodise the knee!