Knee replacements

abbo75 · Post by **abbo75** » 04 Oct 2018, 19:53

I fear I’m in need of a knee replacement and I’m a bit concerned about returning to work and walking 8 miles a day. Any fellow posties had this op and returned to work?

daveyeff · Post by **daveyeff** » 05 Oct 2018, 18:02

yes, I've had both of mine done. you will need to be put on a delivery that is flat terrain or has very few steps and hills or have your existing duty revised to suit, because you will not be able to do a ''normal'' duty. you will be off for 3 months then 8 weeks rehab gradually increasing hours each week. its very hard and painful at first but it does get better and is a million miles better than grade 4 arthritis of the knee believe me.

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 06 Oct 2018, 15:28

Be aware the NHS only allow one set (One left & one right.)for hip and knee replacements per person. The hip replacements last about twenty years. A postie at our office needs to get a hip replacement but the NHS have said no because he is only 53 years old so it would need replacing when he is 73.

scoobydo79 · Post by **scoobydo79** » 06 Oct 2018, 19:59

daveyeff wrote:yes, I've had both of mine done. you will need to be put on a delivery that is flat terrain or has very few steps and hills or have your existing duty revised to suit, because you will not be able to do a ''normal'' duty. you will be off for 3 months then 8 weeks rehab gradually increasing hours each week. its very hard and painful at first but it does get better and is a million miles better than grade 4 arthritis of the knee believe me.

This.Also listen and do what Your physio tells You.Its tough but it will pay off!!!

Post by **celtic1967** » 06 Oct 2018, 21:00

I had a partial knee replacement three years ago next week. i went back too quickly, did my walk for two and a half years but had to come off delivery as the other part of the knee is now very painful.
Make sure you are 100% ok before you return to work.

daveyeff · Post by **daveyeff** » 08 Oct 2018, 17:19

Celgar wrote:Be aware the NHS only allow one set (One left & one right.)for hip and knee replacements per person. The hip replacements last about twenty years. A postie at our office needs to get a hip replacement but the NHS have said no because he is only 53 years old so it would need replacing when he is 73.

that's not what they told me mind. I was only 52 when I got the first one done and 53 for the second. the surgeon said ''normal'' wear and tear of the new joint lasts about 15-20 years but in this job its not normal wear and tear and its possible I may need a 'revision knee job' in 8-10 years and if this was the case I may not be able to do the job any longer as a revision is a lot more complicated than a TKR.