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A COUPLE OF THE GROUP'S STORIES

The core group comprises 6 ladies who were having knee replacements at Barnwell B Ward, Kettering General Hospital in late summer of 2006. We range from mid-fifties to late seventies in age but share a sense of fun and adventure. Some of the group had already had their ops when I was admitted and others were admitted after me, so we are all at different stages. Our views on the surgery vary greatly but we all agree that the quality of our lives has been tremendously improved by our new knee or knees. The reasons for needing the surgery were varied as were the levels of pain suffered, and the amount of mobility lost. Some of our group had been in great pain for many years, others for only a few. We all had different experiences with the anaesthetic or the epidural and the operation itself. Some of us could not wait to get to the theatre, others had to be all but dragged there kicking and screaming (not really, but there was considerable fear). Once we were back in the ward and the effects of whatever anaesthetic had worn off, we realised the dull, nagging arthritis pain was finally gone. Obviously there was pain from the operation itself and discomfort from the various tubes supplying pain relief, oxygen, etc., but knew that these pains were temporary and would go away. Then it was just a case of getting through the next few hours, then the next few days, gradually shedding tubes, and sitting up for the first time, getting out of bed for the first time and so on. The nursing staff were supportive and attentive, encouraging us to do as much as possible for ourselves. Those of our group who had been through the operation earliest were able to give moral support and a limited amount of physical support to the newer patients. This support was invaluable, especially during times of low morale which can result from having a general anaesthetic. And so we helped each other improve, sharing our experiences and having a good laugh as often as possible.

Some of our visitors brought in fruit and biscuits and several times one lady's husband brought in a flask of tea during evening visiting hours. Then, after the drug round, we would have tea parties and the most mobile of our group would dish out cups of tea and biscuits, fruit and anything else we had to share.

J’s STORY

When I had my total knee replacement operation (right knee) in the summer of 2006, I thought I would soon be up and about, walking with no problems. Oh, how wrong I was! The first 2 or 3 days are hazy and I can’t remember much about them at all, as I could not seem to throw off the anaesthetic. When I regained my wits, I found I could not move my leg at all and even to try was absolute agony. Eventually things improved but I had great difficulty and the only way I could move my leg off the bed was by using a strap round my instep and lifting it manually. I was put on the CPM machine every day and had daily physiotherapy to try to get my leg bending, and to help me lift it myself. None of this made much difference. I have to say the attention I was given by the hospital staff was excellent but no amount of effort improved the knee bend, or the levels of pain. The ice packs were a godsend and I think we all felt we could do with taking one home with us.

I was allowed to come home before my knee bend reached the requisite 100-degrees but I felt very scared and apprehensive about the future. However, I was going to physiotherapy at Isebrook Hospital several times a week and the staff there were so good, kind and helpful and this, together with the support of the New Knee Club group, helped my morale – it made me realise that I was not on my own and that the others were suffering various degrees of discomfort too. I cannot thank the physiotherapists at Isebrook enough; they were determined to get my knee bend to an acceptable level. Nevertheless, my progress was slow and when I saw my surgeon at the 6-week check-up, he decided I needed an M.U.A (manipulation under anaesthetic).

Consequently, I spent another two nights in hospital and had my knee manually manipulated. Then it was back to physio three times a week and daily exercises at home. At this time, I had so much support from my friends from the ward, which encouraged me to push through the pain barrier. Within 5 weeks, I had achieved a 96-degree bend and was able to walk without crutches or walking aids. In the months after the operation, I never imagined or expected to be able to achieve this. Best of all, I was able to drive my car again and this gave me much greater freedom. I am still in touch with all my new friends made while I was in hospital and will never forget them – they are great people and we will be friends for a long time to come.

There is no doubt that all the support and encouragement we give and receive from each other is a contributory factor to our continued progress.

D's STORY

I was due to have a bilateral knee replacement (both knees at once) in the summer of 2006, but as I suffer from other health problems, my surgeon decided it would be better to do them one at a time. I suffered complications on the operating table and consequently had to be in hospital for a month in total. This was not because of my knee but due to the other health problems mentioned above and it took a long time to stabilise them.

I have little recollection of the first two weeks I spent in the ward but thereafter I can say that I progressed in leaps and bounds (well maybe not quite so energetic as that, but my progress was good). Apparently, my knee bend was relatively good right from the start and so my stints with the physiotherapists were somewhat gentle although I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the ice-wraps and could have spent all day with one on my replaced knee. I was quite mobile by this time and spent many hours going for walks up and down the ward, and helping the other patients who were still confined to bed. During this time, I formed lasting bonds with the other members of our 6-bed ward. The encouragement and support they gave me was invaluable, filling in my missing days and explaining things which the hospital staff didn’t have the time to. Because of my other health problems, I thought I was never going to get out of hospital and without the other members of the group I would have been very depressed, instead of which we had quite a jolly time with a lot of laughing and joking.

When I was discharged, I did not need to attend for physiotherapy and at first I was a little uncertain on my feet .However, I soon felt able to tackle the long walk from my home to the shopping centre in town where I met up with another member of the group for coffee and gossip.

I must say that when I first realised the problems I had had during the operation it made me very nervous about having my other knee replaced, but the support and encouragement of the nursing staff and the other members of the group was able to allay my fears. I am now on the waiting list (26 weeks) to have my second knee replaced and while I couldn’t say that I can’t wait, I certainly will be glad when it is done. The difference between the knee I had replaced and the other, arthritic one, is proof, if proof were needed, that it was all worth while. Besides which, I now have a set of new friends who will be at my bedside egging me on and ensuring that my morale doesn’t drop.

D's STORY

After my successful, total knee replacement last year, it was decided that my other knee now needed reconstruction. I was both apprehensive and excited at the prospect . In September 2007 I was admitted to Ashton Ward in Kettering General Hospital. It was with relief that I realised all the staff from Barnwell B (where I had my first knee replaced) had transferred to Ashton Ward and it was nice to be reacquainted with them. They all remembered the New Knee Club and seemed genuinely pleased to see how well we were all doing when my friends came to visit. The day after admission I went to theatre and had a total knee and kneecap replacement. My health was better than it had been for many years due to an improved diet, lots of fresh air, long walks and the support and encouragement from my new friends and despite getting an infection in the wound which caused my knee to swell (making physiotherapy difficult) , I made good progress. I was discharged after two weeks on condition that I undertake a course of physiotherapy at Isebrook Hospital. I had daily (at first) and then twice weekly visits from a district nurse to change dressings (my wound was still leaking slightly from the infection) and thrice weekly physiotherapy sessions. I had never had physiotherapy before and was reluctant to undergo this despite reassurances from my friends that the staff at Isebrook were all very nice and that I would benefit from the physiotherapy. However, I soon realised that they had been correct, the staff at Isebrook are all very nice indeed and I thoroughly enjoyed the physiotherapy sessions. I made good progress, did my exercises three times a day at home and after two weeks at Isebrook I was discharged, with a knee bend of 118° (after physio) and two straight legs. I had problems with the extension rather than the flexion, but the physio sorted that out - and I can't remember when I last had straight legs!. Now it is just a question of pushing myself a little more every day and soon I will be back to enjoying my long walks at Stanwick Lakes with my friends (I can recommend a visit to Stanwick Lakes as it is really beautiful there).

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