My first reply so be gentle.
I had a right knee replacement in January. I do 18 ton multi drop around Dorset and Somerset.
I thought I knew it all…quick op. A few pain killers 3 weeks and I would be back doing the gig. Got back in the cab in April…exact
Y 3 months later.
I will list my tips for you
- Do some pre op exercises…I didn’t because I knew better…but if the knee muscles are strong then you will heal quicker.
- Ask for an extra sedative during the op unless you want to hear them ripping some cartilage…
- Within 12 hours of the op get walking around on crutches.
- Take all and I mean all of the medication that they give you…mostly paracetamol and ibuprofen.
5.Get home and try and avoid lying on the bed and or sofa feeling like you are about to die but instead read the physiology booklet they give you. - Even if it all feels really wrong use the bottom step of the stairs to try and bend your knee…I didn’t and I really regret it.
- The doctor surgeon will asses you on the angle of your kneee…180 degrees is your leg flat out. They will expect 90 degrees for you to be back trucking your drive.
- I thought I knew better and didn’t bother with the exercise…big mistake.
9 DO NOT go back to driving a truck until you can get 90 degrees…you think that the whole thing is going to burst open and spill blood and cartilage over the stairs…it won’t…it’s just the scars in the knee muscle. - Get back back to driving a truck at about 11 or 12 weeks.
11.climbing into the cab…climbing up on the bed…fighting the pallets truck…walking around looking for a fork lift driver and general work is the best exercise for your knee…
12.I can’t kneel down with both knees but I am not far off.
In summary…EXERCISE the thing.
Good Luck !