Deddles,
Had right knee full replacement,and was sewing 1 week later.
I could do it for about 30 minutes then get up and hobble around,for a while and set with leg up.
Dusty

I have had one knee replaced 6 years ago. It's a little stiff but the big pain is gone. I tell my other knee, "shape up, look what happened to your buddy". I was in PT for 10 days and walked out and got in our car, hubby driving. I was back sewing at the machine in 4 weeks for for couple hours a day. Now the pain pills I was given at the start made me break out in hives. Very allergic, so guess I'll never get into bad drugs. I was off those in about 4 days and on a much lighter and nicer pain pill, my hives cleared up. I think even my hair itched. Follow your therapy and you'll do great. I was back driving our car in 3 months.

You will do great. I have a titanium hip and was in therapy with with the knee replacement folks and they were sewing very fast after surgery. Keep in mind everyone heals at a different rate but the key is to do what the therapy specialists direct you to do.

Many blessings

Just had a hip replacement. I was sewing in about two weeks.

Knee replacements are a little tougher. Probably not be doing serious sewing for the first 4-6 weeks because of therapy and drugs. Therapy takes alot of time. Vicadin and needles and straight seams dont work so well together.

I bought my Janome because of the push button and I use that exclusively even after my surgery.

I had both knees repalced this past year. Left in Feb. and right in Sept. Left knee was done on Feb. 8th and I drove 13 hrs. to FL the middle of March with no problems. My knees are doing great and I'm so glad I had it done.

I had my right knee replaced on 1/9/08 and flew to California to see our son on 2/16/08 - a wonderful FUN trip. Just make up your mind that the rehab is necessary and work HARD. You will do great - 6 weeks of discomfort for years of NO PAIN is soooo worth the trouble - you'll be sewing in 6 weeks or less - just get up from your machine and walk every 45 minutes. Good luck!

Take it from another Jean that just had a second knee replacement on the same knee.....about three weeks and you'll be back at your sewing machine! You'll have some swelling but that happens even when you aren't doing anything. You only have to stay on the pain meds as long as you feel the need for them so don't stay on them too long! I only stayed on them for about a week and then off totally. It is what you make it and with a positive attitude and doing your PT exercises for range of motion you will be just fine!!

Deedles, my husband is 19 days post op on a knee replacement. He is only taking pain meds to facilitate his physical therapy - his knee hurts when he is doing his exercises but does not hurt the rest of the time.

He did have pain when his leg was down for about the first two weeks (elevated with ice feels so good!) but is now able to sit with his leg down for 'awhile' without pain.

My husband's Dr told him to do whatever he feels like doing - he'll know if he does too much because his knee will hurt.

So....everyone is unique - your surgery will be unlike anyone else's. And if you have a second, the second may not be like the first. Best of luck to you!

Amen Jean! My husband's surgery on 3/16 was a revision - second surgery was much better than the first!

Helped my Mom when she had her knee replaced. Her first two weeks were a bit tough and by the 3rd week she was able to get around pretty good. I brought a number of quilts that she handstitched the binding on for me, some small hand projects she had going and lots of time on the computer. Brought my laptop so she could look at stuff in bed. That was a couple of years ago and she is doing great. Makes all of the lap quilts and wall hanging for the local nursing homes, quilts for St. Jude and has entered several new quilts in local shows. Best thing she ever did is what she tells me all the time. No more pain. Good Luck
Brenda