Both my knees need total replacements. That's scarey enough but what in the world am I gonna do all that time I'm recuperating? I've already got yarn to knit socks and I'm hoping I'll be able to sit long enough to sit at my quilt frame. But I think what I'll miss most is sewing.

So I thought I'd ask here if any of you have had knee replacements. If so just what kind of restrictions you had and how long it lasted. I'm prepared to spend the next year in PT but at what point can I get back to my normal 'sitting' life?

Right after surgery you will need to do a combo elevate/ice/exercise and probably wont even want to look at a sewing machine during that time. (usually about 4-6 weeks per knee). You probably shouldn't operate a sewing machine with the narcotic pain relievers on board either. If you can arrange it so that you are elevating your leg (the surgical side) while you are sitting there, you might get away with the quilting frame, but your stitching may suffer :-)
No, I have not had my knees done (yet) but I have taken care of many patients who have had total joint surgery done. Good luck and remember that eventually you will have pain free knees at the end of it!

Yes, you will be able to sew. You will have to go tru a process of therapy for at least 3 months, just like DesiG is telling you. I just came home from visiting a friend who had knee replacement last week.
Good luck with the surgery.

Desi..I know, I'm trying to keep my eye on the prize at the end!

I was thinking about 3 weeks and I should be able to quilt or sew a little between sessions. Oh well!

I'm going to have the right one done first so I'm prepared for no driving...just trying to get mentally prepared an what to expect!!!

My DH had (one) knee replacement surgery. If you do the theapy so you can get the "range of motion" you will be sewing in no time. (a few mo)His was 8 yrs ago and he does everything.(no he doesn't sew) lol of course it doesn't bend just like his other one but he can kneel and whatever he wants to. so good luck!

Ice and elevation are good for pain control, the swelling can be pretty big when you first get home and will continue as long as your foot is down. Most of my patients need significant pain control for about 4 weeks, then they start tapering off. The narcotic pain relievers do have an effect- they can make you a little sleepy or goofy (I know this from personal experience! My work had to call me when I was in the hospital once and had just been medicated, and it wasn't pretty)- that is why you shouldn't drive or operate machinery until you know how you react to them. Give yourself easy tasks to do at first- something you can do while sitting in a chair- got any quilt bindings to do? Also if you usually sew with your right foot you may have a problem at first learning to do it with your left one (kinda like driving with the wrong foot).

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR SURGERY MAYBE TRY SOME HANDWORK

Deedles -- This is my plan because my right knee is getting bad. I'm going to look at Janome machines with on/off switches. There have been some very positive comments about using them and that people adjust very easily. BUT, you'll have to keep your legs elevated and do your PT for a while. Have many friends who have had one or both replaced and they are good as new. Good luck. Let us know how you're doing. Jan

Have a friend who had both her knes done last year. She hand embroidered some lovely red on white blocks whilst she was recuperating. It took her about 6 weeks before she could use the machine again. And made a lovely quilt for her daughter with them.

You may want to put together a bunch of stuff that you can do handwork on. I am having a very minor surgery on my knee on the 26th and I am trying to get some quilts that I can hand sew the binding and labels on during that time.
I should be able to sew in a week. Your knee replacement will probably be a bit longer!