Hi folks, I was told this week by my surgeon that 7 years after being diagnosed with chronic osteoarthritis in my knees, I should now have a new right knee ( I'm pretty sure the left will have to be done once I have recovered from the first op), so the NHS here in West Kent can do me late September/early October. I'm hoping to get through the summer without too much discomfort, have my holidays and drive the Mog (Long door 4/4) and then recover through the winter 2026/27. I'm sure there are lots of you who have had new knees, I'd be very grateful if some of you could share your experience of Morgan driving post knee op and getting in and out of the car particularly. I know we are all different, but it would be handy for me to know what I may have to look forward to. Many thanks in advance.
PAIN !!! Truth is only for a couple of days …….I could have torn my leg off and wished I had not had it done. But I come from a long line of cowards . Anything medical, ops seen on TV etc and I go into the fetal position and have internal terrors. I have white coat syndrome.… The opioid pain relief made me sick, so I just had paracetamol tablets . Sleeping the first month was a bit uncomfortable.
The full knee replacement was just over 16 months ago.. You are up, walking and climbing stairs, 18 hours after the op. It’s amazing really. Surgeon said mine was a tricky op and my soft tissue like iron and it was a bit deformed before. He said it was a ‘big op ‘in my case .Glad he did not tell me that before as I would have run a mile (not that I could) . You can do everything in a few weeks but not drive for 6, I seem to remember.. Strangely the other leg was the one that used to have pain and swelling a little after hiking but the other got bad & since the op the original bad one got much better and it really would be hard for me to go back and have it done again after suffering those two days of pain, so fingers crossed. I’m amazed the NHS provides replacements for old people, as it is expensive plus life expectancy . They are now supposed to last longer than those done 10/15 years ago but I read last week that the German(?) company that makes the special glue has production problems leaving our NHS in short supply.
I do know two people who had both knees done at the same time…..that’s brave but I understand rarely done. You could ask !? I’m not driving a Morgan at present just normal cars , manual and autos and it is all fine. . It’s a bit of a miracle really Don’t worry about it , hope you get it done in Autumn, MM
I had a knee replacement three years ago.( private 15 k !) there was some pain but lucky I could take the strong painkillers. On advice from a friend who had two done together I hired a cryo machine for 3 weeks. I would really recommend that.So much better than ice packs as it also applies pressure to the joint. Not allowed to drive a car while on drugs. I can drive the Morgan no problem my new left knee. We walk up the hills in North Wales with no pain. But everyone different. I would defiantly have the other knee replaced if needed. Also make sure you attend the physio after . I can send you details of the company that supplies the cryo machines .
Thank you both very much indeed, it's reassuring to know that there's only a couple of days of pain to worry about, I can cope with that! My main concern was how soon I am likely to be able get in and out of the Mog. The Goodwood Members' Meeting in 2027 might be a bit ambitious, but the FoS in July should be ok!
Just one note re strong pain relief - ask them to prescribe something to deal with the side effects. After a broken wrist, I found out the hard way when regularity became somewhat elusive.
Paul Costock, UK Plus Four 75th - Furka Rouge - Pip Disco 5 Teddy - 17h1 Irish Draught cross
I would advise you to learn to use what I call the "sit and spin" technique:
1. Approach the Morgan and fully open the door. 2. Turn 180°, putting your backside towards the Morgan. 3. Sit down in the seat in sort of a side saddle position. 4. Spin on your bottom to gently pull in your legs and face forward.
Reverse the process to to perform the dismount (spin and stand).
It is also surprising what a difference the steering wheel size makes when in comes to ingress and egress. My '65 Plus 4 came from the factory with a 15¾" Banjo style wheel. Within a couple years of driving her (I am the second steward of this vehicle) my aggressive/enthusiastic driving style literally broke the little spindles at the hub, turning the wheel into a flopping nightmare in the middle of a sharp turn! I replaced it with a 14" Moto-Lita wheel and was amazed at what a difference it made to get almost 2 more inches of leg clearance. Some would argue that it is harder to steer, as you lose some leverage. I say it helps keep my arms in good condition.
I have had both knees replaced, one about 10 years ago and the other about 5 years ago. Immediately after surgery it felt great, went home the same day. The next day was a different story. The trick is to stay up with the drugs, do not let the pain get away from you. The next and probably the most important part of the knee replacement is the physical therapy. Mine started 2 days after surgery. It is important to work hard on the PT! If you don't you will not regain mobility in the knees. It took me about 7 weeks before I was back horseback riding and about 8-9 before driving. Yes, you have to be off all the drugs except Tylenol or other over the counter drugs before driving.
Once past all the PT and ability to drive again, my knees feel about 95% of where they were when I was younger. No pain, no mobility issues, back to normal. From my experience and talking to other people, you do one and then the other one will need it.
Many thanks to you all once again. I'm reassured and looking forward to having the op done and getting on the road to recovery (and back on the road literally!)
Marshalben, so good to hear that you have made such a fantastic return to virtually full fitness. My consultant (NHS) has advised me to pay for plenty of private physio, which seems to confirm your advice.
Edwin, thanks for the advice on getting in and out, I already have a 14" Motolita, so that part shouldn't be too hard.
It is also surprising what a difference the steering wheel size makes when in comes to ingress and egress, I replaced it with a 14" Moto-Lita wheel and was amazed at what a difference it made to get almost 2 more inches of leg clearance. Some would argue that it is harder to steer, as you lose some leverage. I say it helps keep my arms in good condition.
Spot on Edwin
Wishing Alastair a speedy post-op recovery, by which time I should have concluded my quick release steering wheel project.
Just had a full knee replacement the Sunday before yesterday. It is still incredibly painful at times. As others have said; do the exercises they give you. I started mine on day 2 and they are brutally painful even when the painkillers should be at their most effective. However, I was able to walk without any assistance by day 4 and am now doing both the exercises and going for increasing length walks. Stitches come out in a week's time which will be good as I feel I'm fighting against the dressing when doing certain exercises. One benefit of the knee op was that three months before, I started exercises to increase mobility and strength in my hips and legs and was doing full squats down to my ankles. I had never achieved that level of flexibility since young adulthood and the immediate benefit was in being able to leap in and out of the Morgan like an eighteen year old.
Morgan Plus 4 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Brompton M6L Giant TCX Advanced
