Three weeks post TKR Help!

Dear Lucie,

Bless you!!! I know just how you feel, as will every single other person on this forum. It is such early days for you and yes the pain you describe is normal. Keep taking all your pain medications as and when you should, use ice, lots of ice and keep your leg elevated when sitting.

Trust me, you will get there, even now if you look back and see where you have come from in a mere 3 weeks, you'll be surprised.

Rest as much as possible and visit the forum often. Mostly the advice is spot on . . . . . . . .  And we are all here for you.

Tricia 

Lucie

You are just three weeks post op there are still some tough times to go through. I am 14 weeks post op on both knees done same time. You will have good day and you will have bad days. Just remember to do your exercises, ice the swelling, heat the stiffness, and give yourself a break. You will heal at your own pace be at peace with this.

First off. Are you taking pain meds.  You should be on as high a dose as you were in hospital.  If you are not, get your doctor as a matter of priority, to write a prescription.  That is so important.  If you can't get the pain under control, you will not be able to progress. Your physio knows, from your nots of the operation, what your knee can do.  Unfortunately for you to do it consciously, it is going to cause you pain. After leaving your session you should have been advised to ice and elevate.  If you can't cope with the ice (which at the moment is best) try heat, if nothing else you may find it soothing.  At 3 weeks you should be ready for the static bike. Saddle as high as possible and the gears on the lightest, if you can't get your leg all the way round, then do half revolutions for a little while, then with the good leg, push the pedal all the way round with your bad leg going along for the ride.  Pain can be so debilitating and overriding, which is why it is so important to get it under control. Are you able to chat with your doctor, talk about the pain, if your sleep is affected ask for night aids as well, nothing worse than going to bed and can't sleep for the pain.  The more st important thing to keep in your mind at all times.  It will get better. It may take weeks or a little longer, be patient and strong minded, there may be times when you just want to cry all day, every day.  That is natural too.  For some reason, this operation seems to cause depression, which when you think about it, what you have been through is enough to make a strong man cry. You still have the anaesthetic in your system, working its way out, but still there all the same. Buy some essential oils, they can be mood enlightening. If your scar has completely healed, find a hydropool, the water is warm and shallow, if not a gym with a swimming pool (even a jacuzzi) where you can just float. With just the water supporting your knee,you will be able to relax and may find your knee bends better than you imagined. Once you get a little more confident try other exercises.  You must keep on bending, straightening and lifting your leg, the main muscles in your thighs are the hardest to work on; flat surface (even the bed) tighten you thigh muscles and keeping it as straight as possible lift and hold, doesn't have to be much to start with, but you do have to work at it.  Think of the exercises you do at home as homework set for you by the physio.  They are going to make sure you are doing things right, it is up to you to keep at it.  You can do it.  Keep saying that to yourself.  Don't over do things. Treat every small achievement as a great milestone and congratulate yourself.

Pain is invisible, no-one can see it, no-one feel it other than you. We can understand what you are going through, so you are not alone.  On here you let it flow out of you, there will always be someone to help you, listen to you. But only you can work the knee.  Don't despair.  You will turn the corner.

Oh Lucie,

The physio has to push the bend on your knee, or you will be back in hospital on a passive excersice machine.

If you don't get enough bend and straightness now,your knee would heal up with you having a permanent limp.

Yes it hurts such a lot but it's for your own good, and everyone who has this surgery has to get through this bit.

As everyone else says, take your pain meds regularly, take them before physio.

Sleep with a cushion between your knees on your side if you can.

Use your arms and upper body strength to turn over in bed.

And, ice,ice,ice. 20 mins in every hour, have you got ice packs in the freezer all the time?

It does get better, honestly, it really does.

You had major surgery, and you're feeling really down, it will go.

You will be normal, I know it's hard to imagine, but the pain does go.

We've all been there, some have higher pain thresholds, some lower.

Be brave,you will get therexxx