3 Weeks Post Op of a TKR
Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi can any body give me any info on how far one should be walking at 3 weeks. I'm still using crutches and have to say knee still very stiff and at times painful.
Also these dreaded white stockings have had different reports on how long I should keep them on.Now off all anti coagulation medication.Does any body have any ideas and when does this pain ease down.
1 like, 20 replies
John5006 evans15359
Posted
I stayed on crutches from date of surgery (6 Nov 2015) to surgeons review on 29 Dec 2015. He gave me all clear and I did away with crutches and began driving my car again. another three weeks later I returned to work bus driving.
At no time did I rush things, I DID all my exercises 4 times a day, every day, not just one exercise a session, but all according to the agreed exercise programme. I supplemented these exercises by visits to my sports injury therapist for leg/knee massage and am now fine. Just have a little ongoing tightness under lower part of knee cap. I still ice and elevate when I feel the need.
You don't say if you are under going PT or if you have an exercise programme - if you are then keep up your pain relief medication or else the chances are you'll not cope with the exercises.
John
sharon52158 evans15359
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glenda29798 evans15359
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I was three weeks post op for a right TKR yesterday & had a left one in 2014. Last time I wore those wretched socks for the six weeks that I was told but yesterday I decided that, as I'm moving around a lot more now, to just put one on the operated leg at night time as I'm so hot and uncomfortable now the warmer weather is here.
With regard to the pain, this knee seems to be much better pain wise than the last one, but the intense pain did ease off last time at three months or so but then I had various pains (not terrible) for about 7/8months. At a year I forgot that I had a knee replacement and was really happy that I'd had the operation!
Roll on Autumn time!
Glenda
Are you in the US? As in the UK we only have crutches in hospital and are sent home with two walking sticks which the physio said to use one around the house and two if I go walking outside for extra stability. Last time I was told that I should be walking with no sticks at all by six weeks which I managed. As for walking distances, last week I tried to walk to my town centre which is normally a 12-15 minute walk and ended up having to take a taxi home and felt very unwell for a day or so, sleeping in the day for hours plus knee had terrible swelling! Now I just potter about the house and garden and try and do my exercises regularly as I read that walking is no substitute for the exercises!
sue37592 glenda29798
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I am finding it hard to build up my walking distance without getting tired and stiff and uncomfortable, just trying to build a few steps more daily x
sue37592
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charlotte81954 sue37592
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glenda29798 sue37592
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lynn33221 evans15359
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At 5 wks in I too exercise every day and have had to cut down as it was causing swelling; but I have kept on my feet every day. I havent had any Physio support since day 3 after the op. I think that I may need to find an independent PT as I now think this is crucial to my recovery.
I have cut down my morphine tabs to 1/2 at night. I dont have a partner so feel too vulnerable to go out without a member of my family. Why arent we all getting the same level of support or aren't I shouting loud enough!
sue37592 lynn33221
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John5006 lynn33221
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I had the same experience with Physio support. The 3 days in hospital I had constant Physio and from the day I went home on 9 Nov to now I only had 1 Physio support, and, all that was was a review at hospital. I had a booklet of exercises published by NHS which was both basic and inadequate. In the end I went onto Youtube and did a search for these exercises and found more value from Youtube than the NHS. during the rehab period up to 29 Dec I did go to my sports therapist at my expense and got her to gently massage and work on not just my new knee but all the surrounding muscles.
I have to say I did cheat a bit because for 8 weeks prior to surgery I went to the same therapist who worked entirely on my knee with the aim of strengthening it - so that when I went into surgery I knew my knee was as good as I could possibly get it.
I found the liquid morphine I had in hospital didn't touch the pain nor did Trymadol (I think thats the spelling) .... the only thing that worked for me was CoCodomol 30/500.
Good luck.
John
sassy42011 lynn33221
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I am in the US. I'm sorry to hear that you feel as though you aren't being given enough support during your recovery.
I agree that yiu will have to be an advocate for your own health and wellness. If you don't feel as though you are getting enough Physio, then go out and find some that's suitable for you. If yiu need family support, ask for it. Listen to your body
I hope you get well soon.
charlotte81954 evans15359
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pam92068 charlotte81954
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pam
pam92068 evans15359
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pam
lucie47312 evans15359
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charlotte81954 lucie47312
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evans15359 lucie47312
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Leg very heavy and tingling and generally not great nobody prepares you for this at all.
Knee is really tender and still swollen but have been using Arinica cream and my god did the brushing go down very quickly as my leg and calf where almost deep purple spectacular colours !!!!
I hope your recovery goes well and those b stockings I'm losing mine next week can't stand them any more it's so hot at night think they do more harm than good!! Chris