4 weeks left leg full tkr
Posted , 14 users are following.
it's been 4 weeks since operation .went to physio today and from a 90 degree movement it's down to 56 .can't bend my leg properly .whilst sitting in waiting room couple of ladies said that I should be able to bend it by now .as they had friends who were on their feet in no time and back to normal .I feel like a failure .I've done the things asked by pt.wont deny I was ill a little while so I did miss some excersize.but it hurts like he'll when .I try to pull it back .Any one give some advice please
2 likes, 66 replies
cynthia89958 dark_crystal
Posted
Hi dark crystal,
?I have seen ou havsome great replies. All I can add is that I felt the same as my bend went down to 65 degrees and was so upset that folk were saying this sort of thing to me too. I felt terrible as the hospital had put in my notes that I was non compliant patient to infer I did not do the exercises! Nothing was further from the truth, I worked as hard as possible with terrible pain as the pain meds did not suit me and the GP made me drop any strong ones once out of hospital, saying they don't want folk dpendent on them. Look, none of these folk have a clue. Either they have never had a TKR or only know of ones with text book magical recovery.
?I had to have a manipulation finally at 10 weeks and that was actually a great help as it got the flexion back as it broke up some of the tight scar tissue tethering the knee joint. It is now 110 and although my knee still swells and is not pain free yet, at least I can now actually get some bendift fro exercises, where the joint used to just stick before and not budge.
?As you are at such an early stage, chances are it is just swelling and pain holding you back and it will resolve itself with time. But in the meantime, so all the icing, elevating, resting and mobility, keep up with any meds as you have and try not be too hardon yourself. You just went through a huge surgery and your body is still in some shock and trying to repair itself.
?
dark_crystal cynthia89958
Posted
thank you and your right it is hard .Ive been ill since my op no appetite and I've had 3 operations one on my hand then when healed a couple of month later a op for torn ligament in knee and once that had heeled full tkr. Think it's all taken it's toll on me
kathleen19751 dark_crystal
Posted
I completely understand your lack of appetite. It's difficult getting food down when nothing nutritious appeals...and then one starts worrying that they aren't helping their recovery.
I compelled myself to eat high protein foods: Greek yogurt, which I didn't think I liked has now become my go-to food. Lots of egg whites. Lots of lean chicken. Turkey.
Lots of all the vegetables you like; try eating them raw with a dip or roast them: put cut up vegs in a plastic bag w/a cpl tsps of your favorite cooking oil, some seasoning like, close the bag, toss well. Put on cookie sheet you've lined with foil and roast at 400 degrees for 15 min.
Watermelon has saved me! Cherries! Apples! Grapes! Oranges!
Push-push-push yourself gently; I eat 6 small meals a day now since my surgery & that has helped tremendously. A cup of greek yogurt for breakfast. Some sort of fruit or oatmeal or cereal or a slice of whole grain toast mid-morning. A couple hard boiled eggs or some lean chicken or turkey with a slice of cheese for lunch. You get the idea.
You are going to beat this! Keep telling yourself this. It is true.
cheryl86544 dark_crystal
Posted
Narcotics cause lack of appetite, so if you're still on them, use them, but knowing that they cause it may be helpful to you.
dark_crystal kathleen19751
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Duckfan dark_crystal
Posted
Wsuch good advice from everyone. I'm almost 6 months out and still don't have the magic bend at 110. It's getting there though, I was at 105 the other day. My doctor says you'll get there and if not we can scope it, take out,the scar tissue,and you'll be fine. Don't worry. I decided to listen to my doctor😄
I have a good friend that had knee surgery and she has told me a million times "I didn't have any trouble getting the bent knee by six weeks is was doing everything.My doctor said I was a poster child for knee surgery,". It was so hurtful to me but I know she didn't mean it that way. My husband has MS and has walking issues and so much pain. He's told all the time "I have a ------ insert name, who I'd doing so well and they are biking-walking-camping-fishing- etc" I'm sure these clueless people mean it as encouragement but sure comes across as criticism.
My doctor says it takes a year, you're just beginning your journey, you will get better and better and when you feel discouraged come to the forum and help,someone else. Read Chico's posts, I read them over and over. I remember crying when my bend went over 100. Crazy huh.
dark_crystal Duckfan
Posted
thank you .And this forum is great as we can help each other when things get tough and get us down .And we can get suggestion's on ways to help
Duckfan dark_crystal
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cheryl86544 Duckfan
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Thank goodness you have this doctor!! A person I know said the same thing and she was great, however, a year later, she believes that her new knee will always be a problem. I'm pushing her pretty hard to go back to all of the exercises so she will have a better future.
Duckfan cheryl86544
Posted
Well I forgot to mention that he didn't say sit and you'll be fine. He stressed exercises. I go to a personal trainer after Medicare ran out on Physical Therapy. I'm working hard to NOT have rha scope. That said, Iit was so helpful to me to have a calming doctor. When you're trying to recover from such a hard surgery it would be horrible to have a barking doctor or PT.
jenny80029 Duckfan
Posted
Have you tried going for a sauna and doing exercises in there? After a bit of a swim the mou sure and heat is magic...the muscles ultra relaxed may be a welcome encouragement for any tightness to release?
dark_crystal jenny80029
Posted
jenny80029 dark_crystal
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dark_crystal jenny80029
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dark_crystal Duckfan
Posted
it's being there for one another for support when things get us down .And being able to talk about it .To know your not alone or going crazy