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5 weeks post o.o TKR

Posted , 17 users are following.

michelle50265
michelle50265

This is the biggest mistake I've made. Nothing but pain and not just minor. I am a very tough cookie and this is been the biggest depression I have ever faced. I am at 90 degree on my bend. The knee refuses to go further. My shin, feet and hip hurt just as bad. I can't sleep well and I eat and I feel like crap. I have to go back to work in 2 weeks. I can barley get through a day now. I just want to lay on bed with my new best friend...my icepack..

0 likes, 42 replies

42 Replies

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  • gloria12849
    gloria12849 michelle50265

    Posted

    It is a challenge. 5 weeks is still so early and how you’re feeling is how I felt. I am at 4 months and I can tell you it does get easier. Good luck and yes ice is our best friend!!
    • michelle50265
      michelle50265 gloria12849

      Posted

      Thank you Gloria it just doesn't seem like there's light at the end of the tunnel they don't tell you all the bad things that could go wrong with what happens afterwards so it's just frustrating I will win this battle thanks again

    • gloria12849
      gloria12849 michelle50265

      Posted

      Silly me I thought I would be laid up for a couple weeks and by a month back at it. I have a 2 year old son I thought I could babysit and finally at 3 months I am able to watch him for a few hours. It’s been an eye opener!!
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 maggiemaybe

      Posted

      Don't ever be hard on yourself. The Drs that we trust seem to leave the real recovery a hidden mystery. Its like a club you have to join and go through initiation before you find out what the purpose is all about.

    • Defender
      Defender michelle50265

      Posted

      Yes I am only at the two week post op.

      And I agree nothing can prepare you for the after op challenges and pain I have spent nights with unbelievable pain the nights seem so long I swear I will never go through this again

      This forum is so helpful full of advice and support.

  • shona18872
    shona18872 michelle50265

    Posted

    Hi I’ll be 5 weeks post op on Monday and only getting 30 degree bend on my knee. So your doing great. I had my other knee done 3 years ago and was in total agony for 3 months with hardly any bend. This time the pain isn’t as bad but I still have my ice pack constantly on it and feel so low as I’m like a prisoner in my own house. 

    Saying all that......I wouldn’t have gone through all this again if I hadn’t eventually got such a great result from last tkr. It’s well worth the pain and struggle and it took me at least 5/6mths last time. We have been through a major operation and it takes time. Please don’t be hard on yourself as 5 weeks is nothing. Also take more time off work as you don’t want to push yourself too much. You are recovering well and I’m so jealous of your 90 degree bend. Mine just won’t go further and although I get emotional I’m sure the bend will come in time. Take care. X

    • michelle50265
      michelle50265 shona18872

      Posted

      Thank you I guess I just expected too much wanted to be better then I am at this point sound I know I'll get there just struggling with it now

  • pat99452
    pat99452 michelle50265

    Posted

    I am so very sorry. I don’t think you said how long it has been but i can tell you from experience it takes quite awhile. I am 9 weeks after TKR and feeling much stronger. Still difficult at times but very little pain now. Still periods of swelling if I do too much or walk too far so I still use the ice and Advil as necessary.  Are you working with a physical therapist? Mine was amazing and helped so much. Please be patient with this whole thing and don’t push too hard. 
    • michelle50265
      michelle50265 pat99452

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply and the encouragement just hearing some of these stories I don't feel so alone and seeing that you all have had some of the same situations and issues that I have had lets me know that there may be light at the end of the tunnel thanks again

  • Irish_Al
    Irish_Al michelle50265

    Posted

    Hi Michelle,

    Sorry to hear you are in bad pain. Are you taking any painkillers. You probably need to.

    I am 5 months post op on left knee and 2 years on right knee. It is hard at first, but it will be worth it. Honestly.

    You need to do the exercises but DON'T overdo it. RICE - Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate. All important but Rest is critical.

    I thought 6 weeks off work would be enough but it wasn't, you probably don't want to hear this but from my experience 10-12 weeks is more realistic. I would suggest you think about giving your employer a heads up, it might take some pressure off you. 90 degrees is actually quiet good at this point. It is hard, but try stay positive. Try measure your progress week by week rather than daily, daily drove me mad first time around.

    You WILL be better, but maybe it'll take a little longer than you thought.

    Take care,

    Alan

    • michelle50265
      michelle50265 Irish_Al

      Posted

      Thank you all and as I told everybody else they just doesn't feel like there's light at the end of the tunnel I am a very active person that can tolerate pain however when all your activities are taken away and you struggle for 5 weeks with pain and sleepless nights your mind seems to wander in the negative Direction

    • linda84382
      linda84382 michelle50265

      Posted

      I am at 7 weeks out from 2nd tkr and I totally understand how you feel. I felt exactly the same until 5 days ago! The swelling has lessened and I can sleep at night. After speaking to my surgeon and pain management doctor I am taking 2.5 - 5 mg hydrocodone every 4 hours. 5 mg before bedtime so I can sleep through the pain. One week it is horrible and the next...you start to feel better! Hang on. There is a light at the end and it's a knee without pain. My first tkr was 7 years ago and my knee is just my knee. Nothing strange about it. I Hope you feel better soon.

    • maggiemaybe
      maggiemaybe michelle50265

      Posted

      Thank you Michelle. I’m just a new girl finding my way through this. It’s so heartening to know I’m not alone and what I feel, others feel. Thanks for sharing,
  • kim20134
    kim20134 michelle50265

    Posted

    I’m like you a tough cookie and very little gets to me but this TKR has made mincemeat out of me. I’ve never had depression of any shape or form but at 3,4,5 weeks felt totally alone ( I wasn’t) and miserable. I could barely go from bed to sofa and vice versa. Nights were the worst as the pain was magnified. But I’m 8 weeks now albeit still in pain but my head is back to almost normal. I have limited energy but the last couple of weeks seen a gradual improvement in my capabilities. I know when I’ve reached my limit and make sure I rest and ice. Still taking pain medication and can’t see me coming off them in the near future. I am socialising now where at your stage I didn’t want to see, speak or even message anyone. Worse operation and experience I’ve ever been through. Hope it’s going to be worthwhile. I’ve lost 14 pounds and it’s still coming off due to lack of appetite. 
    • michelle50265
      michelle50265 kim20134

      Posted

      Thank you Kim

      Everybody's kind words and situations make me realize that I'm not alone

    • kim20134
      kim20134 michelle50265

      Posted

      Definitely not. It’s a terrible process and I wasn’t prepared or aware how it bad it was going to be. It’s a slow process as well but you will soon see a slight improvement day by day. Take care and chin up. This forum helped me more than anything or anyone apart from my hubby. He’s never seen me like it, 
    • linda84382
      linda84382 kim20134

      Posted

      Kim I felt the same way. My sister did as well. I think some of this is side effects of anesthesia. One sister text me and reported to family. I had to tell my poor husband to stop talking. Couldn't stand tv. Couldn't concentrate to read. Hubby cleaned bathroom and smell of cleaner made me sick. I just wanted to stay in bed all day (I didnt). Felt isolated and alone but I didn't want anyone to call or visit, lol. It's been terrible but after 7 weeks I feel so much better! Not pain free but hoping it will happen. Prayers for everyone going through this.

    • maggiemaybe
      maggiemaybe kim20134

      Posted

      Thank you, Kim. I think of this as a ‘lesson in humility’. Dare I say it brought me to my knees?
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