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5 weeks post TKR and feeling quite low

Posted , 62 users are following.

Pennypops
Pennypops

I had my total knee replacement 5 weeks ago ..I've realised now that I certainly won't be ready to return to work after 6 weeks (I originally thought I would) I'm still taking tramadol occasionally and though I can walk without a crutch I find I limp so still use 1 crutch . I feel a little depressed , my back gets sore if I walk for a while I can only presume it's because I'm leaning over one side ...going up and down stairs still hurts and the operated knee clicks and grinds ..my thigh muscles still tight and I'm trying to stretch them out ..anyone else feeling down and frustrated?

6 likes, 198 replies

198 Replies

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  • gillian95598
    gillian95598 Pennypops

    Posted

    im two weeks im not sleeping cant get comfortable i do my exercise but its an effort and i have s permanent headache i also feel a depressed as im Normally s very active person but i do realize its early days xxx

  • gillian95598
    gillian95598 Pennypops

    Posted

    im two weeks im not sleeping cant get comfortable i do my exercise but its an effort and i have s permanent headache i also feel a depressed as im Normally s very active person but i do realize its early days xxx

  • gillian95598
    gillian95598 Pennypops

    Posted

    i am two weeks post knee replacement im not sleeping im doing my exercises but its an effort i have a constant headache i very tired but i realise its early days im feeling depressed because im house bound is this all normal x

  • Basyangel
    Basyangel Pennypops

    Edited

    I had my TKR 5 Weeks ago and in so much pain,TARGIN and ENDONE help very little.

    I cant sleep on either side and get little to no sleep.My Knee is swollen painful and grinds and clicks with just about every movement which i believe is causing the inflammation .

    The worst part is i do physio with 4 others once a week at the Hospital and they all have very little to no pain at all.Im 64yo and one of the guys is 81yo and had his knee done on the same day as me,he has no pain at all and has little swelling,makes it very frustrating.

    I am told it happens and i just have to see it through?

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX Basyangel

      Posted

      We hear this all the time and respond: Everyone is different...you cannot compare your recovery to that of anyone else. You have to give up all expectations and comparisons and focus on your own healing.

      Yes, there are those lucky few whose DNA produces little to no internal scar tissue. These people suffer little pain, regain their ROM easily and experience a much faster recovery....and I too wish I had been one of them. Instead, I went through the first horrible 90 days with lots of pain and sleeplessness. I started my PT at -14 / +84 and finished at week twelve with -1 / +123...close enough...but a lot of painful work involved. I'm now 3 1/2 years post-op with a ROM of about 0 / +133. It takes time, work and a lot of patience. Like almost everyone else, it took a full year for a full recovery.

      The problem is that no one prepares us for that chilling fact and we all start out with massively inordinate expectations. Lose them...they screw with your head, distract your focus and lead you down a much darker path. Better to accept where you are and that what you do...every day...matters. Focus on the positive...chart your steps with the software from your fit bit or smart watch...track your ROM progress...look at all these indicators monthly only. There are advances, setbacks and plateaus, so looking at daily or weekly changes are irrelevant and misleading.

      Post this on your fridge...

      Reality

      Remember that you will soon start to work on rebuilding all your atrophied muscles (quads, glutes, core, etc.). This is mandatory if you want to walk correctly, regain your balance and be able to do stairs normally ever again. The whole thing really does take a year. Accept it...own it.

    • Basyangel
      Basyangel CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      thanks for reply very very helpful

      i was wondering if i stopped the exercises for a few days or week would the pain disappear

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX Basyangel

      Edited

      The pain and stiffness go away very gradually. If you're doing too much too fast, back off and pace yourself. This is NOT a race!!! Everyone recovers differently. Find your groove and stick to it as you increase activity gradually. The muscle rebuild is essential to take the load off the knee and put it back on the muscles where it belongs...

      Rebuild

      Get rid of expectations and focus on your own health and happiness. This is a challenge not a death sentence. Make the most of the opportunity physically, mentally and spiritually.

    • Basyangel
      Basyangel CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      THANKS

      Your replies have been a great great help and ive passed your replies on to many tkr patients i do physio with and they love your help!

      cheers BASIL

  • Eaglebearer
    Eaglebearer Pennypops

    Posted

    I too had a tkr 5 weeks ago and the pain is still pretty bad. At the same time my GP and surgeon are wanting me to reduce pain medication. I'm doing 3 sets of exercises every day, haven't been to a physio yet (don't like them much), they tend to whip you a little too hard. I too am a bit depressed as it seems to take so long for all to heal, and last night slept on operated knee and today very painful.

    How are your exercises going? Hop

    • jeanne88477
      jeanne88477 Eaglebearer

      Posted

      I quit PT after the third time. I could not move for days after they beat me up for 40 minutes. the. last time I went they wanted to put lotion on me for a massage. I told her my doctor wanted no lotion as my incision was not healed and worried about infection. She did it anyway. I was in tears from the pain. I never went back. I watch you tube for exercises. My surgeon is pleased with my progress. The pain is still unbearable. I usually cry at least once a day. Sometimes from pain. Sometimes despair.

    • Basyangel
      Basyangel Eaglebearer

      Posted

      After explaining my pain to my physio im told i can reduce my exercises to once a day and its ok to miss a day in between as to much exercise causes inflammation any way! There are 5 of us doing physio had our ops on the same day but im the only one in so much pain?

      Im 7 weeks post op and still in so much pain with no sleep not a good combination.

      The problem is you have to be very careful with the medication,im on targin and endone and feel sick 24/7 from the meds and also have had my meds reduced.

      Im told its just a battle we just have to see through!

    • Eaglebearer
      Eaglebearer Basyangel

      Posted

      Hi Basyangel, I'ma 70yo female, I'm at 5 weeks now, still have so much pain and being told to scale the meds back is no joke. My knee is so stiff until I get going a bit, thought I may have had scar tissue but surgeon says no. Yes the sleeping is such a problem, if we can't sleep we won't heal as well and I'm told to stop taking sleeping tabs. I haven't been to a physio, as my surgeon (who is pretty short on bedside manner), mumbled that I can go if I want to, and maybe get a few ideas, but from previous experience, they like to whip you into shape. Maybe I'll go this week??

      Do you need your other knee done?

      I'm booked in for December. OMG!!!

      I'd like to know what exercises you do, and how far do you walk every day.

    • Basyangel
      Basyangel Eaglebearer

      Posted

      With a physio ive done several different exercises the latest ones im doing are

      My exercises are a few minutes on a stationary bike

      standing on one leg

      While Standing up raise myself on my toes X10

      sitting on a chair then standing up x10

      sitting down with leg out stretched resting on a chair while gravity helps straightens your leg

      I do these 5 once a day

      i walk a lot

      Im still waiting for the date on my second op

      utube has all the exercises on as well

  • dianepenelope
    dianepenelope Pennypops

    Posted

    I can totally relate - I'm about to go into week 5 and supposed to go back to work full time in 1 week, but I really don't feel ready for the 40 minute commute each way and sitting at a desk all day.

  • lori79311
    lori79311 Pennypops

    Posted

    My physical therapist said not to stop using a walker, only because when you use a single device such as a cane or crutches you tend to do more leaning than balancing. I had resorted to a cane about 3.5 wks after my knee replacement and I was walking like the hunchback of Notre Dame, in addition I was using the cane on the surgery side..big mistake. I was hysterical laughing when he mimicked what I looked like. I just want this pain to go away already. I am now 5 1/2 weeks since surgery and definitely feeling depressed.

    • Pennypops
      Pennypops lori79311

      Posted

      Oh bless...... Its been around 3 years since i posted the comment.... I am due to have my right knee replaced in September...... Cant put it off as pretty painful..... But so not looking forward to the long recovery 😢

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