5 weeks post TKR and feeling quite low
Posted , 62 users are following.
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
andrew70915 Pennypops
Posted
I'm in a similar situation as yourself , I was ok until I had my staples out, now I'm having a lot of pain,and struggle walking very far,and the pain killers aren't doing much, blood tests are clear, meeting the surgeon to get it checked out on Friday! Very frustrating, I was driving at this stage when I had my TKR on the opposite leg earlier in the year
Lywn andrew70915
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Andrew,
I thought I'd feel better when staples were taken out but reverse is true. Physio told me I'd feel better if I exercised more. It just isn't true although I continue to exercise more. Having more difficulty walking.
andrew70915 Lywn
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Hi Lywn, had TKR on left leg 7-9-17 had a really good 1st 2 weeks, before the staples were taken out ,and then I started getting quite a bit of pain all the time, the zapain & naproxen , and regular ice weren't really touching the pain, I put up with it until this week thinking that it's the nature of the procedure , saw my Doctor,had a clear blood test for infection, he contacted my Surgeon,for an appointment tomorrow , and guess what, this morning I woke up, done my exercises, carried on with my day as normal ,the pain I have been getting has gone ,have had a really good day today , definitely cheered me up, so may be I have turned a corner,but I know there is still a long way to go, so keep positive!
I had my right TKR done on 19-4-17 and that behaved completely different,and although it's still got quite a way to go , it's really worth it!
Lywn andrew70915
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gerianne_69769 Pennypops
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Just read the other comments. Hang in there everyone. Pain meds....I was on percocets from post op (end of November) until mid February. My surgeon was awesome. I was afraid of becoming addicted. I weaned myself off of them. December & January, I took them every 4-6hrs as needed. Close to the end of January, I was taking them less and less. Definitely while doing physio, I suggest taking them before going, and icing afterwards. And you still need to rest. Driving...was my right knee, so not allowed to drive for 6-8 weeks. My sons & partner took me around if I needed to go somewhere. Week 2 Post-op, I attended a work party, walker and all. Week 5, I was using my cane when I attended our work Xmas party. As for work, took early retirement to focus on me! No way it was going to be possible to return when I thought!! Sleeping was uncomfortable in the early weeks. As a side sleeper, it was difficult get comfortable...I managed by having a pillow behind my back, and another between my knees. For the longest time, I could only turn to the operative side....but all is good now. And...I often slept with the ice machine (Polar Ice machine) on at night. It was a life saver. Just hang in there. It WILL get better! At this point, there’s not much choice as the operation is now behind you. Take care. Wishing everyone success in this long recovery!
jenny80029 Pennypops
Posted
Try and do nice, enjoyable things and anything that lifts your spirit...music, comedy, company...
Now is the time, wether one likes it or not, to accept this is a kind of enforced retreat! Might as well see it like that and enjoy it as best one can.
Things do improve steadily, but cannot be rushed.
I found four month the most encouraging point. Six months felt all my energy back. Now seven months and over the moon.
Hope you feel better soon, even if the soon takes a while!
davidjk22 Pennypops
Posted
Five weeks is very soon after Tkr , recovery cant be rushed , it takes as long as it takes . I don't think many return to work after 6 weeks . I was 6 months with both my knees , my job did involve some lifting , kneeling and quite a lot of driving . That was over 19 years ago for the first knee , and I have had no problems since .
louise_48509 davidjk22
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6 months? I've got a manual job too. Decor depth in B&Q, lifting heavy boxes of wallpaper, 10litres of paint and so on. 9 hours a day walking on concrete floors with steel toecap boots on. I'm really not looking forward to going back.
sharonc67 louise_48509
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davidjk22 louise_48509
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Good luck with your recovery , plenty of physio , exercise , ice and rest , but don't over do the physio or exercise , and don't forget pain medication . Try to make a full recovery before returning to work , your knee has to last a long time .
louise_48509 sharonc67
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I got signed off from the hospital for 8 weeks and after that I'll go to the doctors to get more
louise_48509 davidjk22
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Ye David, I'm going to be sensible. I've to get my left knee done too so that's not helping. I'm thinking full sick pay runs out in 12 weeks though. Terrible you need to think of things like that isn't it
gerianne_69769 louise_48509
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louise_48509 gerianne_69769
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I'm too young to retire, I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed I'm ready. If not at least my husband has a wage coming in but I work full time, I would definitely miss that
gerianne_69769 louise_48509
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I’m too young to be “fully” retired too. I’m 55, and as a Labour & delivery nurse, I do miss my job. That’s why I want to go back part time. I’m working on that. Have to wait for a position to come open.
louise_48509 gerianne_69769
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gerianne_69769 louise_48509
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Thank you! 😊
davidjk22 louise_48509
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louise_48509 davidjk22
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I had 26 weeks too but used a lot being off due to both knees. You're right, it's us workers who suffer. I couldn't manage without my wage
davidjk22 louise_48509
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If patients were informed of the possible length of recovery , they would be able to prepare for the possible length of time off work without pay . I don't think many return to work under 3 months . Would be interesting to see a graph of how long recovery takes , from the shortest time to the longest . The good thing is once you have recovered you can look forward to many years of pain free knees . I'm coming up to 20 .
louise_48509 davidjk22
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