5 weeks post TKR and feeling quite low

Hi I was 5 weeks post op yesterday.im feeling really low at the moment as I feel there's hardly any movement in my knee despite doing the recommended physio ice packs elevation etc.i was hoping to go back to work around 8 weeks but really can't see this happening.ive gone from someone who drives 100s of miles per week to been stuck in the house it's really getting me down beginning to wish I'd never had it done.need to feel some light at the end of the tunnel.i noticed your post was 11 months ago how is your knee now?

HI ,

Well I would say to ratty 01 that 5 weeks is far too early to tell. It takes much longer to see an y results. I went back to work after two weeks(because I had to to) and spent the day with my leg elevated on top of a waste paper bin and bought the ice cuff into work with me. It does make you feel as if you've been through a mangle, just keep trying to move the knee around and don't sit down all the time.Its hard to tell anyone because its different for each person but don't expect too much, even after the healing process.

I am now two years after the op and find that I cannot bend down or kneel, but at least I don't get as much pain.I still get swelling and tightness though, so its not all it seems.

I was told before I had the op that it is" not the be all and end all"and that some people are worse off than before,but in other ways.

But keep hopeful, because positive thinking does help, you will get there but don't get so that you give up and don't do anything because that will be ten times worse.

Good luck to you and keep smiling

Dawn

Must admit at 5 weeks was feeling the same as you. 10 weeks for me now. Walking most of time with no stick. Walking the dog up to 2 miles daily. Swimming in sea on nice days. Still very tight around the knee. Cannot get it fully straight, but have a reasonable bend. Last week  just managed to walk upstairs one foot on each step in turn, instead of both feet on one step. Goes stiff after sitting with feet up for a while and have to get it going. (Needs some WD40 maybe). Worst time is at night in bed. Aches most of time and hard to get comfortable. Took a Tramadol and Paracetamol at 02.30 this morning as could not settle. I maybe take Tramadol about once a week, always at night, to help sleep. Keep going with the exercise. Going to take a long time. 

Five weeks is very early in your recovery, I think most people are the same at that stage. I really does get better but it takes time. Impossible to say how long as everyone is different. It was 6 month before I returned to work, that was almost 20 years ago and 18½ years for the other knee. I have had no problems since. Keep up with your physio and exercise. Take your medication to control pain don't wait until it gets too painful. You probably don't think so now but you will get there in the end, good luck.

Hi, I am at 11 weeks, now all is going well, I still have a bit of "tight band" feeling but overall walking without sticks, going to swimming pool and doing lots of walking and stretching exercises, but only swimming on my back I don't think my leg is strong enough to do breast stroke and I don't do crawl.  I am sleeping well too, thank God for that post op I could not get comfortable in bed for several weeks, but all is well now.  Downside, my other knee is very painful and I am certain I shall get this one done next year,  otherwise what is the point?? Don't relish it, but do relish being pain free in both legs!

After reading your post and everyone else’s comments I don’t feel so bad.  This is my 5 week mark and I go for my first check-up with the surgeon this week.  I definitely thought there was something wrong.  I just didn’t realize it would take this amount of time and not be further ahead with my recovery.  I’ve been terrified that something had gone wrong but I’m encouraged reading other comments.

I returned to work today after 17 weeks post LTKR. My GP signed me off for 3 months as he knew I would need at least that amount of time. The return was delayed by another 2 weeks as I also had a cataract operation in September and had to wait 3 weeks before I could get new glasses prescribed.

My knee still aches a bit at night but I usually feel fine during the day unless I have overdone it. I can even get up and down stairs much easier than before. I am now waiting for the appointment to get the right knee done. I am on the waiting list (am in UK so being done on NHS), In fact my unoperated knee is more painful than the other now

So just be patient and it will slowly improve. It is a brutal op as your knees support all your body weight which is why it takes longer to recover than say a hip op.

hi all i have just registered but would like to say i will be at 6 Weeks next Tuesday

Had full knee replacement 2nd October 18

Have followed all exercise as directed.

Also go to Gym every Day - went to Gym 2.5

Years prior to operation .

Last Monday at 5 weeks i walked 6.5 Miles

3.5 Static on bike remainder on footpath.

Have 120 Degree bend.

Only real pain after lots of exercise at night

Walk without aid i carry a stick in case

Balance ok some times miss a beat

Driving no problem .

78 years old feel lucky

Hi

As a retired nurse who 6 weeks ago had bilateral knee replacements I feel like I walked into thus surgery with my eyes half closed!

Really things aren't too bad although hadn't appreciated just how uncomfortable, stiff my legs would be or how much knocking noise is coming from my knees.

I'm lucky enough to have a pool and as it is now summer here in Australia I can do my hydrotherapy at home which has been important given I can't drive for another week.

On the positive side I have little pain although for the first 4 weeks my biggest challenge was gluteal pain but this was easily fixed with some specific exercise.

Still doing lots of elevating and some icing but can manage without aids and can manage stairs with care.

Hoping to see some big improvements over the next six weeks but won't sugarcoat the fact that some days are very challenging

Probably the

most important advice my Physio gave me was "less can be more" in the early stages if recovery. Overdoing it is going to cause excessive swelling and probably pain and this will slow down recovery and cause lots of frustration.