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RTKR back in March has been a tough journey pain wise and slow - needed MUA at 10 weeks to break scar tissue and enable bending. That helped a lot. I have made some slow but steady progress since, though knee is still swelling a bit and feels tighter and achy after walking any distance. Today, after just a 10 minute walk, it feels super tight like a vice around knee cap and very sore if lightly pressed in a few areas, as if bruised. Not red or hot at all. The only change otherwise is that some of the numbness I had is wearing off with odd nerve sensations firing off sometimes- as though cold water running down leg, or pins and needles etc. But only occasional.
I have no upcoming appts with the hospital or anyone else now - I will make one if it does not improve. I know it is still early days, but seems unusual in the groups I chat in to have much pain at this stage, everyone is saying how great to be pain free- and I seemed to have greater pain than average all through, not helped by being intolerant of most pain meds! I know there are some who have lots of trouble from their TKR too, I appreciate how far I have come and I don't think I overdo things, I try to be sensible etc. But it is starting to get me down as I have been unable to take another job due to various health problems over a couple of years and this too.
Now other knee OA is getting worse but I could not face that one being done as the first one has not got to being better than how I was pre op - different issues of course, but not better though I am trying to stay positive and reserve final judging until past a year. The doc just suggest painkillers but they do very little to help and don't agree with me - I've just applied the gel though.
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mommermom cynthia89958
Posted
It is a tough journey, that's for sure. You are right not to compare yourself to other people. I am a little over 4 months post TKR. This is my second one and I can tell you that the first one was so much easier! I am certain that you will find some very good advice on this forum and maybe acting on some of that will help. I have experienced that different things helped at different times. When people were talking about icing I was using heat as it offered more relief. Certainly you should check up with your doctor or even consider additional physical therapy? Good luck to you. I hope that someone will be able to offer you some suggestions. Big hugs and hang in there!
Rcurry17 cynthia89958
Posted
jenny80029 cynthia89958
Posted
Sorry to hear you have less of a result than you hoped. You haven't had an easy ride but I think you are wise to stay positive. I have read the whole healing process can be up to two years, and with your MUA, this must make things take a bit longer.
It is good you share your journey here and your experience no doubt helps others, adding to the range of experiences on here.
Regarding the down feelings I think bouts of low mood apply even when result has little pain. I am in a different place to you, however still surprised at times by quite a strong low mood. Transitory but definately there. I think it is part of having major surgery. I tend to engage in a lot of exercise as i find this kicks me out of it. Because I am happy with the current state of my knee I think it means it is easier to kind of ride over any mood troughs. As you are not happy with yours, at the moment, i can appreciate the disappointment does not help at all. But it really is still early days...
I think if you continue to feel down and it gets worse an option might be some counselling...I know it is not everyone's cup of tea but talking therapies can be very helpful. I really do think there is an awful lot of emotion and thought that needs processing with a TKR. The experience before too, and putting oneself through it! You hadc a really hard time afterwards too. You have been through more distress than me I think.
I do hope you feel better. Get any support you can and blessings to you. You really have done so well. I am sure things will improve. Those nerve zings are a reminder that there is still a lot of healing going on! X
johnny17592 cynthia89958
Posted
Hi Cynthia
I haven't had it done but from what i have read the MUA can be quite brutal although it greatly helps a lot of people bend wise
but i would imagine it is still a big shock to the system maybe this has slowed down your recovery or al least put it back a month or so i hope things start to improve for you soon good luck
johnny.
cynthia89958
Posted
Thanks for all our kind replies. You are all such lovely people here! I'm a bit better today and have gone about Very Carefully. I just dread the thought of needing further intervention, if something is not right, as the initial surgery was so painful, worse than childbirth in my view. I will see how it goes, got a docs apt next week about my OA and will see what she thinks. Fingers crossed it will resolve. Hope you all are OK today. x
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