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6 weeks post op revision knee replacement

Posted , 10 users are following.

Diane12345
Diane12345

Hi, it's me again I'm 6 weeks post op and still having to use my crutches as my knee just gives way when I try to put full pressure on it. Physio says I'm doing well but I feel upset as I know someone who is older than me and walking unaided. I am also still not getting more than a couple of hours sleep a night before I have to sit on the side of the bed in pain my hip is so painful at night. Feeling very low right now

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  • kathryn42410
    kathryn42410 Diane12345

    Posted

    Hi Diane, I am 6 months post op (but I do need my TKR replacing and all my ligaments removing so I know I'm not a good comparison). I still have to use crutches as my leg is bent considerably. Your new knee should be stronger so I know how devastating it can be when its not. My problem is the ligaments and muscles. I have been doing muscle strengthening exercises for months now and although my ligaments are beyond help, my leg does feel stable. Try to concentrate on this. I lift some light ankle weights and also step up the bottom stair using my TKR leg (just do several repetitions of lifting yourself up a step to work the thigh). I bet your leg just needs the other parts to be stronger like mine did. Remember how long your leg was deteriorating prior to surgery? Muscles are bound to weaken.

    At 6 weeks this is the worst time. You feel like you should be further along than you are. It will improve Diane. You need to keep the crutches until you feel stronger and more confident.

    I've had many a melt down and I know I have many more to come. Just take it day by day. If you work on the muscles you should feel a difference quite quickly as they will be missing the exercise.

    Good luck x

    • Diane12345
      Diane12345 kathryn42410

      Posted

      Hi Kathryn,

      Thank you I really appreciate people's advice and support. It helps knowing your not as alone as you feel.

      wishing you a speedy recovery 

      Diane

  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 Diane12345

    Posted

    Do not compare yourself with other people. I made this maistake when I had TKR 3 years ago. Another woman who had op same day as me and had same consultant was doing much better than me and was discharged before me. This made me feel really low, but people are different.

    Your hip should not be painful if it is your knee you have had replaced.

    Maybe you should check this out withyour physio and mention it to them.

    I had a lot of trouble sleeping after my op. Something I never really thought would happen, a complete surprise. Maybe I should have epected it.

    Take care and keep in touch

    Love Sarah xxx

    • Diane12345
      Diane12345 sarah87162

      Posted

      Hi Sarah,

      i know I shouldn't compare my self to others but it's so hard not too, but like you said everyone is different. I will ask about my hip at my next physio appointment.

      many thanks 

      Diane

  • irish_linda
    irish_linda Diane12345

    Posted

    hi diane have you seen your surgeon ?? as usualy here we have to see surgeon at the 6wk mark  ive had revision 12mths ago and i found it did take alot out of me after it   try not to think about others who you think are doing better as they may not have had to go through what you have been through its like if you were at a fittness class and some people can stretch better than you dose not mean you are not doing the excersise properly its just that we are not all the same .. sleep is really the bane of our lives im still not getting full night but the hip issue it probably is because of the op not sure if the surgeon put in rods as well ?? mine did and so it took longer at everything because of so much metal and remember the forse of this op on the body maybe use the pillow between the legs when in bed to make sure hip is in a better line with your leg make sure also your meds are strong enough and anti inflamatorys are a must i feel for you i was where you are last year but believe me it gets much better i thought id never get to where i am but im so much better now      good to have a moan  keep up excersises chin up we are all here for you biggrin
    • Diane12345
      Diane12345 irish_linda

      Posted

      Hi Linda,

      I don't have an appointment till the end of sept to see my surgeon I have tried to get one earlier but no luck, they did put rods in my leg too. Unfortunately I am allergic to anti inflammatorys. I go to bed every night praying that this will be the night I get more than 3 hours but it never happens. Hoping I will get some sleep soon 

    • kathryn42410
      kathryn42410 Diane12345

      Posted

      Me again Diane....I also had rods put in my leg. I was told that the more that's put in, the longer it takes to recover. Your body has more things it needs to get used too so tends to fight it at first.

      I have a lot of nerve damage/pain so was prescribed Amitriptolyne to help with this. A good side effect of this is that it helped me sleep. I can now sleep for 4 hours straight. I then need to get up to move my leg and then I can get back to sleep for another 2 hours. Worth trying these if you can (they clash with Tramadol and a few other things though).

    • irish_linda
      irish_linda Diane12345

      Posted

      ya rods do make the difference to recovery it makes the leg feel very weak i too had the give on the leg wheni stood up its only the last month or so that i could stand up and walk without having to wait for my leg to straighten enough to walk it was very annoying ,its all down to weakness of muscle and id say if you go to physio they will tell you just that i know mine did my muscles were asleep totaly !!! try not to worry and do your excersises im pretty sure there is nothing wrong its just your so afraid of things going wrong again i too was like that i cant count the times my physio said to me the knee is fine you have to stop freaking out every time you feel the leg is moving different (easy for her to say )but to be honest she was right we have been through so much its no wonder were on edge at the slightest thing ,6 wks is early days in a revision and it was sooo scary for me too but i think the best kinda of excersises for you at this stage is to tightrn the muscles even when sitting it may not work straight away but keep doing it even while your in bed it wont stress you to do that one i wish i was living near you and could meet you to give you hope and help go to gp in the meantime and im sure he will put your mind at ease and also give you sleeping tablets for awhile to relax you at night keep in touch
    • Diane12345
      Diane12345 irish_linda

      Posted

      Thank you Linda I really appreciate all the advice it really helps I don't feel so alone when I come on this site. I have physio tomorrow to see how my walking is getting on.

      take care

      Diane

  • irish_linda
    irish_linda Diane12345

    Posted

    also diane i too felt i was on crutches on and off for 3 years you get so fed up of them
  • marie47485
    marie47485 Diane12345

    Posted

    I am still using one crutch 3 months after my op due to problems & a couple of trips....ouch! I got really down as a friend was driving within 6 weeks but I was having a health check up this week & was told to take it at my own pace . I still have a few "dark days" when I feel a little sorry for myself you will get through this, believe me. I just cannot wait to get driving but couldn't manage a safe emergency stop so have left it alone for now sad I did manage to use the bus today so feeling rather pleased with myself. Do not be so hard on yourself like I was it is counter productive are you using your medication? Really hope it improves for you soon, take care.
    • Diane12345
      Diane12345 marie47485

      Posted

      Hi Marie,

      thank you you I know I shouldn't be comparing myself to others as we all recover differently, I just don't remember feeling this low on my first knee replacements but as everyone says this is a longer recovery. I am still taking regular medication which is working well but nights are still a problem. Wishing you well on your recovery, take care

      Diane

    • marie47485
      marie47485 Diane12345

      Posted

      Hope things are improving daily? I tried driving last week, not a good idea & knee swelled up. I have an ice pack on it now after hitting the local shops! We will all get there in the end but can be frustrating, seeing my GP next week for any advice she might have. You take care too.
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