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9 weeks post op tomorrow

Posted , 8 users are following.

marilyn10235
marilyn10235

Hi folks,  I will be 9 weeks po tomorrow &  just had my 2nd physio session yesterday.

All good, flexion 120+, but that was with physio pushing the leg back & with little discomfort! However under muscle power alone I get barely 100 & extension just off 0. So not much to do on the straightening but now need strength for full rom!

She has now dropped the heel slides from my routine (yay!!) but has given me others to help strengthen! (Shhh, don't tell her, but I prefer the new exercises!) including an exercise on the bottom step of the stairs very similar to how Chico says to climb the stairs!

This is such a different recovery from last year, more pain early on (probably because I refused morphine iv in hospital) but much more movement which I also put down to no morphine. I was so out of it that I could hardly stay awake, that was when I wasn't vomiting up everything I ate or drank! I spent most of my time lying on the bed asleep & had half hearted physio sessions! 

I found it difficult to 'own' the new knee last year & was fearful of pushing it, but this one no probs!

Just thought I would share that with you. At least you will understand.

If this is your 1st TKR don't be afraid to push it as long as you are not in too much pain! Don't get to screaming point when exercising but don't think you'll damage the new joint. Let pain & the knee guide you.

The best advice I can give anyone is don't be a martyr, ask for help when you need it. Look after yourself, take plenty of rest & when you need to cry do! You've had brutal surgery, give yourself, your body & your mind good time to recover.

We will all get there eventually

Marilyn 

XX

3 likes, 16 replies

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  • debs23
    debs23 marilyn10235

    Posted

    Great to hear you are doing so well. Thank you for sharing.

    I'm 2 weeks post op PKR. Range was only at 88 degrees on Tuesday when I had first physio, but I think it has increased since then.

    Got to have other knee done too, but have to say this one had not been as bad as I feared.

    I will need TKR in future, but as I'm only 46 they didn't want to do that yet.

    Now to lose weight to preserve knee as long as possible. Pleased I've lost 6lbs in 2 weeks. Hope it continues!

    Told can't go back to swimming for 3 months, hoping would be sooner. Working hard in the exercises.

    Well done again. You sound like you have done so well. X

    • marilyn10235
      marilyn10235 debs23

      Posted

      Thank you Debs.

      You're doing really well for 2 weeks esp with the weight! It's so hard to lose weight when you can't move about like you used to.

      I hope you don't need to have full TKR for some years yet.

      Marilyn 

      XX

    • dawn220
      dawn220 debs23

      Posted

      Thats Great...88 after 2 weeks, I m stuck at 90 after week 11 but straightening is Awesome, no prob. Can I ask you if you are thinking to return to work? (Just curious)
    • debs23
      debs23 dawn220

      Posted

      I was told I can't return to work until at least 6 weeks and then in a phased return. My straighting is not good at all, but I guess it's still early days. X

    • linda_50869
      linda_50869 debs23

      Posted

      Is it a total or partial if you keep ur own knee cap?.. I too am trying to lose weight,,,and dying to get back swimming but surgeon has to pass me fit ,,,, to drive fly and swim......day 18 today...86 bend, ,,virtually straight....sleep not great,,,,trying to wean off pain meds....working hard too,,,thinking of you all,,,
    • debs23
      debs23 linda_50869

      Posted

      A partial - patella femoral replacement.

      Hardly any pain last couple of days, but can't sleep. Don't know why. Im tired but can't nod off.

      Although last night and this morning , had weird stinging pain on the knee that kept coming and going. Felt like a bee sting!

      Anyone else get this?

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX marilyn10235

    Posted

    Excellent news.  Don't be surprised if you wobble a little with the flexion numbers.  You're only 9 weeks.  I got to a pretty steady -1 / +123 at 13 weeks.  Two years later, I'm 0 / +133...poifect.  Remember...it's not a linear recovery.  Advances, setbacks, plateaus...all normal.  Do NOT measure your progress day to day or session to session.  Look at it monthly and you will see the big differences..

    For your fridge...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038

     

  • susan62473
    susan62473 marilyn10235

    Posted

    Hi Marilyn,

    I could not agree with you more on the first TKR. I was afraid it wouldn't hold me or what other things might happen. This is a BIG step for those who are having the first TKR. Best of luck with your healing process. Mine is going slow this time, but that is due to muscle issues I am having.

    We will indeed get there!

  • marilyn10235
    marilyn10235

    Posted

    Thanks Susan, it makes a big difference 2nd time around doesn't it.

    Sorry you are having muscle problems, I hope it's sorted for you soon.

    My 1st took longer to get a decent bend, but got there in the end.

    All the best.

    Marilyn 

    XX

  • natalie04381
    natalie04381 marilyn10235

    Posted

    Hi

    I'm having a proper meltdown, I'm 5 weeks post op TKR I'm only bending 40 degrees, straightening is fine , also I'm struggling lifting my leg, I've been massaging my knee , behind my knee and my thigh , I'm exercising religiously but my knee is so stiff, my PT has suggested to my surgeon a MUA, i see him on Tuesday, i had a bad day yesterday lots of tears, i was just hoping I could go to see my surgeon with some positive results, I'm 47 and I thought I could do this recovery bit , but it's a rollercoaster . Any suggestions to get my muscles in my thigh working so I can lift my leg would be a great help please, I can move it sideways but lifting is a struggle . Thank you.

  • marilyn10235
    marilyn10235

    Posted

    Oh do you know, Natalie, that makes me so very angry!! People telling you to pull yourself together!? Have they had TKR? Any major operation? How dare they say that to you!?!

    I wish people who have no idea of TKR & the recovery from it, would keep their opinions to themselves! Show these people the vid of the TKR operation on YouTube, then ask them how they would bend a joint that has been cut up & put back together again! I was very tearful in the 1st 2 to 3 weeks post op! 

    I bought a yoga strap last year which I used this year to help lift my leg onto the bed until I could do it myself. Keep trying to lift the leg it will happen but meanwhile use whatever you can to help you. 

    There is nothing wrong with you that being pain free & able to move without pain won't cure!

    In the meantime we are always here if you want to chat, some advice or to rant!

    Marilyn

    XX

  • Guest
    Guest marilyn10235

    Posted

    Marilyn glad to hear you're doing well! Im rarely on site now but posted a 15mo anniversary note. Your encouragement in the beginning really made a difference. THANKS!

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