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Advice following knee surgery

Posted , 14 users are following.

christine83627
christine83627

Just wondering how others felt two days after knee surgery

Although I can just about chive a 90 degree bend I am finding it extremely stiff and painful.Just wondering whether this is typical

0 likes, 20 replies

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  • Clarkey1962
    Clarkey1962 christine83627

    Posted

    Yes is normal and will be for many months after. It's not a quick fix operation and there will be many ups and downs which we've all experienced. Things get better and if you follow a good pain relief schedule and exercise and rest you will find things get easier. I'm now 6 months post tkr and I still get stiff knee especially if I'm on the move a lot but the stiffness isn't as bad as it was early on. Just remember you've just had avert traumatic operation and muscle tendons and nerve endings have all got to heal as well as the knee itself. You sound as though you're doing really well for only 2 days after surgery so keep up the good work! 🌞😉
    • christine83627
      christine83627 Clarkey1962

      Posted

      Thanks for your reassuring reply.Pain is not too bad at the moment although I am taking a cocktail of pain killers.

      I was told that I need to have a 90 degree bend before I can leave hospital I am just worried that this will not come easily. I know that I am trying to run before I can walk but I worry about every problem

    • gill13890
      gill13890 christine83627

      Posted

      Please don't feel because your knee feels good that you go for gold!! I had a partial knee replacement in March going back to work next week eek! When I went for my 12 week post op the pain was still there she x rayed and my knee was fine. But she thinks I was trying to do too much far too soon. I remember 1 week post op I went shopping I don't drive so me and my shopping trolley off we went. Felt marvellous at the time boy did I suffer!! For nearly a week. Do your physio take the pain meds. I eventually got my hands in a exercise bike which I wish I had got sooner. Listen to your body but don't be daft like me!! It can take up too 1. Year.

      Good luck

      Gill xxx

    • Clarkey1962
      Clarkey1962 christine83627

      Posted

      I was told I needed a 90 degree bend by 6 weeks!! I can't believe that you've been told you need to reach 90 2 days after your op!!! That seems madness especially as your knee if be so swollen. It seems that every one gets different goals. I was in hospital for 3 days and was asked to make sure I could bend and straighten by knee, also walk with 2 sticks and to be able to go up and down the stairs. I was paranoid about reaching the 90 degree bend by week 6 that I was doing my exercises at every waking moment - even at night when I couldn't sleep!! I managed it by week 3. Just try as hard as u can and good luck!
  • ElaineA
    ElaineA christine83627

    Posted

    Don't overdo it christine. Everything is healing. Steady does it. As Clarkey says, you need to keep up the pain relief and you need as much sleep as your knee will let you. You may not sleep well for some time. 2 days after the op I was still in hospital. Are you home already? I was in 3 nights.
  • caroline46398
    caroline46398 christine83627

    Posted

    I was in agony and being sick, could hardly move - sounds as if you are doing really well! Don't overdo it though and keep up the pain meds- it's a rocky road for some and just a case of time for others who have straightforward recovery. Good luck and be careful
  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 christine83627

    Posted

    Good grief....most people can't get their leg off the bed in 2 days let alone bend it. Yeah, you're going to feel stiff and swollen because you are stiff and swollen. You might even feel it getting worse as you increase activity but it's not a big concern as you will move back and forth throughout the process. Just remember to take pain meds on a prescribed basis, not when pain sets in. It will be interesting to follow the progress of someone who is off to such a powerful start

    Just keep reminding yourself this is a very difficult surgery. There is a tremendous amount of internal trauma that has to heal. The external damage is just a fraction of what goes on inside and it all has to heal at a pace set by the body itself. Don't be discouraged if you find a day now and then that frustrates you.

    Keep us informed and if you have questions, just ask. Someone on here will be back with a real case history as we have all been through it.

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 christine83627

    Posted

    Good grief....most people can't get their leg off the bed in 2 days let alone bend it. Yeah, you're going to feel stiff and swollen because you are stiff and swollen. You might even feel it getting worse as you increase activity but it's not a big concern as you will move back and forth throughout the process. Just remember to take pain meds on a prescribed basis, not when pain sets in. It will be interesting to follow the progress of someone who is off to such a powerful start

    Just keep reminding yourself this is a very difficult surgery. There is a tremendous amount of internal trauma that has to heal. The external damage is just a fraction of what goes on inside and it all has to heal at a pace set by the body itself. Don't be discouraged if you find a day now and then that frustrates you.

    Keep us informed and if you have questions, just ask. Someone on here will be back with a real case history as we have all been through it.

  • kristene001
    kristene001 christine83627

    Posted

    I could hardly walk after my TKR. So I'm probably not the best person to be giving advice. I was up and walking the next day with the use of a walker. And I e was able to bend my knee quiet far. It was the extension that was difficult for me. Almost a year later I still can't get a full extension. I'm st a -1 on extending my rt knee. However I have alot of hamstring damage and nerve damage. I hope it all goes better for you. Happy healing. It's a long trip.
  • cheryl90571
    cheryl90571 christine83627

    Posted

    I am six weeks post op and just at 88. I had A LOT of swelling which makes it impossible to bend the amount that PTs would LIKE you to achieve.

    I focused on how I felt, the fact that I was walking to the bathroom every half hour assisted by THREE PEOPLE due to my nerve block, two drains, and my pole of saline, glucose, and antibiotics.

    I felt like I was achieving A LOT just making it back to bed and RELAXING until I would need to GO

    AGAIN!

    Listen to your body. Do the bed exercises they give you, keep hydrated, and call your nurse whenever it is pain meds time. The bend will come, but YOU COME FIRST!

  • joey55
    joey55 christine83627

    Posted

    So glad to have found this site. Been reading your messages and feel a lot better for having done so. I Had a PKR 4 weeks tomorrow. I went in to hospital for day surgery and ended up staying a week! My knee has been so stiff, feels like a tight band around it. I'm icing and taking pain relief but feel so tearful at the moment, I'm managing to get around on one crutch but I suppose it's going to take time and rest. I just feel that it should be better than this.
    • ElaineA
      ElaineA joey55

      Posted

      You are actually doing well. You can't rush it. 4 weeks is no time at all. I had TKR but even so, I still think you are ahead of the game. Well done.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 joey55

      Posted

      Dr's will talk the physical aspects of this surgery and some of the traditional aspects of the healing but I am yet to find one that will in advance, discuss the emotional side. Often the depression is very oppresive and an honest discussion with the Dr's is in order. There are some simple meds to help you over the hump if you need them. Don't let yourself get too far down without asking for help. Many find themselves doing much better after getting help. It will get better........slowly but surely. Some of us have fought through leg problems for years and have had multiple surgeries ( 6 weeks ago I had my 11th) and we all heal differently but we all get there. When you realize the trauma the leg has gone through its a wonder any of us ever walk again. Stay on track and stay with us, someone is o n here day and night due to different parts of the world represented. I'm in the central part of the US. Hang in there. We all become friends on here and take others concerns seriously even though sometimes humor is good change of pace.
    • caroline46398
      caroline46398 joey55

      Posted

      The tight band is very common and should go in a few weeks. It's still early days for you. Keep doing what you are doing and it will ease gradually.
    • joey55
      joey55 caroline46398

      Posted

      Thanks Caroline, I'm sure it will ease, it just gets a bit frustrating especially at night, I keep having these muscle spasms where my whole knee sees to draw itself upwards.
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