Advice needed please

Susie, it is a painful process, but you need to find ways to stretch and move. Because my furniture was difficult to get in and out of (I had a bilateral TKR, so both knees were out of commission), I chose to lounge in my bed. I didn't realize how this was a positive in getting my knees to straighten. But I didn't just sit there, I was constantly finding ways to work on my range of motions, bending my knees and lifting them straight from the side of the bed (it was high enough that I could dangle them). Also while sitting with legs straight out on my bed I would slide my feet up towards my rear, gently. And then holding it for about 10 seconds. Then I would bring it in a little more, holding again. And one final move and hold. Initially I didn't get very close, but after continually doing this, I was seeing progress. My PT also would put a fist under my knee (when lounging on the bed in a sitting position) and then I would have to push against it, lifting my heels off the ground. When he wasn't there I found a plush toy (a hedghog of all things) that I would push against. This also helped with my straightening. Before I was at my two week mark, he also had me attempting stairs. I was terrified I was going to fall, but I was determined that I would be able to go up and down stairs the same way a normal person does. 1.5 years later I am happy to say that I do this. I might not have the same spring in my step as I did when I was younger, but I don't look like someone who had both knees replaced.

Hang in there and make yourself move. And ice it! If I could have had more ice packs, I would have. Coordinating the exercise with ice and meds is the best way to go. After taking your pain pill (and it's started to take the edge off) exercise. Then ice it. And if you are lucky, you will be able to nap afterward (part of the beauty of hanging out in my bed was there was always a pillow nearby to drop my head onto when I was able to sleep). Grabbing sleep where and when I could really helped. At 6 weeks I was getting on a train, traveling 4 hours across India to visit a friend, and was able to walk up several flights of stairs to get to her flat. I had that goal as well as a trip to Thailand from India (I was living in India at the time, but home is in the USA).

You can do this!

Hi Susie,

I hard my first TKR four years ago, and did all the excersices religiously, iced and rested, and had a good bend. 

I had my second knee done last August, and was prepared for pain, swelling etc.

I did excersices as and when, didn't  bother hardly at all with icing, walked round as much as possible, and guess what they both feel exactly the same now.

We are all different we all suffer the initial pain, it's a big operation to get over.

A Jamaican sister at the hospital gave me the best advice ever.

Sit on a high stool with both legs off the floor and swing those legs,backwards and forwards from the knees. Do it as much as you can, keep em moving or they'll be like a creaky gate.

She was brilliant and made me laugh, but it worked my knees are really mobile, I drove after two weeks, my surgeon said it was ok.

I never used a walking stick for short walks at all,,and my GP couldn't believe it whe I walked into the surgery after four weeks under my own steam.

So don't be afraid to do anything your body feels comfortable with.

it will soon let you know when to stop.

Hi Susie , I also had my staples out today and was told to rest. I start physio tomorrow. I've been quite lucky not had much pain but quite a hit of swelling . I ice and elevate my leg in between walking around the house and doing the exercises I was told to do in hospital. As for sleeping I go to sleep with ice packs and that seems to help. Yesterday was a tough day but I think I over did it . I've been using a Zimmer frame and thought I could manage without it all the time , boy was I wrong. I do agree with what everyone says ice and elevate helps , plus listen to your own body , we are all different. Good luck and keep cheerful remember it will get better.

Hi Susie.  Hang in there.  I am 8 weeks po. I started PT in the hospital and went home on a Sat then went to PT that Monday. I thought I was never going to make it. I was sure my knee was going to need to be manipulated and everything, because it was so stiff. I now have a bend to 130 and the last time I was at PT I was 1/2 inch from being flat. I also remember crying at night because it hurt so bad.  I feel the excersizes makes your knee feel better afterward. Moves better.  I still get sore and my dr said at 6 weeks that it was by no means healed. He said about 6 months.  Hang in there. You will get there. I am

Dear Susie

This is my second TKR. It has been done 15 days ago.  Less pain, better mobility, in general ripping benefits of many exercises before going on the operating table, walking without crutches in the last 4 days.Sleepping well from day one.

 The first one it was a different story, lots of pain , on crutches upto week 6-7. Terrible pain, luck of sleep, hardly coping with the pain.

Mind you , I will need revision for the first operation, implant not sitting straight.

So you see, there is no rule.

Now, I need to do a lot of exercises to increase bend,  It is painful when

bending the leg.  Need to do it often. The knee gets stiff very quickly. 

I have physio every day. And doing exrecises every day, total only twice a day, not enough.  All the best to you.  And please keep your fingers crossed for me that I will be able to push the bend through the pain.