All's well after TKR

I had a TKR on my right knee just before Christmas - so I'm now eight weeks post op.

I used to browse these sites before the operation and most of the posts I found were negative and led me to wonder whether I was making the right decision.  So I thought I should post something myself to let others know that it's not always doom and gloom and perhaps I can put some minds at rest.

Yes the first few weeks were painful, I had a lot of bruising and didn't get much sleep; but since then my recovery has gone very well.  I stopped using crutches at the end of week three and have now ceased all pain meds.  My range of movement on the operated leg is almost as good as the other one and pain is minimal.

I've worked hard at it though - exercises four times a day and an hour at a knee replacement exercise group run by physiotherapists once a week.  I ice and elevate regularly and rest as much as possible - it's important to get a balance between work and rest as both are important.  I shall continue to do this for many months yet as healing takes up to a year.

I still have that tight band feeling around my knee but I try to ignore it and I'm sure it will go away eventually; it doesn't stop me from doing anything and I'm now back to around 10000 steps on my Fitbit most days and intend to start back to Pilates classes next week.

So if you're about to have this operation think positive.  The stats show that there are far more successes than failures and there's every chance you'll be one of the lucky ones, even if it takes a bit longer.

Wishing everyone out there all the best.

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