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Day 106 post op....how is everyone else doing?

Posted , 7 users are following.

linda_50869
linda_50869

So it's me again..doing OK but I feel I'm not as far as I should be...before my op I didn't have massive expectations...I just wanted to be able to walk without pain....to cycle a bike and to walk up and down stairs normally...But I can't do any of these yet...while I can walk better I'm still experiencing cramping and pain in my calve and knee....I can just about use pedals but haven't tried a bike yet and doubt I can cycle yet...and I can go up a stairs holding on one at a time ...but not down....am I just impatient?? I'm putting the work in with home exercises and the gym ....should I be doing better at this stage?? Thanks

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • jancon
    jancon linda_50869

    Posted

    I am week 16 and still not as far forward as I think I should be compared to some people I have seen, I have only just come off of my crutches 3 weeks ago, but my surgeon said everyone is different and as he said to me it’s going to take 6 months of hard work.  Oh joy but am getting there would just like to get In the bath for a soak. Good luck Linda.
  • susan47321
    susan47321 linda_50869

    Posted

    Hi Linda

    Im now at week 12 and it's been harder than I ever thought.

    Saw physiotherapist 2 weeks ago and she showed me how to come down 1 stair, very scary but I practised when I came home. Then one day I just thought 'go for it' so I did, started at the top held on and it was ok.

    I do all the exercises, lunges, cycle, bag on foot and under the chair, stand on bad leg holding good leg up and arms out to the side (this is hard as I have to balance, with my eyes shut) and then walking and swimming.

    Seems whole day spent doing exercises, and then Ice packing.

    But although it's going to be a long road to recovery at least it's gets a little easier each day, and have got my freedom back as I can now drive.

    Hope this helps.

    Sue

    • lynda18183
      lynda18183 susan47321

      Posted

      Hi Susan

      Keep doing the excercises.  Going down the stairs and driving are big deals.  You have come along way from day one. We are all different with how each of us heal. I am going into my 7th week and am so exhausted during the day if I do dishes or throw laundry in I’m huffing and puffing. This surgery and recovery has taken a lot out of me! My surgeon gave me to prescriptions of hydrocodine due to my pain. After that he sent me to a pain management doctor. This doctor gave my hydrocodine along with gabapentin for nerve pain 3 x day. I’m not sure if the gabapentin is working but seeing how I’m out of the hydrocodine I’m continuing to take it.  But here I am st 4 a.m. in pain with ice in my knee.  I’ve called this pain management doctor 2 days and never got a call back. 

      Don’t compare yourself with other people, we all heal differently. Your doing a great job. Keep it up. We have to be our own advocates. 

      Please let us know how your doing in the coming weeks.

      Take care 

  • nwf477
    nwf477 linda_50869

    Posted

    No you should be doing jumping jacks or running marathons weight lifting you know like your an Olympian!!! Pretty stupid right?? You are doing fine as its been said before patience no one heals the same your doing everything correctly give it time. It may take 6 months or longer but you will get there. I think I can verify how it hurts as well as the recovery I seem to have a back ground in it. Keep your chin up your doing fine!!!
  • shona18872
    shona18872 linda_50869

    Posted

    I’m 7wk post op with my 2nd tkr. I got my 6wk check up and only got 60degree bend so to up the exercises and go back in a month. I was worried but not now as I’m walking getting up and down stairs one at a time. I’ve just managed to pedal my exercise bike awkwardly but did it. Got stiffness pain and restless leg which is giving me no sleep and I’m an emotional wreck. 

    My advice is everyone heals at different rates and I think your doing just fine. It’s a major op and it’s the worst recovery ever as it’s like 3steps forward 5 back at times. Other medical ops patients seem to get better and stronger every day. We are all in this journey together and in 6mths you will be laughing at the state we all got in. It is an impatient process and very frustrating. Stick in and do your exercises and you’ll get there. Keep taking pain relief ice your knee and I’ve been rubbing Voltoral gel on my operated leg, not on the wound but the shin and thigh. It really helps. Hope your ok and take care. Big hugs. 

  • linda_50869
    linda_50869

    Posted

    Thanks for all you replies....I don't use specific analgesia anymore...on neurontin and celebrex anyway for RA and Fibromyalgia.....don't ice anymore since about week 12....maybe I should....I imagine the pain as healing pain.....I'm stretching, moving,exercising muscles that haven't been exercised for ages... im prob just impatient...it's just good to know others are still at the stage I'm at too....i just want more but ...who doesn't!

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