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Depression 5 months after TKR

Posted , 7 users are following.

roxanne95518
roxanne95518

I had TKR 5 months ago -- all went well, no complications etc.  I'm back at work and pretty mobile....  off any narcotics, but still relying on Tylenol.  So.... I still get really depressed and hopeless -- ?I expected to feel this earlier on, but did NOT expect it to last so long.  Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • robin15577
    robin15577 roxanne95518

    Posted

    I am now 8 mos post op and finally doing much better. Your depression will lift. I don’t think it’s atypical at all to still experience this as you are still in recovery even though things are going well. I sometimes still experience it but not lime I did 3 months ago. It will get better. If not consult doctor 👨??? Best wishes 😘

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 robin15577

      Posted

      Yes, it can take a lot of time, ....I would save even up to a year to still experience what I call mood troughs! Talking about it, writing, and praying, (if someone does that as part of their life and faith )mindfulness and relaxation, exercise and rest, and room to shed a few tears as well as laugh. All good! Glad to hear you are doing well and feeling better.
  • shari_48634
    shari_48634 roxanne95518

    Posted

    I had My first total knee replacement August 8, 2016 I have been suffering every since that surgery. I went in April 18, 2018 and had a total knee replacement on the same knee I want to say that I am payi my first total knee replacement August 8, 2016 I have been suffering every since that surgery. I went and April 18, 2018 and had a total knee replacement on the same knee I want to say that I am pain free and it’s only been nine days. I’m doing things now that I could not do before and after my first surgery. I’m surprising everyone so I’m so glad I did not give up and found a doctor that would listen to me because  the pain was not in head it was my knee. It’s only taken almost two years but now I’m on the road of pain free and living my life the way I never thought I could. 
    • Lady1104
      Lady1104 shari_48634

      Posted

      Hi Shari, glad you finally found relief. I was wondering what problems were you having with your knee before your re-do surgery. I’m 12 weeks post op tkr surgery and have problems but I’m being told it’s still early

      In the healing process. The pain and heaviness has eased up tremendously but the tightness is very uncomfortable. It’s a vise grip feeling that gets tighter the longer I walk. Feels almost like something digging in my flesh. 

    • shari_48634
      shari_48634 Lady1104

      Posted

      I had pain all around my knee cap  I would try to do anything it felt like I had a vice squeezing so tight that I could not bend the knee. I did physical therapy for 14 months finally I decided that’s not Helping. I could not walk far or ride a bike or ride my horse or walk my dogs. I was pretty much sitting in a chair all summer. The more I would try the more the pain would flare up. My surgeon put me under the bus and then run me over if I could find a good lawyer I would Sue with them
  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX roxanne95518

    Posted

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-and-post-operative-depression-604195

    ?Post-Operative Depression (POD) is very typical in the first few months...and virtually no one is warned about it or prepared for it.  It's actually a Jedi Mind Trick...not real.  Maybe you've just had a delayed reaction.  I've read over 4,000 discussions on here and I have not heard of long-term depression linked to a TKR.  POD is totally normal.  See if the link helps...hope so...

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 roxanne95518

    Edited

    I would still get some low mood troughs right up to around 9 months post op. It's major surgery and quite a life changing experience. Maybe one of the most challenging types of experience?And body is still quite tired, which doesn't help. I don't get the troughs any more now but my focus has changed...I think I have digested the whole experience. It might help for you to write about it in a journal and write about your feelings and thoughts. Or if you have someone you can talk it all through with, that can help. It really is an experience which touches parts of us we normally avoid, so its not surprising it has such an impact. Sending you good wishes!

  • sandy60804
    sandy60804 roxanne95518

    Posted

    Me too! It will be 5 months on April 17th.I have come a long way but am still having a lot of pain over the knee cap. But, my knee was broken very badly in an accident in college & I lost a 1/3 of my knee cap in addition to severe arthritis, bone spurs, cyst, bone on bone, but the depression wont go away. I did therapy, but had to switch pt places 3 times & insurance only covers so long! I pray it gets better soon!

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