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Exercise after TKR

Posted , 12 users are following.

susan33930
susan33930

Good morning everyone.  I'm just over 3 weeks TKR and I have some questions regarding exercise - I have been given various ones - sliding knee on bed, lifting leg with straight leg, lifting bent leg etc - ideally  how often during the day should I be doing these?

Also, if my knee is feeling painful BEFORE doing the exercises (ie on a really bad day) should I still continue and do them?  

And lastly, when sitting down, it's really uncomfortable with feet on the floor, it's really uncomfortable - should I be pushing myself to carry on sitting like that or should I just sit with it raised?

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • moandrieu
    moandrieu susan33930

    Posted

    Susan, I had the PT come to my place daily (well, 6 days a week) for about four weeks, starting the day after I was released from the hospital - I was in for 6 days. He told me to exercise two addition times on my own.

    As others said, definitely some pain meds early enough before to help me get through. And the PT said ice about 1/2 hour afterward, to allow it to naturally cool off from the exercise.

    My sofa all of the sudden felt too low to the ground, so I usually sat on my bed, with my leg out in front of me. The nice thing is, because of this I have zero problems with my legs being straight and I would bend them enough throughout the day that I have a great bend as well.

    And, your body knows when you need an occassional break. But don't get lazy and take advantage of it. If you are hurting because you over did it the day before, go easy on yourself and do some modified exercises.

    • hazel14959
      hazel14959 moandrieu

      Posted

      Our car is quite low and having to stand up is putting a lot of strain on my knee plus other knee as well. SO I have just bought a foam  cushion to give me more height when sitting so standing won't be as bad.  But with the sunny weather starting sitting on a foam cushion won't be pleasantfrown  all the plus and minus of this op comes into force all the time.  Just comne back from a longer walk and will have to ice knee it is quite stiff but going out for a walk each day now.  If the weather turns wet, we go to the local B&Q aand walk around all the racks and isles, don't need to buy anything and we are dry!cool

       

  • sueoz
    sueoz susan33930

    Posted

    Hi Susan,  I am just over three weeks post op on my second knee, had the other done 11 weeks ago.  Just thought I would share some info. with you.  I kept a detailed diary of the first op and it has proved very useful.  At three weeks my pain increased dramatically the first time, and it has don exactly the same thing this time.   Don't panic if this happens to you.  Mine lasted for a couple of weeks until it settled down a little.   Hopefully you will sail through without this.    Good luck with your recovery.  Sue S. Australia.
    • susan33930
      susan33930 sueoz

      Posted

      Oh boy .... another thing to look forward to!!  There are certainly lots of ups and downs with this op - so difficult to describe to people who haven't been there!  Good luck to you too - there are so many of you so brave to have two ops close together.  My other knee is getting worse all the time, but I will be putting that one off as long as possible!
  • jackieyj
    jackieyj susan33930

    Posted

    Hi I am 4 weeks post op following tkr and I know exactly what you mean about not being able to lift your leg I was just the same. I can now raise it a bit but its hard work. Keep doing the exercises it will pay off. I also bought some pedals which are great for exercising whilst sitting down. I get quite lazy sometines and need motivation! Also another way I used to sit with my feet on the floor was to push my leg back as far as comfortable then used my good leg to push the heel forward. Hope this helps, good luck
    • susan33930
      susan33930 jackieyj

      Posted

      I've just struggled with the exercises this morning and the leg raises were more difficult than usual - could only lift a couple of inches.  I have physio on Monday and I'm dreading them telling me it's not enough.
  • janice60986
    janice60986 susan33930

    Posted

    Hello, I have just joined this site. Had TKR 12 days ago and like many have had a painful, frequently tearful time.  Susan's email resonated with me as I wasn't given clear guidance re exercises or that they would feel so murderously painful!  So I have had lots of tears.  I have found walking to be the best (and easiest) form of exercise but know I have to do the dreaded knee bends.

    i too take painkillers an hour before (as advised somewhere else in the site) but still the exercises hurt.  Maybe I am expecting too much too soon.  As a dancer (although I am just 70 I was very fun) I expected it to be easier.I don't think physios clearly explain just how painful the exercises are.  All they impress on you is that "you must do the exercises". Similarly it would be nice if you had a follow up visit in the first few days after discharge.  You really do feel on your own.

    I am looking forward to a night where I get more than 2and half hour's continuous sleep.

    By the way, the site has been a great comfort despite the above. Thank you to all contributors.

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