Exhausted after tkr

I am 10 months out from ltkr and still get exhausted at times. Try not to overdo when you’re feeling better. This surgery takes a good year to feel really “normal “. Good luck and speedy recovery.

I suspect no one has mentioned it because we’re all too tired. Poor sleep, lack of energy and depression appear to be the norm unfortunately. Good luck

Hi Linda,

I suggest you keep reading the forum chats.  I think just about everybody, xperienced exhaustion after their tkr surgery and for quite a few months in some cases.  I know I did.  Just to do the simplest task tired me beyond.   My afternoon naps got longer.  It’s a really strange happening but very, very common.   Don’t despair, it does get better.  Just rest when you feel you need to.  You need all your energy for exercises and, well, just life.  Good luck with everything.

Sue xx

I am on y 6th week and tired but mostly from lack of sleep. I had to be reminded from time to time that it is major surgery and takes a year to totally recover. I have heard many others mentioning the exhaustion too. I have little patience for recovery but have had to slow down this time and remind myself that I have another knee and hip to do and time to let my body do its thing.

Some of the keys regarding exhaustion are; 1st the surgery itself. The anaesthesia takes time to get co.pletely out of your system and as everyone is different so is the necessary elimination time. Next, most people have some degree of blood loss and the more loss the longer the rebuilding time.

Post surgery has its' s are of problems as well. Dehydration, you need to rehydrate often. A dried out body is not condusi ve to proper healing. Keep a pitcher of water handy and hit it often. Don't overdo the it. Rest as often as possible. Refreshing the body with an occasional nap is a lot more important than dusting the table or folding another load of clothes. Give your body every opportunity to heal and it will reward you with a much speedier recovery in the long run. Too many people think if the try and get back to their normal routine they will recover quicker but TKR surgery has its own way of teaching you patience. Remember the axiom for TKR: This is a marathon not a sprint. Slow and steady. Slow and steady.

Hi I've had both knees done TKR. This last one I had serious issues with tiredness. My blood was ok but like you certain lack of b12 etc. Doctor was convinced I was bleeding internally sending me for ct scans cos I refused to have endoscopy # really# Nobody listened to me. As an ex nurse !!! I knew the tiredness was the after operation syndrome PLUS you lose blood tremendously after knee operations. That's why a tournquet is used during the operation to lessen the loss of blood. However with more meat and liver in my food intake. I'm now 6 months post op and my energy levels and bloods are normal. Good luck you will get your energy back soon 💜💜💜

The tiredness is difficult, especially when you need to get on with more things!

I am now 14 months post op and have all my energy back. At 9 months I felt normal with respect to energy levels.

So it doesn't last for ever, even if it feels like it does. It is hard to pace things but I guess just try and put as many things which need doing on hold for later and deal only with the essentials. rest is an important part of the process. It is important not to over do things.

Your body is putting its energy into healing your knee.

You may like to go to my profile by clicking on the image next to my name. I kept a journal of my own knee replacement journey, and I have been told by several people they found it helpful to read, or skim through. It's got a lot of general information in it, and gives you one person's experience right from hospital to the 12 month mark!

Dont worry but do accept that you need to let your body set the pace.

It might seem like a long time but you will soon look back and it won't seem long at all!

Good wishes to you for your continued healing !

Hi Lynda,firstly you’ve had major surgery and it’s a brutal operation as well,you’ll find sleep difficult and it’s not just physically exhausting but mentally too put them together and you get what your feeling now so it’s totally normal to feel that way,so head up and battle through it and believe me it gets so much better.

I am 19 weeks post op and still tired, we must expect this as we have had a major op, and this upsets the balance of the body.  I do hope I and everyone else recovers soon, we have to be kind to ourselves🤗

Hi I am in my 19th week and am still tired which is I suspect expected as it is a major op. It puts the whole body out of balance.  So rest and be kind to yourself.

Dear Lynda

Im sorry to say but I am over two years down the line after TKR and I feel the whole experience has destroyed my natural energy. I remember an aunt saying to me years ago 'you have to make energy'

what she meant was as the day goes on you become more energetic. In my case, its the opposite. Im worn out by 4pm.

However, I am beginning to think that I must be allergic to the chrome cobalt which my knee is made of. For example, I purchased a knee support yesterday and as the day wore on I started to feel drained and sick and woke up in the night with the most awful pain in my knee.  The surgeon did say to me, 'you can never kneel on that knee again'. that was what the pain was like. I only think the knee support and the copper chrome didn't mix. I know I seem to be rambling one a.bit , but I would love my old knee back. have you been tested for allergies. I am trying to get one at the moment. Also have you been tested for your ferritin levels. 

I am 18 weeks after RTKR and I am amazed at my lack of energy.  I have blood tests and everything is normal, my doctor just said I have had a major surgery and it is to be expected.  But I hate it!   

Yes! No energy. I hate it. I'm 12 weeks post tkr. I love to garden but now I have to take so many rest breaks. By evening I am just too tired to do anything! It's the surgery. Our bodies are still healing. It's hard to be patient. It's depressing. You are not alone.