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first week of knee replacement

Posted , 9 users are following.

ruth48
ruth48

well just checking in as the surgery went ahead and I am now 6 days post TKR on my left knee. am 50 and live alone, but am staying with family for a few days before going back to my flat.

my biggest impression so far is that even though I did lots of research, and was also aware that there would be a lot of pain, this has still been one of the most difficult things in my life so far.

 am getting around the house on crutches and only need to tackle stairs twice a day, but am still finding I need an afternoon nap. am also finding it very difficullt to do some of the exercises as well, but maybe that will improve as the swelling continues to go down. am also aware that it is very early days yet and only came home 2 days ago.  

 so just wanted to say to anyone in the same position or about to undergo this surgery- listen to your body and be kind to yourself.  take your painkillers regularly, don't wait for the pain to become bad, and insist on extra doses while in the hospital if you need them, don't let them tell you that you should be at a different stage or that people normally don't need that drug by now, it will be impossible to participate properly in your physio unless there is some pain control.

rest when you need to, use your ice and sleep when you can, I am luckier than some people on here in that I can fall asleep, although much earlier than my usual bedtime, but am woken at least once overnight by pain, so the painkillers live right next to me overnight. It does take at least an hour to sleep again when this occurs.

eat whatever you fancy, you might find light meals easier, and drink as much as you can to prevent dehydration (non alcoholic due to being on the codeine but I have no fancy for that at the moment anyway). 

well that's all I have to say from my very limited experience so far. am still just taking it day to day and trying to think ahead to a time when I will feel the full benefit of this.

wishing good luck to all those going through it with me

2 likes, 20 replies

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  • ellihelena
    ellihelena ruth48

    Posted

    Thank you for sharing your experience, my husband is in need of a knee replacement and I'm trying to get all the information possible. I'm seeing that more and more patients have this chronic pain even a year after the surgery. For this reason, we are considering to go abroad for a surgery, where they have special technologies and rehabilitation facilities and it costs much less.

    • johnny17592
      johnny17592 ellihelena

      Posted

      Hi Ellihelena i had my surgery in this country mine was done with the aid of computers and all seems to be well at the moment i think going abroad is ok but i imagine it could be very costly if you had to make several trips email me if you want any information on the hospital i attended.
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