1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Knee Problems

Hello everybody I am 5 days tkr. I am really struggling with lifting my leg up onto the bed

Posted , 18 users are following.

susan27029
susan27029

i feel such a wimp.  I was shown in hospital to straighten my leg and lift. But instead I have asked my husband to help lift my leg as I was getting myself into a panic trying and not succeeding.   If I sit in a chair I cannot lift my leg onto the footstool without using my other foot to lift it up.  Am I not working hard enough at it? 

All your posts are such a comfort as I am trying to see what is my game plan in taking charge of "the leg" which is swollen and heavy thigh to toe and I seem to be keeping up and icing most of the time.  

 

1 like, 29 replies

29 Replies

Next
  • sharon52158
    sharon52158 susan27029

    Posted

    It took me 11 days after the operation before a I could lift the leg I was using the end of my walking stick to lift it onto the bed until then keep trying and it will come 
  • Mrst123
    Mrst123 susan27029

    Posted

    Me too, I was 12 days before I could l lift my heel only slightly off the bed.  I am now 8 weeks and it is still hard and quite painful to lift my leg. I have put it down to my having a new knee cap as well.  But it will get easier!
  • andrea30334
    andrea30334 susan27029

    Posted

    Sue try putting your good leg under it and lifting it that way??? Thats how i got off and on the bed for ages???
    • susan27029
      susan27029 andrea30334

      Posted

      Thanks Andrea. Bedtime was so much easier not stressing myself getting into bed and most important I can visit the loo without shouting my husband to help me back into bed.   Although will prob need another knee on my good leg lol     Well onward the nights are a challenge as I have restless legs. Does anyone else suffer this?   Any good solutions?    
    • carol66249
      carol66249 susan27029

      Posted

      Restless legs are a pain in the butt - I took to massaging my legs whilst in bed, it helped a bit, took my mind off it but sleep will not be easy for one reason or another for a number of weeks. It gets easier, you learn to cope with the lack of sleep eventually, I think I have done well if I get more than 3 hours in one go. I keep my tablet and phone nearby, a few games, a bit of reading and checking my emails gets me through about 4 hours each night.
    • andrea30334
      andrea30334 susan27029

      Posted

      hi susan I have a gel pack which I keep in the fridge through the day and at night I put a pillow under my bad knee and the gel pad on top it really helps after a while ul be able to lay on ur side with the pillow between ur legs or under as approriate??? I also keep my kindle to hand just in case lol
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 andrea30334

      Posted

      Check with you doc or therapist a out the leg under knee. Most drs I know don't allow that but do allow under the entire leg. Under just the knee can cut off circulation. My ortho specifically writes orders concerning the placement of pillow
  • sandi17096
    sandi17096 susan27029

    Posted

    Hi Susan, that is exactly how it is in the beginning. There is a prop with a banded loop on the end of the stick, put your foot through the band and lift up with the handle of the stick.  Your other foot is also a good tool.  The strength comes back don't worry.  Physical Therapy to me was the cure all.  I did it for nine weeks three times per week as well as home excercise. This was a big operation, so it will take time.  I am 5 months post op, never in the beginning did I think I would feel so good as I do now.  Good luck to you.  Sandi
  • Dotty_Lotty
    Dotty_Lotty susan27029

    Posted

    DO NOT WORRY I am 4 week post tkr and only just regained control of my leg, I use something called a leg lifter which looks like a rigid dog lead you hook you foot and raise the "lead" is terrific ! I used it for all sorts  eg in and out of car, bed etc. You can use a dressibg gown belt just make a loop in one end and lift your leg with belt ! your muscles have had massive trauma and need to heal, in addition if your leg is very swollen it will also be much heavier than normal. Also  have you been told the weight of your new knee ? mine weighs awhole kilo more than my actual knee so your muscles have to strengthen to get used to this weight.you have enough to deal with at the moment so make /buy a leg lifter ! best wishes stay in touch
    • Annodoremouse
      Annodoremouse Dotty_Lotty

      Posted

      Also called a leg up mobility aid Amazon at £8 They are brillient. I got mine from my physio
  • kathryn42410
    kathryn42410 susan27029

    Posted

    Listen to everyone on here Sue and don't panic. At 5 days I couldn't lift my own leg either. It took me several weeks. You're still getting used to the weight of the knee and the muscles are still battered and bruised.

    You need to do what is easiest and most comfortable at the moment. It's too early to push yourself too far.

    I hated to hear it but be patient. It will come. I am almost 10 weeks post and I am fully able to lift and move my leg (better than I have in years).

  • Kmcg14
    Kmcg14 susan27029

    Posted

    Hi, I am now 10 days post op, and I grab my surgical stocking as far down as I can to help lif my leg up on to the bed! Another way I was shown was with the long piece of physiotherapy elastic I was given - I make a loop with it, and place the flat of my foot into the bottom of it. Then holding the elastic in each hand, as it goes taught I can ease it up. Hope this helps x
  • Annodoremouse
    Annodoremouse susan27029

    Posted

    5 days dont worry. Keep tensing the muscles above the knee. Get a device from Amazon called  'Leg Up' mobility aid. Its easy to get down about little things. I was still in hospital at 5 days and 6 months later walk as far as I want
  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 susan27029

    Posted

    First and most important part of recovery,........,.attitude......

    Don't beat up on yourself over anything. Its a slow process and the steps you are going through are baby steps. If you don't succeed at 1st, back off, relax and try again. I see others giving technique advice and one of those will work for you. The 1st couple of times I went through this rehab routine I pushed myself into a rage.........and didn't get a damn bit closer to success because of it. The last 3 times I learned to be more patient with myself and got there much faster. I'm sure when I have to go through it when I get my newest joint in the next 2 months, I'll even be more clam and easy going. Age may have a little to do with it. I was 65 when it started and now am 78. I never was accused of being brilliant so it took me a while to get it but it sure has made recovery easier. Like I tell everyone, rest and hydration will help you push through the pain and discomfort. Just take pain meds on schedule, not after the real pain starts. Take little steps as being positives and realize enough of the little steps will add up to a giant stride. Stay in touch. The good people on here will help you through every up and down of this journey.

    • sueoz
      sueoz Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Ha ha old fat guy,  you always have such good advice, but, after reading this reply, I do wonder how many legs you have 😃😃😃. Only kidding, keep posting you have helped me heaps 
    • andrea30334
      andrea30334 sueoz

      Posted

      ha ha sue he makes me laugh I told him the othet day he should be called old wise guy lol lol
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 sueoz

      Posted

      All 10 surgeries have been on one leg. Also had 30 rounds of radiation on the same leg. Saw my ortho today and found out I get my knee reinstalled mid June, about 30 day later than I had hoped. Hope 11 is the magic number
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.