Help and advise please!
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi All, Help me out here.
I'm nearly 7 weeks post op TKR. Have contributed and read every post on this site and the advise has been so helpful.
I have not missed a day of PT and see my physiotherapist once a week. I walk x 2 (20mins), cycle x 3 (10-15 mins), exercise, ice and take painkillers.The pain is still quite harsh most of the time and I can only function with painkillers on board but I continue on. Last week my physiotherapist added ankle weights into my regime and I find that the pain is now worse. Thought at the start that it was just the addition that was making it so sore and I could work through it. But the pain is getting worse and sleepless nights are not helping.
Should I stop the weights?
Take a day off from everything (except stretching)?
What do you guys think?
0 likes, 20 replies
elaine90714 Annibgood
Posted
I would stop the weights. Have you been building your quad muscles in thigh and gluts and hamstring? Where is pain- what are you trying to do that causes the most pain?
Annibgood
Posted
Calf, quad, knee and hamstring all on fire.
I am assuming its the weights that are making it worse but I thought I could work through it. It was the same when I started the bike but that went after a couple of days but it was never as bad as this, which is like it was post op.
I would be quite fit and not overweight and had built up the muscles before the op, I know they shrink back post op, but I was walking within a couple of days of the op and I have never missed a day of PT
My bend is great at 115degrees and my extension is -8 so not bad either.
So don't want to go backwards!
elaine90714 Annibgood
Posted
I would call your doc and explain the type of exercizes and how long and often you do them. It sounds like you are doing way too much too soon. Another person on this site complained of soreness even though she walks constantly, rides the bike. The reply from her doc was stop walking so much, go back to building the muscles slowly. He said your muscles need to heal more and be slowly developed. Interesting.
Can you go down the steps unassisted, without pain? If the answer is no, then slow it down
john44470 Annibgood
Posted
Good luck.
john44470 Annibgood
Posted
Oldfatguy1 Annibgood
Posted
jude48 Annibgood
Posted
I also see a physio once a week - I feel that they do try to push you too hard as they try to keep their achievement charts up.Personally, I do what suits me best and I do not use any weights. When I go for a walk I do not use any support as I have found that you are not using all your muscles correctly when using supports I just take a stick along just in case I cn make the return journey !!
My Physio has said that it will take at least 12 months to get back to normality so its going to be a long haul - but I'm sure you agree that its worh it.
I have no regrets having the TNR and would have another tomorrow if it was necessary-hope you continue to improve
best wishes
Jude ( UK )
Annibgood
Posted
Just feeling like a bit of a vent!
Am walking around the house (I can do a figure of eight around the house) since 5am this morning on and off. Saw my surgeon last week and he was delighted with me. Will check utube for hamstring exercises John, thanks for that. Think its the lack of sleep which set me off this morning. Will back off the weights, which I think have definitely made matters worse. I am doing stairs, no problem going up, hell coming down.
sueisobel Annibgood
Posted
Annibgood
Posted
You all seem to be singing off the same hymn sheet.
Will take a day off, just stretching the muscles and nothing else.
Had a look at utube for post op exercises, I'm doing most of them!
Massage, water and icing for me today (thanks Oldfatguy!).
Now what to do with my day............................
elaine90714 Annibgood
Posted
Annibgood elaine90714
Posted
Lack of sleep is the worst bit.
Going back to bed with icepack took pain meds a couple of hours ago so not so bad now.
Night night
Ann (Ireland)
elaine90714 Annibgood
Posted
It's so wonderful to be able to talk with people around the world. Ireland, what a gorgeous country!!!
Night night
Elaine -Michigan the Great Lake State aka the Mitten state.
Oldfatguy1 elaine90714
Posted
elaine90714 Oldfatguy1
Posted
Dearborn- suburb of Detroit
Where do you live?
Oldfatguy1 elaine90714
Posted
Annibgood elaine90714
Posted
elaine90714 Annibgood
Posted
Do you have any relatives that meandered to the USA?
Annibgood elaine90714
Posted
Cousin in Timbali, Texas. In touch all the time on Facebook
Cousin in Fairfax, Virginia. As above
Loads of cousins in New York Lost touch with this branch.