Here we go again, second TKR.
Posted , 6 users are following.
Three years ago I had my first TKR on my right knee, It was an horrendous journey and I swore I would never have a TKR again.
A year down the line I posted this:
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Twelve months ago, I was sobbing,talking to myself in the bathroom mirror,asking myself why on earth had I agreed to have a TKR. I wished I never had had it done.
My leg was so swollen, the pain was so bad and the exercises were almost impossible to do. Trying to bend a knee which was swollen to twice its size is not easy.
With lots of help from the brilliant advice on here I managed to cope.
After six weeks of weekly physio provided by our NHS here in the UK I was left to continue my knee journey alone. My doctors at my local surgery just distributed painkillers.They weren't really much help.
My biggest worry was the inability to do all the exercises because of the swelling. I decided to just do what I could when I could and keep icing. After six months I still had pain and could only bend to ninety degrees.The more I walked on my knee the more pain I had.
The swelling had gone down quite a lot so I was able to do more knee bending exercises. My consultant was always there in the background if I needed him which I shall always be grateful for. He told me that he never discharged any his patients whilst they still needed him. Our NHS is brilliant when it works.
A few weeks ago I started riding my bike( power assisted) again.Yes, I felt a few painful twinges in my knee as I pedalled but I felt good.
As for walking, well I'm fine as long as I don't do too much. A couple of days ago I walked two miles up and down hills in our local country park. As I had not done that since my I had my new knee it did start to hurt.I think I overdid the hills.
The cycling did improve my knee bend so yes it can still improve twelve months down the line.
Am I glad I had a TKR? Now I can say yes I am. My knee will always feel 'mechanical' but I can walk most of the time without pain.
Recovery after TKR is not the same for everyone, we recover at our own speed.
So to all those just starting their TKR journey all I can say is just hang in there, it does get easier. Don't be put off when you read that someone is back at work, running again and pain gone after a few months. They are the lucky ones how I wish my recovery had been as fast.
The down side is that other knee has now started to 'go'. It is very painful at times but I really want to avoid another TKR but only time will tell.
PS I'm seventy eight years young.*
Well five weeks ago I had a TKR on my left knee. I knew it was going to be a struggle and so painful but I now know there is light at the end of the tunnel.Again I pop on here for support and encouragement and it's keeping me going.
So far I think this one is going better than the first, my husband says I am further on.
My bend is 90 but my knee straightening has a long way to go. I have been into town today doing a little shopping and walked quite well with only a stick but I have a limp. It was painful but not too bad.
I'm icing and elevating at the moment but so pleased I was able to get out of the house.
As for exercising I only do what the pain and swelling will let allow me to do. I am focussing on straightening and bending my knee. Physio is practically non existant. I went last week, he gave me a couple of exercises which I already knew about and then gave me another appointment in four weeks.
From previous experience I know that the bend and straightening of the leg will continue to improve for the next year or so I am not worrying too much.
1 like, 11 replies
kim87231 saralice
Posted
You sound like a very practical, sensible and brave lady. I had my first tkr approximately 18mths ago. It was sheer hell and only in tge last few months have I been able to walk without pain. As you said it feels mechanical. Unfortunately I now have osteoarthritis in my lower back and other knee. I am on a mission to lose weight but I know that the other knee will need replacing at some point in the near future. I am rarely without pain, but of different degrees....just have to enjoy the better times. I am 59 years young....carpe diem. A laugh a day helps the pain go away! Enjoy each and every day. Keep m
Jilly010101 saralice
Posted
hi
i would just like to say thank you for your post i am 7 weeks post rtkr and like you i wish i had never had it done i was expecting pain but not like this i have also been very depressed bit reading your experience has made me feel it will get better even if it takes a little longer i will get there
i really don't want to run miles or climb mountains just to walk a reasonable distance without a limp and to be able to play with my granddaughter which i now feel i will achieve good luck with the second knee i think you were very brave
saralice Jilly010101
Posted
I also used to think people who went ahead and had a second TKR were very brave, When your other knee becomes so painful that it affects the quality of your life then you know the time has come for a rethink.
You have learned from past experience that your new knee will turn out good in the end despite the long painful struggle.
To all those who are in the early stages of recovery,like me, all I can say is that it will get better in its own time.Hang in there!
kim87231 saralice
Posted
Thank you. x
Alice1947 saralice
Posted
thanks for your story, I am 7 weeks in and understand everything you have described. The physio you described is spot on , they give you exercises and make another appt. I decided to have extra physio which is a good idea for what they do , they wont let me go on the bike till 8 weeks. I also will need the left knee doing eventually as can feel it in this cold damp weather. will need to have at least 18 mths gap to let this right knee completly heal, I am 72 yrs young and they say the older you are the longer it takes to completly heal, fingers crossed...
saralice Alice1947
Posted
I'm eighty years young now Alice and I'm looking forward to many years ahead with pain free knees.
Alice1947 saralice
Posted
well done you, its so good to hear you have come through two knee replacements. my good knee is slowly getting worse and a decision will have to be made, thanks for your post....
Cathysf saralice
Posted
Thank you for your post. I am 16 months post op from a RTK. I am doing well but my other knee is giving me a lot of trouble now. I almost want to cry when I think about going through that again. I am alone & had my daughter come be with me for 10 days post op. After she left to go home to her family I sobbed! Just can't make myself commit to the 2nd surgery yet even though my other leg is giving me trouble. I do water aerobics which feels so good on my joints. But, anyway, your post gave me hope that the 2nd time around will actually not be as bad maybe.... as we know what to expect! I am 66.
maxima saralice
Posted
thank you for your story. i am 13 days post op on my 2nd knee and while my 1st was a painful but ultimately rewarding experience so that i can walk this one is complete opposite. i had and still have very low grade fever and had terrible night sweats but have been now two days night sweat free!! small win there 😉
the pain at the back of my knee and my calf has been horrible! with the 1st one there was usual swelling and hotness and pain but with the help of pain killers you soldier on. this time calf pain comes even when i am stationary and when you least expect it. i literally have to scream which i did twice tonight waking up both my husband and my daughter in the other room who both jumped and rushed to try to help but there is nothing to do. it last for 10-15 secs and then gone.
right now i feel pretty low and miserable. i too found myself staring at the mirror and thinking why did i do it, should i have just tried to somehow endure having at least one good knee?!? depression and anxiety have been really high this time round. i keep saying to myself each knee is different but still right now it is difficult. reading posts here helps put things into perspective and i do feel a bit less lonely on this journey.
saralice maxima
Posted
I'm so sorry you are having such a tough time Maxima.No two knees are the same as I have found out, The first two days with this second knee the pain was agonising. I cried out every time I moved. I was in a sepecialised hospital that only centred on joint operations and their pain management team was brilliant. Whilst there I was given codeine, asprin, morphine and pregabalin, The pregabalin helped with the nerve pain.
I'm five weeks on now and the pain is getting easier although I had a restless night last night. I am much better than I was with my first knee and can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
It will get better Maxima, try not to get too dispirited.
danix saralice
Posted
Awww. I'm sorry about this. The good thing about this is that you already been through something similar so you know how it works. You will get through this!