How am I doing.........????

Posted , 9 users are following.

hi there, I've just had 2 new knees on dec 3rd and came out of hospital 6 days later. Both my knees are still swollen and still quite numb over the old knee cap area and on the sides,the swelling is hindering my flexing/ bending exercises and I just don't know how I should be doing, because a double knee replacement is a lot rarer than the normal single procedure. I am going between slight euphoria and periods of being quite down cos' I just don't have anyone or anything to compare myself against. How long does the swelling,numbness last is the main concern for me at this point. If anyone is able to provide some support or advice I would be very grateful. I am a 52 year old male. Thank you in advance.

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  • Posted

    What a hero!!  but its early days yet Crispin,I think you have done so well to get both done at the same time. You probably wont manage much bend at this stage because of the swelling but it will get easier so dont go expecting too much too soon, you have had an enormous operation. Every day will get that bit easier to move and regain your mobility, in the meantime do take your meds and before the pain kicks in too and they will help with physio, keep the ice packs near they are wonderful. Stick with this forum it is the best and you will get lots of solid advice and support the people here are brilliant. Good luck love.
    • Posted

      Just a wee update on my knees. Still working through my exercise regime,slowly trying to build the strength back into those muscles. One high point was that I had been unable to do any straight leg lifts with my left leg since the operation, however this morning I managed a couple, then a few more and then I was able to do a series of 10. I suppose this is what everyone means when they say "things slowly start to happen". I was also able to do a few laps outside on my garden patio - focusing on lifting each leg in an exaggerated step movement(I look a bit like Robocops drunken cousin!!!!). I go to the Doctors on Wednesday to get all 63 staples removed - so that will be a wee bit less weight to carry around!!!!!😄🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃
    • Posted

      Crispin

      Good. I am glad yA are doing better.  It's so hard. Heck I've been down sick and in pain for 2 days. It's been a mess. I wish I could walk around. I get so tiered. Xxx keep up the good luck. Praise yA self for the good work. I do lol. My hub was laughing at me. He said who u talking to? I said my leg muscles metal. Was funny. He said to much pills. I said no way. Come on olny half. 63 straples ouch ouch. Good luck.  I'd be screaming. 

    • Posted

      Well done Crispin! I thought that I'd never be able to do a straight leg lift again as it just wouldn't budge but the physio explained that your brain sort of shuts down connection to your leg as it knows pain will occur, but if you keep trying to lift it, eventually it happens😄 ! After that, it's trying to obtain that wretched bend-always something!

      Good luck with the staple removal, just take a few pain killers before you go and it's not too bad at all, in fact, your poor old knees will feel a bit less tight. Don't forget to buy some E45 or Bio Oil as you will need to massage the scar-not for cosmetic reasons, but to get rid of scar tissue underneath the wound😄

    • Posted

      Hi Glenda can I ask when can you start putting stuff on the scar? 
    • Posted

      I know axactly what you're saying!!! One step forward,one step back sometimes. I think that is where a lot of the frustration comes from,there are so many little tweaks,aches and unexpected sore things that seem to come from nowhere that can really take you by surprise.
    • Posted

      I did good yesterday set up for a while. Helped hub go through lights. And walked some. Did Ẹxcerise. Then step back ache spaZisms . So much pain   Will it ever end?

      And glue is start to come off and wound is open at top. Gez. Can't get no dressings from nurse. So using 6 big bandits hub cures every other one so they peice together. And know notice it's sweatin. U call nurse and they said uh we don't know want do. I said doc say for me keep it covered. Gez. So any ideas. 

    • Posted

      Hi! I was told as soon as I got home after having the staples removed, but as my wound started to re open a bit, and I had to go back to get it steri stripped, I didn't start until the strips came off a week later! From then on, I've massaged cream, or the oil into it after my morning shower, and sometimes two or three more times in the day. I also read somewhere, that on the forum that one lady massaged her knee thoroughly with the towel after showering to help break down scar tissue underneath the wound but go gently at first!

      Glenda

  • Posted

    Oh my Bless your heart. There is no way I could do that. YA have more guts than me. They told me swelling last 6-8 weeks. I use lots ice and cold therapy. My Ẹxcerise kills me.  May God bless yA. 
  • Posted

    I so admire you. I had one done and that is bad enough. You are so brave. Mine was 27th November. I too have lots of numbness and it does hinder exercising but the icing helps and all the meds, as others have said, take on time. We all have the down moments so no need to worry, completely normal. Stick with us, we are all in it together.👍
    • Posted

      thank you - it is great having people who have gone through the same thing 
  • Posted

    You've done so well to TKRs- one is enough for me! I do know a woman who was in her 70's who had two TKRs done at the same time last year and her advice to me was to take the pain killers & do the exercises regularly, ice and rst! She had her operation in April and was back teaching ballroom dancing by August-a very feisty lady!

    I'm 57 and I've just had an awful 7th week (pain, depression and lack of progress) but  that seems to be the way it all goes for some of us. The best support and advice I've found is from the folks on this site which I found when I was waking up every hour during my first few weeks, so stick around and I'm sure that you too will find help and friendship in the TKR club!

    Glenda

    • Posted

      Oh my goodness - I never thought I would receive such wonderful replies so soon. You have put my mind at ease over some of the questions I had,I certainly will be using this site.So from a very chilly Scotland thank you for now.

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