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

Posted , 9 users are following.

crispin1962
crispin1962

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.

2 likes, 99 replies

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  • debbie02705
    debbie02705 crispin1962

    Posted

    wow , well ive had 2 done but not together 20 weeks apart ,but both knees have been the same , take it easy ,rest and ice ,do the exercises as well as you can , your young ,im 53 so not much difference ,and i do think its an advantage ,im now back at work and have been for the last 6 weeks onlt 12 weeks after my tkr . i lernt from the first to take it slower and not to push too much but keep at it nice and slow  ,and try to strech while you sit down a little more each time ,and every day you will feel you can do a little more each day , good luck
  • lynn08926
    lynn08926 crispin1962

    Posted

    Just reiterating what the others have said; good pain relief so that you can exercise and, hopefully sleep.  Rest, exercise, ice and elevate.  Two naps during the day - proper lying on the bed rests to help the bruising disperse.

    You have my admiration.  One knee was traumatic, let alone two!

    Good luck with your physio - a vital element of this whole process.

    Keep in touch.  We are a friendly bunch from all over the World.

    Lynn 24.3 weeks post op

  • gillme1955_UK
    gillme1955_UK crispin1962

    Posted

    Well done from someone needing two new knees some time in the not too distant future! Can I ask if it was your choice to have both done at the same time or your surgeon's?

    I think you're very brave, don't know if I could do that. Best wishes for your continued recovery. 

    Although i haven't had a TKR (yet) I find this forum really interesting and useful even if some days I have 40+ new posts to read!

    Kind regards,

    Gill (age 59 new knees still to come)

    • crispin1962
      crispin1962 gillme1955_UK

      Posted

      I completely had the option but decided that if I had to go through the pain of both getting done I may as well get both done together to ensure both had similar recovery whilst not favouring one over the other 
    • SonnysGirl
      SonnysGirl crispin1962

      Posted

      Never looked at it that way. But I'm sure the decision was right for you. I don't have much streanth in my legs. So there is no way I would have did it. I admire u.
  • suzidownunder
    suzidownunder crispin1962

    Posted

    Hi Crispin! Wow! You're brave getting both don.  At the same time! But at this early stage it all sounds perfectly normal! 

    I'm on week 5 of just one TKR and still stiff and sore. 

    No pain to speak of and getting around with a cane. 

    The numbness is normal and is where they cut the nerves (i still have it) but it will improve over time. 

    The swelling is best helped with ice packs and later on - about 4 weeks - you can massage gently with baby oil. 

    I'm told although improvements come in 6 weeks its 3-6 months to be 'normal' 

    you're pretty young to have double TKR so i hope you can use your youth to get better soon! 

    We're all warned about the pain but not the depression and lows -  its quite normal. I've shed a few tears along the way. The forums on here are very good have a look through and good luck smile 

    • SonnysGirl
      SonnysGirl crispin1962

      Posted

      It is. And when u don't have a friend makes it better. Have my hub ans 2 kids mom that's lives like 1hr away who is 82 and cat. That's all.  My kitty is pure dark grey with green eyes.   She usually lays on me. I guess she is trying help me. 😄 but u know it gets so heart breaking that we think we are doing well and boom. Gets stiff or pain. I'm setting here propes up wigh ice pack. Leg swollen. Had to go and help my mom today. And ouch getting in our car. Such mess lol. My hub or kids don't understand it. I said be in my knees. 
    • candace55
      candace55 SonnysGirl

      Posted

      Your kitty is trying to help you! Let her rest on your knee if you can take the extra weight. It helps to apply a slight downward pressure that will help your flex. My therapist told me to let my puppy rest his head on my knee and that the extra weight helped my flexion.
    • crispin1962
      crispin1962 candace55

      Posted

      Unfortunately for me I have a large black labradodor called "Hudson"!!!! - who would like to sit on my lap"
    • glenda29798
      glenda29798 crispin1962

      Posted

      I think you'd best give Hudson a wide berth for now! I spent the first four weeks fending off Bertie, my medium sized Wheaten Terrier/Poodle cross dog in case he accidentally hurt my knee! I also had to enlist the unwilling help of my 16 year old son to walk him, but as that only lasted two weeks,I then had to take Bertie out on the extendable lead whilst propping myself up on one stick and then just letting him run about, hoping that there weren't too many squirrels about for him to chase! Not ideal, but at least he got out and I was forced to walk!! Interesting trying to poop scoop when you're really not meant to bend down!!
    • susan20089
      susan20089 crispin1962

      Posted

      Perhaps not a god idea for Hudson to sit on your lap then Crispin!!!
    • CazDesmond
      CazDesmond crispin1962

      Posted

      And I have 3 ridiculous Great Danes, Jagger, Layla and Freddie who try to sit on mine!
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