How much is too much

There is no "ahead" or "behind".  Rule #1: Never compare your recovery to that of anyone else.  It will only cause you a lot of anxiety and pain.  Do NOT play those mind games...period.  On the "average", this is how people do...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-recovery-bell-curve--563756

The problem is that you have no idea where you fall under the curve until you are done and then look back.  When you're in the middle of this, there is nothing to look at except your own recovery.  Everything else is a Jedi Mind Trick.

Eat well, hydrate, go to PT, get your ROM back, do the home heel slides, ice, elevate, yadda, yadda... "Too much" is always defined as your knee swelling.  Push it and the knee will slap you back.  Get a pedometer to track your steps.  Swelling?  Note the steps...back off...increase slowly.

The ROM will come in time as you work with your PT.  I started at -14 / +84.  After 10 weeks @ 2x/week, I was -1 / +123...but I did a lot of work on my own.  The goal is 0 / +120.  It takes a lot of time, work and pain to break down the scar tissue.

After that, you have to rebuild all the strength in your legs, glutes and core.  That alone could take six months because it has to be done slowly.  You cannot push a knee...period.  Click on my picture for more discussions of all types including the exercising and stair climbing. 

Just remember... No comparisons.  Own your recovery. 

I think you are ahead of the game and doing great! I was barely walking at that point although my bend was 115 I could not walk like you,

Everyone heals differently. Be ready for some serious physio, but you sound great, best wishes!

Hi Midge... I had my TKR on 5/5 , so just over 3 weeks.

Started outpatient PT this week. Bend is slightly more than 90, extension ok.

Still taking pain meds at night and when I work it hard stretching or before PT.

Been walking around 1/2 mile a day. Sounds like we're on the same path. My PT told me not to push it to the point where it hurts so bad. Just stretch it 2 or 3 times a day around ten times and hold it. After stretching monday they did have me up to 104 degrees. I stopped wearing the fashionable legwear this week !! I'll be following your progress but you sound like you're doing fine!

You should not compare your recovery or progress with others . Everyone is different . It is important to do your physio as much as possible , but don't over do it . Follow advice of your Dr and physio . Moisturise your knee to help with scar healing . After 19½ and 17½ years both my knees are great and I have had no problems with them .

Well I can only say that 12 days post op I wasn't walking ANYWHERE near that amount!!!!  I was resting and elevating and icing and concentrating on letting it heal, as well as doing bending exercises.  But there isn't such a thing as 'on target' with this - it affects everyone differently.  I sailed through my TKR more or less painlessly but never did as much walking as that.  I wonder if you're causing more swelling so giving yourself more pain.  My general exercise started VERY gently on the recumbent bike at just before three weeks, when I was SO pleased I'd done four whole rotations of the pedals LOL! 

My hospital said we should wear the compression stockings (to just under the knee - they are the ones that give the best protection against a clot) for six weeks, but said it was OK for me to discard mine at 5 because I was so active on the bike and treadmill by then (still only doing 7 minutes on bike and 7 minutes on treadmill a day), but generally active too.  But I'd follow the advice of your hospital.  I can understand your feelings on the stockings - waiting for my appointment for my next knee I'm thinking 'oh boy - this hot weather - they're going to be uncomfortable especially in bed' but then figured out I'm going to use my chillow pillow that you can put in the fridge and then in the bed, and it draws the heat away from the body, so that will go under my lower legs!

But do look after yourself:-))))

Congratulation. Wear the tights for whatever your surgeon and hospital has told you to.

It sounds like you are doing brilliantly. I need my other knee replacing and so struggle to walk because of that one. Are you off crutches too? My suggestion is to listen to your body. I f it swells I know I have pushed it. My physio said  it causes more damage if you walk with an incorrect gait. It's better to go slow and short distances and work correctly. Good luck and you are doing brilliantly. 

Everybody is different but i think your doing fine especially with your walking i wasnt doing anywhere near as much as that so early on but my bend is 115 everyone is different. I stopped wearing the socks when i finished the blood thinning injections which was 5 weeks. After about 3 weeks you will notice a reduction in your pain as the first 2 to 3 weeks are the worst. Just keep taking your meds which will make physio easier to do and dont compare yourself to others and you will be fine.

Take care