I'm back ! Other knee TKR
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi, some of you may remember me from my various contributions around 18 months ago. I had a TKR postponed due to AF and then a gall bladder issue!! The knee got done reasonably successfully and eventually the gall bladder was removed with great success.
I am now in that dreaded second week of my second TKR (12days). Seems to be worse than other though I thought it would be better. Maybe because my AF means that because I am on an anti-coagulant I can no longer have Ibuprofen to supplement the Co-Codomel. That's all I've got with Gabapentene which is about to end. Despite the worse aching generally my biggest issue is a tight and quite painful calf muscle which is tender when prodded and this massive pins and needles cum burning pain down my knee and back of calf on first standing. Does ease after a couple of minutes but I know it is making me get up less. Exercises painful at this stage but just about coping. It is the sharp pain in my calf that is worrying me and hindering me at his stage. Anyone else had this? The nurses and doctors don't think it's DVT but I'm not convinced although I've never had it.
All the best from a somewhat fed up Dave 
0 likes, 20 replies
CHICO_MARX Dcweather
Posted
"...I thought it would be better." I'm interested. Exactly what data on TKRs would have led you to that conclusion?
After reading over 4,000 posts on hear, many from people who have had bi-laterals or both done in a reasonably close time proximity, I have found the exact opposite to be true. It seems that #2 is very frequently quite different from #1. Some better, some worse...not often the same. Even on simultaneous bi-laterals, a lot of people report that each leg healed differently.
End result...you're really quite normal based on so many other people's stories. Buckle up...it's a long ride...
jean04276 CHICO_MARX
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lynda72291 jean04276
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Thank you Jean. I know how important it was for me to have the support of Chico especially, but also all the other people going through the "hell" of a TKR. I am now fully recovered but will never forget how everyone helped me through.
Good wishes to you,
Lynda
CHICO_MARX jean04276
Posted
We get slammed from time to time for "scaring" people. We just don't own "rose-colored glasses". Tossed mine the day after my TKR. It was a massive blow to my "expectations". That's why we tell people the truth...as we see it. And the way we see it is that this thing most commonly takes a year of pain, hard work and a lot of patience. Yeah, there are the lucky few whose DNA doesn't produce scar tissue and therefore skate through this in 60 days. But to EXPECT to be one of those rare individuals and then get depressed when you find out that you're just like the vast majority of us... I think it's better you know the rules of the game in advance and are physically, emotionally and spiritually prepared for "The Normal". Hey, if you end up beating the House at its own game...good for you. Just don't expect it...the odds are stacked against that happening.
We do a lot of posting on here...and not just inside a thread. I've got 30 discussions out there for people to view anytime they want. Click my name and then "See All Discussions". That goes for anyone else on here who has done the same. Lots of topics that I've had to deal with over 2+ years. I hope they help people. My way or giving back.
jenny80029 Dcweather
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Dcweather jenny80029
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jenny80029 Dcweather
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Very good indeed, thank you! So worth the effort, but I am relieved the early months are in the past! It does seem a long time ago now! Very grateful I can whizz about....other knee groans a bit 😕 but not very painful.
But those first weeks are immense! I think I only got up to go to the loo in the first two weeks. 😀😁With no anti inflammatories, elevation and ice are going to be all the more important. How swollen is it?
It must be annoying that it is harder than the first one!
If you read my knee journal then that was probably enough for you but...as you are stuck in bed for a bit...there is an excellent long read i can recommend!
😀😁
Jot down your own progress maybe...even just tiny things, it might help a bit. ?
All good wishes to you...
Dcweather
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Not particularly useful but thanks for replying Chico. Hope was based on first knee more bent more painful beforehand. I wasn't expecting any guarantees. I'm guessing the lack of any nsaids isn't helping with the pain this time plus I am two years older!
CHICO_MARX Dcweather
Posted
No, definitely not helpful but a view from a different perspective. I totally rehabbed a hip replacement in six weeks back in '09. To the gym and therapy pool five hours a day, six days a week. Done. I "expected" to do the same with the knee. Boy, was I wrong. Now I'm looking at #2 down the road with zero illusions. It could be easier than the first, worse that the first or the same. Chances are a lot smaller that the last one will happen.
The problem is one of expectations when we have absolutely no right to have any. There's zero data and any of it that might exist applies to populations of people and NEVER to any particular individual. You just may be that "one in a million" who walks away clean or is in misery for years. Not likely, but... There's no way going into surgery knowing what the outcome will be . We can hope but we can't "expect".
Maybe these can actually be helpful...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-power-of-rest-some-great-strategies-to-try-on-a-tkr-617892
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-and-ptsd-569521
Hang in there!!! Time, work and patience...
lynda72291 CHICO_MARX
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Hello Chico, I'm know you will not remember me but I need you to know that it was YOU who kept me going through the aftermath of my TKR 18 months ago. I despaired so very often and read your "The TKR Experience", many many times. I still have it to refer to as it's quite likely I will have to have the other knee replaced! My message to you is a HUGE "THANK YOU", everything you say is so true but when going through the pain and depression, it's hard to stay focused. You are an inspiration to us all and such a great help. The good news - my replaced knee is brilliant so to all who are going through it at the moment, it does get better, just keep believing.
Many many thanks Chico
Lynda (Winchester, England)
CHICO_MARX lynda72291
Posted
You are most welcome. I feel it's like being able to give a little something back to the planet and its inhabitants...renters? It's such a difficult op...I found help on here early and now it's 2+ years. Then I found myself writing the same advice over and over and over. So now there are 30 discussions of mine out there full time. So much easier to copy a link... Thanks again. STAY STRONG!!!!!!!
Cementless Dcweather
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Saint2012 Dcweather
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ruth39320 Dcweather
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lynda72291 Dcweather
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No I haven't but have heard it is very good, I take the cod liver oil daily and am doing the exercises I was given for the replacement. I am cycling a couple of miles daily and keeping fingers crossed!! Thank you for your suggestion, I will try it.
Good wishes to you.