Knee Replacement

There is no "should" in TKRville.  The word has been stricken from the lexicon.

Most people achieve full or close to full ROM with about 8 to 12 weeks of PT @ 2X/week plus the home exercises.  I went from -14 / +84 to -1 / +123 in 10 weeks of PT.  Further gym work, walking, etc. got me to 0 / +133.  There is no exact timetable and you never compare your recovery to that of anyone else.  We are all totally different.  Yes, there may be a statistical pattern to TKR recoveries but statistics apply to populations and never to individual people.  

The whole thing usually takes a year.  Accept it...own it.  Some people beat that, others take longer.  You never know which category you fell (past tense) into until you are done and look back on the journey.  Time, work and patience.  That's the plan.  Get the other stuff out of your head...only messes with your brain.

Hi Barb,

I think you're doing fine.

Everyone is different.

Be careful on the Oxy''s they're very strong and addictive, but I'm sure your doctor knows best.

Take care, God Bless,

Alan

PS: The really worst pain is over...that was month #1.  Significant pain can continue for the next 6 weeks.  Almost everyone is off the heavy duty opioids (like oxycodone) down to Tramadol in the 6-12 week period, depending on their pain.  Tramadol (Ultram) is still classified as an opioid but is a lot milder that oxy.  After the Tramadol, there's plain OTC ibuprofen.  You can also ask the doc to prescribe a muscle relaxer like Flexeril.  That might help.  Also, get some Voltaren Gel (RX in the US)...a GREAT topical anti-inflammatory and pain killer.  Use it throughout the day and especially at bedtime.

Hi barb you are doing fine especially as you lost a week. Pain is individual and I think I'm a wimp in that department as I needed pain medication for about ten weeks. Tramadol for seven weeks then paracetamol and Ibuprofen. It does get better it's just time. I'm eight months out from right knee and ten days from left knee so I'm telling myself the same thing.

Never make comparisons (easier said than done) I'm trying not to compare my two knees.

Just carry on doing your exercises and pushing your heel slides until bit by bit it gets better. My first measurement today was 65 so I have a long way to go.

good luck and remember 7 weeks is still very early in your recovery.

Barb,  110 at 7 weeks is really good I'm 20 weeks and have already had one manipulation and only at 90..Please take your medicine as prescriped and ice is your best friend.. If you have inflammation still see about getting some Mobic anti-inflamatory

Hi Barb, I'm 8 weeks BTKR and am also in pain. I wouldn't say constant, but that has just recently changed. But enough pain to be concerned about my Doctor's pain management for me. I am weaning off the Oxycodone now and will be off completely by this Tuesday and I don't feel close to being ready to do this. I usually wake up feeling my absolute worst. I don't know how I'm going to be able to handle not having something strong for my pain. I went and saw a different doctor just yesterday and he would not give me another refill for the oxycodone but did give me Gabapentin. So now I'm on my second night trying this new med to see if it will work. The test for me is how will I feel in the morning? I'm crossing my fingers. But what concerns me is this Doctor said "I shouldn't be in such pain at 8 weeks".  My Chiropractor thinks my whole body pain is from my fibromyalgia. I don't know what to think. I'm doing a lot of extra praying. I completely understand your fears of why you still have so much pain. At least your doctor is giving you adaquant pain meds. In time, I'm sure, you will know when you can ease off. Rest well fellow sufferer. 

Hi, I’m 7 weeks in and saw my GP yesterday to review my meds and so am now taking 2 paracetamol 4 times a day, 2 gabapentine and I’m using the Volterol gel. I saw a private PT yesterday and he’s wonderful. Well worth the money if you can afford. I appreciate not everyone can though. So swapped a few exercises as he suggested and I have a new lease of positivity as he’s reassured me I’m doing ok. Felt a lot better when I left there. 

I also had an infection week 2/3 and it does put you back but ur range is fab. 

Keep up the good work 😊

That must be very wearing. Are you in UK?

Pain medication is to be expected for the first 3 months...how much nor little people need varies a lot from person to person.

Are you trying to do too much, and are you using support when needed in the form of crutches or a stick? A good way to reduce pain is to take pressure off when needed.

I found a TENS machine helpful as an additional method of pain relief. Might be worth a try if not contra indicated for you?

I think a TENS machine isn't good if people have heart problems not sure why but I have used one post op, infact it helped a lot in the first few weeks...I used it in the times where the pain medication wasn't quite enough, in between doses. It was effective pain relief for me. It meant I didn't need to crack into the morphine at least! I also used a TENS machine before my surgery, as it enabled me to stand a bit more when working.

It is very important your pain is managed. It is discouraging and unhelpful in terms of doing the exercises.

Try a multi pronged approach, of medication, ice regularly (maybe around six times a day or more) and the same for elevating which needs to be done with you lying down flat with knee above heart to be most effective. Rest as well as doing exercises given ...little and often is best.

Keep a note of the progress you do make, as it will encourage you. We often miss the little steps forward with this recovery because it is much easier to focus on the areas we are finding difficult and struggle with.

You may like to go to my profile by clicking on the image next to my name. I kept a journal of my own knee replacement journey, and I have been told by several people they found it helpful to read, or skim through. It's got a lot of general information in it, and gives you one person's experience right from hospital to the 12 month mark.