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Knee replacement need advice please

Posted , 6 users are following.

Guest
Guest

4 weeks post op from knee replacement and cant straighten my leg physio said it's so important to get it straight just feels like it's locked wen I try it's very painful I've had many operations and rehab after so I know it's not an easy road but it's just so frustrating

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • kelley94988
    kelley94988 Guest

    Posted

    Matthew it is very painful and frustrating.  Keeping hydrated and

    Balancing work in PT with rest is important. This is the most difficult surgery and you are early in the healing stage.  I am 3 months out and it is getting better.  You will get there if you stay with the recommended exercises.

    • Guest
      Guest kelley94988

      Posted

      Hi thanks for response just want as much info as possible did you struggle to straightening your leg and how was the pain also sleeping is quite difficult I feel like I'm making small steps just don't think I prepared myself for how big an op it was 👍

    • kelley94988
      kelley94988 Guest

      Posted

      I did not have a problem straightening my leg but.... I have heard that is common and with time and work you will be successful/ I did experience the problems sleeping.  The pain wakes you every hour and I have had much more fatigue and required many more hours of rest.  This is by far the most difficult recovery ever and I was definitely not prepared.  Many people have posted great suggestions on this forum and you will get answers.  It is so so frustrating but it will get better with stretching and work.
    • kelley94988
      kelley94988 Guest

      Posted

      Yes- progress is small steps.  The TKR is a much bigger operation than we are

      Prepared for but it will get better.  There is much information from this group if you search the topic.

    • Guest
      Guest kelley94988

      Posted

      Thanks for your advice I'm just going to keep trying and doing my exercisers im feeling better already just with talking in this group

  • colin14881
    colin14881 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Mathew I am 5 days into my 2nd fkr and  I can give you this advice Take the painkiller wait for one hour and then force the leg straight If you take the painkillers you can get to where you want it Hold it straight for a count of ten then ease off do this about 5 times repeating 3 times a day My first tkr is absolutely great and I am determined the second one will be also I does hurt but you need the painkillers
    • Guest
      Guest colin14881

      Posted

      Thanks Colin for advice it just seems unless I get someone to actually force the knee it won't go straight it feels like it locks up at a certain point I'm just going to crack on thanks again

  • Snoozy69
    Snoozy69 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Matthew for straightening the leg I rest my foot on a coffee table and lay ankle weights over my knee, hold it there as long as I can tolerate it. When the pain is to much bend and straighten the knee until the pain has gone and repeat. Before I got ankle weights I rested an oven glove over the knee with tins in either side. I've even seen some people fill a carrier bag up with stuff and hang it off the knee with there foot resting on something x

    • Guest
      Guest Snoozy69

      Posted

      That's really good thanks just got some ankle weights so I'm going to do that really happy found this forum as getting good feedback I'm getting some good steps in just hurts more wen I'm sat down 👍

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 Guest

    Posted

    What pain relief are you taking?

    Best time for exercise is in the morning one hour after you have taken your medication,

    Just press on with your exercises, are you in UK?

    Nudge it along, no need to force, just be persistent and patient.

    I remember just pushing things to the point of pain, then a tiny weeny little bit more but nothing to cause any lasting effects. To the pain not through it is a good rule of thumb, bearing in mind you do the exercises while the edge of the pain and the extent of it is somewhat dulled by medication. Well, this is the approach I took and it worked well for me.

    Listen to your knee but just keep on, relax as much as possible.

    It is frustrating that the simpliest of things is so hard, but this is the norm and it takes a lot of patience and perseverence.

    Little and often is also better exercise wise.

    No doubt your physio will advise and give you plenty of exercises!

    Best wishes for your healing!

    • Guest
      Guest jenny80029

      Posted

      Thank you yes I live in Manchester will press on with my exersises and keep focused just really didn't know Wat to expect but getting lots of good advice

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