Posted , 12 users are following.
As with most of us here I have no previous experience of having a TKR. I don't honestly know if I am doing well or badly. It is exactly two weeks since my procedure and can get upstairs without support, carefully, and have about 80/85% bend in my knee. I can sleep for about 8 hours before pain, not extreme, wakes me and I have to get up. I can walk around my smallish garden several times with crutches quite comfortably. My knee is about 25% bigger due to swelling than my other knee and does feel fairly weak at the moment. Is all this normal, am I doing well or badly ? I only ask as I have no idea if my recovery is going well or not. Thank you to all who contribute, to my question or others. Together we are better informed and stronger with the support of each other.
0 likes, 18 replies
gerianne_69769 ducks-hat
Posted
Wow! I think you're doing amazing!! I sure wasn't doing what you are at 2 weeks post. Ice for the swelling...you should probably still elevate and rest as often as you can. Otherwise, keep up the good work!!
John5006 ducks-hat
Posted
Hi ducks-hat,
?Sounds all pretty normal ............ but don't get cocky or complacent ! Gently, continuously focus on your prescribed exercises ( I was doing them at home around 5 or 6 times a day - every day) and after each session I rested, elevated and iced my knee.
?Do remember - your knee has been butchered.
You have a long way to go with your bend - it is reckoned that you need around 130 to 135 degree bend to walk normally again. Youu need 0 degree flexion too.
I was at 90 bend on 3rd day post op, the day I was discharged - and that was hospital/surgical policy. no go home till getting to 90 or better !
?I also got a sports/massage therapist to work on my incision line as soon as the dressing was removed and the incision was cleared of infection. (About 2 weeks). This intense massage was aimed at preventing a build up of scar tissue within the butchered knee, deep inside, so you can't see it but its there. Scar tissue will almost certainly prevent a gradual, progressive and complete recovery.
?However, also bear in mind that we all heal and recover at different rates. There is no text book, just pretty rough and ready guidelines.
John
ducks-hat John5006
Posted
Thanks for the reply John. I certainly won't get complacent about my recovery, as you say, everyone is different. In hospital I had about 110% of bend and couldn't understand what all the fuss was regarding bend. Big mistake, two days after leaving hospital my knee was huge and I had lost that bend, so I know how quickly things can change. It didn't help when I fell halfway downstairs and twisted my knee either, fortunately no damage done but the pain was in another league.Regarding flexion,I very luckily have 0% and have had from day one. The physio said that is fantastic and will really help in regaining the bend. All in all I consider myself very lucky, so far, and I really feel for those that are struggling. Thanks for the sports massage idea regarding the scar tissue, I may well do that myself
Best wishes
Tony
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