Lifting leg after TKR

Susiemah, don't beat yourself up - you've been through a really tough time and the general anaesthetic will have knocked you for six too.  I THINK most of us on here tend to have had spinals, which get  you up on your feet much faster (but I do have a vague memory of being sick after that, once).    I know there have been quite a few people who couldn't lift their leg for a little while.  We are all different and recover at different speeds.  You might find it useful, if you haven't already got one, to get a goniometer - which is a little plastic thing that measures your bend - you can get them from amazon, so that might help you see if you're making progress at home.  Regarding lifting your spirits - I'm virtually always on a permanent diet and  made my mind up that I was going to enjoy my recovery as much as possible so ate cake.  And chocolate.  And watched films.  My husband was my slave for the first three weeks and my wish was his command.  I'd got a stash of stuff to enjoy after the op 'because I deserved it' so it became far less negative and far more positive.  Now at 8 weeks post op the weight is dropping off and I'm only about a lb more than I was before.  But the main thing for lifting the spirits is sleeping (if you can't sleep because of pain, get painkillers) and making the best of it.  But it is normal to be anxious.  Anxiety is my weakness and I got very anxious about the dressing that looked horrendous on the outside and then started leaking, but all was well, and then I got anxious because I thought I'd got something trapped in the back of the knee but again, all was well, but anxiety is part and parcel of this operation I think.  You will be OK - it's very early days and week by week you'll look back and see progress.  It feels like it was years ago I had mine done now and I'm looking forward to 15th May when I go for the pre-op for the other knee, so be reassured you'll get through this and you'll soon see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Do feel free to vent on here too - we all understand!:-)))))

Early days, so don't be too hard on yourself. I have bad reactions to pain drugs and as my pain was off the scale after TKR, not a good scenario.

?I left hospital with 75 degree bend, though leg extended OK (after months of not). Once home, it all went backwards and knee is now not bending well at 5 weeks, but I'm just unlucky I guess and have other health conditions, Ive felt really weak and dizzy when I stand. But the lifting is fine now, could not budge in hospital and a while after, used a belt to raise leg onto bed etc, then one day, it just came back.This could be the case fo you, same with bend.

?I fear they will want to manipulate my knee very soon, but I'm hoping and praying for a miracle as I do not want more anaesthesia or risk more pain yet.

?I'm doing all the advised things within my ability - the dizziness is not helping my walking but I'm walking Ok at times. It feels like there is a house brick in my knee!

?Feeling down is part of the recovery - we have been through trauma, albeit controlled. Our bodies have gone through shock and stress. I have asked myself over and over why I put myself through this, as still to see any benefits, though my old knee was getting worse, I felt more in control.

?Crying is a good release and creates endorphins so you feel a bit better from it. I know my family worry when I seem upset, but I explained it is just part of the process. try to trust in the process and you will win through in the end. I will i know but it is a struggle believing it at times.

?Someone on here will always be there to listen and understand, when it seems no-one else does, as you cannot imagine how this processs feels until you go through it. Take care for now and let us all know how you get on.

You just have to think the worste is over and 15 days is very early stages. I was advised to ice for 20min and remove for 40min and keep on repeating for the first 2 weeks with total bed rest. I couldnt bend either of my legs to 75% at this stage nor lift them down from my bed... after about 6 weeks i had 120% in my left and 115 in my right. I found for the leg bend the easiest was to do more or less continuously whilst sitting watching TV and use your 1 foot to gently push the other back. and each day it gets easier. As soon as you can try ang get on a excercise bike you have to raise the saddle really high so you have to stand on a block and tip toe to sit. This helped me achieve early results. Stay positive and take each day as it comes

Hi welcome to the group which I personally have found very helpful during my recovery.  I am 4 weeks post bi lateral TKR and I am allergic to most analgesics including Morphine, Codeine, Tramadol and so my problem was finding something that worked for me.  I am now on Nefopam and Paracetamol which is helping.  You really are doing well and tears and doubt about how well you are doing is something we all go through.  I was at my physio today and she is so pleased with my progress after what she calls is my double whammy operation.  I still want to be doing better, I still have some pain and a bit of stiffness but please continue with the exercises and ice, ice, ice.  My worst time is still night time as I don't like sleeping on my back and find it difficult, but I know this will pass as well.  Stay positive and keep up the good work x