LTKR - struggling!
Posted , 18 users are following.
Hey all,
I had my LTKR on 23rd January and got home on the Sunday evening.
I am struggling to bend my knee to the 90degree angle when sitting down, it feels like it can only go so far and feels like it may break.
I can't lift my leg off the floor when sitting down.
With the bed exercises, I just cannot get my leg up off the bed, with the towel underneath, and I am feeling very depressed and frustrated.
Want to see if anyone else feels the same and if this is normal?
Thanks very much.
xx
1 like, 39 replies
jenny80029 Worriedgirl29
Posted
yes, it is. it takes time. ice and elevate and persist with exercises as best you can. have you a physiotherapist?
it is discouraging but as swelling improves and time goes by things do improve. try not to worry...
Worriedgirl29 jenny80029
Posted
Thanks for your reply.
The physio at the hospital said they will send a referral to the local physio so hope to hear from them soon.
I am continually putting ice on it, trying to build walking with crutches and trying the exercises,just so difficult and my brain is telling my knee/leg to move but its not playing the game.
When i walk i feel it clinking, feels weird!
N x
jenny80029 Worriedgirl29
Posted
i miss the clicking now😁😁 focus on the range of motion and reducing swelling at the moment rather than building up walking... walking to loo each day and making a few cup of tea is probably enough!
Worriedgirl29 jenny80029
Posted
Wow, really? I am walking round the living room several times,haha.
The range of motion is the hardest part. I just can't get it to bend fully or lift off the floor/bed. I am really trying.
Honestly scares me that this is the way its always going to be.
jenny80029 Worriedgirl29
Posted
it takes time. check out my profile... it takes a lot of time! I wrote all about my TKR ...writing gave me something to focus on during my rehab abd it helped me to appreciate I was making progress. now nearly two years post op it all seems a long time ago, it was worth all the effort and angst!
lynda49844 Worriedgirl29
Posted
Hi, don't worry and don't be depressed. It's normal. I'm 2 days ahead of you, had mine on 21st. I felt such a failure when I couldn't lift my leg off the bed, or off,the towel, lift it when sitting and just about managed 90 degrees. I asked the physio how many people usually had trouble and she said 'nearly everyone'.
As far as the 90 degrees goes, put a plastic bag on the floor, slide your leg back as far as is comfortable, hold for 10 seconds and slide it back out. Repeat, trying to get it a little further each time, but don't panic if it won't go any further, just keep repeating for up to 10 slides without pain. Discomfort is ok, but not pain. It will come. Some days I still struggle to maintain 90, other days it goes slightly beyond. You can also try putting your good foot against the shin to try and encourage it further, but gently.
As for lifting it off the bed or floor, I use a therapy band. If you don't have one maybe you could use a towel or a piece of material, even a strong plastic bag. I put it round under my foot and simply lifted the leg, using it for the straight leg raises too. At first I held the band taught allowing maximum support and gradually loosened my hold knowing the support was still there if I tired and needed it. Since Friday I have been able to lift it unaided, but still struggled with lifting a bent leg.. Seated knee extensions were too painful, so I left the foot on the floor to begin and tensed the thigh and knee as if I was going to lift it, but leaving it on the floor. I tried the band and managed to lift the foot a couple of inches, but couldn't seem to straighten the leg. Now I've started hooking my other foot behind the ankle of the operated leg and using that to lift and hold for a few seconds. Today I've been able to straighten the leg using this method and have just started to lessen the support the good leg is giving. I hope this helps.
lynda49844
Posted
I meant to add, do the exercises 30 minutes after taking pain relief and ice and elevate immediately after.
Worriedgirl29 lynda49844
Posted
Thanks for the reply.
Thanks so much for all of the advice, I will give the resistance bands a try.
Glad you are getting on well.
N x
lynda49844 Worriedgirl29
Posted
My staples come out Monday too. We'll be able to compare notes!
jenny80029 lynda49844
Posted
sounds like you are doing great! well done! it's hard work indeed!
bigj111182 Worriedgirl29
Posted
hang in there, its very early days and not unusual to have set back and frustrations, once 2 weeks comes and you get staples/stitches out you can push a bit more and get that bend, i was 6 months before i could bend over 90' BUT, every day, every week is a step forward, accept the set backs and keep smiling, keep using ice and elevate for as long as you can.
....i had a tough first 3 months, however after lots of hard work and determination, i climbed UK highest mountain just 7 months after TKR, put your mind to it and you can do anything
Worriedgirl29 bigj111182
Posted
Thanks for the reply.
Staples come out on Monday, need to go to local health centre and dreading the car.
It is so very reassuring to hear that you are now doing amazingly well and climbing mountains.
Right now I will settle for being able to bend knee, lift off the floor and walk without pain, discomfort, a limp or crutches. haha. That's all.
N x
bigj111182 Worriedgirl29
Posted
going for my other knee in next 8 weeks, im only 36!!
Worriedgirl29 bigj111182
Posted
I am 32. OMG Good Luck for your second operation. With how I am just now, I couldn't imagine going to get another one. Eeeeek.
lynda49844 Worriedgirl29
Posted
Gosh, you're both so young! Is it due to injury? You don't have to answer if you'd prefer not to.
bigj111182 lynda49844
Posted
32 for my first TKR on my right knee, 8 operations was enough, bow getting my left TKR done.
i grew up from early teens with arthritis, suffered in knee then early 20s hands and back went, now im waiting on getting 8 bones fused in my right foot and my ankle to be fused, had my joints taken out of both thumbs, need major surgery on my shoulders too..... think i need to see a vet.
i have young kids and i never show my pain or discomfort to anyone, i keep strong and positive but when its just me or with my wife its a bit harder to contain, but as soon as you give up or allow the tough days to turn into multiple days or even longer then you have lost, im in constant pain every second of my life but i do my best to keep on top and do everything i can to be normal!!!!
keep those chins up people and stay positive
bigj111182 Worriedgirl29
Posted
Im not feeling too excited about the first month BUT, its what comes after, totally worth it, been hitting the gym and working as hard as my body allows to get the muscles prepared, makes the recovery much easier
Worriedgirl29 lynda49844
Posted
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, diagnosed at 19.
I had a LTHR 3 years ago and now just had my LTKR.
Every day with chronic pain and joint stiffness is awful but I try and not let it get me down too much, and show it too much especially to those around me.
This operation has just completely floored me and feeling worse than ever.
I love this site and forum and thank you to all of you for sharing stories and advice.
At least we all understand each other completely.
My husband is amazing but he will never know exactly how it feels and its great to speak to you all in here. xx
lynda49844 bigj111182
Posted
Goodness me, I do feel for you both. RA is a terribly debilitating illness. You're both doing brilliantly. I don't know how you do it, but, like many illnesses/diseases, there isn't a choice really, is there? Wishing you both the best possible outcomes.
(put the original reply in the wrong place, so copied here)
Cuda71 bigj111182
Posted
Bigj
I am happy for you and just have to ask how do you keep such a great attitude. I'm 47 going in for tkr #2 in 10 days and not looking forward to it at all.
bigj111182 Cuda71
Posted
Hi,
It took me to miss out on my late teens and early 20s thinking why me, not getting out house much and then i became a dad, was the kick i needed to turn it around, i started exercising, started taking the meds as i was meant to and from then its been alot more positive, ive had the lows and ill never be back, it robs you of time and you miss the things that matter the most.
life is still hard, im in constant agony BUT when my 5 year old princess asked please daddy lets go to the park or what ever, then thats all the motivation i need, i keep positive for them and it really does make a difference to me.
id love to say im looking forward to my 2nd TKR in few weeks but im not, it hurts, its major effort to pull through the otherside, but for me its about getting to the otherside, how good its going to be in 6 months or a years time.
keep the chin up and smile, because its either that or curl up in the corner and watch life go by
kathy63770 bigj111182
Posted
love your positive attitude!! best of luck in your upcoming surgery.
Cuda71 bigj111182
Posted
Bigj
Thanks for the reply , wow I give you all the credit in the world. Good luck with tkr, I also agree the surgery really sucks but a year from now it is all so worth it. My first tkr about 10 months ago just keeps feeling better. Getting ready for number 2, I will say the pain really makes an honest person out of us if that makes any sense at all. Good luck to You and everyone going through this.
fedupgirl bigj111182
Posted
Oh i do admire you very much, what a great outlook you have, good luck with your 2nd TKR, this forum has helped me also when i was feeling down, you are right about keeping positive. Best wishes.