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Magic six weeks?

Posted , 18 users are following.

jenny80029
jenny80029

Though I am making steady progress and have no cause for concern i am surprised i feel rather flat at six weeks. I think i have just really realized what a long haul this is going to be! I would welcome hearing from others a little further on from me how you found this time. I can do more, so much more than I could, but still it's very restrictive!

0 likes, 70 replies

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  • pete20617
    pete20617 jenny80029

    Posted

    Jenny

    Am 66 years old. I am 17 months out from total knee replacement in my left knee. My experience has been that recovery is very slow. One thing absolutely essential I have found is to stick with any physio/exercise routine that you have been given. If Otherwise, in my case I have found that  my knee just gets stiff. and sore. Currently I am swimming and bicycle riding as often as possible each week. Apart from this learning, I am still trying to deal with the nerve pain and inflammation that has persisted since the operation that has diminished very slowly over the 17 month period.

    Based on my experience I would be reluctant to recommend TKR to anyone unless there was no other choice and then understand it is an extended, long road to recovery.

    Sorry to be a bit negative but I think now that 24 month time frame is more likely to obtain recovery rather than the 12 months I was told pre op.

     

    • lawrence34984
      lawrence34984 pete20617

      Posted

      pete..."Based on my experience I would be reluctant to recommend TKR to anyone unless there was no other choice and then understand it is an extended, long road to recovery."

      cheesygrin  So far I can honestly say it's been the dumbest thing I've ever done to myself.  

      ...boy I'm paying for overdoing it yesterday!! ..yikes.

       

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 pete20617

      Posted

      That's not negative, just realistic.  I think the point about the importance of physio/exercise  and your phrase "extended, long road to recovery" is helpful for me to re-register.  I had hear this before, but it is quite different when you are actually in the experience!   I am over the moon about my TKR.. I wanted it very badly indeed and when I say over the moon, I really am.  I think I have been so elated actually about having it done that now is the point I have now calmed down and am starting to register the things which I automatically think of doing but then realise I cannot! Which is difficult and frustrating.  But I feel happier today.  I went swimming for the first time, which I LOVE and this has encouraged me no end.  I think I will increasingly feel more "normal" as gradually I am able to pick up some of my pre-op activities.    

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 lawrence34984

      Posted

      cheesygrin oh, sorry it was your phrase "extended long road to recovery"  I am going to keep that one in mind!!!!   

      It is tooooo tempting to over do things!  

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029

    Posted

    I am replying to my own discussion! But it's directed at all contributors!    Just wanted to say thank you so much for your thoughts all, and also I was just thinking how it is rather wonderful to have this forum... Bit addictive but helpful..  I have lots of nice friends but having a knee replacement is such a mega experience and they can only listen for so long, before developing a slightly glazed look over the eyes!  It's very good to "speak" with others who have been through it.  It certainly is a life changing matter, and needs a lot of adjustments! 

    • cheryl90571
      cheryl90571 jenny80029

      Posted

      I found this forum in the middle of a sleepless night about two weeks after my first TKR. I TOTALLY AGREE with you about how wonderful it is to have so many people here who have gone through the KNEE THING! (Family and friends can only take a few minutes of KNEE TALK, but folks HERE can do HOURS upon HOURS! It is SO great to have people who are all over the world sharing and supporting one another!)

      Thanks everyone!♥️

    • susan70411
      susan70411 cheryl90571

      Posted

      I totally agree i to found this sight on a sleepless night which is pretty the norm these days.but iam hapoy i found you guys ????.iam just about 6 weeks post op.have good and bad days but im doing ok .i think i just want to be my oldself like yesterday .but its gonna take awhile to get there .but all in all its going ok.im just hapoy to find you guys who get it ?😋😘😋

  • j21370
    j21370 jenny80029

    Posted

    Jenny - it takes a while. At 2 months I was doing great I reached 120 bend and then at 21/2 months I got on a plane and after that my range dropped and now I am 6 months post and I still cannot bend my knee to 120. I had 50 PT sessions and I still cannot bend the knee to 120. So I go to the gym every other day. Slowly is bending but not to my satisfaction. Continue with your exercise and you will get there. Don't rush it - sometimes we need to go a little slow to get the range that with feel comfortable with. Good luck. J21370

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 j21370

      Posted

      Thank you. I have perked up now, as quickly as I went down in mood I have gone up!I went swimming for the first time which I love and it gave me a tremendous boost. Things certainly are up and down. . No I

      t

  • susan70411
    susan70411 jenny80029

    Posted

    Hi jenny iam rounding the been to my 6 week mark on tuesday.i think im doing ok ive got good days and bad .pt is getting easier i think its just me i want to be back to my old me now.but all in all im doing good.today im feeling pain and stiffness thoughi find im taking a little more pain meds it could be the weather to its freezing in new york right now.and truthfully i miss pt its the weekend and i have off until Tuesday
    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 susan70411

      Posted

      I am now 9 months post op, and well back to full energy and enjoying a new lease of life. It is hard work, the early weeks and months but well worth the effort. Hang on in there and you will reap the rewards too! Happy New year! Best wishes for your healing and recovery!
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX jenny80029

      Posted

      WOOHOO!!!!!  Congrats...but then you knew all along it would work out...right?
    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      😊😀😃

      I knew it would be better than life before the operation, I just didn't know how much better!

      Happy New year!

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