One Week Since TKR

What I remember and the best way to describe it is that your whole leg is a dead weight. No matter how I tried initially I even said to the leg MOVE.  It will I promise you get easier but no quick fix.  If it doesn't get in touch with GP or physio,  it's early days,   Talk car.  Jackie 

I am 12 weeks from my TKR. The exercise are critical to recovery. For the firtst two weeks I could not lift my leg. I had my wife support my ankle helping me to raise my leg enabling me to complete the exercise. Then after two weeks I was able to raise my leg a few degrees and then progressively increased until I could support my leg raising it. Perseverance and optimism, it will come, believe me. The exercises are hell in the early weeks but life improves. Good luck.

Hi mick20638

Im 5 wks PO TKR and couldn't lift my left leg from a floor flat position until around 3 weeks PO. One week is too early to expect a lift. Suggest doing all the bending/straightening he can do, and try a flat lift every couple of days until it become a little easier. I'm sure he will do better in the weeks ahead. Patience and gentleness on himself is best. Good wishes for a good recovery.

What I found really helpful was using a crepe bandage as a bit of a "sling" for my foot to help leverage my leg.  Helped with bending exercises (you could add a bit of pull to get extra bend when you thought you had bent as far as you could), and for lifting my leg (which as jackie rightfully says feels like a dead weight for a while). Fold a bandage (or any strip of cloth) in half length wise and tie a loop just big enough to poot your foot through.  Holding an end of the banadage in each hand, pull towards you as you try to lift the straigtened leg or when you are at your maximum bend, to give it some extra help. 

One week If it was one month Id be worried. He should concestrate on strengthening the quad muscles above the knee. Regular exercise consists of simply pulling up/tightening the muscles. I didne lift my leg until a week.

You say he was sitting on the floor! im 13 months post op and if I got down on the floor Id never get up. Tell him to keep on with physios exercises and it will come before long he will feel the benefits of the TKR

 

I couldnt lift my leg at fi rst it took about 3 weeks

I found that I could start lifting right away if I just gave my leg some assistance with the crook of my cane. Works like the bandage strap someone was mentioning. As days went by I had to pull on the cane less and less until at about 10 days when I was strong enough to stop using it.

On the floor! Really?! He should try using a couch or bed to make it easier.

I was longer than a week but I didn't use any aids. It's when the quad muscles strengthen that it can lift the weight. You're doing we'll. On the floor!  I'd be still there, ha ha. Have him do it lying in the bed. It's an exciting time when you can lift your foot. Don't be hard n yourself. Rest is very important for the wounds to heal. Good luck, you'll be there before you know it.