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One year and counting

Posted , 11 users are following.

arlene94040
arlene94040

I hope I get some replies because I feel like I’m losing my mind. One year ago I had my right knee replaced. I’ve seen the surgeon for a yearly check up. He tells me X-rays are beautiful and knee looks and feels perfect. GP looks at it, says the same.  I have made arrangements to have left knee done in October since it is bone on bone and really hurting me. Am I crazy or what. Right knee still hurts. It is stiff and hurts me. It’s hard to walk on it. It hurts every morning. I still have to take a pain killer. Some say it’s because of the left knee some say it just takes time. The pain is right in the knee itself. Any ideas? Also I went on a site called bone smart and they said after awhile you don’t have to do the PT every day so I stopped, Dr said you should do it forever. VERY confused

0 likes, 20 replies

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  • celticchick
    celticchick arlene94040

    Posted

    I just want to offer some balance here. I don’t doubt the pain you are all experiencing for a minute. But I have to say that at 9 weeks post TKR my pain is massively reduced now, still taking some pain relief regularly so I can keep pushing the exercise, still icing especially after exercise or walking but - my knee feels stronger and more stable than ig has for years, range of movement is ok  at 90-105 and slowly increasing little bit by little bit.  Maybe I’ve been lucky, I don’t know but the many reports I read and heard about the pain really nearly put me off having this op so I just want to say - it doesn’t have to be a horror story, and if it is KEEP ASKING WHY you are having so much difficulty and pushing for help to get a decent outcome. 

    I must say I think we could do people a huge favour if medics began us on a Physio programme 6 months before op - whatever our limitations are because of the arthritis I’m sure we could all do some preparatory muscle building with expert help - and maybe that would help reduce some of the problems post-op! 

    But - this surgery can help! I was told before the op to research the surgeon’s training and record carefully - I did - I think I got a great surgeon - so that’s something else to consider.  In the UK you have the right to a 2nd opinion at any time and can choose both the hospital and consultant team you are referred to so - do your homework, check that data, ask questions, exercise your choice!  

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX celticchick

      Posted

      You're lucky to have had a lot less pain than most others.  Your ROM is right on track to hit 0 / +120 at 12 weeks.  Then the muscle rebuild which will take another 6 months because you start very gradually.  Good to hear that you are doing well...

    • celticchick
      celticchick CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thanks, I think I’ve had good care and certainly going into this armed with knowledge from here and elsewhere has helped me be more assertive about what I need! For example coming home from hospital because I’m allergic to tramadol the resident dr ( not my surgeon) proposed sending me home on cocodamol and diclofenac. I said no that won’t do based on what I’d read and also that I try not to take too much codeine as I’ve diverticular disease and it can mess that up! So I made the case then (and also a week later to GP) to continue the regime in hospital of Oxycodone/ diclofenac/paracetamol/ codeine when needed to get me thru those  first critical weeks and help me push on with exercise. I’d not have been confident to do that without the knowledge I’d gained before the op from other patients and specialist websites!  

      But I’m not convinced I’ll get to 120 so soon if ever- I’m short and still overweight so chubby calves - so Physio thinks that might limit what’s achievable at this point for ROM but I’ll keek pushing on! Surgeon did get 120 on the table he says but I’m thinking that that’s at a different angle which might be slightly easier but maybe in time I’ll get there! 

      For now it’s great to feel an increasingly strong and stable leg - moreso than for years - and reducing pain which in itself is a different type of pain which as I heal I hope will continue to reduce. 

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