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Only 5 weeks after TKR but when does meds/exercises end?

Posted , 4 users are following.

glenda29798
glenda29798

Oh dear, very sorry to sound negative, but my TKR was 5 weeks ago and I feel like I'm not progressing as well as I should be and I'm due to return to my Part time admin job in the 2nd week of December! Saw physio last Saturday and my bend was only 80' and threatened with manual manipulation if it doesn't improve by the 4th December! I am doing regular exercises but I don't like loading myself up with tons of paracetmol, Ibruphen etc but no choice I guess. I also feel so dreadfully exhausted which is probably due to lack of sleep at night due to my painfull knee! When does the regime of exercise, icing and pain killer consumption end please as at the moment I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel?!

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • sandra37762
    sandra37762 glenda29798

    Posted

    I am 9 and 5 weeks post 2 TKR.  Paracetamol and ibuprofen were not nearly enough pain relief for me at 5 weeks. I was taking panadeine forte  4 times a day. Panadeine forte is the same as cocodamol 500:30. In the first 3 weeks I was taking endone. By doing that I could exercise well and acheive a reasonable bend. My bend is now 110-120 deg. The pain killers also helped me sleep, sometimes. Tkr is major operation that takes a long time to recover from. I am planning on going back to work in February but I am a nurse and on my feet all day. I am working very hard to build my strength up. Sorry to be a bit negative but I think you are being a wee bit unrealistic about how quickly you are going to get over this.
    • glenda29798
      glenda29798 sandra37762

      Posted

      Thanks Sandra for the information about the pain killers as I was only given some paracetmol to take home and some blood thinning medication. I decided to take the Ibruphen as well as the Paracetmol myself, but you're right, it doesn't do much to block the pain! In hospital I was given all sorts of medication, including sleeping pills, so I think I'll have to visit my GP to get something stronger before I go nuts!
    • joansgarden
      joansgarden glenda29798

      Posted

      My friends convinced me that I should ask for stronger painkillers, and it has really helped to have them. I hate taking them but I figure it's not for too long and the alternative is terrible.
  • patsyrose
    patsyrose glenda29798

    Posted

    Hi Glenda.  Everyone is different (and every knee is different).  It will probably be 3 months before you start not thinking about it all of the time and I found it best to only take painkillers when really bad (and not to overdo it with walking) as that can put you back.  Make sure that you have a memory foam mattress topper and use a pillow to support or buffer your knee (it will get easier).  Don't try to be too ambitious and be realistic about what you really can or can't do at this stage but set yourself future targets.  I went back to work after 6 weeks both times, but I'm lucky that I work at home.  I made it clear that I couldn't sit at the desk for long periods and that I wasn't going to drive to any meetings for the first month.

    I had to have my first knee manipulated under general anaesthetic after 5 months, so it is important to keep moving.

    Wishing you all the best.

    • glenda29798
      glenda29798 patsyrose

      Posted

      Thank you for the advice as much appreciated and I'll do my best to avoid the knee manipulation as it doesn't sound pleasant!cry
    • sandra37762
      sandra37762 patsyrose

      Posted

      I agree about the pillows and   mattress. I have found with painkillers though it has been important to take them regularly without exceeding the recommended dose. It makes the exercises much more doable. I am doing the maximum exercises recommended and pushing myself with walking to get fitter and get back to work. I dont have a sedentary job. I have a good bend, 110-120deg which I think is due to my exercise regime. Which has been possible with painkillers.

      I am interested in why you had to hsve a manipulation at 5 months. Did you have good bend and did it then deteriorate? Was it because you needed wouldexercise more and couldnt because of pain? I wou find it really 

    • sandra37762
      sandra37762

      Posted

      Sorry, I touched the wrong part of the screen before I finished typing!! I would find it very discouraging to have a manipulation st 5 months especially if things had been going well to start with. Do you think you overdid it, and that made it necessary to have a manipulation?
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