Posted , 15 users are following.
Hello,
I have been following this wonderful forum since I had my first TKR just 12 days ago. I am 71 years old and in pretty good health. Many of my questions are the same as those already asked, which has helped. But after doing everything I've been told to do I feel a bit like I'm not where I should be at this stage. I know I'm in the early stages, but it is hard not knowing what to expect.
The first 4-5 days were so hard, I did as many of the exercises as I could, but all I wanted to do was rest. These past 6 days I've tried to do more, but I am just so exhausted, stiff and sore. I'm on Percocet 1 every 6 hours, I was on 1 every 4 hours, but, as many of you know, caused constipation. Sleep deprivation is a constant and I'm afraid a bit of depression is affecting me. I know I am early in my recuperation, but how did all of you handle the stresses of this difficult surgery?
I see my surgeon next week for my first visit since my surgery and I start OP physical therapy also. The only PT I've been doing is what they gave me on my hospital instruction manual, which basically was pictures with how many times I was suppose to do them.
I thank the Lord everyday that I have a wonderful husband that has been so helpful and encouraging. It's just that this is so new and I just don't know what to expect.
I would appreciate any wisdom that you could share with me to help me get through this.
Blessings
3 likes, 50 replies
chrisa306driver cherry75260
Posted
I am coming up on 1 yr. next week. I am back to normal on everything, but the knee is still tight. I am glad it is tight as opposed to loose. I still do some of the exercises and work out regularly. I do 60 minutes of cardio daily. The knee must be moved constantly. It will get better. Don't fret too much. I am 70.
cherry75260 chrisa306driver
Posted
Hi Chris,
So age doesn't matter...so good to hear about your success! Will work on the 'fret' part!
Thank you for taking the time to encourage me!
Blessings,
Cherry🍒
wendy24221 cherry75260
Posted
Hi Cherry
I don't think anybody can be prepared for the effects of this operation. However well informed you are about the procedure, nobody knows how their body will react both mentally and physically. The lucky few will recover quite quickly and soon be back to their normal life, but for others, it can be a long slow journey with many bumps in the road and can take up to a year. At only 12 days post op, you could still turn out to be one of the lucky ones!
If I was doing my rehab again, I would try to be more relaxed about it and not let other people's expectations get me down. Do your exercises often, but only push yourself to your limits and not beyond as overdoing it just causes more pain and swelling which in turn further inhibits movement. During the sleepless nights, try to find things to distract your mind from your discomfort such as listening to music or reading a book (my preference was for a talking book and a cup of tea).
You are very lucky to have a supportive husband - let him do things for you. I really do not know how people who live alone manage. I did not have very high hopes of my husband looking after me, but he turned out to be magnificent, doing all the cooking and shopping, fetching and carrying, taking me anywhere I needed to go and even moving my raised toilet seat from downstairs to upstairs as required.
Here's hoping you will be one of the lucky ones and get a speedy recovery.
cherry75260 wendy24221
Posted
Greetings Wendy,
I certainly enjoyed reading your reply, as I too, a tea lover, know as long as there's tea there is hope!
Hopefully, my journey will be a short one, but after receiving so many encouraging replies this morning, they will help me prepare for whatever awaits me. Your advise is warranted as I need to practice the many distraction that seem to hinder my 'missed' sleep pattern...many zzzzz's await this old lady! Lol
Yes, I too, can't imagine how others manage without help...guess I have more to be thankful for and need to recognize that.
Thank you for your warm reply. Will think of you as I enjoy my morning tea.
Blessings,
Cherry🍒
janet59360 cherry75260
Posted
Hi Cherry - join the club, I am 2 1/2 weeks on now. The first week I was doing OK. The first 3 days in hospital seemed pretty agonising, but we all did our excercises and wobbled to the loo 3/4 times a day. On returning home I have had good and bad days. I was walking with one stick on my third in Hospital, and now at home don't use any stick at all. I think I am starting to do too much in doors as I also have a bedbound husband who always wants something done every half hour. Anyhow, today was very painful and I guess inflamed, and I am calling a halt to activity and resting up today. I want to get my mojo back as soon as possible. Next week I have my Physio and on Wednesday I hope to get out of the house to meet a relative for lunch - fingers crossed.
All the best.
cherry75260 janet59360
Posted
Dear Janet,
Wow, I'm impressed! Your recuperation is going very well, despite everything you have on your plate! Sounds like your activity level might need a break though😊. I think once we start feeling good, we take advantage of it and overdo things. Time for you to have a nice rest and a cup of tea...tea helps everything.
I am hoping to get out of the house soon as I think I need a change of scenery, walking the perimeter of our home is getting quite boring. I hope I too, can start using a cane soon, but still feeling a little unsteady, so will continue on the walker.
Hang in there, as obviously, we're just two of many that are going through this journey.
Many blessings,
Cherry 🍒
chrisa306driver cherry75260
Posted
cherry75260 chrisa306driver
Posted
I'll do that! Thank you so much🍒
clive45466 cherry75260
Posted
Hi Cherry
Most has been already said so from the song "ice ice baby"
Good healing
cherry75260 clive45466
Posted
🎼. Will be humming it all day now! Thanks much🍒
Oldfatguy1 cherry75260
Posted
At 12 days you shouldn't have many expectations. 6 weeks is the 1st benchmark, the next 13 week's. By putting expectations out there in front, you are setting yourself up to feel like a failure if you don't hit them. Everyone heals as differently as their very own fingerprint. You put yourself up against another's progress will only great dispair. Just do the exercises, notices the little changes, don't get frustrated if you have a setback because nearly everyone does. This isn't a classroom grade th I is real life pass/fail. As well as you are doing in 8 weeks you won't even be on here asking the "what's next" questions. Have patience and let it happen.
cherry75260 Oldfatguy1
Posted
Hello,
Wise words from an obviously, wise man...thank you. Being a retired teacher one would think I would know about expectations, but I guess I need to practice what I always taught. Thanks for a great lesson.
Blessings, 🍒
jenny80029 cherry75260
Posted
? hello!
Great you have help, and a faith always helps too!
Well done, and keep up the good work.
Exhaustion is very normal. Your body is using all energy to heal your knee!
You are doing brilliantly. It is hard to accept limitations and TKR is a hugh challenge! It is early days. Your body been through major trauma and it is reacting normally. You will need to be very patient with your knee and with yourself. Be resolved to be kind to yourself and to your knee.
Recovery is not about achievement, but allowance. Healing takes time. Easy to get anxious about the slow pace of things, and fear the worst, whatever the worst might be for an individual person. Yet, as the weeks go by you will notice little steps of progress.
Take a peek at my profile by going to the image by by name. If you fancy a read of another person's experience of TKR it might be worth dipping into my blog. I have devoted one of the pages to my own story. You can locate it by following the link on the right hand side of the blog.
I spent a lot of time expressing my own frustrations and struggles as well as sharing useful information and ideas. Writing helped. Making a journal of your own experience might be helpful to you. It is so easy to over look the achievements made.
A large part of the challenge of a TKR is emotional and psychological. Mine is just one patient account of TKR on the internet, there are many others, and plenty of helpful people on this forum who have had knee replacement surgery. Remember, everyone's experience is different.
Are you in USA? Or UK, or elsewhere?
Be kind to yourself, and receive all the help you can get! ?
Best wishes to you.
cherry75260 jenny80029
Posted
Hi Jenny,
Thank you for the warm and wonderful note. I am learning so much from all of the great responses I have received. I had no idea how many people have and are going through the same experiences as me. The best part is how everyone cares enough to reply with such kindness and word of wisdom.
I will certainly go to your profile, it sounds so interesting! Spending time answering everyone has really helped my days go by and I'm learning so much.
I am from the U.S., Michigan to be exact. I am amazed at how many people are on this site from so many destinations.
Thank you again, many blessings🍒
cherry75260 jenny80029
Posted
Hi Jenny,
For some reason I am unable to open the icon, next to your name, to see your profile. Is there some other way to view it?
Thanks, 🍒
Oldfatguy1 cherry75260
Posted
What part of MI. My son lived in Saginaw and was at Does home office for 12 years before transferring to Asia. My ex daughter in law lives upstate near traverse city. Wanted to get up there this fall but my wife's health (Parkinson's disease) has taken a horrible d downturn so our traveling days (other th a n Dr s visits) are done.
Oldfatguy1
Posted
Dow's not does
cherry75260 Oldfatguy1
Posted
Good morning,
We live in Hamburg, Michigan, about 15 miles north of Ann Arbor. Have been here since '76 and love it. Saginaw is about 90 minutes north of here and Traverse City a good 3+ hours. How close are you to this area?
So so sorry to hear about your wife, hopefully she will make a turn for the good soon. I will certainly keep you both in my daily thoughts and prayers!
Blessings, 🍒
Oldfatguy1 cherry75260
Posted
I'm in the KC metro area. My DIL was from AA. She now owns a resort hotel in Frankfort.
cherry75260 Oldfatguy1
Posted
Oldfatguy1 cherry75260
Posted
jenny80029 cherry75260
Posted
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