Partial knee replacement

Thank you for your comments ,it is hard for me I suppose because I've always been the type to get up and go even after previous surgeries, I feel the guilt terribly ,it has knocked me sideways which i never thought it would even though I was told it would . 

OMG, I can relate.  I have undergone cancer surgeries for colon, liver and lung.  I also have had rotator cuff surgery as well as minor surger on one knee.  Have had tonsils removed as an adult and had appendix removed.  I sprang back after every one of those surgeries, survived and beat cancer, but this surgery has put me on my butt.  It hurts day and night, lost my appetite, and it's hard to motivate for exercise because of the weight in my leg.  It feels heavy all the time and every thing I do seems to require so much extra effort.  I am 5 weeks post surgery and they tell me I am expecting much more of myself then I should.  I have had 3 out patient PT sessions and am now at 120+ degree bend and recently was able to pedal the stationary bike for 10 minutes.  I still feel much better after taking one of the pain medications - it keeps me moving!

I think you are doing very well, especially with the degree of bend you have?  I am nowhere near that at geting on for five weeks.   My leg just stiffens up all the time.

You ARE doing very well. To cycle for 10 minutes at 5 weeks is brilliant! I couldn't do a full rotation at that stage. Your post made me feel so much better too. I'm fortunate that I've not had any other major surgery but reading of your experiences and how they compare with TKR made me feel quite proud that I've got through this. So thank you. 

If you keep up your exercises, take painkillers as long as you need them and make sure you get plenty of rest you too will get through this. Things do get better but you have to be very patient. I'm sure you'll get there after all you've been through. Good luck. Jen 23 weeks. 

sorry, yorkyrebel, i can only agree with your doc! 120+ at week 5 is amazing. i, and my surgeon, would have done a dance of joy with results like that. and a bike for 10 minutes? hmmm ... let me think, it was week 14 after having it mobilized at week 12 that i managed to do that and only for a minute or two, then was beat. so ... easy does it! but very well done.

Thank you so much for your kind words.  I think I'm just an impatient person and wishing this whole ordeal was over and behind me.  However, I'm beginning to realize that this is more of a long term recovery and going to take some time before I become "normal" again.

That's exactly how it is , thank you for your reply this forum does help when you are on a down day , it's a case of people can't see  how much this affects your everyday life ,t changes by the day some good some not so good.  

susan, How often do you do the exercises and how long do they take.  I must admit I am not good at doing them, always aim for 3 sesions, but the most I have done is two and occasionally I ice afterwards.  From today, I am determind to do three sets a day, and Ice, I know I should!!  Going for my six week check up with my consultant on wednesday, and praying he will say I can take the stockings off and drive.  Bit apprensive, because he is a stickler for ''six weeks'' and I will be 4 weeks pleu 5 days. 

Liz, are you still wearing stockings? I haven't had any of these, only whilst in hospital.  I am nowhere near driving either. Leg gives way if I walk without sticks!  I try and do a couple of sessions.  Have cut down on painkillers but leg pretty swollen.  I don't think I am doing enough judging by the physio care I downloaded. There are exercises witha ball and lots more.  All I was given was a sheet of exercises!  

I just had a sheet of excercises too .., no physio once I came out of hospital, but I didn't have stockings...

My surgeon doesn't use them but I did have to give myself daily injections into my stomach for the first fortnight to prevent blood clots. 

I do my excercises twice a day along with going up and down stairs walking etc

 

It's funny how things are different in hospitals. I had tablets instead of injecting myself.

Yes it's very strange.... And even within hospitals, there were several orthopaedic surgeons in the hospital I was in and some used stockings ... Some not  

My surgeon is fanatical about the darn stockings, and as he is their top man, no one will go against him.  there are several other consultants in the team who do not use them, it all seems a little hit and miss.  All my exercises are ball based and are supposed to be part of the rapid healing programme.  I must admit they are very good, and work, I really don't feel the need to see a physio any more than every six weeks when they add to the exercises.  What I have in the booklet are brilliant.  I have been trying to work out how to use the private messenger to message you my email, but can't work it out.  If you can message me with your email address, I will send you a copy of my exercises.

Thanks Liz but I have downloaded some from Physio care UK which look very good, it's just getting round to do them. Awake at 5 this morning so today is a new day and I am setting myself some goals..... We shall see!!