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Seven months on from TKR

Posted , 7 users are following.

saralice
saralice

I had my TKR last July. I was very ootimistic and exoecting to be more orless  pain free by now and living my normal again.

I try to do what I always used to do but I am held back by my 'awkward' knee. 

It hurts when I walk and I limp. The more I walk the worse it goes.

I was held back from being abke to do a lot iof tge exercuses early in as the  swelling was so bad. I joined the gym, did water exercises but the more I did the worse my knee became so I held off.

The swelling had now gone down and I am going back to the gym. 

What I would like to ask is: Will sports physio help? I have spoken to a physio and he said he will give massage to my knee and leg.I am worried this will make it worse.

At seven months have I left it too late to do a lot more physio? I don't want to make it worse.

I would apprecate any advice you can give me.Thank you.

2 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure saralice

    Posted

    PT is the best way to strengthen the muscle and tissue as well as the tendon. It takes a year or mor to really get back to no,pain . Somwyimes it a slow,process. Also go back for a X-ray MRI to get a check on how the knee is progressing sometimes a small,glitch in healing can be noted as this may be a better way to build confidence that you will get thru this if X-ray are showing positive results.

     

  • jen04209
    jen04209 saralice

    Posted

    Do you ice snd elevate your knee daily? Did the physio give you exercises to do at home? Do you stretch out daily?
  • clive45466
    clive45466 saralice

    Posted

    Hi

    I also did little exercise to begin with as the pain was too high. Around 6 weeks I was on my feet a lot with ice wrap and could not wait for the evening hot bath .

    I am now at 9 months again little exercise only been on the bike twice, but am on my feet for long working days.

    Cannot wait for some warmer weather to get back on my bike.

    Finding a good Physio is the trick, they are all qualified, but experience really helps.

    A sports Physio who has been around rugby or football teams has helped players recover from knee injuries.

    My knee bend was poor before my operation , but I know I need to build up my operated leg, thigh muscles smaller than other leg.

    Also plan to ski again in 2018 so have to make my leg stronger.

    I believe you can start exercise when you feel you can.

    Good healing

  • marilyn10235
    marilyn10235 saralice

    Posted

    Hi there,

    Sports massage will not do any harm & may do a deal of good. It may be that you need to break up scar tissue under the incision.

    I don't think there is a time limit on when you have to do the exercises. Whenever you do them you will be helping that knee to rehabilitate, it may just be a bit more difficult. You will also need to strength the muscles around the knee to support the new joint.

    Go for it, see a sports Physio. They deal with athletes of all disciplines so should be able to help your knee.

    Keep us posted as to how you're getting on.

    Marilyn

    XX

  • saralice
    saralice

    Posted

    Thank you all so much for your advice. I iced and elevated a lot for months  until the swelling went down.It really helped.I feel as if I'm on the next stage now  which is trying to get rid of the scar tissue and building up the muscles. I was worried in case I'd left it too late.Off to the physio then, I will keep you informed.

    I was in so much pain and my knee was so swollen that the exercises were put on the back burner at the beginning of this gruelling TKR journey.I could only do the  basic ones as and when I  felt my knee could take them.

    For those of you who are starting out on this journey just hang in there, in does get easier.

    This site had been a Godsend to me and gave me hope when I was at my lowest ebb.Thank you all.

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 saralice

    Posted

    Massage can be very beneficial. It's sureworth the try.

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