So achey, is it the surgery taking its toll?
Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi me again....Im 4 weeks post op TKR and at the stage where the knee is doing quite well, albeit stiff, with a tightness and swelling but 110 degree bend and can lift from lying down, but I feel so damn rough. Back aches, feel sick, tired, both legs ache. I'm on the verge of calling the Doc! Anyone else feel like this? Its worse towards the end of the day. I seem to recall feeling a bit crook last time but thought it was the drugs. This time i'm only on paracetemol and ibuprofen with the occasional codeine at night. Very grateful for any comments on this. thank you xx
1 like, 20 replies
martinarvelo elaine94716
Posted
It probably is the stress and strain which your body has had to take over the last month, but then again, it's always better to remember that we are not just a knee, and there always is the possibility that you have some sort of a virus which is making you feel worse. Maybe just try to take it easier than usual, make sure you are drinking enough, and wait a few days to see if you get better? If not, check it out with the doc, or sooner, if you really feel there may be something wrong. Hope you feel better soon.
elaine94716 martinarvelo
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Thanks martina I guess we are more than a knee, I've thought of nothing else the past month! I will give it a few more days and see about the docs xx
ellen57898 elaine94716
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elaine94716 ellen57898
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bak7833 elaine94716
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I am 4.5 weeks post tkr and I still feel stiff and achie! I am o flat but can only get a 116 bend and mt PT keeps giving me grief over that. I am doing the best I can but let's face it this is very painful!!! I can only take low amounts of pain med due to other issues so pain is almost constant. I understand how discouraging it is to feel so rough!!! Good luck
martinarvelo bak7833
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I hesitate toa dvise anyone but I would just tell you my experieince. At six weeks, I was only just below 90 bend, because I just was not prepared to take the sort of agony the physio expected of me. I worked at it at my own speed, up to 'ouch' but not into SCREAM, and although perhaps it took me a bit longer, I am now at 136 and 0, and that suits me just fine. these physiotherapists I believe have absolutely no idea of the sort of pain they are inflicting. don't let them bully you is my advice.
bak7833 martinarvelo
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martinarvelo bak7833
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Please don't believe all this nonsense of 'six week window to get the bend" if you have been hearing it. It took me about four months to get to 135 . . and if I really wanted to I could probably still get more, but I feel that what I have is enough. It is necessary to push oneself, and to go through a degree of pain, but they expect too much of us. Well, that's how I feel anyway . . .
gabrielle01150 elaine94716
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cheryl90571 elaine94716
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Hi Elaine!
Have you taken your temperature? I often felt the way you described early on, so I used my thermometer to help me to know if it was aches from healing OR aches from a cold, the flu, or some infection.
Healing is always going on, but I didn't find it to be at all STEADY. Some days I would feel like a hundred bucks; other days I would feel like I had been run over by a truck.
Try the thermometer first. If you have a normal temperature it is likely that you are dealing with that unsteady healing thing!
elaine94716 cheryl90571
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Thanks Cheryl good advice, I've just looked at my posts on he from 2 years ago and I was moaning about the same things then! I really had forgotten how hard the recovery is. Just seen a you tube of a guy who cut out all inflammatory (whatever they are) foods and could squat at 4 months....onwards and upwards eh! X
Milla2017 elaine94716
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elaine94716 Milla2017
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eileen15268 Milla2017
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Hello miller, yes I also developed a large sore on one of my elbows, was painful & when I realised it was shifting @ trying to sit up etc I tried other ways. I put antiseptic cream on & a dressing & it healed up. Good luck
CHICO_MARX elaine94716
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Four weeks is very early in a TKR recovery that can last a year. Legs ache because your quads are dead and have to be rebuilt. This gym work usually follows your PT getting you your 0 / +120 ROM back. It always gets worse at the end of the day if you push the knee too far. Use a pedometer to find your pain point in steps...back off...increase gradually. You're almost done with the worst (usually 60 days) but still have a long way to go. Deep breath...big journey ahead...
eileen15268 CHICO_MARX
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Hi. Am 4 weeks post Tkr , I still can't sleep &knee feels so stiff. I think my bend is only 95. Thou I exercise. Also I want to ask about the scar I was told not to put anything on it till next week but feel a bit of Vaseline may make it feel not so stretched , am I right ? Hope I get replies thanks
elaine94716 CHICO_MARX
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Chico Oracle. I will be back in the pool on Wednesday as hubby is off work to be able to take me. Can't wait. I've also ordered a small pedal machine thing to try and free up the stiffness. I'm very encouraged by your advice mr oracle and thrilled you say I'm over the worst xx
CHICO_MARX elaine94716
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I was not able to submerge my knee for 6 weeks...doc's orders. When I had my hip replaced in 2009, I was in a therapy pool within 10 days. Full rehab completely done in 6 weeks. If you're able to get into the water, it's THE BEST. Do all your exercises in the pool. Leg lifts, squats, etc. Then put on an ankle weight and do them again. Just remember to check for swelling...make sure you don't push it too far too fast. It is DEFINITELY not like doing a hip. This takes a lot longer. Have fun...