So Happy with my TKR
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi all - I promised myself that I'd do this and kept forgetting, so here goes.
I had a TKR in May 2017. It was a rough recovery, and after about 10 weeks, I had an MUA. After that, things moved along quickly in the right direction. A few months later I traveled to Peru (a trip I canceled the year before to have the surgery) and did a lot of hiking. For some reason, this past summer I had a temporary setback for no apparent reason, which really freaked me out but it only lasted a week. I have incredible flexion and no pain and am so happy. This site has been very helpful to me, but those of you going through the worst of it, keep in mind that most people that are doing well (myself included) no longer visit. That's why I promised myself that when I was better, I would.
My best advice:
- You've heard it before, but don't compare yourself to anyone else. There is such a wide range of recovery times with this surgery.
- Take your pain meds and do the PT exercises right away. That was a big part of my issue. I have a very high tolerance to opioids (& all meds) and although my doc was great and tried different ones, nothing really helped with the pain and I developed scar tissue.
So, keep your collective chins up and do whatever you have to, including letting friends and family help. Best of luck to everyone.
Terri LF
7 likes, 12 replies
rosemary63666 terri90278
Posted
That's great for you Terri, well done...it's encouraging for the rest of us who are not back to normal yet...almost 6 month's on.
davidjk22 terri90278
Posted
It's good for someone to come here and tell about their recovery. Many come at the start of recovery but don't return to let others know how well they are doing. Recovery is a journey, longer for some than others, but with physio , exercise, correct medication you get there in the end. Don't give up and like me you will be having no problems 20 years after your TKR.
rosemary63666 davidjk22
Posted
Haha! Are you having a laugh:
davidjk22 rosemary63666
Posted
No, left knee 20 years ago , right 18 1/2 years. It's not funny but it is worth the effort to fully recover.
rosemary63666 davidjk22
Posted
I thought you ment it will take 20 years to feel it normal again, 😀
mary81398 rosemary63666
Posted
That made me laugh out loud!!
davidjk22 rosemary63666
Posted
Back at work after 6 months, no problems since.
Wenbon terri90278
Posted
thank you!! glad you are doing well.
mary81398 terri90278
Posted
Dear Terri, how lovely you took the time to post your message. I'm nearly 5 weeks post op L TKR and i hunted for a forum where i could vent, and found this site. I thought i'd be miserable forever but reading other's journeys and fixes, the good and not so good gave me the perspective i'd been lacking. I'm just keeping on with all the physio and worrying a whole lot less.
Warm regards, Mary.
kathleen_65043 mary81398
Posted
I'm coming up to 6mth and its been hell wish i had never had it done
in more pain now then b4 but i hope and prey i will turn that corner
i do enjoy reading the positive story's as one day that will be me .
mary81398 kathleen_65043
Posted
Hi Kathleen, i can see from the comments that the variation is extreme. I have turned a bit of a corner at 5 weeks thankfully., but every day is hard yakka as we say in Australia! Hoping you get some improvement soon. x
mandy44301 terri90278
Posted
Hi had my right tkr 12 months ago now. The first 6 months were hell but then i turned a corner. I feel great now and can walk down a hill with ease. My acl has been torn for along time and I had to always be careful what I did especially the hills. My husband even commented on how good I was. I am so happy I had it done. I had my cartilage removed at 18 and at 48 I had my knee replaced. Hope it lasts 20 years. My advice is to stay positive which I know is hard and keep exercising. Good luck everyone x