So tired after total knee replacement

Oh! How I can understand your dilemma. I’m 12 weeks post op and if I do a lot have to have a nap or a lie down for 20 mins 

when you have exercised, ice then rest. Your body has gone through an enormous shock and needs to repair itself, and it’s a very clever piece of machinery the human body. It tells you when it needs a rest,it tells you when you can exercise so listen to it

I had a 2 hour walk on a beach yesterday first time I managed 10,000 steps, but boy was I exhausted last night and stiff today, I really hope you feel better soon

 

This has been enormously helpful. Thank you. I am six  weeks past surgery and doing well. But I too have been extremely tired during the day, and it is only very slowly getting better. I am glad to hear that this is a fairly common phenomenon, and I will stop worrying so much about it. 

I am 52 years old and I unfortunately have had 2 neck fusions ,1/2 my thyroid removed one arthroscopic surgery Dec of 2017 my first neck surgery was in March 2014.. I have been disabled for 9 years now due to 5 ruptured disc in my lower back. I started working at 9... I have not had problems with my medication because I had no choice except to go to a pain management clinic to learn to live with my pain because 6 surgeons told me they would not touch my back because those surgeries are the least successful of all surgeries... I had my LTKR July 5 ,18. I'm not in any pain with my knee . I have had lots of cramping on my calf and thigh. However some potassium took care of that.. my surgeon is the number 2 surgeon in the nation. My problem is like the test of you total exhaustion. Unfortunately I have had my share of surgeries. Never have after a week been so tired ,exhausted and no energy at all. I'm sorry everyone else has this experience and the medication makes you sick. Trust me I have been in pain management for so long that my allergy list is very extensive. I'm very medication sensitive. Lyrica, gabapentin and many other anti inflammatory meds make me go cross eyed and all kinds of crazy stuff. I just did NOT expect this exhaustion at all. I'm glad I found this site it let's me know I'm not crazy... I can walk without my walker and have since day 4 without pain. Sorry ya'll it's TRUE. I'm glad I got the surgeon I did.. which I did research to find him. I usually go to Duke for my care but this surgeon was on New Bern. I was as Los an EMT so I understand medical issues. My husband has Bern my husband has been a paramedic since 84 as he was s P.A. in the military for 23 years... I hope everyone of you get to feeling better ....Thsnks fir sharing your stories

It's 4am here in the UK and my usual not being able to sleep has led me to read all the replies on this post and it's so interesting reading about how people are at different weeks/months post op.

I seem to be typical from what I've read with being tired, loss of appetite, felling low, pain etc.

I know it's a long progress so after 2 tramadol and a read on here I'll try to nap again.

Good luck to everyone with their recovery and its nice to know I've got a family of post op friends to rely on for advise.

I am almost 5 weeks post tkr and become exhausted daily! I'm usually very energetic and running here and there. I do a couple of errands or chores now and I'm so tired I have to lie down. You are not alone!

Just noticed your post. Would be interested to know how you are getting on.

Mary

 

Hi,

I am 6 weeks post TKR and I, too have noticed that I get fatigued easily....sometimes after being up and around for just an hour. I need to go back to work at 12 week mark, but am concerned as to whether I can do it. Hoping I will feel stronger by then. Good luck to both of us!!

Hi Pam & Kathleen, I am now 12 weeks post op and hoped to be back at work but I'm going back at 16 weeks now on a back to work programme.

A big turning point for me was week 9 when I started driving again and lifted my mood and being independent again.

Good luck to you all with your recovery.

I am 7 weeks out and my biggest complaint is not being able to sleep. I find this so frustrating going from room to room to sofa to room etc. I find myself crying with frustration. I cannot nap during the day as that too doesn't come easy for me. My PT is now dropping to 2 x per week since my range of motion is at 130 and all is well so far.

I am so thankful for this forum. As much as I was told about how difficult this recovery was going to be, I really think they don't prepare you enough for what to expect. More support groups are needed for this operation.

I do realize it was a major operation and that our body must heal; but OMG I had no clue I was feel so tired, weak, with little energy. I go back to the surgeon on Tuesday and hope to address some of these issues. I was on Tramadol for 3 weeks but found that was not really helping. I was then told to try Benedryl for the sleep issue and that too DOES NOT WORK. YIKES.

After reading the experiences of others, it appears we are all going through the same things and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am now seeing that light as everyday IS getting better.....it's just taking so long...........

Soon tired

Because a knee replacement is major surgery, your body uses all its energy resources to heal the knee, and this makes you feel really tired. Blood loss during surgery also contributes to the tiredness.

I can remember feeling surprised with how tired I felt.

The tiredness is difficult, especially when you need to get on with more things! Patience is vital, and giving yourself plenty of rest is part od the recovery process.

Peoples experiences vary but for me it was around 7 months before I felt my energy levels were back to normal

I am now 22 monthsm post op, loving my knee and really enjoying life in a way I was unable to do before the knee replacement surgery. It's great to be mobile and able to walk where ever I need to, for however long I need to. It was well worth the hard work.

You could try and ensure you up your iron intake and see your GO maybe if it is concerning you so they can check your iron levels.

It doesn't last for ever, even if it feels like it does. It is hard to pace things but I guess just try and put as many things which need doing on hold for later and deal only with the essentials. Rest is an important part of the process.

What I would add is watch how your tiredness affects your mood. It's common for people to start to feel quite low in mood when over tired...and as the weeks go by expectations about what people feel they should be able to do often increase, and as folk start to do more they often overestimate what is realistic for them....listen to your body and accept it needs a lot of time to recover.

You may like to go to my profile (by clicking on the image by my name) I kept a journal of my own knee replacement journey...it gives you one person's experience right from hospital to the 12 month mark! I wrote it to keep sane and hopefully help others too!

Soon tired

Because a knee replacement is major surgery, your body uses all its energy resources to heal the knee, and this makes you feel really tired. Blood loss during surgery also contributes to the tiredness.

I can remember feeling surprised with how tired I felt.

The tiredness is difficult, especially when you need to get on with more things! Patience is vital, and giving yourself plenty of rest is part od the recovery process.

Peoples experiences vary but for me it was around 7 months before I felt my energy levels were back to normal

I am now 22 monthsm post op, loving my knee and really enjoying life in a way I was unable to do before the knee replacement surgery. It's great to be mobile and able to walk where ever I need to, for however long I need to. It was well worth the hard work.

You could try and ensure you up your iron intake and see your GO maybe if it is concerning you so they can check your iron levels.

It doesn't last for ever, even if it feels like it does. It is hard to pace things but I guess just try and put as many things which need doing on hold for later and deal only with the essentials. Rest is an important part of the process.

What I would add is watch how your tiredness affects your mood. It's common for people to start to feel quite low in mood when over tired...and as the weeks go by expectations about what people feel they should be able to do often increase, and as folk start to do more they often overestimate what is realistic for them....listen to your body and accept it needs a lot of time to recover.

You may like to go to my profile (by clicking on the image by my name) I kept a journal of my own knee replacement journey...it gives you one person's experience right from hospital to the 12 month mark! I wrote it to keep sane and hopefully help others too!