Stairs and car pedals

Posted , 6 users are following.

24 weeks post TKR this week.  Consultant v pleased given 37 years and 4 knee operations now but 90 bend is best I will probably have, go back in 12 months.  Physio everfy 3 weeks is mostly chat and show how to do different things.  Told last week may never be able to come down stairs reciprocally (like everyone else) but 1 at a time - what's new!!  May nee d new car as now leg at different angle old car is a struggle and hurts.  Still, the awful pain had all those years gone, just niggling ache and odd stabbing pain as swelling goes down - GP says bone still in trauma and accepting prosethis.  Anyone else been told may never walk down stairs like most other people and got bend enough despite expert advice to come down stairs?  Like all advice on this site said - it does suddenly seem to improve.  Keep battling on every one.

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    My friend had her keft tkr in Oct 2016, then Dec 2016 right TKR. She had manipulation done in March. She was told she SHOULD be able to but still CAN'T. She is now getting spasms on her right leg which are causing scary moments in driving. She's rolling with the punches and plodding along.

    Best wishes

    • Posted

      *left. She cant do stairs but one at a time and sideways only.
  • Posted

    Hi Joanne

    Had my tkr September 2016 everything is ok but im just above you on the bend i can straighten my leg have you tried massage mine was stiffening up i read an article on massaging the knee after tkr i do it religiously every morning and evening it helps break down scar tissue and seems to loosen things up i hope thongs get easier for you soon

    good luck.

  • Posted

    16 weeks here - MUA at 10 to improve bend which had stuck at 60deg. Now 110/0 after intense physio. Knee feels strange and uncomfortable all the time, still swells and stiffens.

    ?Walking not great yet, really odd gait and working on it. Stairs, just one at a time both ways, not very confident in new knee or non op knee and hips. Well, has been like this a few years anyway.

    ?Driving is not comfortable for long distances as I'm short and need seat forward. Everyone thinks I should be back to normal because I can walk and drive short distances. Far from it - I know it can take up  to a year, but it is not easy to process this fact, seeing other people have TKRs and move forward much faster.

    ?I'm glad to hear yr consutant is pleased - you are still young for a TKR and there must still be time for further improvement, however small. And it is good that the worst pain is gone for you. Take care.

  • Posted

    Hi joanne

    As you say-your journey has been long and drawn out but you seem to be rolling with the punches. Staying positive is the key. Keep up the physio-give it your best shot. At six months I still treat stairs with respect-slow and steady while the quads are building. Still early days joanne. Hang in there!

  • Posted

    Hi Joanne I'm now 14 weeks post op still having difficulty with stairs, they told me Up to heaven and Down to hell so good knee first when going up and painfull knee first when going down. I'm still doing this although my pt is trying to get me to take the stairs as I would normally, but I find it too painful, I have pain when bending and straightening. The trouble is my surgeon was a fly in fly out specialist, they do this now and then to get the waiting list down, the trouble is I can't get to see him which is not so good. I'm in Australia.

  • Posted

    thanks everyone for support.  been told it is a 2 year rehab so here's hoping!

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