Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi all need advice. 7wks post tkr and even though I’m doing as told I’m still on heavy pain meds. I’m walking ok till it feels like it’s twisted and the pain is so bad I’m brought to tears. Does anyone else have problems even after 7wks or should I put up and shut up. I’ve had an X-ray and replacement looks ok. I do have underlying problems with my back but am I expecting too much as we’re all different. Help
2 likes, 17 replies
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victoria21411 Suki66
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Suki66 victoria21411
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victoria21411 Suki66
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joan17325 Suki66
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Like previous replies I agree it's too soon. This is my second TKR 2 LEGS in 10 months. I was still taking heavy meds at bedtime when I went through 2nd. It does get better but can take 12 months to say you're over it. Keep taking ALL of the meds do your physio. Icing is a must. Rest often. Dont expect to be normal for a lomg time. But you will be better than before the op. Good luck xxx
cindy161616 joan17325
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jenny80029 Suki66
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At 7 weeks I could walk unaided in the house for five minutes but not more than that!
Are you walking unaided?
I wasn't taking any pain relief at that stage, and was working on the principle that pain is there for a reason, so if I feel it, it is my body telling me to stop.
Pain is there for a reason. If you are taking a fair amount of pain relief AND it still hurts you may be asking too much of it at this point?
Do you have a physiotherapist you could consult?
CHICO_MARX Suki66
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You're right in the middle of the 0-12 week max pain period. Normal. You will start getting off the heavy duty meds when you're a few more weeks into it. If your alignment x-ray was good, then you're right on track. Gotta be doing the PT work at home and at "The Dungeon" (PT place). Do the work, be patient...
victoria21411 Suki66
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How you feeling today?
Suki66
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jenny80029 Suki66
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Well done to you! It gets easier as time progresses too, so lots more healing still to happen and more improvements with it! 😀
Suki66 jenny80029
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CHICO_MARX Suki66
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jenny80029 Suki66
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Good thank you....my one year anniversary will be on 8th March!
I have all my energy back.
Feeling so relieved I can walk around as I need to. My other knee is so weak and holds things back a bit now. I have to be careful waking down stairs. But I am going to try and keep it going for as long as I can. Mind you, if I ever get to how things were before I had the surgery, I would certainly go through it all over again, though people do say all knees are very different!
Lots of my other bones have aches and pains😀😃 now that is annoying, however its nothing like the pain my knee used to give me!
CHICO_MARX jenny80029
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You are soooo lucky. Eight months into my recovery (October '16), I developed spinal stenosis at L2/L3. Stopped me cold. Fusion in March of '17. Still off the shelf due to back restrictions. Then wrist surgery in December '17 while dealing with more lower back pain. Turned out the fusion was TOO GOOD...too much bone growth that pinched nerves between L2 and L4. Just had that decompressive laminectomy two weeks ago...still on back restrictions for a while.
Just started some easy yoga (cannot roll my spine)...really shows my muscle weakness. Starting the gym too as soon as I get back clearance. On the good side, 45+ years of hockey gave me some fantastic muscle memory so I can climb stairs two at a time with no issues. Need the strength training to get all of it back plus regain my balance which was always superior because of the hockey.
For me, I'll be 2 years post-op on March 10th but it will take the rest of this year to get completely back to normal. It's been a looooong road for me because of all the intervening spine issues. Doesn't matter. 70th birthday in two weeks and I'm not stopping (still work full time in IT). My complete recovery will take almost three years but I'll get it done.
Even talked to the Donjoy people, makers of the best braces on the planet. I want to do some light skating again when I'm ready and their Defiance model will totally prevent any twisting or torquing of the TKR knee. They have lots of clients in the same boat. Saving my pennies...the fully custom model costs $900...worth it.
Long journey...not over...
jenny80029 CHICO_MARX
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Happy birthday in advance for your birthday!
What a pain about your spine😕
I will be amazing for you to do some light skating!
CHICO_MARX jenny80029
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I already have the new rollerblades, changed the wheels and bearings to get the desired "rock" and speed on pavement, removed the brakes, got hockey pants to protect my hip plus helmet, gloves, stick for balance, knee and elbow pads. The Donjoy Defiance (picture) will be the last piece I need so there will be absolutely no torque on the knee. I figure it will take me 9-12 months of constant work to regain my strength and balance. It's been 2 1/2 years of non-activity which has left me sidelined. That will change this year. Told my neuro: "After four ops, hands off my damn spine!!!" When the 22 staples came out on Tuesday, he was amazed at my spine ROM, lack of any medication and general well being two-weeks post op. Except for the TKR, I have always bounced back almost immediately after any surgical procedure (30 under general anesthesia in the last 18 years...mostly minor stuff). But these past 22 months have been knee, spine, wrist and spine again all in a row. Just beats you down. Now it's time to get back up!!!
Suki66 CHICO_MARX
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