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Tkr 5.5 weeks on

Posted , 15 users are following.

helenaisag
helenaisag

i am now 5.5 weeks after a left total knee replacement and can't believe the amount of pain this has given me. I am put off having my other knee done as the pain is unbearable at times. I can get 110 bend but still struggling with some of the lifting exercises, need to use the rubber band for those. Lots of spasm pain and my knee is extremely hot compared to the other one. Slight swelling as well so still using ice three to four times a day. The other issue is loss of appetite, I've lost 14 kilos since having this done and don't feel like eating at all. Anyone else had this?

1 like, 52 replies

52 Replies

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  • jean95756
    jean95756 helenaisag

    Posted

    Also about the weight loss lots of us have experienced that too

    i still only eat small meals 16 weeks on 

    if you can't face a full meal just eat little and often and drink plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated 

  • tracy32225
    tracy32225 helenaisag

    Posted

    Hi I had. Left TKR on the 16 th dec 2014 so I am fairly new to this, I can understand what you mean by pain, this is worse than I thought it would be and I am a nurse, which I think makes it worse as I have great expectations of going back to work in February 2015. Still hoping to achieve this.intoo have a loss of appetite and have lost a couple of kgs I think it is because I am not as active as usual and as far as bending I am almost to 90 degrees I to 85 degrees before I left hospital that is a mandatory out here in Australia. But still very weak in the lifting dept.
    • helenaisag
      helenaisag tracy32225

      Posted

      hi Tracy, I had mine done on 17th November and I too can't believe the pain. I don't know how they could have prepared us for this though. Some days I still can't do a straight leg raise and at most I only manage an inch or two off the bed. I am walking around without sticks in the home but have gone back to using a stick outside as my knee kept giving way without it. I think the trick is not to do too much too soon as I've learnt the hard way! Good luck x
  • merrie54027
    merrie54027 helenaisag

    Posted

    Hi Helen,  you are doing well as it has only  een 5 1/2 weeks out.  I am 5 months post TKR on July 21 and I am still stiff in my leg.  I got to 107 at PT and was released.  Said I could come back if I felt I needed to.  Release me because they said just daily living and doing things will help my bend.  I have had severe swelling in my TKR leg and still have, but wear compression knee highs everyday, even at night.  Sure helps with the swelling pain.  It hurts the most when I sit for a long time and my knee is down, bent on floor.  Hurts so much to straighten out and get up, but I am walking around fine.  

    When I saw my surgeon on December 8th for my last followup appt, he said that I was doing very well and that all looked good on xrays.  He said it can take up to a year to get to a good place.  So I have to be patient.  

    I was very weak in the first 6 weeks, my potassium was very low and had to take pills to up it.  Normal now.  I do get tired earlier than I used to.  Use Melatonin to sleep. Off  Off of all Ibuprophen and only take Tylenol in the AM.  Got a stomach ulcer from the Ibuprophen, so that was another set back.  But fine now. 

    It was certainly worth it as I was unable to do anything before the surgery.  

    It will get better for you and just have to be patient.  When you consider what they did inside your knee, it's understandable why it takes a while for healing etc.  

    If you are too depressed, get something from your doctor to help you.  No need to go through depression along with healing and rehabilitation.  Blessings.  Merrie

    • helenaisag
      helenaisag merrie54027

      Posted

      Thanks Merrie, I am unable to take any aspirin based medication which hasn't helped. Just as I think I'm getting somewhere I have a few really bad days and I'm back to square one which emotionally doesn't,t help. I'm trying to remain positive especially after reading all the comments on here as it seems that I am still in the early stages! I was hoping to go back to work by the end of January but I will just have to wait and see. Hope your stiffness eases soon xx
  • david13272
    david13272 helenaisag

    Posted

    I am 4 and a half weeks post op on my right knee, for me the nights are still the worst , getting comfortable and getting a good nights sleep. Otherwise I think I am doing ok. Having lived with a lot of pain for the last 8 years (when the consultant said he had changed knees much better than mine) I think my pain threshold as a result is high. I take Ibuprofen at night before bed which helps a little with the pain. I like you are having my second knee done in April. Reading everyone's experiences , we are all very different with vastly different recovery patterns. stay positive , your bend is good , and each day will get better. 
  • britta217
    britta217 helenaisag

    Posted

    hi helen ... bless you, as you can see from all the comments, you absolutely on track! as everybody has also mentioned, 5.5 weeks is very early days. thinking back, i had gone back to work by week 5 (long story) but many a day i arrived at the office in tears. my colleagues were at a loss as to what to do other than listen sympathetically. i am now at ... gosh, stopped counting! ... but around 16 and have had it mobilized under anesthetic at week 12. it still gets warm (not hot), still slightly swollen (but i never had severe swelling anyway) and i still struggle on certain nights to get into that comfy spot so i can sleep. i am finally reducing my pain meds but was on the full cocktail of stuff up until week 14 so i am no hero. sadly - as i tuck into a piece of chocolate - i never went off my food but i know quite a few of us on here have lost major kilos as have you! 2 stone! this can only do your knees good as they carry a huge amount of our weight. all this to say, or for you to hear it again from a different source, it does get better. little by little. give it time. don't despair.
    • helenaisag
      helenaisag britta217

      Posted

      Hi Britta , thanks for the encouragement, I go back to the consultant on the 15th. Why did you have to have manipulation, I would be scared that I would be back at square one. Although my bend is improving, I am struggling to straighten my leg completely. It always has a slight bend. The last few nights I have had horrendous time sleeping, so uncomfortable, but part of the course I think. I am not allowed back to work whilst I am on so many pain meds, I still have to take them on the dot four hourly plus tramadol or else it takes ages to get pain under control. However I feel more positive after joining this forum and knowing what I am going through isn't normal! Managed to eat a boiled egg and slice of bread and butter today so maybe things are looking up on appetite front. Still have some weight to lose though so don't want it to come back too quick, lol 😄
    • britta217
      britta217 helenaisag

      Posted

      hi helen ..difficult to say why people need mobilization, for reasons which cannot be helped the pain is so great that the bend never comes.  the first six weeks for me where a whitewash until we got the medication cocktail right (tramadol is a no-no for me, as are any opiates).  i then went on lyrica, a fantastic medcation which nearly over night helped me get 10-15 degrees more bend.  you may want to mention it to your surgeon as it helps painful nerve ending and is particularly helpful at night.  but despite the improvement, at week 10 i was still only at 95 or possible at 100 if really pushing it.  that simply wasn't enough for my every day.  stairs, impossible.  sitting on a train with legs tucked under the seat to avoid people falling over them, forget it! and nono!!  having it mobilized is the best thing i ever did.  i just cannot compare before and after. so please do not be put off by it.  the success rate for having knees mobiized is very high. so i had it to improve my bend, but they also do it for the stretch.  but there is a really, really effective exercises for getting your stretch, the most effective being lying on your bed on your stomach, with your legs hanging off the edge of the bed.  let it hang there for as long as you can take it, initially a minute or two and then building up.  others on this forum have had real successes with this one.  i personally find sitting in a chair with another one opposite you where you will rest your leg on.  not super comfortalbe initially but again, keep doing it and it gets better.  i now even push down on my knee and pull back my foot to increase the stretch.  

      keep up the good work, with the knee and the weight loss biggrin

    • helenaisag
      helenaisag britta217

      Posted

      Ok, I'm off to physio today so we'll see how it goes, just reread my last message and I meant "is normal"! Whoops. Feeling positive today!
  • dan93334
    dan93334 helenaisag

    Posted

    I had my total knee replacement on 12 Nov 14 so now 7 weeks in.  I still have broken nights sleep not being able to find a comfortable position but I now try to do without medication.  I found that I made accelerated improvement by going back in the gym and using the bike with the seat at the highest level with no resistance.  The first time I could barely do a few revolutions but now I do 20 mins plus other light quad and hamstring exercises.  I follow this with a long jacuzi with jets playing on the knee. The improvement is amazing with bend about 120 and I can now walk the dog without sticks or crutches for a mile or so.  Knee still feels uncomfortable but pain is only at night.  I really recommend getting on a exercise bike but please consult your physio first.
    • Butterbean
      Butterbean dan93334

      Posted

      Hi there, I'm at the same stage as you I had my TKR on 10th Nov. 

      I don't have access to an exercise bike but do spend a few minutes a day on a cross trainer which is helpful. I suffer from sleepless nights too and find I need a nap in the day.

      I don't use medication now and have very little pain, I walk probably half a mile or so outside without crutches or sticks and walk up and down stairs like a adult rather than a toddler.... One step at a time smile

      So I'm feeling reasonably pleased with my progress, but I see my surgeon and the physio on the 2nd Jan so will see what they think then smile

       

    • helenaisag
      helenaisag dan93334

      Posted

      Wow, you are doing really well. I had mine done the week after you. I have a good bend but struggle with the straight leg lifts and am really weak in this area. Physio today we're pleased but I need to do more straight leg raises and lunges, I am going to try and borrow an exercise bike. I'm not ready to give up my pain meds just yet!
  • debbie02705
    debbie02705 helenaisag

    Posted

    sounds normal to me ,its early days yet , when i was told at 8 weeks you should be going back to work , i said never am i ready ,but 4 weeks on i was back working and on my feet all day , very hard but its done now , you will be amazed how much change there will be over the next 2 months , , take your time , do as your body says , good luck
  • dan93334
    dan93334 helenaisag

    Posted

    8 weeks in and I still get to feel slightly unwell late in the afternoon and early evening. Currently eating because you have to but no real appetite.  Anyone else the same
    • jean95756
      jean95756 dan93334

      Posted

      I too lost my appetite but found it again over  Christmas 

      I lost nearly a stone in weight 

    • helenaisag
      helenaisag dan93334

      Posted

      Hi Dan, I'm six weeks in and still no appetite. I've lost over 15 kilos, but need to lose weight anyway. From this forum it's quite usual to have no appetite. Mornings and night time are the worst for me as leg is very stiff in the morning and I just can't get comfortable at night. Make sure you take your pain meds regularly throughout the day, are you having a nap in the afternoon as this may help to revive you later in the day. Good Luck and stay positive, x
    • tracy32225
      tracy32225 dan93334

      Posted

      Hi Dan,

      I am 3 weeks into my knee replacement and I too have a loss of appetite, I have lost 2 kgs but I find eating small and frequent meals the best.

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