Posted , 16 users are following.
Here's a question. VERY generally speaking, would those who consider themselves to have a high pain threshold, feel that their recovery from a TKR was easier, and vice versa? I KNOW I've got a high pain threshold, and I sailed through it - just wonder how relevant that was.
1 like, 72 replies
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melanie49919 chris00938
Posted
I thought I had a high pain threshold so my rehab at week six today is going quiet well but each day is different so it's being able to medicate as and when and look at the set backs ( concrete knee e.g. ) it's part of the journey not a failer. Positive mental attitude
joan17325 melanie49919
Posted
Well said I'm 14 week's TKR and still get concrete knee if I miss too many days stretches and walks just started using mini exercise byke I'm clumsy but optimistic 😁😁😁
chris00938 melanie49919
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Interesting about what you said re the positive mental attitude Melanie. I've just read in the newspaper that there was a study in the USA where it showed people who trusted their doctors felt less pain and it was the equivalent of having a pain pill. So to me that is equating with if you feel positive then it is going to be less painful!
cynthia89958 chris00938
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Hi Chris!
?Interesting question. I always thought I had good pain threshold, my doctor told me that in fact, always been quite brave and unfazed by needles, stitches, dental, childbirth etc and rarely take painkillers. Had 2 major surgeries and did well.
?Now I expected the same with the TKR, even though I read and was told tales of the pain and long recovery. More of a shock when the spinal wore off and pain kicked in like jaws was chewing my whole leg off alternated with other forms of torture.
?The pain and swelling has been epic and my knee is not really recovering as others seem to, so maybe something is not quite as should be - waiting on an appt with consultant.
?However, I feel a bit let down that the pain was never really managed as I was led to beleive it would be and most meds turned out not to suit me. I had never needed heavy meds before in my life but this was the one time they might have elped me cope.
?So, I think re your question, I think it is complex answer as we all have such widely different knee experiences and it is not the easiest op in the book, putting a piece engineering in the human body can give great results or not. It may depend on the previous history of the knee, general health and underlying conditions, op technique, etc etc. That is my own thought on it, but I am not a knee doctor though.
?I did have a different surgery 3 months before the TKR so may not have been as recovered from that as I thought and my knee was in a bad way for a long time before offered surgery. I alo have an underlying leg condition which may have affected the outome.
?I'm glad you had a good experience! My elderly aunt was back to as before op within a couple of months, so I think the family are surprised I am still suffering a lot at 7 weeks and not really getting further forward though I am at a much younger age. So there you go. I'm so over this whole knee thing now, hence I am rambling on!!
chris00938 cynthia89958
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Thanks Cynthia - yes, there certainly HAS to be an element that other factors make a difference. It's a complicated one, for sure! The fact that it can vary between two knees on one person, too - that confirms that.
Eizie chris00938
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Well I had 3 natural childbirths and "thought" I was pretty good with pain and at least with childbirth it's over in a day. This "process" is way longer than a day. So I consider myself wimp-like and easily brought to tears now. Then again I was younger when I had the kids. 😭😫
chris00938 Eizie
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cynthia89958 chris00938
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chris00938 cynthia89958
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Yes, it's very different to childbirth, isn't it Cynthia. But then with arthritis we've had the pain for so many years, so that aspect gives it the 'worth'. But then it's easier for me to say that because I've had a straightforward easy recovery!!!! I do hope yours feels better soon!!!!
sue33011 chris00938
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Very interesting question Chris. I too have a high pain threshold and at 17 weeks am sailing along. At no time during this process have I found the pain unbearable-even in the initial stages after coming home I found ice and paracetamol were adaquate for pain relief and subsequently stopped the stronger painkillers at day 12(up till then I was taking them because they'd been prescribed and believed I needed them in order to undertake pt) after experimenting without them for a few days I was pleasantly surprised. All that said, I've had
days where my knee has ached after pt or from overdoing it, but nothing that ice or sports gel wont calm. The one thing I found hard to cope with was the lack of sleep those first weeks-aaaargh!!! I firmly believe a good mental attitude is a must with this operation and above all else-KNOWLEDGE!!!! Im amazed at the number of people posting here that they had no idea how brutal or lengthy the recovery of a tkr would be. It's your body-ask the questions-do the research and above all else-do as much physical preparation as your body will allow before hand to aid in the recovery process.
cynthia89958 sue33011
Posted
Yes, knowing the facts is good, however, I'm not sure it helped me -I've een a nurse and later a health researcher and spend hours browsing the research. I think it is belief involved as I thought I would be fine despite the misgivings we all have. I always have held that belief but this time with TKR, that has been shaken. I've been one of the percentage struggling and the level of pain exceeded what I expected even with meds.
?However, sometimes things just do not as planned as I have found out, we don't really envisage being in that minority!
chris00938 sue33011
Posted
Thanks Sue:-)))) Yes, I think you've hit on something there. Before I joined this group - around a week before my first op, I'm guessing, I thought you couldn't even stand on the leg of the knee replacement - I imagined it was like having a broken leg and REALLY painful! So it was a pleasant surprise realising you could put weight on it straight away. They didn't give me strong painkillers after the first day in hospital because I didn't need them. Yes, even now, I get the odd day of a slight twinge (10 weeks post op) in the knee if I overdo it, but that's all I've ever had really, apart from one uncomfortable night! I think the physical preparation BEFORE the op is important too - it must help!
chris00938 cynthia89958
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Very true! While I tend to be a 'what if' person as a sort of insurance policy, I think the truth is, I still don't think the worst will happen to me, so it's a shock if it does!
sue33011 chris00938
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There's another thought to be considered re the recovery process;
How do patients who live alone, cope during the post op period -I found myself asking this question many times during my recovery. My hubby was a godsend in those early days, but what of those who dont have someone to drive them to pt, keep the ice packs coming, prepare the meals, pick up the groceries, do the laundry, dishes etc and that's not to mention helping with showers and toileting and lets not forget-someone to share our thoughts and doubts-even at 2 in the morning. When we talk recovery, it's not just the physical side but mental as well. Sometimes we just need someone to sound out our feelings/frustrations to, without which I imagine would only add to the mental strain of things.
So how have those of you overcome these obstacles? I ask the question because I believe many people coming to this site for guidance would appreciate the feedback
chris00938 sue33011
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I've thought of this too Sue, having a friend who's waiting for a knee op, who lives alone. But she has got family to come in and help for the first couple of weeks. My hospital asked if I had someone there to do everything and I had my husband, but like you, he did EVERTHING. I think it's a hugely valid point and I'm so glad you raised it.
martinarvelo sue33011
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I have great respect for those who cope with this on their own. Even filling the dishwasher is difficult when you are trying to use crutches . . bending down to put clothes in the washing machine. . ironing (forget it!) peeling potatoes standong on one foot to rest the operated one. . .I think it was two to three weeks before I could honestly have done all these things on my own. I imagine though, if you have no choice, you manage to do the minimum necessary to survive, but it must be very very hard. . .I remember one person who posted on here who was going home on day 2, to a flat on the third floor, no lift, nobody to accompany her. . . I just can't imagine it!
chris00938 martinarvelo
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It was three weeks before I made myself and my husband a cup of tea LOL! At two weeks I walked into the kitchen and hardly recognised it - I hadn't been in it for two weeks LOL! Ironing didn't get done until just gone three weeks. The milestone for me was going from two sticks to one at just gone three weeks - then you can actually carry something from place to place!window.post_1494426453696_34 = function(win,msg){
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martinarvelo chris00938
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My surgeon inisted on two crutches until 6 weeks but I have to admit I did ignore him a lot of the time. it's just imossible. . you can't carry anything anywhere. It reminds me of a comment by a fellow cruiser once. We were talking about exotic holidays, and his wife whined "Why don't you take me somewhere I've never been before!" and he sneered and said " why don't you try the kitchen!"
chris00938 martinarvelo
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marilyn10235 chris00938
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Like the didn't recognise the kitchen bit. Reminds me of a comment my friends son in law made about her daughter, he said the only reason she had a kitchen is because it came with the house!! Lol
And there's not a thing wrong with her!😄😄
XX
sue33011 chris00938
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chris00938 marilyn10235
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chris00938 sue33011
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A friend of mine has bought a trolley to use like that when she has her knees done (she lives alone). My worry is that the trolley will push away from her, but you've reassured me, saying that - using it with one crutch or stick, should do it!:-))))) I'll pass the info on to her!
marilyn10235 sue33011
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That's a brilliant idea Sue. We don't have one of those so I had everything brought to me when I was on 2 crutches. (Nice at first but soon became annoying!). Soon went down to 1 crutch though, so then had to carry what I could myself! I had this silky bag that I could put right over my shoulder & everything I wanted went in it, meds, bottled water, phone & charger, iPod & (most importantly) my kindle!( Obvs not good for coffee or food!!) All this travelled with me wherever I went in the house!! The trolley (if I had one) however would have been fine for downstairs! Lol
The bag was good for going upstairs as I could sling it over my shoulder & e voila, all my stuff & me upstairs. (After climbing the stairs! I wrote this then thought it looks like I just 'beamed' up there) Lol!!
It all seems so long ago now! I had my op 17thOctober so it IS, but it feels like a lifetime ago!!
That's what I love about this forum someone always comes up with a good idea we can all try!
Marilyn
XX
sue33011 marilyn10235
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martinarvelo chris00938
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Six weeks is ridiculous. I was walking two kms. a day at six weeks . . . so what possible use could there be with crutches, except for balance perhaps. Every surgeon seems to have his own ideas, and to begin with it's easy to think they are godlike in their ideas!. .
mary96817 chris00938
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chris00938 mary96817
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chris00938 martinarvelo
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When I said that I was told to go from crutches to sticks at three weeks, it was only when I asked the physio in the hospital! The info said nothing about when to move from crutches to sticks or when to go from two sticks to one, but then I guess everyone will be different, but it could have been useful if they'd said 'swap to sticks when you feel confident to do that' or something like that. But then again, they said that they expected people to be walking without aids and without a limp at six weeks when they went for the post op check. The only guide they gave about bend then was holding a stick upright in front of you that the toes should be back a few inches when the stick was against the knee.