TKR - Desperate for some Advise

Doc's right...plus everyone heals at their own pace so:

1. Don't compare your recovery to that of anyone else.

2. Get rid of all your expectations about time.  Your knee will be better when it's better...period.

3. Your job is to relax, do the work, give it time and be patient.

See?  Simple.  This takes a year...some things like stiffness, a tight, band-like feeling, clunking noises and other "stuff" can last 12-18 months...or more.  All normal.  You WILL NOT start "feeling like yourself again" or "feeling good about the surgery" until the 6-9 months stage.  10-12 months is usually the BIG jump to normality.  Hey, some people get there sooner but this seems to be the general experience.  Accept it...OWN IT!!!

For the days you feel blue...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-and-ptsd-569521

...and some things to try...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-power-of-rest-some-great-strategies-to-try-on-a-tkr-617892

Stay strong...depression and frustration are futile...giving up is not an option. 

I am 11 weeks from tkr on my right knee. When I walk I don't have much of a limp.

?I really don't have pain when I walk. But I do still have an area in my knee that is still tender and painful.

When I sit for half hour or so I am stiff this is when I walk with a limp for a few feet.

?I still get tightness in my knee if I stand for a long period of time.

?Even with exercises my thigh muscles are still weak And my knee bend isn't where it should be but I can accept where it is at

?Don't get to discouraged it does take up to a year or longer for things to really get better 

Don’t despair. I had partial knees replacements. The right knee is 15months while the left knee is 9months, am still using a crutch!

While the right knee is perfect, I even forget I had surgery there, the left knee is slow in healing. You see not only does everyone heal differently, apparently even your body heals differently. 

I am also frustrated by the fact that am using a crutch, i can’t climb downstairs without it. I walk with a limp.

Take it easy with yourself. I think this is a case of slow and steady wins the race, patience is your best weapon. 

You have had good responses here already, it is hard but time is of the essence.

Could it be you are walking and weight bearing on it too much? Don't know how much activity you are doing but with respect to the pain overdoing things won't help and would make you more likely to limp I should think if muscles get tired?

You are doing the physio and exercises which do take time to reap their rewards.

What does your physio say about the limping?

Are you in the UK or elsewhere?

Try not to worry, though it is hard!

You can also go for second opinion doctors for your previous treatment and surgery, so that you will be clear for hou much extend your last surgery and treatment would helped you.

 

Hello Sheilajag.   I am exactly in the time zone you are - 3 months and 1 week after right knee replacement.  I am also in pain daily, and cannot go out shopping etc. without my hospital crutch and after taking Tramadol 50mg. tablets, which make it more bearable.  I have also felt such despair at how long it is taking, but this is quite normal and recovery can take between 6 and 9 months for most people.  I have heard that people who are making such good progress in the first one or two weeks, often go downhill afterwards because they have a false confidence, and are trying to do too much.  That's me!    We must be patient, it takes time.     I did not really enjoy the physio exercises for 1 hour, for 6 weeks because I always felt so much worse the next day.  Now I do the exercises gently at time.   Dont worry too much, there are a plenty of people going on this journey with you and me.  We will get there in the end.     Best wishes to you for the future.

Unfortunately with TKR, as you are realising, there are no real rules as to how long healing takes - only averages, which means many will be within the average times and some will be outside of them, those who heal super humanly fast and those who are still struggling months on.

​I found myself in the struggling category, pretty much since day one. That is not to say I have had major dramas as such, fortunately, but more that all milestones have been very late and slow getting there, at 7 months out, I still have swelling , pain , stiffness, walk oddly and generally feel exhausted with the whole thing. However, the wound has healed nicely and I can now sleep better which are major gains, and the pain is manageable pain, which it certainly was not at first, with being unable to take some of the stronger meds. I had a manipulation at 10 weeks as the bend was not happening despite extra physiotherapy and trying my utmost. The MUA did help the bend, but I think there is still scar tissue remaining and this can cause pain and problems in folk who have the tendency to form excess scar tissue quickly.

​At 3 months post op, you are no doubt fed up still having issues when we get to hear of the people who are seemingly back to normal much faster. I know I have felt very disappointed. But of course, we have a unique history and recovery will be affected all the variables. None of us wants to be one of the late recovers for sure. But many I have read of, do take months, even dare I say, over a year to feel better. Many say about 6 months approximately is a turning point. So, it was not that for me, but I remain hopeful, though I often feel concerned when I have the not so good days.

​I hope the best for you too and would certainly say, 3 months is not really very far on (though feels like it) and does not represent how you will probably feel some time further on. Good luck.

13weeks ago my friend you had major surgery and your leg and knee went through major trauma and remember it’s a load bearing joint too,so be patient do your physio and exercise and your pay day will come guaranteed.

Hi:   Listen to Chico Marx.  I am about a year out from my tkr and am just beginning to feel "normal".  The pain goes away when you least expect  it.  I think for me it is going to be 18 months but now I am just a bit uncomfortable.  Limping is happening to me but sometimes I think it is just psychological.  Please keep in touch.