Posted , 11 users are following.
I'm getting on for around six months post op now and It occured to me this morning, while getting out of my car after having arrived at work, that it seems to be much easier than it was previously. So I paid attention to exactly how I was managing to get out of the car more easily.
It transpires that I still have to have the door wide open, and the seat as far back as possible, to enable me to get my right leg out of the car (right knee being the replaced knee joint), I swing both my legs out and 'ground' them, and then shuffle towards the edge of the seat and using my right elbow/arm as a lever against the outside of the door pillar, use that to come to a standing position. It all sounds very complicated and fairly slow, but it happens 'almost' without thinking about it, and in a couple of seconds. I have no pain and all seems very second nature, but in my heart I know it's anything but natural.
I just wonder if we sort of adapt ourselves into whatever task we're doing, so it doesn't hurt, or whether, we are actually improving.
2 likes, 64 replies
jean95756 petemorris
Posted
i guess I have a few more weeks to go before I'm as far on as you
but I can't ever imagine this stupid fat tight knee ever feeling like my own
petemorris jean95756
Posted
joan51826 petemorris
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petemorris joan51826
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lynn08926 joan51826
Posted
Although 'the knee' is no longer the centre of my universe, I am always aware of it and call it 'my alien knee'. My physio tells me it can take nearer to a year before it feels part of me, but I have my doubts.
Like you, I am having a second TKR in early 2015.
Lynn 25 weeks post op
petemorris lynn08926
Posted
lynn08926 petemorris
Posted
When I pointed this out to my Consultant, he appeared quite surprised, but it is the norm. Surely someone has mentioned it to him before?
I believe they just look after the mechanics and have little or no interest in the aftermath.
Lynn 25 weeks post op
petemorris lynn08926
Posted
jennifer86104 lynn08926
Posted
jean95756 jennifer86104
Posted
no one told me anything about how long the recovery would be ..all I was told it would be painful after the Spinal block had worn off and Wow it hit me like a ton of bricks
i don't really know what I expected but I do think we ought to be prepared properl on what to expect.
i know everyone recovers at different rates but we should be told what to expect
I went out for a Christmas meal earlier today and sat for over 2hours
since getting home my Icepack has become my best friend
there was a man there who is on the waiting list for his knee doing and he asked what it was like... I just said it was very painful but as I didn't want to put him off I didn't elaborate.
but...Onwards and Upwards
PollyBB petemorris
Posted
I understand what you are saying! I think we do improve but it takes time. I've been doing jobs about the house this week and have been thinking how much better/more able I am at doing them than I've been for the last ten years or so. It will be two years at the end of January since I had my left TKR and it is 16 months since I had my right one.
I am ok getting in and out of the car as long as I can open the door fully. I do manage but with difficulty if someone parks too close and I can't open the door properly.
The thing I really struggle with is kneeling. I think it is the sensation I can't stand, so if I do anything on the floor, I end up shuffling along on my bottom to the nearest chair! - not a pretty sight! Once I decided to sit on the grass in the garden so I could do some weeding - I got stuck for a considerable length of time!
I think we all have to be patient! Eventually, it will be worth it!
Polly
petemorris PollyBB
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PollyBB petemorris
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At least we can laugh about it!
petemorris PollyBB
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I know we've all had days when we're on a complete downer and at our wits end, but it's really only a passing phase, so I tend to laugh things off...It's jus my way of dealing with 'stuff'
jean95756 petemorris
Posted
after all they say aughter is the best medicine
jennifer86104 PollyBB
Posted
I think you're right too Pete when you say you get used to pain. I've suffered from sciatica type pain from a tight piriformis muscle (in the buttock) Some days it's worse than others but, as my knee is definitely now stronger, I've decided to walk through the pain! If I didn't have this nerve pain I'd feel pretty good - definitely walking better than before the op and I'm just 22 weeks post op. I'm hoping by the 12 to 18 month time I'll be nearly normal, whatever that is😄 At 64 and with other aches and pains can't expect to be like a 21 yr old 😄😄
petemorris jennifer86104
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PollyBB jennifer86104
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betty07083 petemorris
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You were one of the "regulars" on this forum when I first came on after my TKR 5 months ago. Always good to hear from you and read how you are coming along.
Betty
petemorris betty07083
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jennifer86104 PollyBB
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jennifer86104 petemorris
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betty07083 jennifer86104
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How long have you had a tight piriformis muscle? Are you able to get relief in any way? Injections?
The weeks seem to whiz by, don't they? Here we are at 22 weeks already!
Betty
lynn08926 jennifer86104
Posted
It's the one thing I miss most.
Lynn 25 weekz
jennifer86104 betty07083
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Yes, the weeks are flying by. My first day back in "work" today - looking after one of my grandsons. It didn't go too badly but I was glad of hubbie's help. I've got him again tomorrow morning then a break till after Christmas. Keeps me busy 😊 Hope you're still doing well. Jen x
jennifer86104 lynn08926
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jean95756 jennifer86104
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Jean
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