TKR now 16 weeks in.
Posted , 10 users are following.
You never think you will get this far.
1st 4-6 weeks are hell on Earth and if it was'nt for my little dog who I looked at 1 day and thought I'm taking you out for a walk as the sun was shining and I felt so low that if I had a gun I think I could have shot myself.
Now 16 weeks down the line and soon as I have had my shower each morning it's back to the exercise along with swimming pool and the gymn.
Have now got back into playing my tennis, bit slow at running ( little slow) but enjoying it with my friends and always ice after exercise.
Still a long way to go, but now life not so bad now.
Wont be rushing back for other knee though.....
1 like, 16 replies
jenny80029 susan47321
Posted
Well done! Still a way to go but good to hear things improving!
Do post later on too, and share the benefits as Well!
I won't be rushing for number two, but won't hesitate if things get like they were before number one!
Now 15 months....it's amazing. Every day I wake up grateful I can walk as much as I need to.
I realise I have been fortunate and outcomes do vary.
jackierae susan47321
Posted
gari-ellen44580 susan47321
Posted
Great stuff - yes I did not really believe it could be that painful...and the drugs - well they made me feel awful and had to cut them sooner than my knee wanted! I am 11 weeks and my physio is done (we get 12 visits per customer) and am doing my home exercise but know I need a gym for the bike etc. I was not in good shape before (lost some of my excess weight but not all) but I find you inspiring - I don't want much, but would like to keep going on the ROM (115/0 to date) and being able to move without anguish! On the road...and people like you do encourage me. Grateful that I have had no complications and my scar is actually kinda attractive - won the war so to speak. As for the other knee -
don't ask!
Sooosan gari-ellen44580
Posted
Glad you're doing so well. I had my surgery for TKR on March 29th - did PT religiously never missing a day. It's been two weeks since my last appt and I still have a tightness in my knee. Have you experienced this?
Susan
gari-ellen44580 Sooosan
Posted
Hey
Yes, I have a bit of tightness but am overweight (bout 30 lb still) and I don't do enough exercise I know but am improving. Behaviorwise I mean! There is still tightness but am buying a recumbent bike cuz what I found in physio if I went in and was a bit stiff 10 minutes on the bike really helped me...so am going to plop it in my tiny house! Good forum for info here - I just know that I need to really exercise more so you all inspire me! Best of luck.Also I take curcumin as an anti-inflammatory and it helps - big dose and best supplier!
I also want a big range of motion and I guess that is the reward... So far stalled around 115...
Sooosan gari-ellen44580
Posted
Susan
susan47321 Sooosan
Posted
I still have tightness in my knee.
Often walk up and down stairs and also squat down to hopefully loosen the knee.
But sometimes I think to myself life 'sucks' and why on earth did I do this.
Then I have a good day and not so bad, and I sleep ok.
They say that a year on I'll be laughing, if this is the case I may go running round the block.........naked.
Sue
xpatx susan47321
Posted
Well done Susan really pleased for you.
I'm 2 weeks in so early stages and looking forward to week 16!
martha08360 susan47321
Posted
I am waiting for the day I can say, Yay, Im so glad I had this tkr done. I am 5 months po and still feel just like two days after the surgery. Have appt next week with ortho, and I waant some answers as to why I still hurt, still stiff feeling and why I can't get past 95 ROM. And I have done EVERYTHING I was suppose to do and am still doing. Im icing right now, and it's been 5 month!!!! I am glad you are having success, however..... I am going to demand the doc to an MRI to see what the heck is going on in my knee. ANd the ONLY good thing that has come out of this surgery, is, I KNOW I WON'T be having the right knee done. No way, no how.......
Chiva53 martha08360
Posted
Hi Martha08360
I will be 5 months po in a couple of weeks. After surgery for the first two weeks in was in pain. After that not to much. I was in a rehab facility for two wks. My ROM was only 75. I got home and had in home therapy. Instead of going up my knee started getting so swollen that it was so tight that I couldn't bent it. But started going to physio/ rehab and now am doing much better now. I'm also going to the pool and working out my knee. Haven't returned back to work yet, but getting there soon. The only thing I still can't do is have a Good NIGHT SLEEP!!!!
SO hang in there. Good luck!
lynda18183 martha08360
Posted
I’m with in on this. It’s been 16 weeks now. Went back to work June 18th. I work anywhere between 8-12 hours a day. ( on my feet ) I just now got off work and walked through the parking lot to my car and had to stop 3 times and stand there for a minute . I kept thinking yup I’d be eaten by zombies because I can’t move any faster. Got in my driveway, went to get out of my car and my knee wouldn’t bend and had to sit back down in the seat!! My other leg is now showing more and more to he a problem. I keep saying to my self... what’s wrong with this picture!!! I just am happy for those who have had this surgery and are doing well now. I’m hoping that will be me one day soon ! The stories here are real and love reading them to keep me staying strong. Please keep us updated with your recovery. I hope all turns out well for you.
susan47321 Chiva53
Posted
I'm sorry your finding sleeping so hard.
I found that it was easier sleeping more upright rather than laying flat helped me.
Had about 6 pillows behind me and flat feather pillow by the side of my knee so that I could lay knee against it.
Hope this might help.
Sue
susan47321 martha08360
Posted
So sorry your going through this.
Have you tried knee exercise where you 'put plastic bag' on your foot, sit on a chair, holding onto the back of the chair. 2 sets of 15.
Take bad leg forward and then back under chair. This will get it to bend. Very hard to do at the start and could only get to 85 degrees now 118 degrees.
You can also get a 'mini bike' from Disability shop, only has the peddle's so does'nt take up too much room.
Also I walk up and down swimming pool doing my super vet impression - up with knee going up and round, then when you get to the end of pool, hold on bringing your legs up and out behind you, then pull them in and out. Try for 30 in total.
I don't know your age but, also try Lunges, I hold onto my crutches for these.
Crutches forward in front of your, bad knee upto join them then squat down keeping good leg straight out behind you - you tube shows you but without crutches. 3 times counting to 10 for each one.
Hope these can help you. GOOD LUCK.
Sue
Chiva53 susan47321
Posted
Thanks susan47321,
As far as lying down I'm ok. I have pillows galore. Its SLEEPING. I have a hard time going and staying asleep. Sometimes it's three in the morning and I'm WIDE A WAKE! At first since I was hurting I would take a hydrocodone that would get me drowsy and I could sleep. But didn't like the way it made me feel when I woke up. So I don't take it unless I'm super hurting. So again thank you .
martha08360 lynda18183
Posted
Had ortho appt today. He says I'm good; ROM around 100 so I have a ways to go. He said I should come back in Jan at year appt. I pray that I will have no pain, decent ROM and have no memories of the first months of post op.. I won't have another one I can guarantee that!