TKR on April 8th, 2 weeks POST OP

Posted , 6 users are following.

Two weeks ago at 8am (first on the theare list ) in a state of apprehension ,fear ,depression compounded by no sleep the previous night, I went into theatre at the royal national orthopaedic hospital and had my knee replaced.

I remember the stinging burning sensation as my consultant asked me how I was doing when I was being wheeled from the recovery room to the ward.

He said they were going to get me something for that,which they administered shortly afterwards. .I grabbed my daughter' s hand , tears streaming down my face apparently ..which was 'I made it out the other side ' relief and that she had made it to the hospital ! A huge change from the previous sadness I've suffered.

I.was discharged 3 rd day post op..zoned out from pain on morphine drugs all given me during my stay with intense side effects of nausea, dry mouth ,lips, constipation was LONG and worst I've experienced in my life !

However , everything I've gone through post op , i have been prepared for by the respondents on this site .

It has been a revelation!

It has been a scaremongering at times ( pre op) .

But ..it has been a wonderful place for advice ,for encouragement ,for prep to the op.

So for that,I wish to THANK YOU ALL..Chico marx, Marilyn ,Helen ..a few names I remember off the cuff..writing emails on a phone not same as a laptop ! No Internet access at my elderly mum's in Neasden !

Today the nurse from the orthopaedic hospital came to remove my staples and again..nothing as bad as I envisioned.

Onwards and upwards!

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Isn't it nice to know you are normal and that as it so often the case, anticipation is far worse than reality. You are now going to be going through a phase like no other in your life. Healing and recovery will take you through many different phases, up and down like a physical and emotional roller coaster. The main thing is to be steady with your efforts. Pain meds as prescribed, rest....lots of rest....exercise to the point of real pain but don't let anyone, drs, therapists, family, friends or yourself put you in severe pain. Dint confuse pain with aching and discomfort. Hydrate excessively. A well hydrated body overcomes pain, constipation, tight muscles and yes, depression to a degree. Listen to your body. You are an individual and not the next person in the PT gym. Some things you are going to go through will disappear, then temporarily reappear. Nerves are the last thing to heal so 6 weeks from now the stinging, burning and itching may occur but its not going to last the rest of your life. Don't use anything on or let the incision soak in water till completely dry and free of scabs. This will help prevent secondary infections.

    You will still have a bumpy journey and that's to be expected, after all they almost cut your leg off, stuck a foreign object in there and sent you on your way. Stay faithful to the cause and the cause is you.

  • Posted

    The scary  bit is over,  the hard work begins!  I hope you have some good pain control, which will help with the necessary exercises. Looks as if you have some help which will be great!  Look forward to hearing your leaps and bounds in the following weeks!
  • Posted

    Good for you. It's all about the exercises, ice, elevating, pain meds and rest, doctor said the first 6 weeks it's critical to get plenty of sleep and work on your range of motion.

    I found that by placing very soft almost flat pillows where my legs go in bed really helped the pain. I slept on my back. Still do at 7 weeks. Don't confuse this with putting a pillow under your knee which is a big no no.

    You'll do great and this site really helps with those down days.

    • Posted

      Wow Duckfan! I go to sleep on my back legs straight out in front of me..it's something I was unable to do for a long time because the arthritic knee refused to comply with my request to straighten itself !! I sleep with a light duvet to lessen the irritation on the scar and if pain is too disruptive , i take the warmer duvet off..or turn leg to the side

  • Posted

    I agree with you Yasmin @ this wonderful forum it has also been my comforter . I too have been glad of tips & advice,the main thing too was that I wasn't alone day or night. I'm 13 weeks post now am getting there but still have a few bad nights. Nobody really knows what Tkr is like unless they've experienced it. Good healing x

  • Posted

    Hi Yasmin, I remember you posting on here before your op.

    So glad it went well, now the hard work begins. Lol

    Good luck with your rehab, do your exercises, ice & elevate & keep on top of pain meds, don't wait for pain to kick in.

    Keep in touch

    Marilyn

    XX

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