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TKR post 5 plus months

Posted , 4 users are following.

miriam58745
miriam58745

My TKR left knee for osteo arthritis was over 5mths ago now but I am still finding I need two crutches to get some mobility in the mornings and after sitting for 15 mins. with what I think is nerve pain plus muscle stiffness. There seems little strength in my lower leg inspite of my walking dogs ( on two crutches ,) shopping, housework and excercising with difficulty.

I can walk unaided after some time but feel very insecure with a painful limp and hobble and wonder if it will ever improve. There is minimal joint swelling.

I had a hip replacement 8 yrs ago which was a dream compared to this.

 I am awaiting delayed hydrotherapy but meantime have started excercising/swimming in my local pool which I find really liberating but with extreme muscle stiffness next day. My flexion and extension is not very good although I keep trying to improve them.

 I was more able at two months post TKR than now but my consultant doesn't know why I am in so much pain on walking and recent Xrays shows satisfactory positioning of the implant. I refuse pain medication for obvious reasons and because I drive an automatic car and have no pain on sitting or sleeping.

I am 70 plus yrs.and overweight which I know is a hindrance but otherwise in good health being very active before this and am now very frustrated at not being able to see any ongoing   improvement.

Anyone else feel the same?

 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • natalie04381
    natalie04381 miriam58745

    Posted

    Hi Miriam

    I'm 4 months post TKR im 48 and in similar position as yourself. I have Hydrotherapy and physiotherapy every week and manage between 75-100 bend . I also have a limp and feel very un steady on my feet walking without a stick, physio said to me i should listen to music as the pain could be all in my head and music is a distraction, which i found quiet offended by and upset ,my knee has given way a few times which is quiet painful. I had a manipulation 4.weeks ago which did set me back with pain , I have to take meds at night though I'm still not able to sleep on my left side, it was my left knee . I'm seeing my consultant today so will see what he has to say, but you are not alone and it is quiet frustrating as was hoping I would of progressed a lot more by now. Xx

  • miriam58745
    miriam58745

    Posted

    Thanks for that Natalie.It is good to know I am not alone as so many people seem to get on so much quicker and tell me I shouldn't be in so much pain/discomfort.

    I hope you improve with time, me also and I'll see what my consultant says in a couple of weeks.

  • tammy08253
    tammy08253 miriam58745

    Posted

    You are not alone I am 53, I have had tow knee replacements one at 15 months and the other at 6 months, I have pain when I walk in the back of the knees, and I can't stand for more then a few minutes at a time.😕

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX miriam58745

    Posted

    I had a hip replacement in '09.  Ten days after the op, I hit the gym and therapy pool 5 hours a day, 6 days a week.  Complete recovery in six weeks total!!!  I thought the knee would be the same.  WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This is the most brutal of all surgeries...also the most Zen: "The knee will be better when it's better."  Period.  This takes time, work and patience...and no two people are the same.

    Try these for your ROM...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-rom-work-at-home-620053

    #3 is a killer but very, very effective.  Also, you need to rebuild all the muscles that support the knee , especially quads, glutes and core.  Without this, all the pressure of daily life is put on your knee joint instead of on the muscles where it belongs resulting in more pain.  The muscle rebuild also restores your balance and allows you to walk and handle stairs normally again.  It's that important.  You start very slowly and build from there.  Walking and doing chores doesn't rebuild all these muscles...you have to do the strength work.  Here's the plan...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527

    Some of your pain can be caused by other things...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/other-pain-after-a-tkr-641040

    Consider some of these possibilities.  Now post this on your fridge...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038

    Finally, something for your soul...

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

    This is not an easy recovery.  Takes a long time...usually a year.  There are advances, setbacks and plateaus...you'll probably encounter all of them.  But you find the strength to push through and then dance at your one year anniversary party!!!

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