TKR Post nearly 8 weeks
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi guys recovery still going really really well. Apart from a bit of stiffness and swelling am virtually pain free. Have been regularly taking small walks and increasing my distance. Today my Fitbit is telling me I've walked over 12,000 steps equating to over 5 miles! Knee managed it fine. It is a bit stiff now and twinging outside edge at the back but apart from that it held up well!
3 likes, 12 replies
jenny80029 freestork
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freestork jenny80029
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davidjk22 freestork
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Fantastic , keep up the good work but don't over do it . I'm now 19½and 17½ years since my TKRs and have had no problems with them . Look forward to many years of pain free knees , and enjoy .
freestork davidjk22
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davidjk22 freestork
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Almost 20 years for the first one & 18 for other , no signs of any problems so at 75 I hope they will last as long as me .
cynthia89958 freestork
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Mine has been the opposite very slow and painful.
Amazing how different every TKR recovery is! Although we might expect younger and fitter before people to do best, this is not always the case - I met an 80 plus lady, very overweight who had been in a wheelchair then had both hips and knees (not all at once!) replaced and was walking about great with a stick within weeks and unfazed by the whole thing. Put me to shame 20 years younger, I had been fairly active, full time job etc and only one TKR has knocked me for six.! In my defence I have had a few other bad illnesses and events in the last 3 years, but still.... needed an MUA to achieve a good bend and walking is still painful at 14 weeks, not to mention the crushing fatigue. Well done to you though at 8 weeks you are doing great!!
jenny80029 cynthia89958
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It is amazing how different it is for each person, but however long it takes, it is amazing how we all make progress. I had the one year mark in my mind and said to myself I was not going to make a judgement on if it was worth it until then. You are an inspiration with your more drawn out process...you will help many others I am sure through all this trial! It's great to have this forum and to appreciate the vast variety of experiences. The fatigue is hard, and I can relate to the word "crushing"! Are you using support for the walking?
davidjk22 jenny80029
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It really is worth it , I have had over 17 years pain free knees , since my last one . The first knee no problem , the other I was worried because my leg was black from foot to bum . Fortunatly it cleared up and I have had no problem since . The important thing is to do as much physio as possible without over doing it , take pain medication before the pain gets too bad , managing the pain is much better than trying to relive it when it occurs . Most things are possible but don't do anything that causes impact to your knee , jogging , running , skiing etc.
jenny80029 davidjk22
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cynthia89958 jenny80029
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Jenny, I do agree with your thought of reserving judgement until after the first year - we are our own worst enemies at times by comparing our progress to others, though it is only human and natural to do it. We all vary in recovery and health and fitness. Knees are awkward complex things and don't care a fig about timelines!
?I do use sticks when out and about, for confidence and balance on uneven ground and to fend off people who try to walk into us!! In the house, I walk unaided. My walk is not great yet. I'm having physio still and making progress so it is not all bad. Take care for now.
sue33011 freestork
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Well done freestork. Seems like you have found the balance between whats right for your individual recovery and "expectation"- a major key in your recovery. Small steps, gradually increasing as the body allows. When the body feels good the mind feels better! Dont ever underestimate the power of the mind. It is a powerful tool in any recoveey process-and as we know, the tkr journey can be a testing one. Your post rings of positiveness-well done.
marilyn10235 freestork
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Hi there Freestork, you have done really well. So good to hear HOW well.
I'm really happy for you, this group really does need to hear the good stories.
Keep up the good work.
Marilyn
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