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Total knee replacement

Posted , 13 users are following.

maria1957
maria1957

I had a total knee replacement 3 months ago , can't get my bend past 97 , so frustrating , in the morning my knee is very thight in the morning.

I still have 2 Physio sessions a week and hydrotherapy 4 to 5 days a week, also exercise at home at least once a day. I'm starting to feel overwhelmed my life is consumed by all of the exercises!!!

Still not at work, I am a nurse and I don't think I have the speed to go back to a busy surgical ward, my knee gets " tired" after walking for s couple of hours.

I need to go back as no work no pay.

im trying SO hard to remain strong and positive but it's hard .

1 like, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • david55379
    david55379 maria1957

    Posted

    Maria I'm in a very similar situation. My TKR was 5 wks ago and i can barely do 90°

    The reason is because going into surgery my knee was soo bad i had only 95° for all these years...so they say scar tissue has built up making it very diffecult to rehab the knew knee past that.

    A procedure called a "manipulation" may be necessary.

    As for what that is...I'll let b the rest of this group tell you.

    I'm soo depressed and frustrated about myn situation i don't have much faith to fill you with.

    But i DO get it...i know exactly what you're going through!

    • maria1957
      maria1957 david55379

      Posted

      Hi David

      That's why this sites are good 😄

      The manipulation is usually done before the3 months mark, b however there are risks involved such as the surgeon breaking the tibula during manipulation.

      Some days I just want to give up but then I pick my self up and keep exercising.

      Wishing you a speedy recovery

      Maria

  • Nextoneplease
    Nextoneplease maria1957

    Posted

    Dear Maria

    I am so sorry, you are obviously working so hard at rehab, yet remain frustrated. I am at just over 3 weeks post-op, so can't compare experiences, but just wanted to lend my support.

    Also I wondered whether you might be able to return to work on a different ward, or in a day unit? Also, I've always wondered how nurses get to be practice nurses in GP surgeries? 

    Might it be a good time to explore your options? No harm done if you do return to surgical ward work.

    Good luck smile x

    • maria1957
      maria1957 Nextoneplease

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply, I am taking another 4 weeks off. Today I'll have a good talk with my Physio and see what we can do within this time frame.

      Very , very frustrating .

      I do wish you a speedy recovery and keep on bending that knee and icing at least 6 times a daysmile

      Maria

    • maria1957
      maria1957 Nextoneplease

      Posted

      Hi Nextoneplease

      It's hard work , I only work a couple of days per week so it eventually should be fine

      Good luck with your recovery😄

    • Nextoneplease
      Nextoneplease maria1957

      Posted

      That sounds better, Maria, more doable! 

      I have been working as a self-employed tutor, which entails lots of standing, carrying equipment about etc. Currently I'll be amazed if I'm ever able to do it again.....

       

    • maria1957
      maria1957 Nextoneplease

      Posted

      Hi Nextoneplease

      We just need to remain positive and hope for the best , I'm hoping to be able to work at least one day as I like nursing.

      Bend today was 105 I'm so happysmile

      Take care

      Maria

  • linlee
    linlee maria1957

    Posted

    I had tkr 3/18. My rehab didn't go very well so on 4/27 I had manipulation done. For 3 days after mua I had pt and achieved a bend of 101. But that night and the next 2 days I was in such pain I could barely move. Pt next day and I was 40! Pt called my Dr to let him no. Dr pulled me from pt for 3 days. Pt worked my knee too aggressive. I had been going to the same pt for 6 weeks! 3 X's a week! I decided to switch pt places. As it turns out the first place had me doing wrong exercises. New pt is working on strengthening my quad and hamstring. After first day I left at 80. The next appt I was 90. I had wasted all that time. But I'm going forward. Make sure your doing the right exercises.
    • maria1957
      maria1957 linlee

      Posted

      Sorry to hear all the pain you had to go through , I didn't expect such a long recovery.

      My PT is good and accepts my ideas , I just want to be able to work .

      All the best

  • lucie47312
    lucie47312 maria1957

    Posted

    Maria, can't give you any advice as I'm only 4 weeks, but can feel your frustration. I was a nurse til I retired, so I know how fit you have to be. I had a hip replacement whilst I was working, and apart from 2dislocations!!, it was fine, but knees are something else!   Surely you have phased working at work?  I took full advantage of that. You seem to be doing all you can, hang on in there. Keep posting xx 
    • maria1957
      maria1957 lucie47312

      Posted

      Hi Lucie

      I only work a couple of days per week but still frustrating never thought that recovery from a TKR would take all this time

      Take care

  • caroline46398
    caroline46398 maria1957

    Posted

    I am 15 months post op - for some it takes a while. Just be patient. I think you are doing too much hydro/exercise - even though hydro is amazing and physio essential - overdoing it does make your leg swell and you need time to recover in between sessions. You cant rush this - take it steady, your nerves and and muscles have been through trauma - the bruising and scarring (deep) can take a while to settle. So keep going, but have some rest, some 'me' time. Of course your knee will get tired after 2 hours - even now mine does! It is hard to be positive but things will improve and sometimes  - we strong people find it very frustrating to be less than 100%. I've only just reached 119 flexion as I suffered from 'stiff knee' and deep scarring. I have done everything I can to help myself and only now can I say I feel my knee is almost normal and feels like it is mine rather than 'the new knee' Stay on here its great. 
    • maria1957
      maria1957 caroline46398

      Posted

      Thanks Caroline

      The PT just told me to decrease my hydro sessions . It's all about time and being patient I suppose

  • robert68675
    robert68675 maria1957

    Posted

    So sorry to here that Maria. I am 2 months, and have just got to 102 on the bend. What's clear to me, from the people who attended physio. Some seem to have got along quite quickly, were others seem still to have issues.

    It appears that there are not two people alike in recovery. I am just going along at my own speed.

    I would talk to the physio about the morning stiffness, and see what they can come up with.

    I hope you are feeling better soon. Bob.

  • blingbling33146
    blingbling33146 maria1957

    Posted

    Hi ,l can fully appreciate how you are feeling because l was in the same pisition as you,l only now after 17 wks have a bend of just over the 100 l still have swelling and pain , l do over do with exercises but have now cut bk as l was doing 3 steps forward and 4 bk ,l would not contemplate manipulation at all in time as it heals you will get the bend just keep stretching and strengthening. I am a 65 yr old carer in the community and l went bk to doing 3 x10hr shifts a week at 12 wks p/0 like you l did not get paid being off l was on SSP crazy but l managed my legs ached l could not rest during the day and it was hard but needs must and l did it and am still doing it so think positive, don't expect to go bk to work and be pain free that won't happen when you are on yr legs all day. I knew 12wks was my max off so l went for it, you will be fine good luck keep posting 
    • maria1957
      maria1957 blingbling33146

      Posted

      Hi bling bling33146

      Thanks , very similar

      Today I was bending at 105

      I just want to get used to this thightness and get on with lifesmile

    • debbie171066
      debbie171066 maria1957

      Posted

      Hi maria i sound in a similar situation to you! Im 49 and am just 13 wks post tkr! I expected to go back to work at 12 wks but iv struggled with walking technique. I am exercising lots and walking daily . I didnt think i would ever get back to my normal life. I went to physio yest who has swapped crutch for a cane and told me im dropping my legs as i walk. The problem is my core stability so as well as all my twice daily leg exercises iv got stomach and bottom exercises!

      I went to gp weds and poor bloke i cried! We had a great discussion where he said there is a fine line between mental health and physical health and as i was desparate to get back to work my physical health was starting to affect my mental health! Anyway im off for 2 more wks so i wil be 15 wks and im going back on a 4 wk phased return! Iv got tn!

      My bend has just reached 95!!! Iv got terrible artharytis in other knee! Who would of guessed how hard this recovery was going to be! Certainly not me!

      Good luck!

    • maria1957
      maria1957 debbie171066

      Posted

      Hi Debbie

      My surgeon told me I could go back to work at 6 weeks! Mentally I was ready to go but physically I am not and its now 12 weeks.

      Very long recovery. My bend today was 105 so it's a good day for me, but the thightness is there and when I walk I still limp a bit and can't walk fast 😭 Sites like these are good we don't feel alone.

      All the best and take care

      Maria

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