Total knee replacement

You are still too early in the healing process to think the TKR was a mistake.  It just takes so long to heal that most people get tired of the process.  The feelings in your hip, thigh and tightness are all part of it.  Resting properly and only doing as much as you are ready for is so very important so you do not have set backs by over use too soon.  I had a doctor tell it it would be better by 3 months and at 6 months you would rarely even think about your knee.  It gets better

Hang in there. I'm 13.5 weeks post op. It really got better in the last week.

O Jane been there done that!!

I had TKR 4 and a half years ago.

It is hard work to begin with.

They told me it would be about a year before ou really begin to feel the benefits and I reckon that was about right.

I know that sounds a long time at the moment but it is better to be realistic and know the facts.

Please don't give up.

Take care and keep in touhc

Love Sarah xxx

Everyone goes through this. Just get through the next few months and you'll see light at the end of the tunnel.

If you can accept mentally the fact that the first year is about recovery and then you have the great end result, going forward is boring but time passes and you heal and all the tight feelings go,and your knee works well with a bit of stiffness but no pain on walking, you're half way there.

 Get signed off work for a few more weeks if you can, being a nurse involves lots of walking, and with that comes swelling.

It gets better honestly, just about everyone on this forum will have a successful TKR, 

The tight band feeling goes, at six weeks too early, be patient.

 

I suggest you tell your physio and/or GP.

I feel the same way Jan. Next Wednesday it will be 6 weeks for me also.

Hi Jan

We are all different , I was around 10 weeks before things started to get more normal.

Keep saying icing and hot baths give a little relief.

Believe it does get better , but very slow

So sorry you are in the doldrums... Perhaps a neoprene knee compression sleeve...it is specifically made to cradle to patella, knee cap. One should be available from the pharmacy. you will need to measure the circumference of your knee in order to determine the correct size.

It is best to elevate your knee above your heart while placing a frozen gel ice pack beneath the knee as well as on top of the knee for an hour while you read, telly, chat, knit or whatever.

Then extend your leg straight up and hold it up for 30 seconds. Now slip the sleeve on. Be sure to properly allow the sleeve to cradle your patella, the knee cap. Flex your knee a couple of times to ensure that your patella is able to properly glide without impingment.

In about another hour you should have much less discomfort and pain. You may sleep in the sleeve. You may walk in the sleeve.

You will be pleasantly surprised at how much easier walking and range of motion exercises will become because the swelling will come way down.

The gel packs are available at the pharmacy...I would purchase four, two in use while two are freezing.

Just one more thing Jan.

I had a tv in the bedroom, linked to sky, and had earphones with an extension lead.

I was often watching tv at 3-4am, it sent me to sleep, says a lot for the programmes, but also stopped that awful staring at the clock and wishing the night would pass time.

Hubby was banished to the spare room,I think he was glad, at least he got some sleep, and I couldn't heve done with someone else there.

Long films really helped, and I napped during the day, just constantly tired for the first few months.

Just a thought ??