Total Knee Replacement
Posted , 6 users are following.
total knee replacement, recovery time, pain meds
0 likes, 17 replies
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Notes on Total Knee Replacement
Fifi55
Posted
Hi, I like to hear about your experience with your TKR. I'm on my 2nd one. For some reason seems I'm having more problems with walking with the 2nd one. I'm doing better at bending, I'm already at 100 in a week's time. I can lay my leg flat already to a zero. But walking is hard. Please I like to hear your story.
?Vivian
cheryl90571 Fifi55
Posted
Sounds like very good progress!😊
You mentioned you were having trouble with walking. Can you explain a bit more? Maybe I can help!
( TKRs June and October 2015)
Fifi55 cheryl90571
Posted
When I walk it's very painful behind the knee.
cheryl90571 Fifi55
Posted
Hi Fifi!
I had that issue, too, PRIOR to my surgeries, and I was afraid it would crop up again AFTER my surgeries since my surgeon did NOT do any repair in the back of either knee.
On a hunch I shared my concern with my physical therapist. She said that most pre and post surgical patients have tight hamstrings due to bending their knees a bit when walking to take pressure off the scraping of bone against bone due to disintegrated cartilage.
I didn't realize I was bending my knees, but it was clear that I WAS! Also, when doing exercises on the table, I didn't have straight legs. They lifted a bit at the back of the knee.
During each session I worked on stretching my hamstrings. I also stretched throughout the day at home. I continue to stretch my legs out straight and tighten then loosen my quads when I sit. My feet are both up on my ottoman.
To start, place one leg at a time on an ottoman or chair while being seated. At first you may only be able to handle a couple minutes. Use a looped belt to hoist your leg up if needed. (I just used one of my husband's leather belts.) Eventually you will be able to get both legs up.
Another VERY helpful stretch is rolling a towel and placing it on the floor in front of your kitchen sink. Place the fronts of your feet on the rolled towel, hold onto the sink/ counter and gently lift your heels off the floor. Hold a bit then go back down. This gives a nice gentle stretch to your hamstrings. Do everything slowly.
These are my two favorite hamstring stretches, and I am happy to say that I no longer have pain behind my knees.
I hope this proves helpful to you!
tricia1954 Fifi55
Posted
Hi Vivian
?I am 6 weeks into my second PKR and it is so hard.
?The first one ten months ago was a shock as I was "sold" the idea that a partial knee would be a walk in the park!
?It was 12 weeks before I could honestly say I was feeling better than before it and was glad I had it done. AT ten months it is still very sore when walking, it feels almost bruised. I am putting it down to having to take the weight of the newer one.
?I have a much better bend faster than the first one, measured yesterday at 130 versus the other knee at 140 and both are straight. However the second one is far more painful, unlike the first which after 6 weeks seemed only to hurt on walking and exercising, the second one hurts all the time! I have found out I am allergic to the internal stitches so there has been some extra inflammation. I am doing all the exercises on my own and at the physio but it is a slow painful experience.
?The moral is to not make comparisons but it is difficult not to do that when it is your own knee.
?I have just come off the hardcore tablets I was on Tramadol for 6 weeks and am trying to manage with Paracetamol and Ibuprofen along with ice only a modicum of success.
?I did have my best sleep in 7 months last night however managing a stretch without interruption of nearly 5 hours!
Good luck with your recovery, like everyone else says on here it is a long, slow job and patience is needed.
?Unfortunately I have very little!
Fifi55 tricia1954
Posted
Hi, I don't have the patience I use to have. I'm so tired of just laying down or sitting in the recliner. We'll be nice to get up and take a walk!
CHICO_MARX Fifi55
Posted
Fifi55 CHICO_MARX
Posted
I'm listening to the knee, don't have much choice.
shona18872 Fifi55
Posted
Thing is now I’m in week 4 and everyday I’m feeling stronger I have to listen to my knee. If I do too much it gets painful and swells up. I just have to try and be patient. In a few months I’ll be moaning at having to do everything and getting no help!! LOL! Can’t win.
Take care and hope you’ll be better soon. Xx
CHICO_MARX shona18872
Posted
"Fed up" and "frustrating" are terms and words that have been banned in TKRville...as is the word "should". While the feelings are real and valid, they provide no path forward. Your tools are time, work and patience...emphasis on the latter. This is a very difficult recovery...it will test your heart, mind, body and soul. Be up to the challenge...be stronger than you ever thought you could be. Think about it...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-and-ptsd-569521
Fifi55 shona18872
Posted
shona18872 Fifi55
Posted
I’m 4weeks in this time and on the same meds plus ibuprofen. I was really down and emotional last week but everyday I’m getting stronger now and started to push myself, so feeling more alive and positive. Think we all have to remember it’s major surgery we’ve been through and everyone heals different and at different stages. Take care. Xx
Fifi55 shona18872
Posted
I'm going to slow down, I'm always in a hurry these days. Thank you for the info.
CHICO_MARX Fifi55
Posted
Your knee controls your recovery...not your mind, not your "schedule", not nuttin'. Do too much and the knee bites you back. This is a long, slow, gradual recovery. A great tool is a fit bit or any other step tracker. When the knee hurts or swells, check your steps. That's now past your limit. Back off, ice, elevate and resume gradually. It's not a race. Slow and steady. The nice thing about the trackers is that you can graph your progress...very rewarding.
shona18872 Fifi55
Posted
I’m 4weeks in this time and on the same meds plus ibuprofen. I was really down and emotional last week but everyday I’m getting stronger now and started to push myself, so feeling more alive and positive. Think we all have to remember it’s major surgery we’ve been through and everyone heals different and at different stages. Take care. Xx