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Total Knee Replacement 8 weeks Post Op

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pegs_girl
pegs_girl

Hi 

I am 8 weeks Post Op and wondered how you were all getting on!!

I am pleased wit my progress other than having what is commonly know as a Bursea behind my Knee, this is causing me pain on bending but mainly through the night.

I am achieving a 140 bend, can walk properly up a full set of stairs going up, but still coming down with both feet on 1 step and need to work on this.

Physio have now reduced my visits to monthly and the consultant is really happy with the 'end' result, albeit i do have to go back in 6 weeks to check the Bursea. i have been told this may be drained or surgically removed if it doesnt go down on its own accord!! 

The on going issues i have is through the night i do have pain that keeps me awake and i rarely get a full nights sleep.

For all of you out there who have either just had the Operation or are due too i can only advise to be patient, the pain and disability gets better in my opinion after about 4 weeks, each day after this i found so much improvement, i am back driving, dont use any sticks at all now, and can walk quite a distance, i still have a slight limp when walking and am working hard on 'marching' when i walk advised by physio, apparently if i concentrate on swinging my arms when walking it makes me walk straight without a limp. I am still off work and dont imagine going back for a further 6 weeks. I use an static bike twice daily and try and beat my time each day, this is helping with my muscle wastage.

I could never imagine i would feel this way 4 weeks ago but now i am doing so well i know its been worth it. My scar looks good and is just a thin line although its a bit purple looking, i still have swelling on the knee but not much, and my Knee does look a funny shape!!

I hope you are all doing good and that my experiance helps you with your recovery.

Good luck and stay positive...

20 likes, 341 replies

341 Replies

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  • sueoz
    sueoz pegs_girl

    Posted

    Hi pegs girl

    i have just joined the forum and found your post so very helpful.  I am three weeks post op. And have been told by my Physio that I am doing remarkably well. However, I find that walking more than half Kim. At a time exhausts me and the pain seems to get much worse after a busy day.  I guess I am trying to do too much as I want to have my other knee done 8 weeks post op.  I am trying to wean myself off the pain killers but find that if I do I go backwards.   I can get my knee about 120 degrees and almost straight but also have a bursa at the back of my knee which inhibits walking and straightening my knee.   How long after your op. Did you stop the heavy meds.  I am told that it is a better idea to stay on them longer rather than suffer and perhaps not do the exercises.   Love to hear from anyone who has helpful information.

    • moandrieu
      moandrieu sueoz

      Posted

      I didn't have a lot of heavy meds. Ultracet was the strongest they sent me home with. And I think I took them for about a month or so. I did take over the counter pain killers, to take the edge off of things. But I think it's better to not be in pain and work the area than be in pain and work it less. Just remember, lots of icing.

      Also, I didn't initially do too much (you said you've have more pain after a busy day). My number one postition was on my bed, legs stretched out. I would flex them and straighten them and lift them here and there while I was in there. Maybe that's why my legs straighten so nicely. I would also swing my legs over the side, feet planted firmly and then sort of scoot to the edge of the bed, holding the bend when it got to a point of discomfort. But your bend sounds marvelous. 

      By the way, can you explain bursa to me, Sue? I'm wondering if that's what I struggled with behind one of my knees...it's taken months but I think it's finally gone.

    • sueoz
      sueoz moandrieu

      Posted

      A bursa is also called a bakers cyst. It's a large sac of fluid which collects behind the knee.  I had one both times that I had an arthroscopy.  They took about 6 months to disappear.  Makes straightening the knee more difficult
    • alit68
      alit68 sueoz

      Posted

      I have had 4 Bakers Cyst episodes over the past 9 months.  One behind my right knee, and 3 times on my left.  Causes stiffness and pain behind the knee, and excessive swelling in the calf and ankle if it bursts.  This was the first indication that I had knee issues. The cyst is caused by excessive build up of fluid in the knee.  It drains into the bursae (fluid sac) behind the knee, and when the build up gets too great, the sac can burst and the fluid gathers in the leg.  GP first suspects Deep Vein Thrombosis due to the swelling symptoms.  My first and second episode were treated successfully by a Physiotherapist with Ultrasound and electropulse therapy which moved the fluid out of the leg.  I had a much more persisitent episode when travelling to Singapore  and one after my hip surgery (when I thought I was recovered after 3 weeks and started doing too much.....my knees soon slowed me down) 

      https://patient.info/health/bakers-cyst-leaflet

      I am just hoping that these cysts do not flare up again after my knee replacements.....tho I suspect thay could well become an issue again.

      Emis Moderator comment: I have replaced the given link with the link to our article on this.

    • moandrieu
      moandrieu sueoz

      Posted

      Well then, I guess that is what I had. Does it feel almost like a twisted muscle? I would try to massage it, seemed to help for a moment. I was worried that something had flipped/twisted before they put the new knee in.
    • sueoz
      sueoz moandrieu

      Posted

      I don't think it feels like a twisted muscle. It moves when it is massaged and seems to disperse, but soon returnes.  Sometimes it feels quite hard and other times it seems to soften.  Most of them disperse by themselves when the knee is fully healed.   No of the doctors or physics that I have seen, seemed at all worried about it.  

      Thank you for your input on the forum, it has helped me enormously.  Seems I have to be patient and not try to rush things.

    • moandrieu
      moandrieu alit68

      Posted

      Thanks Ali. I will read the article (albeit one that the moderator switch it to). I have no idea what I had, it's not sounding like a bakers cyst/bursa. All I know was that it really caused a lot of pain and lasted a long time.
  • Xsweetmary
    Xsweetmary pegs_girl

    Posted

    I am so happy to have found this discussion board. I wish I had found it before my surgery as I really had no idea what to expect. I am 4 weeks post op from a right knee tkr. I am doing very well now but as till get discouraged that I'm not doing as well as I should be. I can bend to 115, gave up crutches and cane at 2 weeks, can do stairs but only one at a time still and can walk a quarter mile without difficulty. (I am in the states, sorry no metric). I have a great surgeon and he did a wonderful job on my replacement. I am doing therapy 3 times a week and have some problems like swelling, stiffness and pain as a result. I am off pain med but still take over the counter med when needed. Sleeping is the worst part as my knee wakes me every hour to turn a different position and I have to use a pillow between my legs. I did not expect the pain to be as severe as it was and I cried for nearly 2 weeks after the surgery. I did all my exercises even tho I did not want to and am now glad I did! Stiffness is the worst thing in my opinion. My only concern is my calf and foot still hurt to touch them and wearing a shoe is miserable. I still have bruising in both areas and am wondering if this is normal? And if so, how long before it subsides? Thanks for all of your comments. It has been a huge help and inspiration. Good luck to all! !
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo Xsweetmary

      Posted

      Yes,you are doing well!  I also had a very sore foot for a long time. . at first it was impossible to put it to the floor!  the bruising and soreness goes on for ages with most people.  My calf was swollen like a balloon until about the eighth week, and the whole leg still aches by the evening.  Nearly everyone has problems with sleeping. . .Hopefully the pain will subside soon . . I have nerve pain still after 13 weeks, but everyone is different!
    • PattyLee
      PattyLee Xsweetmary

      Posted

      WOW, sounds like you're doing great!  I'm 5 weeks right knee also, at a 120 bend, still using my cane, I feel like it's my security blanket lol. I'm off pain meds just Advil, the stiffness and lack of sleep are hard to deal with. I'm in the States also, going to therapy 3 times a week and continue to do stretching exercises and taking walks. I was luck not to bruise after surgery and haven't had a problem with calf/foot pain. Keep up the good work!
    • Xsweetmary
      Xsweetmary martinarvelo

      Posted

      Thanks for your response. I'm glad to know the leg and foot pain is normal. It doesn't hurt to walk on it just to touch or wear a shoe. I wear slippers when I go out. I don't have the problem you have with the calf swelling, thankfully. I do have a small pouch of fluid right above my knee that won't subside but my therapist is working on massage which he assures me will solve the problem eventually. I hope your swelling eases. Again thanks for response!
    • Xsweetmary
      Xsweetmary PattyLee

      Posted

      Hi Patty, sounds like you are doing great also! I understand the security of the cane, I have one for trips to the grocery store or whenever I know I will have to do a lot of standing. I try not to use it tho as I have a lot of muscle strengthening to do yet. My doc says he doesn't expect me to bend to 120 until 6 months post op but I'm at 115 now so that isn't a problem. I can almost get it completely straight but not quite. You are very lucky not to have bruising. I took pics of my leg 2 weeks post op and it still looked ad if it had been run over by a truck! I wish you the best of luck as you continue to heal! Keep up the hard work!
    • caroline46398
      caroline46398 Xsweetmary

      Posted

      Sounds like you are doing really well. If you are upright a lot (and seems you are) then the bruising is travelling down to the lowest point - you ankles and feet. Mine was worst at 4 weeks and gone by 6 weeks on feet. Still had some on back of calf after that and now at 10 weeks can still see a little bit under the skin below the kneecap but only if I really look for it. Sounds like you need to elevate you foot more and relieve the pressure on your lower limb - the calf is the worst but wont be long before it goes - keep up the good work. You will sleep better if you take pain meds at night.
    • Xsweetmary
      Xsweetmary caroline46398

      Posted

      Thanks Caroline. You are right that I need to elevate my leg more. That's the one thing I haven't done much of and I know it's important. I will start tonight! I should also take the pain med at night as well but they tend to make me a little hyper. Perhaps I will try something like Aleve. Im glad to know the bruising should be gone soon! I just never expected my foot and calf to hurt, silly of me i guess. Thanks for the great advice!
    • alit68
      alit68 Xsweetmary

      Posted

      RICE regularly for managing swelling in the legs...works a treat

      R. Rest

      I.   Ice

      C. Compression. 

      E.  Elevation

      It is worthwhile to invest in a good pair of compression stockings. (Mine cost me $135' and worth every cent) You don't need to wear them all the time, (and you won't want to as they are not particularly elegant) but they will help with moving the fluid buildup from your calves and ankles.

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