Total Knee Replacement 8 weeks Post Op

Yes I think you, like many of us, overdid things - rest and recover.

Hi Susan, everyone is different!  I think that the majority of people who have had a tkr are doing brilliantly and that it is only the minority who are struggling a little bit more need this forum to reassure them that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Like me.  I am now 8 weeks tkr and struggled !!  But, like minded tkr's helped me and now I can honestly say i have turned the corner.  No arthritic pain just a little surgical pain if I have overdone it.  You will be given loads of pain relief too to help.  Go for it Susan,  it will be worth it.......

Hi Susan, I had my TKR 11 weeks ago, and it wasn't nearly as bad as some have experienced! I'm 66, had bone on bone same as you, and the pain after the op was nowhere near as bad as I'd been told to expect. In fact, at no time has it been as bad as the bone on bone!

Having the op was the best thing I've done, and I'm certainly not the only one out there. After my morphine was stopped the day after the op, I was on panadol only. When the physio came to get me up and walking on that same day, I nearly passed out from fear until I realised that I could actually do it, and an hour later I was having a shower while the nurse waited outside! From that moment on I felt like a new woman! That first shower is something I'll always remember. A tip: take lots of sweet smelling creams and lotions with you in order to perk you up when needed, and ear-plugs - just in case. 

Don't at any time once you're home try to tough it out. Take your meds before you start hurting and do your excercises religiously. Only do as much as you can, listen to your body, and rest, rest, rest. I honestly didn't lose one night's sleep, (mind you, I always had a glass of wine with dinner, no matter how many pills I'd popped, so that might have helped!) I stopped using crutches or even a stick 12 days post op, I'm back to doing all of the housework (slowly) and I've been able to do the shopping for about 6 weeks now. Saw my surgeon today, because last week I had a lot of pain above the knee when walking my dog, and my physio was worried about it. It was just the ligament. I overdid the excercising before the ligament has had time to heal. But that was the 1st pain I've really experienced. By the way, I stopped the panadol about 2 or more weeks ago.

I must admit that I'm very lucky to be fairly slim, which I know is a help, and I did hydrotherapy pre-op excercises for about 3 months. I'm back there now, twice a week, and will keep going for as long as I can. I also see a physio once a fortnight. I may have to have the other knee replaced in the near future, but I've no fear about going through it again.

If there's anything you want to ask me, Susan, feel free as I've read so many horror stories I can understand you having second thoughts. But if you've put up with bone on bone for so long, your pain threshold is probably a lot higher than you think. Try not to worry, be kind to yourself and look forward to having a brand new knee!

Denise from Oz

Susan, I turned 50 last year, and had tollerated the pain in both knees for 9 years, many of it bone on bone. But one weekend I over did the walking and then had to rush to try to catch a taxi. From that moment on, I couldn't bend one of my knees while walking. As a result, I had terrible hip and back pains. I endured this for four months before I decided enough was enough. I had a bilateral TKR. Yes, the pain from the surgery was a shock, because it wasn't where I expected it. But now, almost 6 months later, I am in such a better place. I cannot imagine having waited any longer. And sometimes I wonder why I waited at all. It's major surgery, but well worth it. I can stand for hours and walk so much further than I could for the past 7 years. This forum is a place where we can cry out to others who understand, that's why you see the frank and honest conversations. As people who've gone through it, we understand the pain more than most doctors. It's a great place to feel normal and know that things are progressing as they should. With your surgery coming up, make sure you are building up not only leg strength, but also abdominal and upper arms, you will need those a lot in the begining. Best of luck.

I was like you Susan, I'm nearly 4 weeks post op now. I'm 52. Like you I questioned it, but what I experienced is you need to focus and get in the right headspace. Once the surgery is done, it's all up to you and the Physio really.

I'm in Australia in Queensland and there is so much that I haven't been able to do for so long due to pain in my knee, but now I'm looking forward to enjoying life with my husband again.

It was fantastic reading your post. Thank you for sharing, given me a bit more inspiration now 😊.

Well susan im 8 weeks post op and going through the wishing id never bothered stage lol im 56 so my cons said all TKR are better than the original knee for pain and movement???? He told me mine would be a doddle cos im young and very slim lol but im waiting for that day . At least you no what to prepare for?? To be truthful I never expected it to be this bad but having said that its done now and im determined to get better. In yorks we have no follow up physio so ive managed to borrrow a static bike coming next week and today ive just got upstairs in the normal fashion one foot then the other yipppppppppeeeeeee. Just make sure you get proper pain killers and buy ice packs for the ready?? Then its up to you??? I am at last seeing a slight improvement but I know loads of people who have had them done and are glad they did. I too had ur doubts but its done now so its onwards and upwards. GOOD LUCK X X

Hi Susan and all,

I am from Melbourne, Australia and had a TKR on my right knee 4 and a half weeks ago after almost 9years putting it off which was suggested by my doctor so I don't need to have an op later when I'm older. Both my knees need to be done as they have been bone on bone for awhile.

Well I'm 4.5wks and have a mix bag of results my walking with crutches and weight bearing is very good, my pain levels are very good only having to take strong pain relief as needed which is mostly at night to assist me sleep as I'm only getting average 2hr blocks of good sleep since the operation. 

My main issue is the knee movement I only have 63degrees after 4.5wks, the reason being is bad tissue scarring around my quads they are very, very tight and I am working on losening this with massaging, hydro pool, spa and certain exercises..

I guess my my experience to date has been frustrating where I am at to date as I had high expectations to be able to drive about now and back to work in the next week but this looks like being another 3-4weeks away.

The doctor is happy where I am at he told me this week and also reminded me that "Tony this is a major surgery which is a long healing process and everyone is different in how they progress, so stop reading and googling where you think you should be at as everyone heals differently"

So my main issue recently has been more around mentally than physically and getting frustrated and at times doing things I shouldn't ie walking/limping with no crutches, pushing things around a bit heavy and thinking I can do everything normally....I soon learnt whilst that particular time it seemed ok well later it hurt like hell...! I have now accepted it will take time and I need to listen to the professionals advice, it's  mind of matter and getting that right and accept that it will be a long process that's reality..

I have heard things on this forum that has been great as I can visualise those things in my journey and that I'm not alone in what I'm experiencing.. I have no doubt things will work out as I've read it here I have spoken to people who have had it done and said it's the best thing they did should have done it earlier so the success rate is high.

With knowing that clearly the success rate is high and I have no doubt I will get there, I lay here in my bed (another restless night sleep) at 4weeks going on 5 and the advice I can share with you from my experience to date is, listen to the professionals, everyone heals different,  don't try and do things you shouldnt just because you feel ok, accept help from others if offered as you will need it, don't be afraid to ask for help I've learnt to put my ego aside thinking not to put others out the way and do it myself.......the reality is you can't yet so don't. Do your physio rehab exercises given to you and do as much as you can handle don't over do it thinking you will recover quicker as you may be doing more harm, celebrate small successes it's very important to acknowledge this ie....I maybe at 63degrees right now but a week ago I was only 55degrees so a  plus 8degree improvement.

Dont get me wrong there will be some bad days just like like today I have I think it's called a bursae behind the knee it's very sore requiring a lot of icing up but I was silly yesterday and over did it. 

Expect some bad days it's going to happen but you will get there, stay positive!

I have loved reading comments in this forum as I can visualise exactly those things happening to me at different stages and it's all normal and it's not just happening to me. It's also great reading the successes and know it will come.

I just wanted to share my experience I have had in my 4.5 weeks since my TKR and that hopefully it helps you and others and I look forward to reading more great experiences and advice..

I sure am wiser for the experience and know what to expect when doing the left one next.

Cheers

Tony

You have hit the nail on the head and recognised that whilst we can do a lot to help ourselves nature will also take it course and the old saying that time is a great healer I reckon orginated from someone who had a TKR! I had a big setback mentally and physically (seems to be a link) last week but to day am determined to be patient, stay focused and do whatever possible to aid my recovery. I have booked in the gym and bought some new very supportive trainers which are briliiant. Good luck and you have to have bad days to recognise the good days! 

Unless you are very unlucky, it's not likely to be worse . . Well, just for the first couple of weeks perhaps!  From then on, it's a slow recovery, up some days, down the next, but the vast majority of us do get there in the end!  Yes, there are some unlucky people who have a misaligned prosthesis etc. . but it's quite rare.  

I have come to terms now that it will be done again. The pain today has been unbearable, I have just iced for ages, (stopping after 20 mins, massaging then icing again) for relief - but none comes. I always have soft tissue swellings (inflamed) in 3 areas, & decided to take a photo to share! (mad or what) - all due to malalignment. So at 27 weeks, I await the next appointment with the new consultant, who has already talked over the pros & cons re a revision, & I will agree to it being done. Fingers crossed lightning simply cannot strike twice.

I'm so sorry Veronica. . what a horrible situation to be in. all this pain and suffering, and back to stage one again. that phot does look horribly sore. . .Life is short enough, and altogether this is going to take a year of yours away from you .  Good luck with the revision . . . 

Hi veronica - my guess is your new surgeon is going to take extra special care of you with this second operation because you've had such a bad experience with the first - both because of compassion for you and your suffering and the good kind of pride in doing a workmanlike job as a surgeon. Hope it comes speedily!

P.S. glad of the tip on rubbing in flexiseq very thoroughly its def helping now - big thank you x

Hi Tony, I'm 52 in Queensland, 4 weeks post op on Wednesday. I'm doing really well all bar sleeping like everyone experiences... My Physio was talking to me about manipulation under twilight sedation to assist with the bend if there were problems... Might be worth discussing with your Surgeon, afterwards apparently is great. But I'm now at 100 bend so no need at this stage... But totally agree with everything you said.

Best of luck to you

Susie