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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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  • markOSU
    markOSU pegs_girl

    Posted

    8 weeks post-op. Walking is normal. Up and down stairs with just a little discomfort going down stairs.

    Went back to work this week. Job requires much standing and driving. Disappointed with amount of flexion 120 and knee continues to swell and warm too touch. PT at home every day and with therapist once a week. I'm 55 and getting frustrated with progress and therapist telling me how happy I should be.

    • clive45466
      clive45466 markOSU

      Posted

      Hi

      12 weeks for burning to stop ( 6 weeks for the lucky ones)

      I could not have thought about returning to work at 8 weeks.

      I am 10 months since the TKR, knee still swells if on my feet all day or push the exercise.

      So I agree you doing great, time will improve things.

      Good healing

    • kmnau66
      kmnau66 markOSU

      Posted

      This Friday 4/14/17 I will be 12 weeks post op.  I was driving after a week, back to work at 2 weeks.  Swelling was around after activity up until about 4 weeks.  I continued with PT for 4 weeks, then just started doing it on my own.  So I was at gym 2nd week doing bike.  Each passing day was better, by 6 weeks, was walking and using elliciptical and bike. To include leg strengthening quad work at the gym.  10 Weeks went hiking at 1050 elevation.  Knee was solid and strong, no buckling no pain.  Coming down was slow, but still solid.  Made my other feel week and look forward to doing it.  I think recover is dependent on the activity level. I try to stay active and consistently and ice twice a day.  My swelling is gone. Any tightness I feel is if I sit or stand too long.  Standing seems to agitate it.  Movement feels great, standing sitting hurts.  Weird... Overall, things are awesome. 
    • Laker
      Laker markOSU

      Posted

      Mark. I was having pain going down stairs too. But when I visited my brother he had a 4 level house and I did those stairs too many times to count. And now I only have an occasional twinge when I go down the stairs. I had 125 degree flex at 2 weeks but it took 6-8 weeks to get it straight. And the cause was my in home therapist gave me an exercise and I forgot to do it. You put your foot up high on 2 pillows and then practice trying to touch the back of your knee to the bed or floor. Then she added one that you stand up and hold on to something at first and you practice by flexing your knee forward then pull it straight back. Bc my doctor told me if I didn't get it straight I would have to go to outpatient therapy if I didn't, and learning that outpatient would put my knee across 2 chairs and put a weight bag on the knee to straighten it I worked my tail off for 2 weeks and I straightened it. Good luck.

  • Scarface94411
    Scarface94411 pegs_girl

    Posted

    I am also 8 weeks past my TKR. I can't complain my knee is so much better than it was prior to the surgery. I quit pain meds continually after 3 weeks but still took one before bed until 5 weeks. I am 120 bend and 4 degrees from being straight which is where I was before surgury. They say I will get full range but since I have had so many prior surgury a it will take a while. I can walk up and down stairs with ease and I have been working since week 4 but I do have an office job.  So far so good I have no regrets my only advise to others is do your research and find the right Doctor, it does make a difference.

  • jean29066
    jean29066 pegs_girl

    Posted

    Hi peg, I'm new to this so bear with me. I'm also 8 weeks out and it's 3:15 am and still can't sleep. I can never find a way to sleep that doesn't hurt. I'm so frustrated. I should mention I had bilateral knee replacment. Both at same time, glad I did this cause probley would never do again. I have one knee feels pretty good, but the other is terrible. My siatic nerve has kicked in and also shin splints in both legs. I'm beside myself. Also restless leg syndrome. That's a real picnic. Was released from therapy but starting again this next week. Doing my exersizes bucking on stationary bike. I don't know what else to do. I tell my doc and pt and they keep telling me I'm doing good. I really think somthing is wrong. My question is did anyone else have these issues. I'm just so tired and sick of all the pain. 

    • Eizie
      Eizie jean29066

      Posted

      Jean I'm about 5 months out post bilateral knee replacement and I'm doing pretty good. Some days worse than others. Same as you, I have one knee that is much better than other (left better than right). And subsequently on that side I also have some sciatica which is getting better with ice and heating pad. I wish I could go up and down stairs easier but I'm hoping with time I will. Sleeping has definitely improved in the past 5 weeks which I had thought would never happen! So Jean all I can say is give your knees time to heal. I never thought it would take so long to even start to feel the "new normal", as they say, but we'll get there! I've had to learn patience, patience!! ??🙏

    • Laker
      Laker jean29066

      Posted

      Hi Jean. When I was in my first 6 weeks my restless leg didn't act up, probably bc of the pain medication. But, it came back in full force after that. I take requip for it and I'm one of the lucky ones bc it works 4 me. As for the sleeping part, I put a pillow between my legs so that my knees didn't touch and it worked great. You just have to try different leg positions with the pillow and you'll find a comfortable spot. Good luck.

    • Dutchmanscloud
      Dutchmanscloud jean29066

      Posted

      thank you so much for the walking  advice to swing arms,I have a slight limp,so I'm trying that,like you the night time is worse,I'm 8 weeks today,found a hot water bottle now works better than icing,,advised to do that by surgeon,And  it works well,

      Came out of the hospital after 48hours  with crutches,which I ditched   for a stick,

      used a bike third day and that was good,,night time was and still is a nightmare,waking at least every three hours,,sometimes still with pain,Think it's nerves mending.. ?

      only now my knee cap has been painful,last two days,have to see the surgeon this month,to have X-ray and check all is ok.like everyone says it gets better,I can walk around for an hour,,still take pain killers with me,if I need them,can go up and down stairs,ok,still a bit painful going up,

      i did find that straightening the leg was harder than bending,,but I'm working on it,everyone is different I guess,

      i was also told to make sure the peddles on the exercise bike are at full length,,so as to straighten the Leg,mine were to short,

      Hope this helps thank god we can advise each other with this site 

      knowing we all have different advice is brilliant ,would try anything,to get better 

      lizzy

       

  • vikkitennis
    vikkitennis pegs_girl

    Posted

    Thank you for a very positive response to the TKR. Of the 10 surgeries I have had in 37 years, this is the toughest. I am a very active woman, age 62, retired educator, play tennis, bike, walk, ride my bike and exercise at the gym: you can see how tough this is for me. One advice to new patients is have a mental activity to do daily from the beginning when you return home from the hospital. I had organization of drawers, planning our RV trips, and other types of paper work. Take each day one day at a time. You can't rush the reocery time. I am seven weeks post op. PT is brutal, but I know it will get me in shape for the courts.

    • alan91550
      alan91550 vikkitennis

      Posted

      Well good job ,getting back at it . Just left my work as Land Surveyor they say my work duties have changed . So Iwill be carrying more equipment and longer on my feet .Ireally think they are trying to get rid of me .  I tired to ask for a 3day a week for the start but they where not having it . So I guess Ihave lots of thinking to do. Right now walking is good on flat surfaces but a bit nervous  about going on long uphill jobs .  I'm also 62 years young and had operation middle of JUNE  all finished PT .  

       

    • michael61627
      michael61627 alan91550

      Posted

      Hello, I was in your same position with my job of 30 years, as home inspector, I was instructed to contact my states Workers with Disability Division. Once my employer knew I was possibly going leagal even past WDD, things got better for me. Start to document all entrances of possible negative work environment and one on one meetings. WDD will help set standards plus a lawyer can help with FLMA. You can improve your day to day treatment by your employer or help with lawyer for buy out.  I negotiated a buy out of full year salary, tried to get benefits too but settled for $ only. Good luck
  • tammy11224
    tammy11224 pegs_girl

    Posted

    I am just 8 days post right TKR and is amazing!!! I am 10 months post left TKR also. My left knee experience was quite different! I had a rough go with anesthesia and needed a spinal blood patch. I was out a full 6 weeks and Wen back part-time flex hours at week 7. I anticipate returning to work at 4 weeks this time, again with flex hours. Every person and situation is unique. Patience is definitely key, as is finding a balance between when to push and when to rest. Listen to your body. Wishing you well!
  • JinkyGirl
    JinkyGirl pegs_girl

    Posted

    Thanks for the upbeat post. I am also 8 week’s out - 49/f. Hope to start driving soon. Walking w/o cane or walker but can’t go too far yet :-(

    ROM is 120

    Struggling with getting comfortable at night, staying up all day and the emotional aspects of being limited. Joined the forum to connect.

    • steve_35465
      steve_35465 JinkyGirl

      Posted

      Your Rom is great.  How is your strength. I am 3 weeks out from a R TKR and am having considerable difficulty sleeping and achieving normal extension.   I am walking well as long as I concentrate upon technique.   I am a 42 yo male that had severe degeneration of tibia and femur.   This was my last choice and I am starting to regret it.  HAVE not slept in over 4 weeks.   I am glad to see I am not alone in feeling that this is a struggle 
    • KaimukiGirl
      KaimukiGirl steve_35465

      Posted

      Late in seeing your post. Please don't get discouraged, it all takes time and everyone starts at their own point and will hopefully see steady improvement as weeks go by (see how I mention weeks, don't measure progress in days). Difficulty sleeping has got to be one of the most aggravating thing that affects our recovery. It WILL improve for you, pain, swelling, stress from the surgery, feeling more dependent on others when you may have been more independent, increased anxiety and depressed from not feeling you're making enough progress I feel is a horrible cocktail for restful sleep. This will all get better, give it TIME. Try to set up a routine, relaxing things to wind down for the night. Are you sleeping on a comfortable enough bed/couch/recliner...whatever works for you. Mountains of pillows, memory foam mattress pad, soft comfortable socks? Kick person you may be sleeping with out of shared bed for awhile or move yourself, you usually are tossing and turning all night long trying for a comfortable position. We have all been there...don't give up," listen to the knee" plus you started out with pre-existing complications, that would more than likely add some additional need for recovery time don't you think? Hang in there, good luck!!

    • michael61627
      michael61627 steve_35465

      Posted

      Hey Steve, I’m 20 years older than you w same pre existing arthritic condition. Most likely your Surgeon had to shave off bone and straighten a bowed leg. All contributes to post surgery. Talk to Family Dr. to proscribe a anxiety medicine to help u sleep, at least three hours before the knee gets u up. I exersize about 3 am most nights for hour, stretching mostly, really helps my pain,  I’m at 8 weeks fully mobile starting a slow jog. Walking is most important at your stage. 1/4 mile a day, by week 5, 1/2 mile  by week 7-8 mile.  I was walking mile at 4 weeks but everyone different. Having your leg elevated high possible for 6-8 hrs a day important, not 45 min some DR say. Got to move that fluid and blood build up. If u walk and stretch, and elevate you will sleep better, the faster u heal sooner you’ll sleep. Eat organic greens like kale, spinach, broccoli, must be organic. If you like supplements organic turmeric. Get it off line, again must be organic. Good luck
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