Total Knee Replacement 8 weeks Post Op
Posted , 148 users are following.
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
romeomelissa pegs_girl
Posted
I would highly suggest that you make a bed on the couch I purchased a memory foam for a topper for on the couch. I would not have been able to do the stairs, my bedroom is upstairs too. I started sleeping up there after 3 weeks. To hard to get ice, and get to the bathroom with the walker it was just to hard. Hope that helps I am 8 weeks out now can walk up with both rails but down in still hard. What I found in the last 2 weeks was Magnetic therapy and that has decreased the pain level tremendously. My Chiropractor has a system I HIGHLY suggest this.... Good Luck
Dutchmanscloud pegs_girl
Posted
Thank you so much for your advice,I'm also eight weeks ,and I was feeling so much better ,until this week ,when I've started to get pain in the knee cap,..?? So I'm back on pain killers,got an appointment on the 22of Feb,to see the surgeon,and for him to X-ray and check all is well,like you pain at night has been the problem but that seems normal from what I hear.
and also and i was interested to hear about your slight limp,I'm the same,,trying to walk heel toe,but that advice about swinging,arms I will try.
on thing Ive been using is peppermint oil,pharmaceutical grade mixed with JOJOBA oil,
and that's brilliant ,for the pain and the scar!,
I can walk,,,,well we girls have to shop!!!! About two miles but often have some painkillers when I'm having a coffee,half way round.
from day one it's been slowly getting better,have a bike,which I use daily,seems to loosen everything up,like you said everyday gets better,
i can do the stairs up and down,one leg after the other,,still a bit painful going up,
,so I guess just have to find out why the knee cap is sore,,could be nerves mending?
Anyway thank god for this web site so we can discuss,our recovery ,lizzy
i
Dutchmanscloud pegs_girl
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
roberta3181956 pegs_girl
Posted
Thanks for the good info. I’m 8 weeks post op and too have a bursa cyst behind my knee. Bend ratio down to 125 & i am an active, or used to be, 61 year old female. Work full time and run a small canine rescue. My employer is pressing me to return to work and has been for 3 weeks but my knee is also still swollen, red and has a lot of heat in it. I hope I begin to improve quickly within the next two weeks. They are now doing ultra sound for pain. Draining or removal of the bursa isn’t an option at this time. Thanks.