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Total Knee Replacement 8 weeks Post Op

Posted , 148 users are following.

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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  • Caldy
    Caldy pegs_girl

    Posted

    The sheer variety of comments emphasises just how individual we all are. I anxiously scanned the Internet for information on bilateral TKR both pre and post op and there are some horror stories out there. However, I've obviously been extremely fortunate and now, just over 6 weeks post op, I'm delighted with the outcome. No walking aids, no painkillers. Yet others visiting the consultant last week, single TKR and 8 or more weeks post op, were still limping with a stick and complaining that they wished they'd never gone ahead with the op. Be prepared for discomfort, pain, inconvenience or whatever, but I'm delighted that I went ahead with the op. I hit 40 golf balls earlier today at the range with no pain or discomfort at all. Pre op I would have needed 2 paracetamol and 2 naproxen just to walk about. Be positive about the whole procedure and you'll be more than halfway there.
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo Caldy

      Posted

      Sometimes I wonder if a lot of us on here are people who have more  problems than the norm,  and that there are loads of TKR patients out there with experiences like yours!  Enjoy your new-found freedom from pain!
    • tess94652
      tess94652 Caldy

      Posted

      That is so wonderful and an inspiration as to how it might be - even if it takes a biiiiiit longer. For myself I'm determined to get there no matter what the obstacles and difficulties. Hope everyone will get to where you are now! Never played golf but it looks such a lovely combo of being in nature outdoors and healthy exercise
  • moandrieu
    moandrieu pegs_girl

    Posted

    Great outlook, Pegs. I completely agree with you. I need to look up Bursea and see if that might be what I'm struggling with (still slightly there after 5 months). Getting to week three was a big relief for me, as some of the incredible tightness I felt went away. I so looked forward to my PT visits, as he stretched it in ways that brought so much relief (albeit there were times of tears).
  • leanne73106
    leanne73106 pegs_girl

    Posted

    Hello pegs! I just found this site and I am so glad I did! I am 7 weeks post op and have been wondering if I am where I should be at this point. This is my third knee replacement on my left knee. The first was a partial and having changed insurance meant having to change Orthopedic surgeons as well. My new Ortho told me the partial didn't take and that is why I still felt pain and was unable to walk long distances or stand, sit for long periods without becoming stiff. So, with much hesitation, I went ahead with a TKR. Well, three years later I am still in agony and decide to see a different surgeon. It turns out that my knee was put in wrong, on an angle and the hardware was too big! I went ahead with the revision and as I said I am now 7 weeks post op. I'm still having a lot of stiffness and pain. I use my cane mainly outdoors or when just waking up as I am stiff. I have Avascular Necrosis and I still have my right knee and both hips that need to be done. My ROM is at 115 so I guess I'm where I should be for now. There are times where my knee feels like jelly and kind of gives out. I see from others that strengthening is most important at this time and I should really focus on that. I'm glad to have found a site where there are people who are going through this as well and are willing to share their experience with others.
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo leanne73106

      Posted

      You really have had bad luck with your knee replacement!  I hope this one goes well for you.  Strengthening the muscles is important, and exercising regularly . .Any chance of going to a hydrotherapy pool?  I've found that quite helpful, and very pleasant, and there isn't a lot of pleasure around with a TKR is there!  I'm at ten weeks . . still swollen and a bit painful but not really that bad. . still limp the first few steps when getting up, but able to walk two kms a day without ex cessive pain.  Your bend is better than mine . . I'm still working on that, and the extension too . . good luck, and stay with the forum,. It is a big help!

       

    • caroline46398
      caroline46398 leanne73106

      Posted

      Wow bad luck but hopefully things will improve. I will be 8 weeks on Tuesday. Up and down but definitely improving. Still some way to go and relying on hope and excercise. Using one elbow crutch mainly for balance. If leg tired it collapses so not pushing it just increasing in small chunks. Had arthroscopy last July same knee so feels like ages since been normal. State of mind is as important as state of knee so stick at it and like everyone says balance rest exercise ice and elevation even when starts to improve . Hydrotherapy really helps though v swollen the next day. We are the same weeks so look forward to hearing your progress
    • moandrieu
      moandrieu leanne73106

      Posted

      I think that's probably one of my worse nightmares is having to go through it again. Hats off to you for doing it with so much grace. Your ROM sounds great. I remember the jelly knee; such an odd feeling and messes with your head a little. Glad you found this group and I hope it will help you through those times when you aren't sure your still in the "normal" range or not.
    • leanne73106
      leanne73106 martinarvelo

      Posted

      Thank you for your support! Unfortunately we don't have a hydrotherapy pool in my area but I'm hoping to have my pool opened soon and I will take full advantage of the heater to do some therapy. I wish you luck in your recovery as well!
    • leanne73106
      leanne73106 caroline46398

      Posted

      Hello caroline46398. State of mind is most definitely a factor in recovery. a positive attitude will help speed our recoveries along. Thanks for the advice and good luck to you as well!
    • leanne73106
      leanne73106 moandrieu

      Posted

      Hello moandrieu. Thank you for your kind words. I am sure you will not experience the "nightmare" that I have. Unfortunately, due to the "trust" I had in a surgeon, I believed that I was in need of a second surgery which led me to where I am today. Stay positive and thank you for support. Good luck in your recovery!
    • moandrieu
      moandrieu leanne73106

      Posted

      Well, I pray you are right. But really, what choice do we have but to trust those who have been trained. We can't stop trusting or we'd allow our bodies just to give up and crumble away, no?
  • lyndawcanada59
    lyndawcanada59 pegs_girl

    Posted

    Glad to hear of your progress. I am at my 8 week mark as well. My concern is the last week I have heard some noise when I do my physio bend exercises. Kind of reminds me of nails on a chalkboard! And now my leg is swelling a bit as well as my bend is decreasing! Anyone else have this kind of a setback? Thanks.
    • moandrieu
      moandrieu lyndawcanada59

      Posted

      Mmm, I'm not sure about thos nails on chalkboard sound, but I continue (5 months after surgery) to have some horrible crackling sounds. Makes me think of the sounds when everything first started going south. But I've been reasured (both by my surgeon and PT, as well as by people on here), that this is normal and isn't causing any damage. My swelling is mainly in the right knee, as was the set-back on the ROM, so both are healing differently. I just keep reminding myself that it's going to take time, I've been told up to 2 years. Not the encouragement I wanted, but okay - it's still a little reassuring that I'm proceeding in a normal way. But when it doubt, have a trained person check it out. If for nothing more than a peace of mind.
    • caroline46398
      caroline46398 lyndawcanada59

      Posted

      Am 8 weeks today been setback with swelling last few days and stiffness. Think cos doing more. Or not doing Physio in routine . Stopped icing but going to start again . Hopefully it's a blip and we will both make progress
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