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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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  • elaine94716
    elaine94716 pegs_girl

    Posted

    Hello. I am 4 weeks post of of TKR and feel like I am turning a corner although I still wake up at least once in the tonight for pain relief and am suffering from a sickness feeling and severe constipation!  I also feel really miserable!  Is this normal? I feel a million miles from my old self but appreciate this is a major operation which I didn't quite appreciate.  It's good too see the other comments on this forum and would appreciate some moral support!  X
    • tess94652
      tess94652 elaine94716

      Posted

      Hi Elaine - so many of us know what you are going through! It's a terrible physical shock and it was such a relief when I found this site about 3 weeks after my op and discovered that the sleeplessness, the awfulpain and discomfort, and the unstoppable tearfulness and panic that you'd done the wrong thing seemed to be pretty common to all - so hope it helps to know you're not alone!! Are you taking codeine in any form? This is very constipating but your gp can prescribe you Laxido - a preparation that painlessly eases constipationp
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo elaine94716

      Posted

      Hi elaine . .If you are only waking up once to take pain killers in the night, then you are doing better than 90 per cent of us from the sleep point of view!  the constipation is almost certainly due to the painkillers. . if you are taking codeine, that is a typical side effect, and the sickness as well.   . . but you really do need good painkillers to be able to cope with the exercises.  At four weeks, I still felt depressed, no energy, no appetite . . tired, miserable, wished I hadn't done it, frequently found myself in tears for no good reason at all. . and I think you'll find that many people feel the same at this early stage of the recovery.  Most people find at six weeks there is an improvement, but don't rush yourself. . get as much rest as you can, do the exercises without being cruel to yourself, and maybe try to change pain medication??  I was lucky not to have side effects from tramadol, and it worked quite well  .  It's slow, hard work, and  at times you feel like giving up, but honestly, it does get better, and for you, it will happen soon  . . . At yur six week consultation,  I'm sure you'll notice the difference, and not feel as bad as you do at the moment.  The forum has been a great help to me, so stay with us!
    • elaine94716
      elaine94716 tess94652

      Posted

      Thanks tess94652 all that u u say is is exactly what im thinking!  I am taking cocodamol 8 during the day Andy and 30 at night plus ibuprofen in between as tramadol made me feel like a junkie. I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever feel normal again! Thanks for the comments, I hope I can report more positive comments soon.  Take care x
    • caroline46398
      caroline46398 elaine94716

      Posted

      Anything with codeine causes constipation. Fibre and fruit and or senna or similar will relieve. It's normal . At ten weeks I have cut down from 8 co codamol a day to four and no longer suffer from this. Also walking more helps get things moving. A few laps on crutches up and down the lounge at night helped me. Keep chin up. Things will improve
    • elaine94716
      elaine94716 martinarvelo

      Posted

      hi martinarvelo. Thanks for the ear.  It ism  great help to I know im not alone.  I stopped tramadol as itmade me feel unwell and jittery and not much better than the codein.  It doesn't help that I've been managing everyone else's expectations on my recovery too! I have reached that point where I am aching through inactivity as well as the knee. Can't wait to get back to normal.  Thanks again and hopefully i will post more positive comments soon x
    • elaine94716
      elaine94716 caroline46398

      Posted

      Thanks caroline. Such a nuisance isnt it.   I'm now taking senna and gallons of water. Hopefully I'll be at ur stage soon.  Thanks for  the support x
    • tess94652
      tess94652 elaine94716

      Posted

      Hey Elaine - it will pass in a few weeks, just hang on in there! Know what you mean by others' expectations, if you are not normally given to being miserable or downhearted about things, people round you find it difficult to understand when you feel so hopeless and vulnerable! It really is a so and so of an operation so when you feel you are really struggling, remember it really IS a darn struggle! When I saw the surgeon 6weeks after my op he said he normally likes to see his patients at 3 months "when they've finished blubbing" (sounds a bit heartless but he's OK and good sense of humour) but I got the strong sense then that TKRs cause most people a lot of grief. Stay strong x
    • elaine94716
      elaine94716 tess94652

      Posted

      Tests im so glad it's not just me. I am normally the rock off the family and I suppose it is a shock for everyone.  I need them there knee doing but am seriously thinking about ditching the idea.  I suppose I should take a view In 6-12 months time.  I can't even think about going back to work!  Thanks x
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo elaine94716

      Posted

      Yes it's hard on the family when they expect you to bounce back from this as if it were a case of flu, and in fact, it doesn't happen. My husband was just dumbfounded by me . . I think I rather scared him with my histrionics . . but at the time, it's all so difficult to cope with. .the lack of anutonomy, the lack of sleep, the pain . .and the worry that you aren't going to succeed with the exercises etc. . . Maybe we should get our families to read this forum, and then they would discover that we are just like everyone else at the beginning. . absolutely knocked over by this operation.  I don't think I would have the other one done if it becomes necessary, but maybe in a couple of years I shall have forgotten!  
  • andrea30334
    andrea30334 pegs_girl

    Posted

    Hi pegs I had my op 5 weeks ago and im soooo fed up I wish id never had it done!! My knee is soooo stiff and painful im not sleeping and today its still stiff and sore no matter what I do????? I cant walk upstairs properly and I wouldn't even consider getting in the car?? I only had physio in hosp and have just been left at home to get on with it?? I have a GP.s appt next week and im hoping he can suggest better pain killers maybe?? However my bend is def improving as is my scar. My leg is still badly bruised but considering it was black from knee to toes its not suprising??? Ive also lost over a stone cos ive no appetite??? Heck I seem a right wingher but im just sooo tired and fed up !! Has anyone else felt like this??
    • moandrieu
      moandrieu andrea30334

      Posted

      Andrea, I have to admit, by week 5 I was feeling much better (I'm 50 and had a bilateral TKR). The stairs were hard, but I was determined to not have to walk down them sideways or one leg always leading. At 6 months, I still struggle with the stairs on occasion. Stiff and sore is definitely normal...though I don't think many of us expected it to be so horrible. As difficult as it is to hear, the best thing you can do is keep finding new ways to push yourself beyond that spot of comfort. I started swimming last week and this week I bought my own upright bike. Today it was delivered and I was on it for 15 minutes, just getting a feel for it. I will start adding it to my morning routine. And hats off to you for the improvement on your bend and that the scar is looking better - mine has taken forever (I had a bit of an infection in both).
    • elaine94716
      elaine94716 andrea30334

      Posted

      Andrea I am4 weeks post op and feeling about the same as you but when I think how it was 2 weeks ago, I can see an improvement. This is a really hard invasive operation considered major surgery and no wonder we are feeling like this as this stage.  You can phone the hospital and speak to the ward sister she has a duty of care after your discharge, or your ownGP for pain relief and physio. I phoned them on the ward because I was confused about what meds to take and they helped with some advice to take tramadol at night with paracetamol and if you wake up ibuprofen.  This seems to have worked so that I can then keep to ordinary paracetamol during the day, and also keep the Joint moving 3 times a day with beds and lifts if you can.  I can now lift my leg off the floor slightly and sit in a chair comfortably.  I do hope your eel better soon Hun, hang in there x
    • Mrst123
      Mrst123 andrea30334

      Posted

      Hi Andrea, your message couldn't have come at a better time for me!  I'm 6 weeks post op and today was starting to feel really despondent and teary and knowing others are feeling similar really helps.   I feel that I achieve one step forward and two steps back.   I also have a very stiff and painful knee although managing to do stairs. My knee has also given way four times now and has knocked my confidence. Decided that perhaps I needed to concentrate on strengthening my quads by increasing leg raises but only managed to do 20 as too painful.  Since then my knee now feels even worse. Your not a whinger, it's great to have a forum such as this to be able to share our concerns. 
    • andrea30334
      andrea30334 Mrst123

      Posted

      Oh thank goodness im not the only one I was beginning to think it was just me but ive had lovely reassuring comments and im just hoping it starts to improve soon as at the moment it just feels like something I have to just drag along lol
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo andrea30334

      Posted

       . . Certainly for the first four weeks I felt tlike that, and on many occasions since then . .I have to say that I feel that recovering started for me when I got hold of decent painkillers instead of the paracetamol they prescribed when I left the hospital . . tramadol helped enormously.  At twelve weeks, I can now walk quite well, although when first standing after sitting it takes several steps before I feel anything like normal . .it's still stiff, aches, doesn't bend all that well (100 to 110) and about 10 extension, so still a long way to go . . .I wouldn't do it again unless my other knee is so painful that I can't walk at all . . . Almost certainly by your six week consultation, you will be feeling much more positive, especially if you sort out proper pain medication . . . 
    • andrea30334
      andrea30334 martinarvelo

      Posted

      Oh thanks that makes me feel better and someone else also said tramadol which I will ask about. Do you mind me asking how old you are???
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo andrea30334

      Posted

      Not at all .  70 . . Tramadol doesn't suit everyone.  I was fine with it. . It also comes as Zaldiar, which is gtramadol and paracetamol together.  It can also be a bit hard to stop taking it, buy I did it gradually and it was fine.  You don't want to just stop taking it though . . Some people are better with codeine . .but that made me very constipated!  If you are just on paracetamol and ibuprofeno, believe me it isn't enough . . INSIST  . .some doctors are just so stupid about pain killers.  they have obviously NEVER had a TKR!
    • andrea30334
      andrea30334 martinarvelo

      Posted

      Oh wow you are doing well then lol im only 56 and struggling and yes one GP tol me pain was a state of mind and to get used to it lol
    • sue29174
      sue29174 andrea30334

      Posted

      Andrea I have felt exactly the same, I am 7 weeks post op.

      my bend is improving but not my knee stretch.

      i am totally fed up and tearful.

      i am walking up and downstairs ok and can manage 1 crutch but so painful.

      i have so much I need to do in the garden and am struggling with not being able to do it.

      hopefull will see an improvement soon xx

       

    • andrea30334
      andrea30334 sue29174

      Posted

      I know how ya feel I can go up and downstairs but not properly!!! Still one leg at a time and im sooooooo tired I too am very weepy but my hubby has been very good. Im just fed up of not being comfy - you cant sit you cant sleep but I suppose its some consolation knowing were not on our own. I will NOT be leaving my doc's next mon without some stronger pain relief and some answers!!
    • sue29174
      sue29174 andrea30334

      Posted

      Trouble is I am 64 and on my own, Ian died nearly 4 years ago.

      I'll just keep trying....xx

    • andrea30334
      andrea30334 sue29174

      Posted

      Oh bless you Sue, I am on my own all day as Dave works but hes good when he comes home hes also good with my moods as well cos not only have I been tearfull but really snappy but I think its because of the constant pain?????? We will have to try be more positive after all tom is another day???
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo andrea30334

      Posted

      What a stupid thing  for a doctor to say!  Pain is very real, and not a 'state of mind!'  Yes, sometimes it's inevitable and there's no choice but to get used to it, but in a post operative state, it's  very real and there's no need to get used to it.  Easy when it's not him who is suffering the pain . . I'll bet he would be the first to take strong painkillers if he was in pain.
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