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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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  • alit68
    alit68 pegs_girl

    Posted

    Hi all, I found this site while trying to find others who have experience of Bilateral TKR.  

    I am booked for both knees on the 18th May.....and now you have me scared.....

    But it has to be done. I have rapid onset OsteoArthritis and my knee pain gets worse by the week.  Sleeping at night is already an issue due to knee pain and discomfort.

    And stairs are my worst nightmare...

    I had had a hip replaced in December, and had a successful recovery from that. The only issue I  had was when I tried to push too hard, too soon, which upset my knees and set off another Bakers Cyst episode causing severe swelling of my left leg. Caused me to panic about a DVT!

    I am about to start a pre-hab Physio progam this week to build up as much strength as possible beforehand.  BTW I am 58 

    It sounds like pain levels after knee surgery are much worse than hip replacement recovery, and that effective pain management is the key. A bit scary tho considering the addictive properties of the drugs  mentioned.  

    After my hip, I only very occasionally used the prescribed opioids OxyNorms as sleeping tablets when I felt exhausted from not getting a goods night sleep through discomfort at sleeping on my back. 

    Over the past 8 months I have had 4 issues with leg swelling due to ruptured Bakers Cysts. I am concerned now whether these Bakers Cysts are likely to cause me problems again during recovery.  Has anyone had this experience,?

    Ali from Perth Australia

    PS glad to have found this site

    It certainly sounds like the post-op pain levels are much more severe after knee replacement surgery than hip replacement.  

    • andrea30334
      andrea30334 alit68

      Posted

      Yes Ali I think the replacement knees are worse for pain than hips??? But as much as we all moan and groan we get there!!!at least were here to help you out and as my hubby says on here we only hear about the bad ones lol as the good ones never moan ha ha
    • PattyLee
      PattyLee alit68

      Posted

      Morning Ali,  I'm 5 weeks post op TKR, 63 years young, and only found this site a few weeks ago, wish I had come across it before my surgery.  I've been told TKR pain is worse then hip surgery and I'll be honest I was not prepared for the pain of surgery and physical therapy but in the end it will be worth it! Excellent that you're starting a pre-rehab program, keep up with the excercises and stretches it will make therapy much easier. Sleeping for me is diffulcult, nap when you can and remember to ice your knee, when I sit too long my knee feels tight so I walk around the house often and weather permitting I walk outside. Wishing you the best of luck,  Patty from New Jersey
    • elaine94716
      elaine94716 PattyLee

      Posted

      Hello Pattylee. I agree with you I was not prepared for the level of pain involved in the aftermath of the operation!  Jeez I suppose they wouldn't do it if it didn't prove successful.  I'm 5 weeks and 1 day post op and overall not doing too bad but the frustration of not being able to be on my feel for more than a little while is quite annoying plus the sleepless nights and tightness and pain around the knee, that's not mentioning the stomach ache and constipation!  But hey ho, I can have a moan on here as I know everyone will know what I'm moaning about?  
    • PattyLee
      PattyLee elaine94716

      Posted

      Elaine,  As a group on here we understand what everyone is going through and can give advice and support. I find that people who have not had TKR are not as understanding. I was orginally supposed to have a "partial" knee replacement and recovery/therapy would not have been so difficult.  But 2 days before surgery my surgeon said a TKR was best for me so I wasn't able to properly prepare myself.  5 weeks post op I'm at a 120 bend with pain, but I can see so much improvement! 
    • caroline46398
      caroline46398 alit68

      Posted

      Agree that sites like these will have a larger proportion of those with problems as without any problems we wouldnt need to seek the views of others. However, its still a very reassuring place to be and to see the various experiences people have whilst knowing we are all unique. Good luck and hope all goes well - come back and let us know - as even the best case scenario can be useful to share. My mum aged 83 just had hers and is amazing - me - at 57 at 11 weeks am worse than her - so just have to wait and see 
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo alit68

      Posted

      Regarding the addictive quality of the drugs, if you stick to the recommended dose, and when you finally come off them do it GRADUALLY you shuld be OK.  I took Tramadol for about six weeks, fairly low dose (100 mg day) and when I ran out, I thought I would just stop . . NO way. . . the withdrawal symtoms were horrible . .so I got more tablets from the doc, and then cut down gradually, until I was only having 10 grams a day . .and now nothing, and had no ill effects at all. . Wish you good luck with your bilateral TKR! Hard work, but surely worth it in the end!
    • moandrieu
      moandrieu alit68

      Posted

      Ali, I think you are way ahead of where I was when I had my bilateral TKR. I don't recall being told about any pre-op exercises. I did have exercises that one doctor had given me to do, in hopes of it helping with my pain. I would have strengthened my arms as well as my abdominals. I was swimming the months leading up to my surgery, thank goodness or it might have been really ugly. I couldn't walk without a sever limp, standing for more than 5 minutes left me in pain. The pain wasn't so much of the incission persay, which is what I expected, it was the tightness I felt behind my knees and the incredible numbness that was on the outer knees and down into my calfs. And then, the tightness of my thigh muscles.

      Oh sure, I could go on and on, but what you have to remember is that for many people, there is a big change come the third week. By then I was walking more and wasn't wishing I had died. Okay, that's a little drastic. Just think, doing them both at the same time might seem insane, but then it's over! No having to go back for a second operation for the other knee.

      I'm not going to lie, it was very difficult. After 7 days in the hospital, as nice as it was to come home, I missed those nurses caring for me. Luckily, my sister came to stay with me and was available for those late night trips to the toilet and helping me shower. Took our relationship to another level. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Remember, it doesn't last forever and the rewards are worth it.

      Today I was standing in the kitchen cooking/baking up a storm for hours. And then it hit me, my knees aren't hurting! I had a huge smile I couldn't get rid of (I'm just shy of 6 months and I'm turning 51 next month).

    • tess94652
      tess94652 alit68

      Posted

      Hi Ali you're right to think knees are more painful than hips but its certainly better to be forewarned!! I had a new hip 2 years ago and new knee this January - the hip was a doddle and the knee was a bit of a shock by comparison but it doesn't last that long - I'm at 13 weeks now and feel normal most of the time!!!! You may be lucky and not get much pain at all. On my last physio visit I met a lady who had had no pain whatsoever!!!! She was at 5 weeks. Like you I had rapid onset OA but am 72 but don't feel it and am at the stage where I'm feeling glad I had the op and grateful I live in a country where its available. Years ago people like me ended up in the chair in the corner so feel really lucky to be given a second chance!!! All good luck next month.
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo moandrieu

      Posted

      Knees not hurting!  Wow, that must have been wonderful moment.  six months is a long time to wait for that though . . I wonder if I'll ever get there sometimes!  Your post gives me hope. . never too late to hope for the miracle!
    • andrea30334
      andrea30334 martinarvelo

      Posted

      Lol Martin I think the same as you!!!! I thought I was gonna get more sleep last night but that didn't happen either - Hey Ho lol
    • moandrieu
      moandrieu martinarvelo

      Posted

      It will happen, don't ever quit hoping for that miracle! Now, don't get me wrong, there is still pain, but how wonderful to realize I was standing for hours and not in pain. I used to go sit to do any tedious kitchen prep (grating, kneading, etc). 
    • sueoz
      sueoz moandrieu

      Posted

      Great to hear that I might be able to cook up a storm without pain by the end of the year.  I am only three weeks post op. And feeling a bit frail 
    • alit68
      alit68 andrea30334

      Posted

      Thanks Andrea,

      I am pleased to have found this group, and am under no illusion that the recovery will be easy...but the end result will be worth it to finally be rid of the constant OA pain.  I am delighted with the result of my hip replacement....which was my worst pain point.

       

    • alit68
      alit68 PattyLee

      Posted

      Thanks Patty, I appreciate your feedback.  I have also been told that Hydrotherapy is excellent for recovery.  I certaily need to stretch more, as even now I am suffering from increased stiffness behind my knees.  Good luck with your recovery.

      Ali from Oz

       

    • alit68
      alit68 martinarvelo

      Posted

      Thanks for this advice.  I think I had a bit of "hero mentality" after my hip op, thinking I didnt need painkillers, and so took very few. Which was fine, as I had very little post-op pain, but I am getting the picture here that TKR is a totally different ballgame. I will certainly follow the directives re pain medication and accept that it will be a necessary part of the recovery.

      Best regards,

      Ali.

       

    • alit68
      alit68 moandrieu

      Posted

      Thanks Moandrieu

      Appreciate the forewarning. And congratulations on your baking efforts.  Sounds like you have turned the corner and getting the support from your new knees that you are after. 

      Cheers,  Ali

       

    • alit68
      alit68 tess94652

      Posted

      Thanks Tess,  I will go into this really positive, and hope I end up in the low pain category....but realistic enough to expect that it is likely to be damn hard.  I agree with you that I am much better to be forewarned.   This site is great for providing a realistic view....everything else I could find is more from the medical procedure viewpoint, rather than the actual personal recovery experience.  I have no concerns that my surgeon will do a fantastic job, but the real test is how I handle the months afterwards. 

      Cheers,

      Ali from Oz

       

    • moandrieu
      moandrieu sueoz

      Posted

      Yes, there is hope. Don't push yourself too hard. When I did, I usually found that I was unable to do much the next day but sit with ice on my knees. Even now I have to be cautious of over doing it, especially if I'm carrying groceries around.
    • moandrieu
      moandrieu alit68

      Posted

      Ali, I found that sitting on my bed, alternating between having my legs out straight (and flexing the feet and pressing the backs of the knees down - then holding) and bending my knees as much as possible and holding have been a great help. Then I also drop my feet the the ground, firmly planted and scoot my rear off the bed, just enough to push the bend in my knee to a bit of discomfort and hold it. And then scooting back and doing it again a few more times, trying to get a little more bend the next time. And finally, raising and holding one leg straight out and lift it so it's higher than the other knee and hold...then repeat. These were great at helping with stiffness settling in.
    • moandrieu
      moandrieu alit68

      Posted

      Yes, sometimes we turn corners and don't even realize it, because this is what we've been anticipating all along - it's what normal people do! You will do great. And remind yourself, having them replaced really isn't an option. Better to have the surgery and face some pain for a short season and then feel like a whole new person than struggle along like we have been, or even to be in a wheelchair. Just keep it positive and when you feel like you are at your end, others are only a few key strokes away! It's nice to have people that understand.
    • tess94652
      tess94652 alit68

      Posted

      With a good surgeon, such a good attitude as yours, the support of this group, and if you take care of yourself, you'll be fine (albeit in time!!! I think patience and good endurance is needed post knee ops) but you'll get there for sure! X
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