Total knee replacement surgey
Posted , 17 users are following.
it's 3 months since my Tkr it's been a gruelling time and harder than I expected ive been back at work for the past 2 weeks , but I am always tired I don't want to do anything or go anywhere even the shops I find it tiring , I can't do the stairs yet but working on it , Think today has hit me hard and I feel so depressed and have been crying , I know it takes time by reading other people's posts but I think it's because I'm mainly on my own I'm feeling this way , it's like my life has come to a stop. Walking isn't so bad although I need a stick , I don't use it in the house . So it's May bank holiday Monday im sitting in too tired to get ready to go out and hope to find comfort in others going through the same
3 likes, 39 replies
patsyrose angela_100
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If you haven't got a partner or brothers and sisters(like I haven't), you are so reliant on good friends (and I hate having to ask anyone). My Dad is local, but 87 and only drives very locally (and not very confidently), so he couldn't take me backwards and forwards to the hospital.
It all adds to the stress we've been feeling...so you're allowed to feel down.
Everything has to be thought about so much more, and people at work don't always realise what you've been through either...or why it still hurts!
shirley57139 angela_100
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angela_100 shirley57139
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Oldfatguy1 angela_100
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Oldfatguy1
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angela_100 Oldfatguy1
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jennifer86104 angela_100
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I just wanted to reassure you that things do get better. I am 9 months post op now and can tackle things like looking after my young grandchildren 2/3 days a week, going for long walks, shopping and I enjoy days and evenings out again.
Maybe you returned to work too soon. Any chance of more time off?
If not, get all the rest you can ( but try to keep exercises up) and things will improve I'm sure.
Jen
angela_100 jennifer86104
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Mr_Ynot angela_100
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I'm 5 weeks and have a mix bag of results my walking with crutches and weight bearing is very good, my pain levels are very good only having to take strong pain relief as needed which is mostly at night to assist me sleep as I'm only getting average 2hr blocks of good sleep since the operation similar to you I'm guessing, actually writing this from Melbourne Australia as its middle of the night here in between my blocks of sleep...lol
My main issue is the knee movement I only have 63degrees after 5 weeks, the reason being is bad tissue scarring around my quads they are very, very tight and I am working on losening this with massaging, hydro pool, spa and certain exercises..
I feel your pain it's become more of a mental challenge from my experience to date which has been frustrating I to am on my own I have my kkids Thur -Sun which makes it tough also like last week my knee locked up there was pain but I was mostly upset because it was the morning of my sons soccer game and I couldn't go to his soccer game and he saw me in tears that it was frustrating not being able to do normal everyday things 5 weeks later, like watching him play.
So my main issue recently has been around mentally than physically and getting frustrated and at times doing things I shouldn't ie walking/limping with no crutches, pushing things around a bit heavy and thinking I can do everything normally....I soon learnt whilst that particular time it seemed ok well later it hurt like hell and I was tired and wasting unnecessary energy levels.
I have to accept it will take time, I will be tired some days more than others but that's ok and I need to listen to the professionals advice, it's mind of matter and getting that right and accept that it will be a long process that's reality..but I've started...
I have heard things on this forum that has been great as I can visualise those things in my journey and that I'm not alone in what I'm experiencing.. I have no doubt things will work out for you Angela it will take time as I've read it here, I have spoken to people who have had it done and said it's the best thing they did it took time to fully recover but should have done it earlier so the success rate is high and you should think we'll atleast I'm 3 months ahead in the healing process..
I can share with you from my experience to date Angela and that is, talk to the professionals your GP they will tell everyone heals different, don't make comparisons I have read here where people are way ahead of me after 5 weeks with movement but can't straighten there leg and I am complete opposite can straighten my leg and get around but poor bend, can just get in a car but can't drive...
Celebrate small successes your trying to work on stairs so look at from a different point of you, yesterday you may have done none out of 10 but today you did 1 out of 10 that's one more than previous you haven't conquered it but your succeeding it's very important to acknowledge this ie....I maybe at 63degrees right now but a week ago I was only 55degrees so a plus 8degree improvement, great! Think of your achievements to date, your back at work that's a milestone.
Expect some bad days it's going to happen but you will get there, stay positive Angela if talking on this site helps great, letting your emotions out is part of the healing I've done my share of that because I'm use to helping others not the other way around but I've had to except help or asked for it.
I have loved reading comments in this forum as I can visualise exactly those things happening to me at different stages and it's all normal and it's not just happening to me. It's also great reading the successes and know it will come...
I sure am wiser for the experience and know what to expect when doing the left one which is next.
Cheers
Tony
angela_100 Mr_Ynot
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hope you manage to get some sleep, I dread the night times as I know what I am in for ,, a night of tossing and turning , burning leg and swollen ankle ,,, worst of it is people say I look great but it's not the way I feel , they don't know what's really going on so they don't really have any sympathy and just say oh you will be fine ,,,thank god for forums like this eh. Can relate to the kids thing as well my daughter ( who's 21) is always wanting me to go out for a meal but she doesn't understand that I feel so tired and uncomfortable which makes you feel guilty, probably worse for you with yours being younger ,
hopefully in a few months we will all have brighter news to report
Oldfatguy1 angela_100
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Oldfatguy1
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finley angela_100
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angela_100 finley
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kathryn42410 angela_100
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My knee became so bad following a fall as a student. My entire leg suffered but I pinned all my hopes on a knee replacement, totally forgetting that I had other problems.
The TKR has went well for me but the rest of my leg is still bad. I can't straighten or bend it. I've been given 3 weeks to straighten it otherwise they're going to operate on the muscles.
I am sorry that the above has turned into my story, I just wanted to show that I know how you feel.
I too feel the pressure for a return to work as I don't get paid for being off. I am so lucky that my bosses have allowed me to work from home. I am not capable of sitting for longer than 30 mins without crippling pain and I have such a heavy physio regime to follow that I can't risk working more than a few hours a day. I, like us all on here, still have a good cry sometimes.
But I've come to realise this is just temporary for us all.
Yes it's been the most difficult thing I have ever faced but I know that I'll get there. You will too.
I know you don't get paid when you don't work but I would suggest speaking to your GP. I think reduced hours would benefit you for now, at least you'll have some money coming in.
You've been through something incredibly tough, don't under estimate that. Others don't understand but everyone on here does xx
Oldfatguy1 kathryn42410
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angela_100 kathryn42410
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kathryn42410 angela_100
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My mum has been amazing, I'd be lost without her.
I stopped talking about my leg ages ago, I was on crutches for about 3 months before surgery. It became all anyone would talk to me about. It used to frustrate me but then I realised they were concerned about how much I was struggling and how my life had come to a halt.
I'm the last one to talk but you need to confide in someone about how you are. We all have different struggles and for some it goes on much longer (I am on stronger meds now than 2 months ago as my physio regime is crippling). You need someone to know that you need support now more than ever.
I would also get the reassurance from your GP by having the cover of a return to work note that says you might benefit from shorter days sometimes. You are entitled to this and it will help, even if just taking off the pressure.
Message me anytime you need to chat xx
Oldfatguy1 kathryn42410
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