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Total Knee Replacement... what they don’t tell you....

Posted , 4 users are following.

anne52637
anne52637

Never, ever, find yourself comparing your experience to anyone else... we are all different, with different legs, knees and bodies.. ( wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same ) I had my second ( R ) TKR done in late November, 2018. Wow, what a different journey to the first ! ... I'm in TASMANIA , AUS.Its our first cold day today since my op, and I really feel like I want to scream with pain ... still on PALEXIA SR and IR and PANADOL, guided by my GP.

Have been going quite well with bending and walking etc. I did go to rehab after surgery, best thing. I also do Hydrotherapy twice a week. Cant afford to go to PT as often as I would like though.

How has everyone else been? AS

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • jean02698
    jean02698 anne52637

    Posted

    Hi Anne....I am in Canada. I too had my second TKR the end of November and it was very different from my first. That is why I looked for this forum for support. This journey has been difficult. About 11/2 weeks ago I had to have plastic surgery on my nose for basal cell carcinoma. Coupled with my limp i look like Ive been in an accident. I finished my PT and went back to my gym. i find if i dont exercise my knee is much stiffer. im waiting for the weather to get warmer and Ill use the gym pool. we have had such a cold winter this year. Today will be my first day back to the gym since my plastic surgery.

    I use over the counter tylenol for pain. My GP did give me TYLENOL 3 for nights. I dont have pain during the day and recently havent needed it for nights. I do take benadryl at night to make me sleepy. i have allergies so it helps with that too. Nights are still the worst for me. i use a small pillow to support my knee. In bed i have to be careful how i move the knee or i get a sharp pain. My surgeon had trouble with my knee cap as it wanted to fall to the side. i suspect that it has moved to the side and thats

    why i have pain. I see my surgeon next month.

    • anne52637
      anne52637 jean02698

      Posted

      Hi jean02698, great to hear from you.My kneecap also gave my surgeon some grief, wanting to move to the side as well. I was going quite well a few weeks ago, almost using no crutches or walking stick and walking by myself. Oh no, you poor thing re your carcinoma, hope all is ok now? I go to hydrotherapy sessions in a heated pool twice a week, they are a great help, exercise - wise. I find myself thinking - " oh, its hurting more today, so I don't feel like going for a walk." ... I need to snap out of that mindset.I also have a spinal injury, permanent nerve damage ( on the right side ), chronic pain and hypersensitivity to pain .... ( thats why its hurting so much more than my last TKR in Nov, 2016. ) Yes, nights are worse for me also, youre not alone. As i said above, we cant compare ourselves to anyone else re recovery and pain.Despite everything, I try and keep a positive outlook. This forum is great, we're not alone. Take care and "keep on moving" .

  • jenny25655
    jenny25655 anne52637

    Posted

    Hi Anne,

    I had a right TKR done mid November 2018.

    It was tough. I went back to full time work 8 weeks after surgery. I walk now without crutches with very little pain. I take panadol osteo for pain. I live in Victoria and today it was cold and windy. I was surprised that my knee held up ok despite the cold.

    My only concern is that I have terrible pain on the inside of my knee just below the kneecap when i get up from a low chair and the toilet at work is a nightmare.

    I have learnt that my quad muscles need strengthening and i am doing daily squats and various other exercises, including gym workouts to try and build my quad strength. You are right, no 2 persons are the same in their recovery. I find this group very good to share experiences with. It has helped me cope knowing that what i have gone through is all part of recovery.

    I hope you go ok. Keep warm.

    • anne52637
      anne52637 jenny25655

      Posted

      Hi jenny25655,

      You're not too far away! I was down to no crutches, but have found I still need a stick occasionally.Ive been going pretty well, movement - wise, just the pain. It was so cold here yesterday, didnt know how it was going to react. Still, Im determined it isnt going to get the better of me today. Its not actually hurting over the knee, but down the sides? Yes, i also need to strengthen my quads.. and the low couch or loo still has a "reaction". Hydrotherapy has been invaluable with movement and strengthening.. This time round is so different to my first TKR just over two years ago.

      We just need to try our best, and be ourselves.. I was really stressing thinking that there was something weird about my situation. Yes, these forums are fantastic. Take care and keep moving ..

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