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Unicompartmental knee replacement - 6 days post op

Posted , 20 users are following.

sandra07433
sandra07433

I found this forum last night when I was unable to sleep, I was lying awake worrying about my progress - should my knee still be so stiff and swollen?  Can I lie on my side as I can't sleep on my back? How often should I be doing my exercises and walking around on my crutches?  How do I know if I am doing too little or too much?  I know it is early days in my recovery but I was really reassured to find the answers to my questions on here and find that everything I am feeling is normal so thank you.

2 likes, 42 replies

42 Replies

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  • tashia51123
    tashia51123 sandra07433

    Posted

    Sandra, it is all normal. I slept on my couch or lazy boy for the first couple of weeks because sleeping on my back is uncomfortable. I was able to quit using crutches in the house pretty quickly but used them outside and at work for awhile longer. I found recovery from first knee much easier than what I'm going thru the 2nd time around. Good Luck and listen to your body. Rest,ice,elevate!##
    • sandra07433
      sandra07433 tashia51123

      Posted

      Thanks, all my pain meds are up to date and working so I am going to try and have a sleep on the couch now. Good luck with yours too. x
  • elaine25674
    elaine25674 sandra07433

    Posted

    I was swollen and stiff with my uni as well. I am now 4 weeks post op and no longer have this issue. Keep icing it. Keep moving it. 
    • sandra07433
      sandra07433 elaine25674

      Posted

      Thanks. That's good to know, the swelling has reduced quite a bit today and it feels more manageable I will definitely keep up with the icing and exercises. Good luck with your continued recovery. x
  • deb56781
    deb56781 sandra07433

    Posted

    Hello Sandra: Oh my goodness 6 days after your surgery--Of course your knee is stiff and swollen...that's normal. I was worried about sleeping on my side too (because I am really not a back sleeper)... Go for it - just put a pillow betwen your legs. You will sleep better! As for the exercises, I was fortunate enough to have in-home care 3 days after my PKR. My PT lady instructed me to do my exercies twice a day (I had a list of them to do). If you don't have a list, you can search online for exercises. One that helped me a lot was ankle pumps (up and down) and ankle circles. You can do both in bed! I used a walker / cane for the first 2 weeks. I got up once every hour and made sure I walked for 5 mins or more. Everyone heals differently, but I can tell you DO your exercises! You MUST! Good luck and don't get discouraged as it's easy to do. Keep going... xo

     

    • sandra07433
      sandra07433 deb56781

      Posted

      Hi, thank you for your advice and support, I saw the physio each day in hospital and have a list of exercises to do, which I am doing, currently 10 minutes 3 times a day, I am on day 8 now and the swelling has reduced quite a bit although it's still very stiff, I have a physio appointment next week to monitor progress and I assume to extend the exercises. I have had some great helpful advice from this forum and managed a few hours sleep last night, so I am starting to feel a bit more positve
  • pam92068
    pam92068 sandra07433

    Posted

    Sandra,  glad you slept a bit last night, and are feeling better.  Pay close attention to Old Fat Guy and Sueisbol.  They helped me get thru this recovery so far.  I was lucky to be able to focus on my recovery...exercises, resting, icing and elevation was my life for quite some time.  I believe that is why I have done so well.

    you do need to find something to do to occupy your mind.  Something you can do sitting of course, reading, catch up on tv, drawing, sewing by hand...something.  This will make it easier for you to rest also.

    stay on here...let us know how things are going.

    pam

    • sandra07433
      sandra07433 pam92068

      Posted

      Hi Pam , I have taken on board all the advice everybody has kindly given me, and I have definitely turned a corner today, the swelling has reduced considerably, I can actually see the shape of a knee now which has made it more comfortable, I have been doing my exercises, although the lying down ones make me wonder if a lead weight has been added!! I have been doing a couple of circuits of the ground floor of my house every hour and then resting up with ice and a good book in between, I have hardly got any pain, but I have been taking the meds anyway, I have a little bit of bend to the kneeaalthough it still feels like there's a tight band across the top when I try to walk as normally as possible with the crutches. Thank you so much for taking the time to ask after me. x
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