Unrealistic expectations
Posted , 10 users are following.
Having had a PKR almost 4 weeks ago I do think we are given unrealistic recovery information prior to the surgery. I was of the opinion that I would be off walking sticks 3-4 weeks after, with little pain etc, however I think it will be a while before I am at that stage. I am glad I found this site as it gives me real recovery stories which I can relate to. I am trying to stay positive and hope to eventually feel it was worth having the surgery.
3 likes, 27 replies
Caitibean theresa63221
Posted
I know what you mean. I was told I'd need 6-8 weeks off work but that was unrealistic. However, I did see real and sudden improvement around the 6 week mark. Prior to that I thought I'd never be 'normal' again!
larry43899 theresa63221
Posted
how bad was your knee before the op ?
I can still walk a few miles at the moment but my leg is bowing noticeably and after a few hours stood up at work, my limp gets worse.
I was offered a PKR but only if i get a more sedentary job or take early retirement
theresa63221 larry43899
Posted
I was in constant pain and my leg was bowing out so was putting a strain on my hip and causing me to limp heavily. I do hope I will feel a vast improvement after 6 weeks. I can walk around outside but use 1 stick. indoors I can get around pretty well without anything. still on tramadol but hopefully not for too much longer.
larry43899 theresa63221
Posted
After initially mentioning a PKR, the last time I saw the specialist he said I have to exhaust all the different pain killers before he'd operate.
I'm only on ibuprofen at the moment but I've tried codeine and not noticed any difference ??
How long have you been suffering ?
theresa63221 larry43899
Posted
I've been suffering almost 2 years. I also broke my left femur last year and my right knee was hurt in 2 falls on ice prior to that. The recovery from the leg break put additional stress on my already damaged knee so it has been a long painful couple of years really.
Eimmarg larry43899
Posted
what do you do for pain my walk is getting less and less and my pain more and more
gillian65440 Eimmarg
Posted
I take Solpadeine Max Soluble. I find it very effective.
gillian65440 theresa63221
Posted
That was totally unrealistic. I was on crutches for the stipulated six weeks, although I was beginning to manage without them after around 5 weeks. Nonetheless, you are quite right about unrealistic expectations generally. I expected to be able to resume my normal active life after 12 weeks or thereabouts and started going to Zumba classes and walking several miles. Big mistake! I have battled with pain and stiffness ever since. Getting a bit easier now. However, I had to go to the hospital a couple of weeks ago and was told I'd been overdoing things and that it takes up to 12 months to fully recover. I should have appreciated being told that BEFORE the operation.
joanne23352 theresa63221
Posted
i also was given unrealistic recovery expectations i am 6 months out and still have pain and swelling everyday. FRUSTRATION is real and i hope i get to the place when i am happy i did this. My surgeon tells me i may have to "bite the bullet" for a year. i hope you begin to recover quicker as i know there are some people that get to that point. best of luck
mary12001 joanne23352
Posted
im afraid they keep moving the goal posts. im three years and have been told it could take 4 years before i feel any benefit
CHICO_MARX theresa63221
Posted
"I was of the opinion that I would be..." - You
This is the #1 problem with both the PKR and TKR...unrealistic expectations. It leads to depression, anxiety, self-blame, sleeplessness and so much more. A lot of docs promise that you'll be back to work in a matter of weeks...totally delusional. I completely rehabbed a hip replacement in 6 weeks by pushing the hell out of it 5 hours a day, 6 days a week. The problem is that you can't do that with a knee but I EXPECTED it anyway. Face first into a brick wall.
The knee is the most brutal of all surgeries and it takes time, work and patience to get through the recovery. For a TKR, that usually about a year with returning to work in the 4-6 month range. It may be similar for a PKR...I don't know. It's just that what we put in our heads does not jibe with reality and our emotions fill the void between the two. There is no time table, there are no expectations. The knee will be healed when it's healed.
gillian65440 CHICO_MARX
Posted
We know that now, but we should have been told before the operation.
CHICO_MARX gillian65440
Posted
If we were told the truth up front, nobody would have the op.
mary12001 gillian65440
Posted
agree agree agree
mary12001 gillian65440
Posted
thats a terrible attitude
gillian65440 CHICO_MARX
Posted
I would have had the operation, but I wouldn't have attempted to do the things that I did when I did them. I would have waited.
theresa63221 gillian65440
Posted
I would have still had the op too. I just think the PKR is played down somewhat and you are made to think it's not such a painful experience. I'm not naive and didn't expect anything really but this forum shows there are a variety of outcomes. I hope I'll feel better in a few weeks time but it's good to hear other people's stories.
Caitibean theresa63221
Posted
Agree. Literature tends to suggest PKR recovery quicker and better ROM etc. I thought as I was PKR, quite young (46) and fairly fit it would all be quite easy! ha ha!