Week 9 ....still got the blues but getting there

Linda, I've often said friends and family can be the biggest aids you have but the csn also be the biggest pains in the a**. I just learned to smile and do an eye roll and walk away. Don't let em get you down, it isn't worth it.

It's like telling me someone saved millions working for minimum wage. Just keep on being you.

Yes!!!!   I have a good laugh with the PT folks when I tell them some of the stories I have heard....the best one....a friend of mine told me oh a coworker just had a knee replacement and she ran an Iron Man Marathon 2 weeks after!!!!!   RIGHT....

 

Linda, I, too cannot stand the exaggerated tales of friends or relatives! One of my friends was amazed that I wasn't 100% at 6 mos. post tkr. She said her husband had it done and thought it was, "a piece of cake!" Gimme a break. Another woman at my gym told me her cousin was back on the tennis courts after 6 weeks. Right.

Best of luck to you!

I also agree and it seems I always meet someone who is doing better then great wile I am in the waiting room. Now of course while at PT once you have been going there while as I have you get to know the therapists and the other patients once the therapist get to know me and my history they do not like it when I tell the other patients things that can go wrong. ( weeks over 100 AWESOME!! I am well aware sometimes no matter how ell everyone says your doing but considering how crummy you feel due to the pain from healing and exercising it gets to you. Just be patient when you hit 6 months post op think about how much better you feel this is not like a finger cut this takes time as in months or in my case years yuck.

Linda, can’t imagine going through the TKR and loosing your Mum. It must of been so hard for you. I went back to work 2 weeks ago on a phased return, i had concerns but it was ok. I think I needed to get back to the real world if that makes sense. I do short days then head to the gym, I go to bed early and try to avoid the nap in the afternoon. I am like you, so fed up of stories about how people get back to normal after 2 Weeks. We all know that it’s not true!!!! So ignore it. I had a friend you told me someone she knew went back to work after 2 weeks after a TKR, it turned out that it was an arthroscopy this person had had. 

Good luck with getting back to work and I am so sorry about your Mum. 

Well done Linda, you are doing very well. Yes, be careful of not overdoing things...around this time it's very common for a bit of a trough mood wise, so remain philosophical about it if you can.

Don't worry if you are not able to keep up your exercise regime so much once you are back at work...just accept that rest is important for healing too. As time goes by the leg gets stronger and continues to heal. Obviously continue but don't think doing less is going to have a bad affect...you can do what you are able and no more. I continued mine for 6 months but I could determine my own work pattern. You might find ways of incorporating exercise into your working day and get a bit done that way!

It takes a while to feel fully back to normal energy levels...was 6 months for me.

But yes it's worth it...wonderful to have the ability to walk and stand as one needs to.

Sending blessings you way.

Hi Linda

Firstly so sorry to hear the news about your mum. You have so much going on. I am 28 days s after op. Feeling a bit rubbish but trying my best to carry on

Pain at times awful. May try swimming. Yes exaggerated stories do not help.

Look after yourself and am glad you have a sympathic work colleague.

X

As long as you are confident that you will be able to sit with your knees bent for however many hours you work & that getting up & down will be ok, then go for it! If you can find a way of propping your operated leg up for a good deal of it, I find sitting normally used to bring on the swelling! Work can be a really good way to take your mind off grief. I found, when my mum died, those hours at work I wasn't looking back with sorrow, it took my mind off it somewhat.

As for the idiots who know 'someone' who was back at work in 2 weeks, point them in the direction of YouTube & the vid of a TKR operation! Then ask them if they would be back at work after having their leg cut open the joint pulled apart & sawn off to put an implant in, then stitched back together again! Show 'em your incision scar. Whenever I've shown mine they ALL say the same thing, that they did t realise it was such a huge scar!! What do they think, the surgeon did by keyhole surgery, or magic!!

I was told the same thing after 1st TKR, I know the wife of one of them & he had a massive setback & 18 months later he still uses a stick!

When you do go back give yourself a lovely treat at the weekend & tell yourself how well you're doing. We really can our own worst critics, don't be!!

Good luck

Marilyn 

XX

Everyone is different, I was back limited work at 2-3 wks more from necessity and personality than anything else. Others 3-4 months. I was driving in 4 weeks mostly due to being pig headed. No problems from that. I do have bad swelling 16 months post op but that has been going on since day one. Rehab is your friend. If you feel you are not progressing, talk to your Dr or get 2nd or 3d opinion. Back pain has been relieved through the use of OTC heal lifts in my off side shoe. Good luck.