Just back from the physio and doing well. I am now on one crutch both inside and outdoors. I can raise my leg onto and off the bed without help. My bend has gone from 83 To 92 which for me is brilliant! I am finally starting to see light. As my physio said to me I was starting from a position of incredible weakness before my op and I could not bend and straighten my leg at all before. Next appt 3 weeks time. For uk readers I still have not had my 6 weeks follow up appointment. They keep cancelling it. So frustrating. Sleep is improving but still interrupted but I am reducing my meds. Feeling good!!
Always good to hear when things are going well for another TKR friend! The condition of the knee before surgery is apprently very relevant to the subsequent recovery time so congratulations! I'd been walking with a sgtraight leg for six months before the op, and still find it hard to bend it much . .first of all, I have to get over the mental block, and relearn how to walk properly! Hope they get you the 'six weeks' follow up appointment before next year!!!
Thats FANTASTIC Sally!
these good reports are always encourageing to read. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Hi. So glad to hear your good news today of all days. As I am now just over 4 weeks and really struggling. Pain is intense and all the pain med I have tried upset my tummy. Was supposed to see physio yesterday but hospital cancelled. My medical centre from work rang me and was supposed how much I'm struggling! But it seems that as I put of this op for such a long time my knee muscles were incredibly weak to start with so was always going to take longer to recover. Felt very down and concerned that my op was going to be one of the unsuccessful ones and worrying that I was never going to be able to return to work etc!! Then I saw your post and realised it's time and effort that I need. So thank you so much. Keep me updated please. Thankyou
That's great Sally. I am 10 weeks too, on one stick. Went physio tues and couldn't do rotation on bike as I did before, sooo painful. I had very bent leg before op but now have very straight one with bad bend! You have to wait for you physio a long time don't you? I go every week. Was supposed to go twice this week but physio I'll. Next week I am in a class of 8 for an hour, all tkrs, which should be fun. Keep up good work, I can't reduce meds by much as too painful.
Hi Jayne, four weeks to early to be worried. It is really hard those first four weeks what with sleep, pain etc. i just think it's incredible how many people are surprised about the struggle. It is very hard and I don't think people appreciate how tough it is unless you have been through it. If I have to hear one more time about how someone's friend had it done snd they were back to normal in six weeks, I shall scream! The majority of us do find it very hard. Keep at the physio Jayne and remember to drink plenty of water and above all, rest and ice.
Well said Susan. I am now stopping comparing myself with others because they are not me! I am lucky to have had a lot of help at home. Anyone that lives by themselves will have to do everything for themselves AND recover, exercise etc. So Jayne please do not worry 4 weeks is still early days and I was no use to anyone at 4 weeks.
Hello Sally. I should hope yr work medical centre would be better informed and not expect you to be better so soon. I did not return to work until 3 1/2 months and that was a phased return agreed with our Occupational Health. Don't let them rush you back to work. It's a big op and you need time to recover. Like Susan I think there are very few who are better in 6 weeks. Someone who was very fit and recommended the op to me said it would take up to a year before you really feel better :'
I felt just like you . . absolutely destroyed mentally, blubbering like an infant, . .but eventually it does seem to get better! Still having problems bending to more than 90 degrees . . sleep still very difficult no appetite . . but little by little I can see improvement. No more blubbering at least!!!