11 weeks now and although I have obviously made progress I still have a way to go before being fit for work. I went shopping with my partner on Saturday and quickly overdid the walking. My leg was swollen and sore by the eve and put my progress into perspective. What seems to be improving indoors is small fry out of doors. I have to admit that its really getting me down. It seems endless. Especially when others are at the gym, leaping out of trucks etc. I am losing my motivation to exercise and am just moping about.
Sally - Nobody ever tells us exactly what the TKR surgery does to us or affects us. I am 13 weeks post op. Most of the time I'm fine, but there are moments that my knee feels extremely heavy and other times it feels achy and I wonder if it will ever feel good.
Sally... hope you can get out and just walk in smaller increments. There is a gentleman on this thread that developed a staph infection and has to go back in and get the new knee removed and then they put in a spacer? and flush with anti-biotics and on and on. I read that and thought... I'm fine. Best of luck to you! I'm American and we want it fixed today by God (OK, not my real attitude but that is the perception). I'm hoping this experience teaches me patience. And I hope it does so right this minute! Stay loose.
Don
Hi Sally, I feel exactly as you do. And it's safe to say we are not alone! I am almost 10 weeks and like you doing fairly well. Today with my wife we went shopping. Only out for 2 hours. Now I'm suffering. My knee Is stiff and sore. Its not moving as well. I'm sure tomorrow will be different and hopefully will be back on track. And so will you. I'm aiming for good times by June as my son gets married. I hope to be Dan cing. I looked at dvd of our daughters wedding last April and I limped all night. This years going to be different. Yes our knees are so variable day by day. We will all get there. Keep strong.
RObert
Hang in there. We all get down days. One day my poor husband came home from work and as soon as he opend the door and spoke I started to cry and yell, a little bit. "I'm going crazy cooped up in the house, I can't do this and can't do that, I feel like I'm in prison" what a sin, he was apologizing to me, he has been an angel. You know, we need to realize that everyone is different. We all heal differently. I would get upset because I wasn't doing as well as a friend of a friend, etc. it's winter here and everything is ice covered. I had freedom today when I drove and did my own errands and cooked dinner. yippee! I'm 11 wks plus a day or so too.ntis all good, Sally.
Lots are worse of than us, dear. Have yourself a glass of wine!
Thanks everyone! I know it will improve I'm just going stir crazy. I can start back at the gym 1st march so that will be good. I plan to use the pool and steam room!
In your case, as with anyone who has undergone surgery the secret with exercise is little and often.
If you overdo it you will pay the price.
The time will come when you too can get back to the Gym, but in the meanwhile please do not expect too much of yourself.
Sx weeks now, and a lot worse than I was at five weeks. . .it just seems to go up and down. We are all going to need a lot of perseverance and patience I'm afraid! I've heard from lots of people that you can't expect anything like normal function until six months, so better to try and stop moping. . and keep exercising! Easier said than done, isn't it!
I agree with everyone, nearly 13 weeks and feel I am going backwards. My leg feels like a dead weight and is sore and so tight. The scar feels like it wants to burst own and is raised and red. I was thinking this morning when am I ever going to be normal again. I too mope around, not wanting to go out even. Weather here isn't good either and we are due for more bad weather, so no incentive to go out. I still feel, should I have had this done?
Hello Susan
I can relate to the dead weight feeling. So cold and windy I couldnt face going out. I have decided this morning that I will try to get my partnrer to take me out in the car more often so I can get my exercise somewhere different than up and down the road outside! Half the problem is that I have no income while I am off work and I am draining my meagre savings. However we are masters of our own destiny and Susan we must keep trying so keep in touch and lets celebrate little successes.
Yes that's a good idea Sally to walk somewhere new. My part er works part time so I usually walk about 1.5 miles to meet him and then get a ride back a couple of times a week. Don't know about you but it gets lonely walking by yourself. I have a lovely park nearby but would feel too vulnerable walking around there on my own. At these times I wish I had a dog! I have just started driving and can't even be bothered to go out window shopping. You are right about having control ourselves - I am definitely going out today!...
I am 11 weeks now and indoor mobility is better than before the op, but the distance I can do outdoors and the amount of standing around is no better. I think we have to slowly develop more stamina as all the muscles have wasted through disuse. I try to walk that little bit further each day, but it is certainly not the long distances I hope for eventually.
I felt exactly the same as you at that stage.i don't think the body wants to go as fast as we do, and don't worry about the gym to much its too early and too much. Give yourself a break for a few days and then start again slowl. I am 61/2 months and have stopped the excersises I know I'm about there now and when I excersise I get bad lower back pain so I'm just not doing it. I am walking well but not too far at a time. Hope this helps
Yes I agree, we need to build stamina and I am sure its just maintaining that determination that will see us through this. I was just having a low moment yesterday but I am feeling more positive this morning! I have arranged coffee with a friend on friday so something to look forward to!
Sally, I understand both the cabin fever and going thru $$ while not being able to work feeling and both are depressing. This is 5 weeks out starting yesterday. I can't drive due to epilepsy but really have grown to like getting around on my bicycle and or public transport. I'm despondent when I can't just jump on the bike for the 2 mile ride to library and store etc... Yesterday was sunny and I finally decided I really needed to clean and organize my little stand alone apt. The leg coorperated for the most part and I got a bit done, and that felt good. It is quickly becoming apparent to me that this is a mental and emotional fight as well as physical. To read these comments and know there are a bunch of us out there going through similar things helps me stay focused. Best of luck to you and get out when you can. My therapist said it is usually around 6 months for people to reach the point where the knee is fading into the background depending on the individual of course.
My walking included a trip to the mall. My husband would bring me and I'd borrow a walker and go. I loved the freedom and the space. I'm walking good now but just short distances.
The secret Sally is walk short distances and never press yourself too hard, as the TKR surgery can take a good while (maybe 6 months or more) to heal properly.
If you experience swelling or an obvious build-up of fluid or an infection around the area of the wound, then please refer back to your surgeon/doctor as soon as possible.
Thank you everyone who has replied. It is great just knowing you are not alone!
Thank you everyone who has replied. It is great just knowing you are not alone!
Hi Sally, it's still early days for you.
I didn't return to work for 4 months and even then it was a phased return. Was back for 4 weeks then got a back spasm and ended up working from home for a week. The Doctor suggested maybe I went back to early and thinking about it another few weeks may have been better. I am telling you this as I don't want you to worry that your improvement seems slow. We all recover at different rates. From day I was told that i shouldn't compare with others as we are all different