Have just had my second physio session to say I am now in pain is a great understatement. Straightening is excellent, bend not so good still only 75 and sooo hard I seem to have hit a brick wall there, very disapointing, On a more positive note I can just about manage indoors with one crutch but cannot imagine ever walking outdoors without two crutches. How do make that transition ? Will I ever sleep for more than 2 hours at a time ?My knee feels as though it has a very very tight band around it, what is this ? will it go ? as always so many questions !!! any answers anyone ?
It's very early, I know those are words you may not want to hear. The tight band will get better. I know my physio guy helped me with mine. You will get stronger...keep doing your stretches that you were told to do. The sleep thing seems to be a problem for most, but like having a new baby....it will also get better...one day at a time. I know I felt at times I regressed and that was discouraging, but then I'd bounce ahead. I remember thinking one more how good I slept better than years, because pain hadn't woke me. Try to stay positive...it's a journey that's not easy. Stay it touch on this forum. I spent many a sleepless night reading here, and it helped knowing I wasn't alone.
You will walk outside again without 2 crutches, I promise!!
It will take time and is very hard work.
The trasition will come but not overnight.
You are at the stage where it is NO PAIN NO GAIN.
I've been there and done that
I'm sure your physio sessions will help you.
As for sleeping, try not to sleep too much during the day and do not go to bed until you are eally tired and ready to sleep.
You will probably feel like at most of the time at the moment.
Organise your painkillers so that when you are awake in pain in the night you ca take some tablets and try not to use the maximum amount of painkillers during the day
I had TKR nearly 3 years ago and now it is like having my life back, really.
Take care and keep up the good work
Keep in touch
Love Sarahxxx
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If you are doing that good on the straightening you are in great shape. 3 weeks isn't really a good point to be measuring the bend yet. Keep doing what you are doing and in another 3-4 weeks you will be amazed how far you have come. Just keep the pain meds taken an hour before you excercise along with plenty of water and then the ice, elevation and get as much rest as you can. They shouldn't even bother measuring for several weeks as its sort of like watching the pot boil, it seems a lot lot longer than if you find something elsecgo do
Very early days for you yet but it does all get better slowly slowly!!!!! I'm at 13 weeks now - no significant pain, no tight band feeling any more and sleep much better now thank heavens. I remember too my physio said very early on "one day youll just feel you dont need crutches any more" and at that time i was thinking to myself NO WAY!!! But it DID happen just as she said - my crutches are happily gathering dust in the corner now!! Hope this helps to know its the usual pattern for TKRs. So try not to worry, look after yourself in every way possible and the changes will come for sure ☺☺☺☺☺
One additional thing regarding pain.....my therapist has always subscribed to the "up to but not into pain". IRS always going to hurt and you have to continue to push but you don't want to continue to the point that you dread the doing the excercise. Gentle firm, slow and complete is the route I've always been instructed to take. Hopefully my staph infection is cleared and within 3-4 weeks I can get my new knee put in place so I can start my 5th go round with rehabing this leg. Not having a knee and having to drag around an immobilized limb makes you appreciate the discomfort of rehabbing a complete albeit prosthetic joint.
You'll make if fine, just don't expect too much too soon. Remember, docs and therapists are all mentally dealing with text book cases and most of us don't fall into that catagory
Dotty, I am six weeks post op today, I still have the tight band around my knee, it apparently will take a number of months to disappear. I too struggle with the bend and unfortunately it is a case of persevering with your exercise routine and pushing yourself to improve the bend. I think I have been too careful to date in pushing past the stiffness but now realise if I am going to improve I have to ' grow a set'. I have only been out and about a few times but yesterday I was out for several hours on one crutch, it was tiring but took numerous coffee breaks and everyone moved at my pace. Today I moved about the house crutch free, not exactly smoothly but at least I have taken the first steps to normality. My sleeping is still a bit sporadic, some nights I will sleep for 4-6 hours and others not at all, again this will hopefully improve as time goes on. I hope this gives you some hope that you will improve soon, at three weeks I was ready for the hills.
Dotty, 7 weeks on Thursday post op, today I woke ( after 2 hour sleep sessions) feeling good. Walking about the house no crutches, can even manage the stairs very slowly but manage. can bend leg and sit as normal, comfortable but that tight band when standing is gloing slowly. I have been massaging and oiling,doing the straightening exercises and the one that I think is helping most is sitting on a chair with the leg extended on another chair at the ankle, gravity is helping to pull the leg straight...I HOPE! Been sat out in the sun this afternoon, sun not on my legs, had the umbrella up and it has been wonderful.
Strangely today (fourteen weeks) I've just noticed that the tight band is very much less tight, although still there! Yesterday, also, I wandered around all day, supermarket, house, etc. with no crutches or cane and never even thought about them. However, still find going down stairs difficult, and still need to stretch the calf muscles more so I can put the foot flat on the floor when I put the good leg down two steps . . . it's a long hard job this! But hopefully we shall all get there in the end!
Hello Dotty, I have to say three weeks is early. Only concreate on one day at time.I had TKR in left knee. Stretch exercise when you are allowed.Walk every chance you can. I graduated from a walker after my first week. Six weeks later I am cane free. I am still having swelling and pain after eight weeks,but my Dr. Says that's normal. I try to walk and still stretch as much as I can stand. Many a night I never got much sleep. Your not alone,been their and I feel for you. The tightness and numbness will slowley go away. Ask questions on your next post opp visit with your Dr. Good luck to you and hang in their.
I am 9 weeks. My bend is ok but Straightening not so good.
i do all my exercises but can't change it,, reckon it may stay like this xx
I'm still hoping to straighten mine more at fourteen weeks, because I find that it makes standing still rather uncomfortable. . trouble is, I tend to forget for a couple of days then overdo it. . .but I think it's worth persevering to get the straight extension. . . .