Here I am complaining again.
It's now 4 months since my TKR , I left the hospital with a bending of 100, continued Physio 3 times per week and also hydro twice a week. My last Physio session is today but my bending is just 95, I'm so frustrated that I stopped exercising at home , the knee is always stiff and thight at night every time I bend or extend it feels like it's going to crack. Having a bad day😭
Hi maria. Sorry to hear you are having a bad day. It happens. Can you resume hydrotherapy by visiting a heated pool and doing some exercises?
I am 13 weeks and finding each day brings challenges. I am learning to not expect too much! My knees are stiff and sore and somedays are trying ones for me too.
Hope today is a better one for you! Best wishes
Lyn
Hi Maria
im sorry you're having a bad day (or days). I have to say that I'm finding it a struggle to keep up with the exercises at home....it's just so boring after a while, and not what I had the op for!
However.....it sounds like maybe you do need to do perhaps 15 mins a day of stretching. I wonder did your physios recommend a plan for now that he / she is finished? And maybe hydrotherapy if you can access this.
It will be worth it in the end!
All the best to you x
Maria, I"m sorry you feel so bad. But don't give up exercising daily. Even if it's just 15 minutes 3 or 4 times a day. You didn't go through all this to have a poor result. You don't want to slide back to a place where you have limited motion and lots of pain. I'm 9 months out and I still have stiffness, minor discomfort, numbness among other things, but I'm just going on with life.....adjusting when I need to.
If you find that you're getting worse as time goes on, I'd definitely go back to your Dr. for advise. They want you to be successful too. Don't give up hope. Have a good cry and start over tomorrow. But don't stop exercising , even if a little (my opinion).
Best of luck
Mary Ann
Keep going - its a long road and hard for some - mainly those on this forum! I am 15 months and remember feeling like you. Have to pick up as self-help is the best way forward - hard - and progress comes in peaks and troughs. 4 months to 6 months was slow for me and a few periods after but I kept focused on physio and pain control. Walked 3 miles last week - no swelling and today for the first time I swam 'normal' breastroke - and as a former swimmer this made it all worthwhile - so have a goal and keep going - was never going to be easy for us strong ladies (and men!) but it is what it is - so on we go - tomorrow is a new day get on with that physio it will pay off but might take a while xx
Hi Maria I too agree with everyone....don't stop exercising. I have had many ups and downs just like everyone. I'm 3 months po and just starting to feel like I own my knee again. I exercise everyday. Not always the same ones. It depends on how I feel. If I have over done it and the next day I'm sore I do less. I wake stiff. I get stiff after exercising. Walking. But it's way better than it was. My Dr told me last week he wants me to continue to exercise throughout the summer and cut back in the fall. I didn't expect that but it is what it is. I have put too much time and effort into this to give up now. Maria maybe you're just having a bad day. You may be over doing it. Listen to what your knee is telling you. I know that sounds weird but I have found it to be helpful. I went backwards on my bend and the next week I was right back where I was. So please don't stop exercising. If you're bored with the ones you're doing Google for new ones. Or people on here can help. I've been given several of here. Good luck and try not to get to discouraged....
Cheer up Maria! ! I am also 4 months and the knee bends are getting harder and harder. I swell so much during the day that it is impossible to push it more during exercise. Don't know if I will ever get to 110. Not everyone ever gets there. I am 72 and I will be happy when I can do the stairs properly. I am sick of this one at a time thing. Now I have a frozen shoulder to contend with. It never ends. Maybe tomorrow will be better for both of us.
HI Maria, can't add too much more then to what everyone else has shared w u. This Tkr is not only a physical challenge but also a mental, lifestyle change as well. My phisio or pt included deep breathing exercises as well to relax the mind n body, the app is called Headspace, I was open to try many new things. Don't give up girl. We are all here for you.... With a little 🍀, some 🍵, n a glass of whatever gets u thru it 🍷, stay positive, when u need a good cry go for it let it all out n move forward with more strength.... Blowing healing prayers your way 🌬🌬🌬🌬, kathy
Maria, you've got your cheerleaders here! I hope you've been encouraged by the words that others have shared. As a friend of mine says, I had my days in the "Pity Barn" but it was time to come out and play with the other animals. It's not a surgery for the wimps and I think some of us didn't know what we had within us; but when we reach down deep, we can find it. You've come way too far to let go now. Remember why you wanted the surgery, aside from just being free of the pain - which I'm guessing that pain is indeed gone (yes, replaced is probably more like it). But don't you dare quit on us! Years ago my grandmother had her knees replaced, and she was so afraid of falling afterwards and breaking a hip that she stayed in a wheelchair all the time. Having gone through it, it breaks my heart to understand how her mind won over and what she missed out on. You are still young enough to enjoy the freedom of walking. Praying for you to feel encouraged and motivated.
Hi all thank you for all your kind words and ideas , that's why sites like this are needed
Today it was my last session with my Physio , I'm measuring 106 , I'll keep exercising and walking and hydrotherapy.
A BIG thank you to all of you ❤️❤️❤️
Hi there this isn't easy is think I'd just put up with the pain if the other knee gets worse. Today I saw a new PT and he surggested a small skate board to aid bending the knee back and forth sounds good to me and will start today good luck