Hi, me again, I'm now 8 weeks post op and feel like I have gone backwards. I have been in a lot of pain the last few days and find the exercises so painful, it's hit and miss whether I do them or not. I need a stick if I walk very far as my knee just gives way. I seem to be limping more too. My employers expected me back to work next week but I really don't feel up to it. I'm still not eating properly and feel really low. I know this is part of the course but it really sucks, I am starting to wish I'd left it well alone!
Hi Helen,this is how it goes. You are doing more and it hurts more. I was the same. Felt on top of the world at six weeks and then down again. Personally i think it is too early to go back. You need you time.
Hi Helen. Like you, we all have gone through the phase you are in. It really is a roller coaster of a journey and early days. On a bad day, I too wished I hadn't had the surgery, but it does get better. How is your bend? What exercises are you doing? How is your pain control? Are you sleeping? All these factors and others influence our well being. My leg gave way. Physio put me on standing on the operated leg. I couldn't do it and wobbled. Three days later I can stand for 10 secs. The point is things do change quickly. Rehab isn't a quick fix. Wish it was! Keep positive. You will improve and you will look back and be the beneficiary of a new wonderful knee.
Robert
Don't despair - TKRs are really worth it. Your lifestyle will improve but you have to be patient. A lot of the info about TKRs say you will be ready to go back to work after 12weeks/3 months. I stayed off work for this length of time after both my TKRS and could not have managed to go back before. I was lucky on both occasions as the occupational health department supported me and advised a phased return. Put yourself first. It is your life so don't mess things up by being bullied into going back to work too only - when you go back employers expect you to be fully recovered. Think about yourself and your future.
Best Wishes.
Thanks carol, I keep telling myself that but it just seems to take so long, especially when I thought I'd got there a week or so ago.
Hi Robert,
my bend is at 110 although I feel that may have reduced as my scar has gone keloid so has really tightened up. Still struggling with leg raises and need the rubber band. I need quad excrcises which are difficult because of the pain. Have had so much codeine bowels aren't working and am managing to get a good four hours sleep most nights. Wierd thing is I can drive no problem so I feel this is stretching my leg quite well? Still not eating much and feel shattered most da ys. Have started taking some vitamins and friend brought me some tonic wine which tastes dreadful, lol. Thanks for your wise words. Helen
thanks Polly,
work isn't too supportive as they are really busy and say they need me back. I think I will speak to hr tomorrow and explain. The way I feel at present I'm not ready emotionally let alone physically. I can do a phased return but think I am going to wait a few weeks before doing this.
Hi Helen, have you tried from a sitting position with your leg flat as poss lean forward hold your ankles and try to keep leg flat. You should feel the stretch. Is your knee still swollen? Loads ice as you know. Doc put me on laxatives thanks to codeine, it helps. I have lousy back ache with all the overcompensating, the joys of TKR and this is my second!
robert
I think it would be a good idea to talk to HR but explain you need at least another 4/5 weeks. I had an arthroscopy on one knee before my TKRS. It did not work
I eventually went back to work but by the end of the day ii was in agony, my knee was swollen and I was very tearful. IT did not help me or my employers.
Good Luck. Chin up - you'll get there in the end.
Hi helen don't go back to work! You are more important. I ad getting worried after 7 weeks that my bend wasn't good at 85. Saw consultant yesterday and he said because of extensive work that had to be done, I am doing very well. The brand will come. I have completely straight leg. However the pain is bad and whatever pain relief I am on it doesn't seem to work. I KNOW I wouldn't be able to cope with work. Your life revolves around the knee, exercising, icing taking drugs. None of these things can be accomplished whilst working. Stay at home and look after yourself. Work will still be there if you don't be xxx
Hi Helen. This TKR is a bummer at tmes. I'm post op 4 weeks. Did all my morning exercises. Now I'm limping and a bit stiff. I guess the whole process is dynamic and individual. Keep smiling
Hi there, unfortunately this is how this recovery period goes, a couple of good days and then back to where you started. You are clearly not ready for work yet and I hope tour company supports you on this. It's a long hard road and sometimes its hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am over 5months post op, still nowhere near over it I get new aches and pains daily, I have lost 2stone in weight and have no appetite or desire for food. I can walk unaided and my bends have been fine from day one. I have no confidence when I'm out on my own and really not comfortable where there are lots of people around. I bitterly regret having this op, it has taken away my confidence and comfort and my love of life. I wish you well my freind things will get easier in time but will any of us ever be the same again?
Oh tucks I feel sad at reading your post. Is it the medication that is causing you weught loss/loss of appetite? I have stopped taking co codamol because this was doing this to me and giving me headaches and shakiness. I have regretted having this done so many times lately but am optimistic that all will be well in the end. You are right about things changing daily. I hope you do feel differently very soon xxx
Hi Tucks, I know just how you feel when you say you've lost confidence etc. I still suffer with nerve pain which also causes stiffness in my leg. I can walk quite well but there's always some discomfort. I know I won't be back to my old self until this problem goes away. The physio tells me it will go eventually but at the moment I feel, like you, that it's never going to end! I'm going on a cruise early next month and want to look forward to it but I still feel apprehensive. This op seems to have changed me!
We must be determined to not let it though! I remember you encouraging me to go to a wedding and reading of you enjoying your family celebrations so we must be positive. I know I can walk further than I could before the op so it must be worthwhile having it done. What about you? Think what you'd be like if you hadn't had the op. Would you really be better off? I hope you make improvements, Tucks and eventually feel glad you had it done. Chin up 😊 Jen x ( 6 months post op )
Hi Jen nice to speak to you again, hope you enjoy your cruise I think they are pure magic, have done some wonderful ones. I wonder what causes this feeling of vagueness and disinterest? I am going out to cyprus for a month in march with my sister and her hubby but for some reason that wonderful excitement is missing and I'm feeling what if this and that. It's just not me Jen. Before the op I was not in pain all of the time only on flare ups, the biggest problem was the shape my leg was going and I had had a couple of falls which my GP put down to the uneven less of the leg. I am usually so upbeat and posotive about everything but that feeling has gone. I am still getting pain and stiffness but my swelling is reducing so that is a step forward I suppose. Enjoy your cruise Jen, its so lovely on the special nights when you can get dressed up tp the nines. Love from tucks x5 1/2post op
Hi Susan really can't understand this weight problem sue, I have a sweet, sickly taste in my mouth all of the time. I don't really fancy food anymore, I go to the supermarket and am wondering up and down the isles looking for inspirations that just don't come, soft drinks and things like tonic water leave me with a strange taste for hours.i am not on any meds but will maybe have 2paracetomal a couple of times a week when the knee is bad. So just can't pinpoint what is going on. Had to buy new clothes mine are hanging off me.take care my freind, hopefully it will all come out in the wash, as they say X thank god for this forum x
You certainly don't want to go back to work,I'm learning that we are just payroll numbers,your health and well-being is more important.You need to be able to cope with the basics be even contemplating work.Rest as much as exercise.
Don't go back to work until you feel really happy to do so and confident that you can do all that is asked of you without pain. If you have an accident at work and are injured or you injure someone else, they will be down on you like a ton of bricks saying you returned before you were fit enough. In this day of stupid health and safety, it's just not worth the risk. Be kind to yourself it all gets better as time goes on. I have been really bad with my exercises, haven't done any for two weeks, but today I made myself start again, and was amazed at how much easier they have become.
Lovely to see you back Tucks, I bet your trip to Cyprus will be the launching point for you and you will be back to your old self. as for the bad taste and lack of appitite, perhaps it would be a good idea to get it checked with your GP, could be some kind of acid reflux and nothing to do with your knee. xx
Hello Helenaisag
i am at 5 weeks and i am finding that each week my knee throws an obstacle at me. One week my bends suddenly become painful and the next my leglifts produce an unexpected pain. Each time it sets me back and i have to rebuild my confidence in that exercise. It seems never ending. However this forum helps me realise that we are all in the same boat. Keep up with the meds and the ice and start back slowly with the exercises rather than not do them at all. I have started back at square one with mine and it has helped. Try to eat well your body needs to heal. Do not rush back to work as you will end up being off anyway. Be realistic, it will get better. We are all here for you.
Thanks Sally, I saw the consultant today who was really pleased with my bend but I need to do excrcises to strengthen the quads which I knew anyway. I will start again tomorrow as have been in awful pain again today. I just know I'm in for a bad night of it. Consultant actually advised me not to return to work just yet so I will take that advice and tell them tomorrow! Thanks for caring x