Hello there, I am having a TKR in 4 weeks time, and wondered if anyone has advice on how to prepare for it - I have read lots about the operation itself, pain and physio afterwards etc. Getting quite apprehensive and wonder whether I should be trying to strengthen my muscles beforehand. Thank you!
Hi i had my TKR just over 3 weeks ago, to prepare for the op, I went to the hospital gym for over 4 months twice a week for an hour each time to help build up the muscle, weather it's helped or not I don't know but I enjoyed it and generally felt fitter for doing so, good luck with your op
Hi Debbie, thank you, looks like I already missed the boat then! Only booked the op last week, but I think I will try and do some of the exercises that I will have to do after the op, reading this forum. How are you feeling after 3 weeks? Thanks again
Had mine done in Jan be positive it's gonna be tough but ice physio and positive thinking will get you through. I'm back at work now and never lookEd acknowledge best thing ever. You will get your good and bad days sleepless nights keep up with your pain relief as it's part of the healing process. Good luck and stay on the forum
Go good
I am 9 days post op and went to the gym for all the time I was on the waiting list and thought I had done a pretty good job, how wrong I was, lol. seriously though anything you can do, wether it's just increasing a daily walk will help.
Hello Kim, thank you, it's so helpful to hear something positive. It is too easy to concentrat on the bad experiences people are enduring - I hadn't even thought about depression but it makes so much sense. I will definitely keep on here.
Thank you
Gosh how are you doing after 9 days? I only have 5 weeks from the decision to the op, but I will do my best. Not capable of doing a daily walk, sadly, but hoping to walk like a crazy person in the future if this goes well!
Hi
I am 5 weeks post op tomorrow....sleepless nights are my main problem now....feeling pretty good concerning the pain throughout the day...ICE,PT and ELEVATION are the 3 things that have helped me manage....it can be very discouraging and depressing at times...just last week I could barely walk around the store for a 1/2 hr. I try and walk short distance evry hour....I really didn't do anything prior to surgery...tried to eat and sleep....can't wait for this to be behind me....good luck
Thank you, wishing you good progress.
I am not doing too bad now, just making sure I keep up with my pain killers.
That sounds good for 9 days, wishing you well
HI Suki. I'm just over 5 weeks post TKR and had about 4 weeks notice of my surgery . I walked as much as I could even half an hour a day. I also got some exercises from the physio nurse at the hospital to do at home 3 times a day these were quad building and muscle building exercises of the leg. These exercises play a huge part in the recovery process and would thoroughly recommend you find out about them and do them religiously, they will be so worth it. The best up of luck hope all goes well for rou and yes stay positive 😊
Hi, I am 4 weeks post op, I did the physio exercises for a number of months before and cycled 3 to 4 miles about 4 times a week for a number of months before, I don't know if it helped by my physio says I have good muscle tone in my legs, you still have 4 weeks so enough time to strengthen your muscles. I am still having good days, when I then overdo it and bad days when I overdid it on the good day, I find it quite hard to get a good balance. However I can see a significant improvement over the last 4 weeks, the exercises are becoming easier, I walk a bit further each day, I found it hard to sleep the first 2 to 3 weeks but that improved once I was able to sleep on my side. As everyone says it's important to keep up with the pain meds, the elevation and icing, which is what gets you through the first few weeks, along with the fantastic support you will get on here. wishing you all the best.
Thank you Nuala, will do
Thank you Sandra. That sounds really positive and I will try to strengthen my quads before the op. I am really encouraged that you can sleep on your side already, another thing i am dreading is sleeping on my back, although it sounds like people don't get much sleep anyway! Definitely will follow your advice and others about pain meds, the elevation and icing.Feel better already having these responses. wishing you a continuing good improvement.
the physio told me I could sleep on my side as soon as I wanted, but it's only recently I was comfortable, I hate sleeping on my back, but she also told me to try a pillow under my leg long ways from knee down to foot, it's important your leg is straight so don't put a pillow under just your knee. Also when lying on your side put a pillow between your legs which then protects your operated knee.
Very important to start exercising now. Strengthen your legs as much as possible. The stronger they are the better the recovery. GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING! !! Keep us posted.
Thank you