Hi TKR-ers, I'm 76 yes old am now 8 weeks post op and can at last say, things are getting better. Am working hard at exercises including in sitting in the local pool to exercise and having physio once a week. This morning 'bend' was 110. Numbness decreasing and sensitivity improving with massage. Even getting more sleep.Hang in there folks, it does get better. God bless. 😸
That's so good to hear Margaret. I've just been to see the Consultant tonight 6 weeks post op and he says I'm not progressing as well as I should. I've got 100 degree bend and not quite a straight leg. He says I need to go for walks making them longer each day! I think in two weeks I should be hopefully like you. Is your leg/knee still swollen because mine is so hard to bend! Well done on your recovery.
Hi Margaret
Thanks for this. Does anyone know any non surgical treatments for a meniscal tear please. The pain is intolerable.
Margaret that's really good to hear I'm 5 weeks tkr and I feel I've gone backwards was doing so well the last week more swelling on my knee still can't bend it when I walk and more pain than I had 2 weeks ago at physio tomorrow
Thank you for the good news Margaret. I am only a week postop left TKR and doing very well. Swelling is minimal, 114 degree bend, but I am becoming weary already of spending my entire day focused on my knee. I know it's part of the process and I'm so early in recovery but I see weeks or even months of this as overwhelming. So thanks to you I'll quit whining and dive in for the long haul (which may only be 8 weeks 😄).
Hi Margaret!
You are doing GREAT! I am almost 11 weeks post op, and I reached a bend of 104°just today!
I continue to have some numbness but am getting used to it. I only wear VERY, VERY soft pants because I don't like the feel of anything rubbing against my incision.
My balance has improved GREATLY which helps me feel more confident as I work in my garden, and walk in my yard with its many MOLE hills and fallen walnuts from our three walnut trees!
Keep up your great progress!
Good to hear I'm 58 and 16 week post op from tkr I went back to the gym 4 week ago and to work 2 week ago in a primary school and things are good still very slight swelling and a little stiff at end of day BUT absolutely no pain! !! I'm having other knee done but have asked them to put on hold for 12 month as it's not as bad as the left one was so injections will remedy that for time being there was a time after the op when you feel it's never going to get better but hang on in there folks do your exercises eat healthy drink lots of water and stay positive there IS a light at the end of the tunnel good luck everyone xxx
Linda, I'm 6 weeks post op now but last week I was feeling so down as it felt I was going two steps forward and four back. Kept up with the exercises and then the next week it all of a sudden didn't feel so tight and stiff. It's amazing what a difference a week can make. My whole leg is still quite swollen even though I'm raising it and icing it. I guess that's why I can't get the full degree bend because of the swelling. I potter round my flat in the day and then knee tends to stiffen up by the afternoon. I don't have the pre op pain which is marvellous but I can't wait for the day when I stop thinking about my knee all the time and can walk independently again without limping and without a stick! Glad to hear you're back at work Linda and sounding so positive. Can't wait to feel the same.
Oops sorry Linda you're not back at work. Getting mixed up with who I'm replying to! Brain gone to mush too.
Just hang on in there and each week you should see an improvement. I'm certainly not feeling so down this week and I still have a little way to go.
My reply should have been to Margaret. Think I'd better shut up! 😫
Well done you, you sound so happy
Hi Elaine
Would the exercises that you are doing be appropriate for someone with a meniscal tear?
Jean
Can someone please advise me on what to do for an incarcerated meniscal tear.
Hi Cheryl - I too found trousers or skirts rubbing the scar painful so I now wear a tube of stockinette or an oversize knee support just to protect the scar. It works for me. I have also
found that massaging with Glucosamine Gel IF the incision is completely closed helps cool and ease the joint. You can get it in Holland & Barrett very often 'on offer'.
Hope that helps. 😺
He probably is just tryng to encourage you a bit more to exercise.
Hamfisted approach but he obviously is acting in your best interests. Don't worry.
Jean
Provided there is no rash or breakdown of the scar then I would advise applying some cream commonly sold in pharmacies for protecting the skin to ease the sskin, make it feel comfortable and soft and to minimise the scar.
I had a lentigo removed from my face and was advised by a plastic surgeon to do the same especially when facing the elements.
The scar is hardly visible and the cream was soothing as well.
I can supply the name of the OTC if you PM me.It is a common cream commonly prescribed by doctors and district nurses.
Jean
Hi Linda
Glad to hear that you are doing well.
Why did you have surgery to your knee?
May I also ask you what injections did you have for your knee? I have Long QT syndrome and a beta blocker caalled cardicor. I also take warfarin and have kidney disease so unable to have steroids and/or NSAIDS.
Jean
Hi Margaret
I am very glad to hear that you are doing well.
Keep up the good work.
Tell me did you have a meniscal tear?
If so how long did you have to wait for surgery?
Jean
The tube of stockinette is SUCH A GREAT IDEA! Thanks for that!
I have been putting Johnson's Baby Cream on my scar, but I don't massage it much. I should get going on that!
There is a lot to this surgery, but we will all make it, I am sure of it!
Best wishes as you get stronger and enjoy less pain!
Hi Cheryl
I was advised to use E45 cream and massage it well into the scar on my face where a lentigo had to be removed. The scar is barely visible now.
The consultant plastic surgeon who removed a lentigo off my face a few yeara ago advised me to gently massage E45 cream into the scar to protect the delicate skin against the elements . To soothe it and to promote minimal scarring.
It worked.
Jean