Hi been away for a bit as it's been a tough few weeks. Been back to work which is standing all day. So tough on my knee . I am a bit worried at nearly 11 weeks I can't walk home after work without crutches. I get to a certain point in the day and my knee tightens up big time my back pulls and I am clinging to the shop fittings. I am worried I am going to end up permanently with a walking stick, although I tried walking sticks and don't feel so stable.
getting me down big time
I feel for you. You were so positive. Take your rest when home and you will get there. Carol
hi
i know how you feel about the crutches v walking stick
i too felt much safer with the crutch
although I do still use my crutch at night to go to the bathroom as my knee is always stiff and tight after sleeping
I am afraid I'm stuck with a limp too
i really feel for anyone who needs to go back to work it must be really hard ...but take heart ...everyone keeps saying it does get better.
Jean
(20) weeks
Soobeedoo! I was wondering where you were!
Do you have any holiday time you could take?
At the risk of sounding naive, maybe you should not work for a while. Just until your knee gets over this. I know that it's not on everyone's cards to retire though, but you seem to need some TLC.
Are you working full time? Maybe your boss would consider less hours for a little while?
You sound as if you are in agony every day, I am so sorry.
Caz x
Your back at work far too soon and your knee & back are telling you this. Listen to your body it knows whats going on more than you do. If you can take more time off then do or take breaks during the day. your knee is still healing
Hi Caz
thank you
i didn't want to depress everyone with my moaning.
I can't give up work I'm afraid as I am self supporting. I do 4.days a week.I think it might be that I had 2 big ops with 4 months.
I know it will get better but I feel I am behind in my recovery because of my work. Xx
Thank you Jean xx
Moan away Soobeedoo,
Thats what we are here for. This op is like a game of snakes and ladders. You just slipped down a snake! Next week you will be up a ladder you'll see.
Your body is fighting to heal so much, but it needs some help from you.
Ditch the housework until you are better. If you have to work, then rest as much as you can when you aren't working.
Im thinking of you.
Caz x
Sorry to hear that Soobeedoo. I'm at 9 weeks now and I'm fortunate that I don't have to rush back to work; I'm a remedial massage therapist and personal trainer so I wouldn't have been able to anyhow. I'm pretty bored and frustrated at the moment, but I'm hoping to start doing 30 min massages next week at the gym where I'm doing my rehab.
I was off crutches at 5 weeks and from my own experience, getting away from the crutches was the best thing I could have done. It forced my knee to look out for itself. Moving house at 5 weeks post op was also very good for getting my A(rse) into G(ear). I'm able to walk for about 15mins before the knee begins to protest and the limp kicks in. As of this week I can also use stairs in a normal fashion, albeit very slowly and with a bit of a hip lift.
I still get lots of swelling and then weakness after standing long periods and especially after rehab and I find that it's really effective to do hot/cold treatments to flush the knee and help it drain. I use wrap around heat packs and ice packs and alternate them cold/hot/cold for about 3-5 mins each with the leg elevated. I use my compression wrap and/or 'skins' pants all the time to keep the swelling down as much as possible.
How is your knee bend progressing? Mine's only at 90°, but my surgery is a lot different from a TKR. I started off in a straight leg brace and now my challenge is to bend (straightening is the easy part).
Are you still going to rehab sessions? What sort of recovery work are you doing?
hi again Caz
i just downloaded the goniometer app on my iPad ...a pay one.... And my straightening definitely needs working on ....bend 125 so not bad
so it's straightening exercises taking priority from now on
tganks for posting how to get the app
Jean
Hi Jean,
Your bend is better than mine.
Ive had a lot of creaks and a sort of snapping feeling in the back of my knee today. It's just got to get used to exercising again.
Take care, please let me know how you go on the 25th.
Are you on Facebook?
Caz x
hi Caz
i'm awake again for some reason my knee has decided it wants to cause me pain it feels like a ton weight... I just had a walk downstairs ...made a cup of tea ( my cure for everything) to see if the pain would ease off ...I can only describe it as ...like toothache...a nagging pain.
yes my bend is good but I just can't seem to get the leg straight... And I'm still limping quite badly..which is affecting my back.
.it feels when I walk as if the leg is shorter than the other although it probably isn't
I religiously do the straightening exercise reccomended by OFG..... Dangling the leg over the end of the bed and letting gravity take over.
it's the most painful of all the exercises and on a good day I can manage 5mins on a bad day even 2mins is torture.
but as they say
onwards and upwards
Jean
ps..... I'm not on Facebook
Hi Jodi. We only get 2 sessions with a physio at 2 and 6 weeks. I have to be at work for financial reasons . I work in a sports shop so it is an active job. I have tried two days without crutches but could barely get home. I trained as a personal trainer and sports massage and went down the massage route part time. I see a personal trainer once a week and we are gradually building up in circuit training.
i think the route of the problem is that I have put on three stone (42lbs).
To cut a long story short I did weigh 27stone (378lbs) and lost over half my body weight . I had skin removal op in August 2014 big op. I had my TKR on 18Nov 2014. So the weight I have gained couldn't go on my stomach area and has loaded on the top of my legs . Consequently on my knees.
this is totally my fault for falling into comfort eating and tiredness after two big ops. I also suffer from neutropenia , very low white blood cell count which hinders immune system and makes me a little more tired. I think is what is hindering my recovery.
But the weight is shifting now and I'm hoping for progression with the knee. I'm doing hydro jogging, a little gym biking, and hoping to start rowing soon. But after a days work I am done in.
Thank you. Unfortunately can't take anymore time off work as I had 2 big ops with 2 lots of 6 week recovery periods last year x
Thank you Caz. Hope you are up the ladders at the moment xxx
Thank you carol. I usually am positive just have my moments. That's the good thing about this group you can be honest and people understand.
xx
Oh wow, you have been dealing with a lot!
I agree that the weight won't be helping your situation and the low immunity will be making it really difficult to maintain your energy. My osteo advised taking a good women's multivitamin, a high dose vitamin C powder called camu camu, and also skate liver oil to help with my immunity and recovery. I'm not sure how effective these types of supplements actually are, but I figured they couldn't hurt so I've been taking them religiously. I've also been trying to maintain a diet low in sugar and high in veggies and chicken. I really hate cooking, but I know how bad my eating habits can get and I was really conscious of not putting on too much weight while I couldn't exercise much. I've still put on about 5kg (11 pounds) with a some sneaky comfort eating, but I cleaned all the junk out of the kitchen over the weekend and today's the day to get the diet under control again. I've also found that it's been really beneficial to have lots of short term goals, that way way you feel like you have lots of little succeses. For instance, one of my little goals every Monday (and this will sound weird) is that when I sit on the loo I need to be able to bend my knee enough that foot moves at least one tile closer to the toilet, thus measuring improvement in my flexion. 
With your background training you have the knowledge and the skills to get a handle on your weight gain; I bet you also know that your diet will have a massive influence on your white blood cell count and also your energy levels.
You know that you can always come on hear and get support from all the amazing people going through similar experiences.
Stay strong!
Jodi
Hi Jean,
I have come to the conclusion that to get the leg straight must be harder than to get a bend. I had 0 at straight the day after the op, the bend was illusion and I still struggle to keep it.
OFG has some great advice. I did his exercise bike one and I'm sure that's how I got my bend starting.
You sound like you are really down at the moment. I remember February in UK, it's as much to do with the weather as your knee, I'm sure of that.
As a little kid I used to cuddle the boiler ( remember those?) and plead with my parents to emigrate to Australia. I used to fill in that coupon in the newspaper regularly, the £5 one.
Having rheumatic fever aged 11 made me hate winter.
Keep smiling through Jean.
Caz x
Going up the ladder slowly Soobeedoo, one wrung at a time, like a toddler. Gives "baby steps" a whole new meaning.
Caz x
hi Caz
you are probably right about the February blues
you definitely got your wish about Australia
has it cooled down a little for you? It's cold here today but I'm determined to get myself wrapped up and get some fresh air....blow the blues away.
OFG has some great ideas to pass on to us all
i also read somewhere that you should exercise every other day as it gives the body time to recover.
i wonder if that applies to the TKR too
take care Caz and put me in your suitcase when you go on your break with your daughter ....or...have I missed it?
Jean