I'm out 9 weeks now, and stiffness and swelling is so unbearable. I just got done with PT last week so now will be on my own. I cry daily, and I have tried Ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, for Inflammation and nothing helps. Ice and elevating are my best friends. If anyone has any ideas, advice, anything will help. Much appreciated. Was hoping to be back to work by now but no way.
We understand. Keep doing your exercises and stretches the physical therapist gave you. Ice and elevation as you know/ keep it up, it will get better. Don't give up. Celebrate the small victories. Try to stay busy so you don't think about it all the time.
Take care,
Jen survivor of bilateral knee replacement almost one year out.
I know how you feel, I have cried many times during my recovery. I am 13 weeks post op and still feel like crying some days. I still have stiffness and discomfort on the outer side of my knee. I also have a terrible snapping of a ligament on that side every time I bend my knee. I just keep telling myself it is not life threatening and do not have a terminal illness so be greatful, this will get better. Sometimes if I get stressed I start coloring in my adult coloring book to keep my mind off of my discomfort. Everyone who is in the same boat says this will all be a memory! Stay strong, keep doing your exercises and ice that knee. I take 2 Aleve and it seems to calm things down. Hope you get some relief soon!
I'm with you, I don't know what to do either. Hoping someone can help us.
Could you talk to your doctor about painkillers. You shouldn't have to suffer. I'm at 10 weeks and still taking Tramadol. Still dealing with stiffness and pain.
Chin up. Everyone says it will get better👍
I was exactly where you are at 9 weeks. At PT my therapist was not sure if she would ever see me doing and acting like I am now. My TKR was on 11/14/16. What I think helped me the most was the aqua therapy. Ask your Dr. for something stronger. I took Tramadol which helped a lot (this is a prescription drug). Keep on icing. I still have swelling but was told from the start that it could be a year before I am back to normal with my knee. Stiffness will go away as swelling subsides. Don't give up. I am back to my "wonderful" self i.e. laughing and doing daily chores. I was lucky as I did not have to go back to work as I retired in 2015. Please keep your chin up and keep in touch.
I am taking tramadol yet. I was trying to wean off of it but the stiffness hurts so bad I started taking it again. Many people tell me its the best thing they have ever done, doesn't feel like it right now. Like I tell people, I just want to be normal again. Thanks for listening. And good luck with yours. Let's keep in touch. Thanks again!!
Hi
Hot baths I also found gave some relief.
The other thing was no exercises except for walking and a bicycle .
Good healing
"There's no crying in baseball." - Tom Hanks, A League of Their Own
"There's no crying after a TKR" - Forum Oracles
Well...yes there is but we kick that to the side as fast as we can. Unfortunately, you're still in the 0-3 month time frame...the worst part of this whole experience. Personally, I was either unconscious or writhing in pain for a good portion of the first two months!!!
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-recovery-bell-curve--563756
"Was hoping to be back to work by now..." Sorry, there's only one word for that: delusional. Depending on the job, most people get back to work in the 6-9 month range. Very few can do it earlier successfully. Others who attempt it are plagued by pain, swelling, tightness and a lot more. Sets their recovery back.
Remember, it's not just the knee itself. All the surrounding muscles have atrophied and need to be built up again. This takes time and work. You may want to rethink your expectations...almost all of us had to because no one has a clue what to expect going into this thing. (I booked a gig with my band for 10 days post-op!!! I was such an idiot...they had to get a sub bassist...) A full recovery takes a year...plan on it...expect it. If you're done sooner, then smile and say "Thanks". Otherwise, get ready for a long recovery.
Some advice? Ok...
- Before bed, rub in some Voltaren Gel (RX in the USA). Second best topical anti-inflammatory on the planet. Works in 15 minutes. Great help.
- Use a loose ACE (stretch) bandage or knee sleeve to prevent the incision from rubbing on sheets and clothes.
- All those OTC meds are NOT good for your stomach long term but helpful if you need them for a month. But there's a trick...you have to understand how the meds work...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/staying-ahead-of-the-pain-563395
- Ice and elevate
- Swelling always indicates that you pushed the knee too far that day...always. Try using a FitBit or other pedometer to track your steps. When you get swelling, note your steps and then back off, increasing gradually.
- Your crying could also be lingering Post-Op Depression...it's a real thing and you do NOT need anti-depressants! Read that section in here...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
- If you have your ROM back from PT, now you start rebuilding your strength. Here's that plan...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527
If you need more help, just ask. I have 18 posts out there that you can consult for additional information. Just remember, you're not alone. Lots of people here to help. I'm almost at 14 months so I've been through all of it at age 69. You will get past this...you will find your inner strength to do it.
Well said Chico, I love all your advice,help & support. You've helped me no end these past 14 weeks. Sometimes I feel I should be over it ,then I read what you say & get my life back in to proportion.i feel great one day then go out & over do it & it takes a few days to recover. It IS frustrating & painful, but thanks for being there for us .
Thank you. Just remember that it's slow and steady...no other way to do it. I rehabbed a hip replacement in six weeks...5 hours a day, six days a week, therapy pool and gym. Really pushed it. You cannot do that with a knee which has a mind of its own. Overdo it and it punishes you by swelling and knocking you down. I used a FitBit for a long while to track my steps. At 8 months, I got up to 11,000+...over five miles...with no pain or swelling.
Then I got stenosis at L2/L3 and everything went to hell. Just had surgery to fix it 5 weeks ago. Still need neuro clearance to restart the gym work for the knee. I'm 69 and want my 30-year old "hockey body" back! Close to the weight but the legs are completely shot. Gonna take time, work and patience. I'm thinking September...if I don't get hit by a bus...
PS: If I suddenly disappear from the forum, remember me kindly...I'll be dead...
Read everything Chico has ever posted he writes how it is and how it will be be strong hearted you will get there its a long painful journey and unless the persons you're talking to have ever had TKR they will either think you're a wimpy or their eyes will glaze YOU WILL DO IT IN YOUR OWN TIME REMEMBER IT'S A LONG LONELY ROAD BIG HUGS XXX
Are you in uk, or elsewhere? How much exercise have you been doing each day? Is it possible you are doing too much?
I am a big fan of bath therapy! Not too hot, or keeping operated leg cooler by keeping out of water for half of the time!
I am starting today (3 weeks tmrw) with a positive mental attitude due to your suggestions Chico. I don't think I would have coped so far without this forum. The main thing I have learnt is our journeys are all individual. In life I am very target driven and hard on myself and we all have to learn self kindness in this process.
Go girl that's the way each day is unique may be bad may be good keep a log the you might even come to realise what is your trigger point remember you're a star getting to where you are today if anyone says different trip them with your crutch lol hugs xx
Nooo Chico, please avoid the buses !! We need you on this forum. Yes I will definitely walk in stages & try not to overdo it.its so hard, when your brain feels young & you want to live! I was mad to go into town & walk @ for 2 hours. I have learned the hard way. I seem to be eating on & off all day but still loosing weight. My daughter tells me that because I'm in pain, most of the time it's stress & I need nourishment to keep strength up. Anyone else have this problem do you think? I think you're amazing Chico after all you've been through, isn't it good to try & see the bright side , & as you say we can always see others worse off. We WILL get over this .
Yes, be really kind to your knee, it's doing very well! No need to force it or upset it. Just love and attention! I treat mine to gentle massages, baths with epsom salts, and lots of ice and elevation. You will make progress. It just takes time!
I'm at 6 weeks and although I know it is early days, can relate to your post. The tears do show up a lot and the feeling that normality as we knew it will never return. This can be a huge mountain to climb with many backward slips.
I have had lots of pain that did not respond well to meds and my bend has never progressed, severe stiffness and swelling after movement or exercise, whether I do a little or a lot. Keeping up the ice and elevation as this is good but it does not seem to progress.
I have to go back to surgeon to see why the stiffness, pain and swelling and lack of ROM. Have you got your knee bending OK? If your bend and extension are allright, then I'd guess you need to give things more time and they should improve. Easy to say I know.
It seems early to go back to work - I've read of people going back at every stage of recovery but the norm is several months as Chico has said wisely. My job has been made redundant so I don't think about that at the moment, though the income is no more which is tough. An employer is not going to hire me as I am right now. I hope you will be able to take more time.
There is so much support here so any time you are feeling alone, don't hesitate to reach out to the good people here.
Apart from anti inflammatories, have you got good pain medication? I had tramadol,m and although it certainly didn't get rid of the pain in the dose I was given, it did help to make life a little more bearable. . . .