Morning all. I have posted before regarding a TKR I had done in November, followed by an MUA in January. I am now just over 3 months post op from the TKR and although I had a hiccup in January when I had the MUA done, I feel totally disappointed with the result so far. I am only acheiving a bend of 105 deg and that's when I really push it to the extent that I think it may make me cry!!! I would imagine a normal pain free bend for me would only be around 90 deg. My knee still hurts, aches at night and I cant walk for more than about an hour. I'm still on Tramadol and am finding it hard to come off them as the withdrawal symptoms are horrendous. I'm still not back in work (I'm a kitchen assistant and am on my feet for 8 hours solid), and I honestly wish I had never had this done. Anyone else been like this? I do see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel but just I think I'm getting close it seems to move further away. Would love to hear from anyone else, positive or negative!! x
Alison your story is very similar to mi e. I have been back to my surgeon, saw another who said go back to guy who did it, waited 9 months for a PT referral to another surgeon who says he would not open leg up again and get on with it.
I saw my consultant last week (athough it wasn't actually him, he'd fobbed me off with a colleague) and he said that I should be pleased with the result! Sadly I'm not. I can't even get on and off a toilet without holding on to something lol.
Hi this sounds just like me - I had an arthrospy last August and although the MRI was clear there was a lot of damage to my meniscus and cartridge, it took ages for me to get a satisfactory bend in physio but TBH it's not too bad now. Then I started having problems with my right knee, same thing nothing showed on MRI but when had the arthrospy it was found that my meniscus was ragged and I had to have it cut and they also performed chrondoplasty which I believe is a shaving of the bone. I went back to work in November and then had to come stay off work from January due to pain, I work in an office and the pain was unbearable. I also struggle at night to sleep as it's very uncomfortable and aches although the medication helps a little. Due to. Have second physio next week but the exercises that were given to me seem unrealistic although I'm persevering. I'm glad I've had it done because I'm sure that in the hopefully not to distant future it will be worth it. Just got to be patient and stick with it, all I can say is that I'm glad we only have 2 knees !! 😝😝
I'm sorry to hear that your recovery hasnt been straightforward. My left knee is starting to niggle which may be overuse as compensating for the other one, but i fear it probably needs replacing. However, Im not even going to go down that road at the moment! Good luck.
Hi Alison!
So sorry to hear that you are feeling down about your TKR. Recovery is a slow process and can be challenging.
My first TKR was in June of last year, and my second was October four months later. I tried Tramadol twice. My first dose was OK, but the second dose gave me all the symptoms of the flu EXCEPT fever. Needless to say, I quit taking it!
I was given Hydrocodone at discharge from the hospital. It made me feel very LOOPY!
I guess I just don't do well with high-powered pain medications! Anyway, I took Tylenol until I was done with blood thinner shots and after that have been taking Ibuprofen. I have no side effects with the Ibuprofen and take it as needed which is usually about every eight to twelve hours.
Total knee replacements from what I've been able to gather vary greatly from person to person. Even my two replacements varied in my recovery time, swelling, and range of motion.
Each day was different depending on amount of swelling and often the weather conditions!
I'm 64 and have had the goal of being able to get back doing favorite activities which include working in my garden, shopping, walking through the neighborhoods of my town, and being able to enjoy everyday activities like baking cookies. Prior to my surgeries I was unable to be on my feet for more than a few MINUTES before terrible pain would ensue. Eight months and five months past my two surgeries I have been able to resume my favorite activities, and I am VERY grateful for that!
I work stretching into my day as I move around. I keep moving and even keep moving while I am sitting. I use my one leg to pull in my OTHER Leg to keep my BEND going. As I start upstairs I take a few minutes to lean into my bend, hold it for about a minute, release, and then do it again.
Keeping moving and stretching throughout the day and night helps with pain that I have in OTHER arthritic joints, too.
On really achy days warm blankets and a nice cup of tea help. I will also take Ibuprofen more often on those days.
At three months post op you are still in early stages of recovery. Total knee replacements take a year to heal and often longer. It is hard being patient, but looking for small victories helps to make things seem brighter!
I have found that a positive outlook gets the endorphins working to help with pain and overall recovery issues.
Sending prayers of calm and strength to you today!
Thankyou Cheryl. Some days are better than others. I just look forward to the day when i wake up and feel "normal" again. x
Hi Alison
Sorry to hear that you are in pain.
I can empathise, as someone who had their second knee done in Sept 2014, had an MUA in Mar 2015 (because I couldn't straighten it by then...and still couldn't after), had it opened up again at the year anniversary (to have excess scar tissue removed) and am now struggling with it again 6 months on. My problems seem to arise if I can't get out and walk every day...either due to the weather or, like in Nov, when I had chronic toothache for 3 weeks. I then ended up having the extraction in Jan.
I think I really struggle sitting at my home desk every day. I try to remember to sit with it bent straight on, but the comfortable position is to tilt it out to the side. When I then try to stand less than 30 mins later, the pain and grinding is chronic. I'm actually in a worse state now than before the last operation. My consultant has now referred me for pain management, and I'm going to try hydrotherapy at the weekend.
I think that if you can walk for an hour...and have a bend of 105...you are actually doing quite well. As you say, it's just the pain. Can they change you to something else rather than Tramadol?
Just to let you know...my first knee (2012) also had an MUA after 5 months and I made really good progress from that point...so, as everyone says...every knee is different!
Patsy
Hello Patsy, so sorry to hear of your problems with your knee. Compared with others I may be doing quite well, I think my expectations were too high! I just cant do the things now that I was doing before. I need to be able to bend, kneel and be on my feet for 8 hours straight to be able to go back to work and that just seems such a long way off. I have started to look for a new job as I fear I may never be able to return to my catering job. Looking to come off the tramadol as soon as I feel able to cope with going "cold turkey".
Kneeling is not recommended...in fact, the only time that I've ever knelt on my first knee was in desperation when I couldn't get out of a really wide hotel bath.
It will come! I am continually reminded as I read the stories of other TKR patients that we ALL have been through an extremely brutal surgery. The body takes time to heal BECAUSE so many things happened to it! The arthritis that we have keeps messing with us, too. It is a big challenge.
Be sure you are resting enough. Rest/ Sleep helps the body heal, too. Be sure to keep hydrated and eat well. This helps the overall healing to happen as the body is getting the best conditions FOR healing.
Yes my physio told me not to kneel. Unfortunately kneeling is an everyday occurance in my job, its the only way i can get to the back of cupboards and fridges!!!
I know that feeling in my own kitchen...and I cannot get under my desk either (where the telephone socket is!). Even if I threw myself on the floor (as I used to have to do before either knee was done) I wouldn't be able to get up again at present. I've had to stop using the bath, as I can't get the second knee back far enough to be able to push myself upright. My physio has suggested purchasing a bath board, so I've been looking at those online. I was sitting myself on one of those little folding step stools in the bath, prior to the last operation, but I can't even push myself up from there now. I might end up having to buy one of those inflating cushions!
oh the joys of a new knee!!!
Hey Alison. Firstly what is the MUA u had in January. I had my TKR in April 2014. Its almost 2 years now and about 6months ago I could only start bending it to about 150-160Degrees. We will never be able to bend our knee like the non-operative one.
I went through a severe depression with my TKR as I was an extremely active and sporty person. It is not easy and many days one is sorry that u had the operation, but there are good times too - it all comes with time. Unfortunately we have to be patient - which is not a strong point of mine. hehe. I developed a Bakers Cyst at the back of knee about 3 - 4 months after teh TKR and had to go back to theatre to have it removed. This prolonged my time on crutches too and prior to this, I slipped with crutches and fell forward and broke the tibia of the knee I had done. Landed up in leg brace for weeks too.
I also went through stage that I felt that I never should have had the operation, but now - I am not sorry. Still get odd pain in knee when its cold etc, but i can live with that.
I would advise, if u can, to get a job where u dont stand so much. I worked as a PRO and Entertainment Co-Ordinator and was always on feet and running up and down with children etc. and it made my knee hurt very badly. i have now got myself a nice office job again where i can rest my knee. Just keep faith and things will improve
Sorry to hear that you didnt have a good experience with you TKR. An MUA is manipulation under anaesthetic. They take you to theatre, anesthetise you, then force the knee to bend and straighten whilst your asleep. It breaks through any scar tissue that may have built up. I just feel so disappointed that i feel more restricted now than i did before I had the TKR! I know the main aim is to be pain free but I had hoped for more movement too. I know I am probably a bit impatient, I just want to get back to normal. Thank you for your comments, they really do help.
Why are you in such a rush to achieve 100% bend. The get that far you are looking at a good year. Concentrate on strengthening your muscles, tendons and ligaments first. Stop stressing yourself over what you cannot yet do. You will get there, but there is an order to your healing
I'm not stressing. Just disappointed. As I said before I did underestimate the whole procedure and recovery. The only reason I am in a "such a rush" to acheive a better bend is to enable me to return to my job as I cannot afford to stay on sick leave for a long time. Thank you for your comments.
what is your job
I am a catering assistant