16 weeks post op today (new knee cap, metal trochlea). Problem has always been muscle wastage, knee and scar healing fine. But for last 3 days I've had lots of pain, knee is so stiff and my other, supposedly "good knee" has been "letting me go"! I am so disheartened, been very weepy for a few days, scarey thoughts that I'm facing having other knee done, woke up during night virtually scared to death that life is not going to get any better than this. Last week I thought I'd turned a corner, apparently not. I wonder if I've perhaps walked too much and not exercised and iced enough. Does anyone else sometimes feel like I do.......i.e. your whole day can be taken up exercising, resting, elevating, icing.......and you just get fed up with it all?
I really did expect to be feeling so much better than this at 16 weeks......considering I'd been told my op had a quicker recovery time! It's my wonderful hubby's birthday today and we've been out for lunch, but all around me were people getting on with their lives......and I was very envious. I know from reading posts on this forum that I'm probably not alone, it's just that today I suddenly feel like I'll never be "me" again. I even miss work.......I must be feeling bad lol!
Hope tomorrow brings less pain......more gain!
Pam, you will receive many responses to your post and most will tell you that you are as normal as Monday following Sunday. This healing thing just continues to take us in circles. One thing you didn't mention, if you are still taking time each day to excercise. You do have to continue this to some level for a long period of time. You have probably seen posts on here talking about going a year before you feel normal again and this is very realistic. Nerve endings and damaged bones heal so slowly. Stay with the proud a m you learned early an it e I'll all come back in due time. Get back on pain meds if need be. Anything to get some relii
Hi Pam,
19 weeks post op bilateral TKR, I inderstand. I still have days like that, though they are less often. I do a lot of exercising also and often over do it..,of course I don't usually realize it until the next day. For me, it's better to look at where I was a month ago. It's too hard for me to see daily or even weekly progress. This is a very slow recovery... Try to be more patient with yourself. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Relief first and then work on the basics. Make sure you are still getting your rest even during the day
This isn't easy but over time you'll get back on track and hit your goal.
Pam, I hope you will do better really soon. You must keep a positve attitude. I am 6 weeks after a TKR, I sill only have 75 degree bend and a 10 on straightening my leg. Some talk of munipulation if I don't improve. My knee is still quite sore and really hurts when I bend it. I am not entertaining the thought of anything else going to be done with this knee. I feel it is what it is. I can walk, drive, do stairs one step at a time, but thats ok. I hope you feel better soon and find life is worth living and we have to do what we have to do. Cheer up, be happy. I have had some really bad things happen these last 4 years, when you look at someone, you don't always know what their personal problems are. Knee ops are horrible and more painful than I ever thought.God bless
Ann, I am 18 weeks post TKR and 2 1/2 months post MUA. Please don't rule this out. It took me from 100 to 124 and although it was a lot of work, and I am still wearing a Jas Brace to increase ROM, it was defiantly worth it. I am glad I didn't just settle for 100. And Pam, justvbenpstient with yourself . I know, easier said than done, and continue to ex reside, ice and elevate and let us know how you are doing. I wish there was a way to post a picture of this brace cuz no one seems to have heard of it, and it really has helped me.
Sorry about my spelling......just be patient with your self. Exercise. Holy smokes. I still take a pain pill when in this brace and I think it is showing lol.
Hi Pam. I'm 8 weeks post TKR but am having similar feelings at the moment. Seem to spend days exercise, ice etc, not feeling I am as far as i 'should' be. I have a good day, do too much then have a horrible one the day after, I dont sleep as well as I did when I first came home from hospital and if friends or family say slightly the wrong thing I burst into tears!
But when I read a post like yours and everyone's replies it makes me feel less alone. Look forward and next week you'll more than likely turn that corner again ..... I was going to say"and go a bit further around the bend" but that's probably the wrong phrase to use!! I'm sure you know what I mean though.
Great post Anne. I am 8 was post TKR and very similar to you. As you say there are other things. I've sciatica to handle caused by spondylisis and having prostate investigations but I say what the heck? My arthritis pain has at least gone. Can't ride an exercise bike as u can't bend enough but then it is 50 years since I rode one! Pan - chin up. You'll get there. Good luck Anne and Pam.
My hubby says I was round the bend long before knee op..... thing is I agree with him lol! I'm 56 now and always thought the older I got the more sensible and less scatty I'd become........but still waiting!!
Glad to say I'm having a better day today, have been on exercise bike for 15 minutes (not rivalling Chris Frome on Tour de France yet) , 10 minutes on stepper and 5 minutes lifting ankle weights......now knackered and sitting down using ice pak.......and having a cuppa. Phew, it's hard work!!
hi pam like everyone here i understand your situation when i had my knees done it was the same for me i used to look out the window upstairs and watch people walking up and down the road all going about there buisness all walking properly !!!!!! well i felt every person in the world were doing better than me .i felt 80 or 90 yr olds were living a better life than i ,depression was setting in and i went to a very low edge but it did get better much better 16wks is early lean on people i didnt and should of as you said my whole day was excersising icing and so on , tomorrow will be better expecting too much of yourself we are all good at that my advice for short time would try and get out it can help alot even if its out for coffee just get out of the house good luck to you