I thought I was doing OK after 5 wks following partial knee replacement, I have been back at work driving 50 miles each way after 4 days knee has got quite painful again so back on the codeine. Is it common to have set backs when it gets more painful again before getting better again.
Any comments appreciated,
Thanks
Hi, I'm now 10wks postop after total knee replacement, I've been driving 4wks and back at for 3wks I have found the knee has got really painful over the past couple of weeks I've been using voltorol cream rubbed in three times a day to try and help, but I've just booked a gp appointment to get it checked . As its swelling so much at the end of the day. I expected some response from my knee after so many weeks being able to elevate and ice when I wanted. My knee is really noisy and im still having to use a stick outside or when walking long distances. Just for stability, can't yet walk up,or down stairs normally!!
I think so... I had a TKR some days I think I'm turning a corner.... but next feel bad.... spasms and pain... think its just going to be a long haul.... well done for getting back to work. .. although my advice would be don't push yourself. .. good luck.
Hi Robert
im almost 5 weeks into my second TKR but 7 months into my first and yes I can tell you it's a long road. Bad days outweigh the good days for about 5 months. One has to go back to work so one does but it isn't easy and although people think you are ok you really are not. Yes swelling numbness aches stiffness goes on for ages. I'm giving each of mine 12 months and hoping all symptoms will go by then but maybe not. Sorry for the bad news but patience is a virtue in this case and don't forget if you are like me you have gone from being a bit of a couch potato for about 4 weeks to using the leg and it is still quite traumatised and probably not able to cope with normal activity yet.
sums me up Gloria. ... wow you have had both knees done.... I don't know how you manage... I am struggling with one..... best of luck with your rehab. .. take care.... Mary
I agree with you Gloria, it's very likely you will still be getting pain at this early stage, Robert, especially after returning to normal activity. Hopefully, as you've had a partial replacement your recovery won't take so long. I'm 12 weeks now and still getting pain in the leg when walking and standing for any length of time. Everyone is different but I like to hear encouraging words like yours, Gloria, that things improved after 5 months. It gives me some hope! Good luck with the recovery of your 2nd knee. Jen
hello robert ... you could be telling my story! I am also 5.2 weeks post op but had to go back to work after 3 (long story). i am on set of pain killers on one day, another on the next (alternating). when i am one set, i am sooooo tearful and by the evening i feel like i am coming down with a serious case of the flu ... all i can do is crawl (on my sticks!!) home take my evening lot of pills, ice and elevate. i totally hate these days and feel like it will never ever get better. basically, i think we all expect a lot from our bodies and for most of us, the severity of the operation comes unexpectedly. as gloria rightly pointed out, patience really is a virtue in our case. the way i see it, little by little the good days will outweigh the bad and luckily my physio had warned me that i would have to be VERY patient until christmas and then some more until 12 months had gone by. sadly, patience is not my forte :-)
hang in there.
there's always a funny side Mary. I had to have the second because of no cartlidge in both but the strange part after the first was that I was lopsided. Imagine a good wad of cartlidge in one but not the other. I had to put inserts into my shoe so I didn't drop on one side each time I walked. But now I'm even yeah! Lol
hi jennifer ... fyi: at one point my surgeon thought my op would only be partial (we ended up doing a total) but he told me at the time that the recuperation would be exactly the same thing, partial or total.
i did something really silly yesterday: i got my little toe caught on the leg of my chair and the reaction on my whole leg was really ... urghhhhh! i then went to physio so not sure if it was doing harder exercises or jarring my whole leg but i now have a pain with every step. and it has gone stiffer (was up to 105 but last night 90 was the max again). lots of swearing went on last night in my despair! who needs setbacks at this stage???
I think we have to stay positive Jen. It's a really hard road to recovery and because only those who have had it done really understand it would be very easy to sink into despair. But I just try to notice little improvements as they happen. For example I noticed that the time between medicating for my second knee has now extended , that was about week 4, I've noticed that a couple of darker patches on my scar of the first have lightened. But it is difficult isn't it?
you and me both ... i shudder at the thought of going in again. i pray every day that my left knee holds up!
I sympathise, Britta. Even without doing anything obvious I seem to get setbacks. One day, I think I'm better then the next it's back where it was again and I struggle to analyse why. I keep saying I don't mind as long as it gets better eventually but there's always that fear that I'll be stuck like this for ever! That's why I depend on this site for reassuring comments of progress further along the road. Hope you get a better day today 😊 Jen
You're so right about keeping positive, Gloria. I try too. I have to walk down a hill from my house and I find that is the worse. I think it's slightly less painful now than it was 2 weeks ago. I long for the day I can stride down comfortably though 😊 I study my scar too. It's still red and bumpy but there are gaps developing between the bumps and I try to measure them. I tell myself if it's taking so long to heal on the outside it must be the same inside. I sympathise with you having the 2nd one done but you must have had no choice and at least you know what to expect with the 2nd. Take care. Jen
Hi Robert ,
yes this quite normal as you use the knee more. I was told not to drive for 6 weeks after KNR and didn't drive for even longer .. That's a lot of driving , so yes I would expect pain and swelling . Just sitting in the car for long periods make my knees stiff and I am 14 weeks now. Good luck, sounds as though your are doing well
Pam
Oh Britta
I do feel for you ; back to work after three weeks - my goodness me, you poor poor girl!
Tracey x
Thanks for that Britta I will keep on with the ice I sometimes get pain in the ligament at the back of the knee also as this ligament remains with a partial knee replacement.. I have heard other people get pain in this ligament also
I get pain at the back of the knee too. Physio told me today it is a tight hamstring muscle and has given me an exercise to do to work on strengthening it. I'm hoping it will work. Jen
I know what you mean about fearing this is as good as it gets.... when I'm having a good day I'm so pleased and upbeat... positive... Then muscle spasms come along and spoil it.... I am trying to be patient but it's not easy glad to be able to chat to fellow knee patients.
i have this pain too tightens up right down to the sole of my foot... what exercise dis he give you?.
You sound just like me, Mary. I saw my physio at knee class yesterday and she got another physio to look at me individually. He said my hamstring muscle is weak and has given me a specific exercise to try to strengthen it. They both assured me my ROM is really good and I'm to see the class physio one to one next time and not bother with the class. It made me feel better that there is a reason for the pain I'm getting and that I can do something about it. Do you see a physio still? Might be worth asking about the muscle spasms you're getting. Needless to say, I'm feeling positive today. Will it last? 😊😊 I'll keep you posted. Jen