hi, 2 wk post op and I feel like I've become a different person. Instead of the strong dependable wife, mum and nan I've turned into a wimp!!! If anyone looks at me the wrong way I'm in tears, im worried that I don't have enough bend in my knee, and dreading physio next week as he wants an extra 10 deg bend, I only had 50 deg last week and he bent my knee in so far, it was the worst pain of my life! I had massive swelling at the back of my knee Even the receptionist asked if I was ok afterwards. I know it s painful and I've always managed pain very well , but I just feel a failure over 10degrees. My staples come out in a couple of days so I hope that will help too
Try not to feel a failure - you are going through hell - I didn't prepare myself at all for the extreme pain - I just thought "oh good - a new knee"!!
You will see from all the posts that it really is a brutal operation. Someone descibed it as more-or-less having your lower leg taken off, & then put back!
The pain of having the leg pushed back is dreadful - I was told to stop them if the pain was severe - it's your body. Ask if they have a CPM machine, that helped me so much, your leg is strapped in, it revolves in motion, & you (or the physio) adjusts it upwards (& straighten adjustments). I used up most of my physio time on the machine!
It's two steps forward, & one step back (& sometimes the other way around!) - but you will soon find the pain easing a little. Raise your leg, use lots of ice-packs over the knee, & a covered hot water bottle for the muscles that have been cut, & take ages to repair, above the knee.
Good luck, Veronica
Hello Chris.
First of all welcome to the forum, You will find plenty of people on here who will have gone through what you are experiencing.
Crying is part of the process, trust me we have all done that.
Pain take all your meds that are prescibed for you at regular times and take the most strongest painkiller you have approx 1 hour before pt, that should help with the exercises, most of us on here thought we had a strong pain threshhold....wrong when it comes to the knee.
Staples, my doctor didnt take them all out at once he took every other out, but it did help when they all came out.
Keep us up to date with your progress, It will get better, but time and patience is the key word, I myself am only 6 weeks and still cry now and then.
This is a long road, so just take each day as it comes.Gill X
Omg you guys are scaring me to death.
Im in need of both a knee and hip replacement and have been putting it off because im afraid. It's been the worst summer of my life as i am just recovering from a major rotator cuff shoulder surgery and now my hip and knee are betraying me.
Anything i do; walk the dog, climb stairs...even putting my shoes and socks on is a painful affair...and now hearing about you alls stories are scaring me more.
Can you tell me about the actual surgery.
How long are you in the hospital, or is it an outpatient procedure? Im single...how will i get along?
If i was a horse they'd probably humanely shoot me...maybe that's an option...lol
I laugh but i cry...i don't know what to do 😕 Im soo blue
If you are brave enough, type in "actual TKR" on youtube. I couldn't watch it all the way through, but plenty on here have. I watched what I could AFTER surgery - wish I had known what was to come, - I am booked in for a revision, but feel calm about it, as I know what to expect.
I was only in 3 nights for my primary TKR - that is about usual. Different hospitals use different methods - as you are on your own, you will be asked what help you need, & in some cases, Social Services come in. It is NOT outpatient proceedure!! Stock up on cuppa soups, bread for toast in the freezer, ice packs (quite cheap on ebay, get the one that wraps around the leg) & maybe even the small pedal excerciser (about £12) that sits on the carpet (I tied mine to my chair as it kept moving). Keep on this forum - it is a Godsend! Veronica
Thanks V...
I'll keep that jn mind.
I think I'll You Tube euthanizing horses before i do TKR surgery...lol
Your physio sounds like mine. . a proper pain in the. . . . After a couple of weeks I opted out of the agony, and did it my own way. probably a lot slower, and maybe I would have got more bend if prepared to suffer hell, but I'm now at 125 and quite happy with that. My system was to keep at it, never miss a day, many times a day, pushing the leg back under a chair until the 'ouch' stage, but not to the 'scream' stage the phsyio wanted.. When the swelling finally went down, I suddenly gained about 10 degrees too . . At six weeks, I was still under 90 degrees, but walking very well without sticks. At about two weeks I had my first appointment with the consultant, and I think my bend would have been less than yours at that stage. . but it wasn't measured, so not sure. . but when sitting on his couch it sort of stuck out in front of me! he was very abrupt with me, saying that he had done a perfect operation, which was ten per cent of the job, and the other ninety per cent was up to me. . . He threatened the likelihood of a manipulation if I didn't get the bend better, so I was quite motivated . . but not motivated enough to suffer hell! consultant also recommended kicking leg up in the air from sitting position and back as far as possible. . .Like you, I considered I had a high pain threshhold . .two kids, and never a squeak out of me. . but that damned physio made me scream. I hesitate to advise anyone, but I can tell you my own experience. i opted out of that sort of agony, and I am quite happy with the 125 I have now (and may even get more . . . . who knows!) But you do definitely need to be dedicated! And yes, most of us felt like you . . as if we were a different person, diminished by the enormity of this darned operation. But you are at the worst possible time now, and from now on it should be a steady improvement (with the occasional giant step backwards which yu must not get you down too much!_ Staples out is no problem. dont worry about it!
Hi david,im only 1 week post TKR and its nota peice of cake,it is hard,but the operation itself is no problem,i had the spinal block as well so no imeadiate pain to worry about,had my op last wed was home on the fri evening so not long in hospital...the group has been such a godsend....
hi chris, like you im at 1 week post tkr,it is the worse pain ever i agree and like you i keep thinking im not doing enough,I exercise 3 times during he day plus walking round the flat and raising and icing,im doing 5 different exercises in all,but im dreading going to my first physio on friday when i will be 9 days post op...i cry too at times its so hard and you dont think you are makig any headway,its going to be a long hard slog i think xx
Thanks Lou..I just can't fathom ANOTHER major surgery just months after my shoulder.
My entire body shoulders, knees, hips it's overwhelming! All have taken a turn for the worse all at one time!
I've got some serious life contemplations to make. 8 months ago i was running around a tennis court at 55 yrs old teaching 20-40 yr old adults and having the time of my life...then in the blink of an eye my rotator cuffs tear on my right shoulder.
Fine...i had surgery restored it. However out of the blue, while RESTING doing NOTHING my left knee and hip go out.
I'm rambling i know...I'm whining and crying and am in such a state of confusion.
I don't understand what's happening to me...
I just need to vent...sorry if i sound like a baby...but nothings making sense and all the doctors have to say is SURGERY SURGERY SURGERY.
Noo...there's something else going on here.
Have any men out there have had Testosterone injections? I've been getting them regularly for the past 3 years now. They've kept me going at 110% in all areas of my life...especially physically on the tennis court....i WONDER if that has anything to do with my sudden breakdown of all my skeletal joints??? Hmmmmmm
You are NOT a WIMP!!! Pain and agony are all a part of this whole ordeal! I too am a "tuffy" but gave in to it all for about 2 weeks after then snapped out of it and regrouped! I took half do the prescribed meds (hated the feeling I got with those) , exercised continuously , and had a lot of husband support ! Don't get me wrong.....recovery is NO walk in the park.....but just continue use to do the exercise and mentally decided you can do this!!!!!!! (I did now have stitches though, mine was glued. Remarkable!!!!!
You are too early in the process to worry. 1st of all, look what you've been through and probably, without in depth counseling. This is a major, nasty, painful, mentally and physically draining operation. You have certain milestones.....3 weeks, 6 weeks 13 weeks etc. I sincerely hope you have help. You are in no position to be the wearer of all hats. Your family needs to know they are in your heart but you will have to heal properly or the entire structure will be in trouble. Physically and mentally you just can't do it all. Rest is the single most important commodity....it allows you to do your excercise which in turn let's you hydrate, nourish and heal. Immediately get your priorities in order. Your health is the primary importance and minimizing pain with meds is the way to regain your self and progress. I had my 5th complete opening of the knee about the same time time as your tkr, 2 weeks this Thursday. This is the 11th surgery on the leg. My history and experience tells me you must slow down and above all, auut beating up on yourself. Stay with this group. Sensitive, caring, compassionate people who have been through the program. They will help you with information and advice. You are going to feel vunerable and ready. Don't fight it......a good cry once in awhile is just the bodys' way of flushing impurities. You will be fine and the strong woman you percieve yourself to be but it takes time
Hi David, the actual surgery was fine, I had mine done with a spinal epidural . I was awake but couldn't feel a thing. Was in hospital 4 days, it's the long drawn out afterwards I wasn't quiet i prepared for, it has come as a bit of a shock, but I'm sure one day at a time it will get better
sounds like your really going through so much at the moment david,and dont worry we are all about venting here.i hope you find some answers and go forward from there x
ah thank you for your understanding and encouragement, it makes all the difference when someone knows exactly where your at. Il give the physio one more chance ( he's a young super fit muscle man ,think he's maybe not long qualified as he doesn't really have people skills) I am determined and will get through this, il try the chair exercise too, thank you so much
hi, well I'm at same stage as you I think, knowing I'm not on my own makes a big difference, the severity of recuperation has come as a bit of a shock I think, but after the comments here I see a light at the end of the tunnel, were travelling the same road so keep in touch .x
thank you for your positive thoughts, they've sunk in!!! I think my thinking has been in airy fairy land. My husband has been remarkable, but I'm too independant for my own good!!! I'm going to take that walk in the park by the scruff of its neck ( mentally! Ha ha !) I'm regrouping as of now!!!! Thank you very much
Thanks for the advice, I will ask about a CPM machine, I never really thought about the muscles needing to repair!! Where my brain has gone to I don't know
thank you, good idea to take meds before physio . I no longer feel as though I'm coping with this alone.
thank you for your positive energy and common sense, mine seems to have disappeared in the brain fog!!! I'm determined now to move forwards with a bit more serenity, and yes I can't wear all the hats (as much as I would like to ) I realise the inside has to heal as much as the outside. Thank you for your calming common sense