Im nearly 7 wks after tkr and am 49!! When reading lots on google i feel most people are waking unaided at my stage. I can walk a bit round the house but to much which isnt more than from 1room to another my hip kills me. Im very frustrated as 2 wks ago my physio said my bend was only 77 im trying so hard with exercises but feel like im not achieving enough. Its such a hard thing to keep my head in the right frame is anyone else struggling with keeping positive. Please tell me your experiences! I am working hard but didnt realise how hard this would be. Thanks
Hi Debbie. Sorry to hear that you feel you're not doing so well. I had a TKR back at the end of November - I'm 50. My progress was really slow, I was frustrated and disappointed at the slow rate at which I was progressing. At 7 weeks post op, I too was still using a walking stick, my bend was around 75 deg. Unfortunately for me my bend did not improve and in January I went back into hospital for an MUA (manipulation under anaesthetic). This has improved my bend - it is now around 100 deg, but to be honest that's when I'm really pushing it.
I don't want to be the voice of doom and gloom but I just want you to know that you're not the only one! When I was having problems I posted on here and was amazed at the number of people with the same issues. Everyone else I had spoken to prior to the op said they were up and about and back to normal and so that's what I was expecting, but, everyone is different, and it just didnt happen for me.
One tip I would give you is to make sure you on top of your pain relief as that was my biggest downfall. It took 4 or 5 trips to the doctors over a period of 6 weeks to get on the right medication.
It's still very early days for you yet, try to be patient (though I'm a fine one to talk), I'm sure things will improve for you with time.
Good luck.
Hi Debbie
Theres people on here with more knowledge/experience than me,but Im sure theyll tell you its early days. I am much older than you,67 now 66 when I had TKR on right knee. But I was extremely fit. I was nowhere near walking unaided at 7 weeks. Probably still using crutches. but I think we are all different. I dont always believe other people I acually meet,take more notice of posters on this site. I have a friend who is proud of the fact,if it is a fact that he was driving,and "out and about" as he calls it at an earlier stage than me. Its not a race,but I have more than caught him up. Maybe people will advise you to go back to the hospital,but Im sure you will get good advice here.
Debbie
This is why these forum are so helpful, I can't really speak to one knee TKR because I had both mine done at the same time.But what I can tell you is that everyone heals at a different pace. I was depressed because I was comparing myself to people who had one knew done so of course I was sad. Now I understand you can only do what you can do. Now days being 10 weeks out today I am stiff and my knees hurt I don't sleep like I used to bed or surgery but from reading these forums it's all normal. Stop comparing yourself with other people be the best you can be listen to your body and your doctor.
Hope this helps keep your head in the game you will have good days and bad days give your self a break.
I am 9 weeks post op today. Played 9 holes of golf at 7 weeks ago. Bend was 128 at 5 weeks. I used a bending machine for 10 days after surgery for 4 hours a day bend was 100 3 weeks post op. Everyone is different. I've not recovered knee still gets stiff exercise every day. I had a prostate procedure 5 weeks after TKR still having some fatigue. I feel it may take 6 months to a year to recover. Good luck try and stay positive.
Thanks John my hubby says im doing well and expecting to much of myself. I know i shouldnt compare really we do all heal differently. Thank you for your comment. I am at physio next thurs so will chat to them. In the meantime i wil keep working hard. Thanks
Thanks for your thanks Debbie
Sounds like you have a supportive husband. And I think hes probably right,but its a very common mistake. I thin k we all make it. Stay on the forum Debbie,its great.
John.
Aw Alison thank you so much that has made me feel so much better that im not alone in this struggle. Im sorry obviously you struggled but thank you for telling me as i know its not just me. My pain is under control which is good its just the stiffness thats the prob. Im due to see my surgeon 21April so really dont want him to say its got to be mua! Did it set you back at all or did it just help you progress. The thought of maybe having mua is scary! But whatever is necessary. I appreciate your comment thanks
Hi Debbie
At 6 weeks, I was was walking around the block, with one crutch or a stick. It was still hard going (lots of concentrating so that I didn't trip!).
I had also just started driving short distances, as knees still u comfortable (although my first kne...the accelerator one was the more uncomfortable over the bumps).
Week 5 can often be a difficult time, but you'll get through.
Patsy
Right TKR Dec 2012 - MUA May 2013
Left TKR Sept 2014 - MUA Mar 2015 - re-opened Sept 2015
Hi Debbie!
The first few months of a TKR definitely is challenging! There's SO MUCH going on inside of the body as it is healing, and the expectations we have often exceed what we actually are accomplishing. It can be quite frustrating!
You are still very early in the game! Seven weeks is not that far from surgery, and there is much that still needs to heal WHILE you are doing the exercises, the practice walking and balancing, getting good nutrition AND dealing with new pain that can manifest following surgery.
You mentioned pain in your hip. This may be due to you now walking differently since surgery. I had all kinds of new pain in HIPS and shoulders and in my back following my first TKR last June. As I started walking better, the hip pain decreased. The muscles started taking up the slack and began supporting me better as I walked in a more normal way. You may find this happening as you progress further down the road.
Walk a bit and then REST. Try to stand as straight as you can to take pressure off your back. Everything works together as we walk, so a lot of our body parts are affected.
Is there an exercise that you are doing that may be causing your hip to hurt? During my therapy for my second TKR last October I discovered that being on my back and sliding my knee up and down across this smooth board using my foot was causing great pain in my hip and bothering the heck out of my sciatic nerve in my buttocks area as well. My therapist eliminated that exercise and replaced it with a series of stretches on the Total Gym apparatus. So much better! My hip pain decreased, and my sciatic nerve quit being so annoyed, too!
Try to think positive thoughts. Try to rest as much as you can to encourage healing. Share the PAIN talk with your therapist regarding your hip. I'll be you will see improvement very soon!
Take care! Let us know how you are doing!
Thanks Tana that is so true. As you say good days and bad. Onwards and upwards. This forum is so good for making you feel better i appreciate your comment and wish you the best with your recovery to. Both done together you are brave! I have artharitas in other knee but am hoping ! Lol
Gosh you did very well with your bend! Well done. I will keep working on it! Thanks
To be honest, the MUA was the best thing for me. I too, was totally freaked out by the thought of it, and my whole experience of being in hospital for the TKR really made me not want to go back in! But it really wasn't that bad. It was very painfull for a few days after but I was just so relieved to see some progress. Unfortunately even under anaesthetic the surgeon could only acheive a 120deg bend so it will never be great no matter how much physio I do! I think thats my biggest disappointment, that whilst the pain isnt as bad as before, by mobility is far less than before the TKR.
After the MUA I also used a CPR machine. Your leg is placed on the machine and held with straps and it literally moves it up and down for you, but you control it yourself, raising the bend by a few degrees as and when you feel comfortable. I kept this going for 15 hours straight and even managed to nap through it, I thought it was brilliant, I would have taken it home if they had let me!!
If you do need this done, please don't be alarmed it really isnt as scary as it sounds.
Please keep in touch and let me know how you get on, it can really help to talk to someone else who's been in your shoes because as supportive as friends and family can be, no one quite understands it until they've had it done!
Feel free to ask me anything else, I will try to help if I can.
Take care.
Thanks Cheryl i appreciate your reply. I did think the hip pain is due to walking differently. Im persevering around the house. Im at physio next thurs so wil chat to them if hip pain is still there! Thanks its nice to hear im not the only one who finds it frustrating! I wil try to keep positive. X
Thank you you are a star you have helped me get my head round mua! If i need it i will except it to help me! This is a long process especially as i normaly lead a very busy life! You are right when you say family and friends are great and supportive but its lovely to talk to people that know how you feel. Thanks a lot x
Debbie,
Everyone heals differently. I would be willing to bet your hip pain is from overcompensation prior to surgery. How often do you go to PT? Are you exercising at home too. I get it. I have PT 2x week and I do exercises 2 x daily at home. You have to get a handle on the pain...meds are very important....and frequency too. I make sure I have taken mine 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to exercising and early on...was still tearful during exercising. I still get frustrated....the depression lingers. I have broken down crying and sobbing several times....for no reason at all...but WOW...it is cleansing.
just keep pushing forward...it will come.
Dear Debbie
I agree - the whole process has nearly driven me mad.
I had my TKR on the 13th February and was totally unprepared for the pain and discomfort. My knee is now 98 and I can walk mainly with a stick. Previous to having it done I couldn't walk because of osteoarthritis but. I could manage the pain.
Now it's great to be able to walk but it's a long process because it physically drains me and I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack! I am 68
The last six weeks I've been on that much pain relief - morphine, codeine, ibuprofen, paracetmol, cocodamol
it's a wonder I'm not an addict
I've been to the doctor this morning and he's told me to ditch the support stockings and just take 2 cocodamol at night.
It will certainly be another long night because I can't seem to get comfortable - pillow between my legs (very sexy)
Then that's no good and I lie on the pillow - that's also rubbish so I'm tossing and turning all night just getting snatches of sleep - then my knee is stiff and I have to go on walkabouts like a crazy woman in the middle of the night.
This is a process that you are going through and that means you won't be able to short circuit that process by watching you tube and Google. You are an individual and will heal as an individual, not as a group nor as an example of a text book case. Age is a part of it but not the determining factor. Do all the right things with pain meds, excercise , elevation, hydration but allow yourself the one thing the surgeons don't talk to you about, rest. I won't drag this out but I'm in my 5th complete rehab after my 11th surgery. A year ago at this time I had nothing but a plastic spacer where the knee should be and was immobilized from hip to ankle with only toe touch as far as weight bearing. I was taking antibiotic infusions thru a PICC line 4 hours a day. In June I got my permanent knee (the 3rd) installed. Normally Dr's will tell you that you don't own the knee for a year. In my case it will be 2 and I'll have residual pain the rest of my life (in 79). Patience is the key. Nerves are the slowest part of The healing process and will jump up and bite you every once in awhile. Fortunately, these come quickly and goalmost as fast. Ice more often, hydrate more than you ever have in your life and rest even when you don't feel tired. This is different than anything you have ever gone through therefore you have to treat it differently. Resting doesn't mean you are weak......it means you are smart.
I know the feeling at night! Sexy pillow between my legs to ( that made me laugh!) Then i move then arm goes dead! All good fun Mary.! Lets send eachother positive thoughts! 98 thats brill! Hope mines 90 at physio nxt wk! It wont be for the lack of trying if its not!
Gosh you certainly have been through it! I know you are right about we are individuals! These replies today have really helped my mindset and for your reply i thank you! I wil try hard and do my best with my recovery and yes including rest! Thanks