7 weeks on seen registrar yesterday who said the knee will take up to 6 months to heal why on earth did they say six weeks . My physio said that the fluid needed draining off but he disagreed and said it would go in time . Today I have started to use ginger essential oil as apparently that helps with pain and XS fluid the smell is awful but I have to say that so far the pain has been a little better I exercise as much as I can but I also rely on my pain medication . As I have said before I should be having my left knee done that after this experience I am afraid I am going to have to put it off because I can’t face going through it again but not only that I have my husband ill and he is due for a major stomach green construction due to ulcerated colitis. So let’s keep fighting people let’s all keep positive and stay strong we will win at the end of the day .
Six weeks? Delusional. The whole thing takes a year. Most people report "feeling more like their old selves" around nine months. First the PT to get your ROM back and then the exercise plan to rebuild your dead quads, glutes and core. Mandatory to walk correctly again, regain your balance and do stairs like a normal person. CANNOT skip the muscle rebuild. Take this very slowly. Give up all expectations about time. The knee will be healed when it's healed.
I know exactly what you mean! You go into the opposite with the expectation of a reasonably fast recovery as the posters at the hospital all give you that impression! Soon after the opposite, when the pain is excruciating, they tell you it could take up to a year to recover & swelling go down! I am 4 months on and the pain is so much less & my bend is improving but I am still very limited in what I can do. I am still off work & get tired very easily. I am having problems with my other knee but don't think I could go through it a again!! I hope your husband's surgery goes well & that you continue to make a good, albeit slow, recovery.
Yes you are right I did say to the consultant that people said I must be delusional he was not impressed at all but it did make me laugh after being in pain for so long I really did think that after the operation I would be up and running what a joke I now realise it takes longer. I love this page because everybody gives everybody so much support and advice it’s very well coming .
Thank you can I am not looking forward to what next year brings I do need my left knee doing but The thought of going through the same amount of pain again I can’t get my head round I must say I have found this site very interesting advice encouragement and support given of everybody is great I just wish that the consultants would tell people the truth that it’s not six weeks six months to 12 months and the pain is excruciating but we must keep fighting stay positive and keep strong
my orthopedic surgeon never told me HALF of what I've been through... I am throughly disgusted with him. Got my surgical records from hospital yesterday....
The only place recovery only takes 6 weeks, is on Fantasy Island. I was off work 6 month with each knee. I am possibly one of the lucky ones some take longer. It takes as long as it takes, you cant rush it. Good luck, you will get there in the end.
So far my Dr. has been brutally honest if you take this the right way if this is your first replacement by the 3 month mark things should be getting better not perfect but better I on the other was told 6 months or longer before I start feeling better. I guess I know what to hope for on Christmas!! I know if this was your first replacement its been like a rude awakening to what you feel after surgery and everyday is the same I get it now put yourself in my shoes ( I guarantee no one in their right mind wants to deal with the pain I have been feeling yes its eased up but not anything close to night and day more like an ever so slight, well maybe a little more since now I use a cane and can almost get by with 2 pain pills a day vs the 6 early on. Regardless of anything recovery stinks but for the majority of you you will all be feeling much better before me due to my abundance of replacements.
I was still in a lot off pain at 7 wks, began to subside at 8-10 wks, takes a good year and even then my one done 7 years ago is playing up, feels tight , but one 7 months ago is not bad. I haven't taken pain killers really except panadol osteo since about 8-10 weeks. Don't know who told you 6 weeks !!!
Hi Jenny the consultant Told me and like an idiot I believe clean it was only when I saw the registrar who said to me he should never of said that as it at least minimum six months maximum 12 months I’m due to have the other one done but can’t face the thought of all that pain so I will wait till I am really struggling again
Fantasy Island...LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...and sooooo true. Those who think this will be over in six are literally delusional.
However...I actually was one of those!!!! I had fully rehabbed a hip replacement in 6 weeks...gym and therapy pool 5 hours a day, six days a week. Did two shoulder impingements in weeks instead of months. I ALWAYS kicked rehab's butt...just not this time. I had actually told my band that I'd do a gig 10 days after surgery!!!!! What an idiot. I was TOTALLY unprepared for the knee...which CANNOT be pushed to a recovery. It just takes time, work and patience.
I can understand that , it’s odd but once pain goes you sort of forget how bad it was , wait till then , it will be easier to decide ! I had two different surgeons , the new one is better I think but probably new methods , better prostheses etc and glue not staples helped as scar can hardly see . Good luck , in my experience it was6 weeks of hell then a slow improvement , by 3 mths not bad . But maybe I was lucky , but my pain to start with was bad as I can’t take any NSAID so found endone etc just didn’t really work that well
My surgeon said to me after the op "I have done my work, now you have to do the hard work if you want to fully recover". I started physio the morning after and it hurt like hell. When I told the Physiotherapist, she told me if I didn't do my physio and exercise a lot of money had been wasted and I would probably not be able to fully bend my knee, or straighten it and would walk in pain with a limp. Best advice I could have been given, now almost 20 years for first and 18½ years on for second I have had no problems. It's usually a hard road to travel but it really is worth it.
AMEN!!!!!!!
Hi Chico
Loved your write up so true