Am almost 3 weeks post TKR. Surgeon told me I had a 'big knee which was badly damaged' .... recovery would take longer. My knee is VERY swollen making it practically impossible to do heel slides & bending it beyond 90 Deg. I still cannot lift my knee at all. Alot of pain, excruciating when exercising. First PT session on Thursday. Should I wait for advice on exercises? Am using a compression icepack kit.
When you have TKR what was a knee before looks like a small pumpkin or watermelon. I have had 5 I get it!! The swelling will come down and your bending will improve. As far as lifting your leg give it time as you do your exercise you will build your quads back up. Keep in mind you had a big OP!! it takes a lot out of your knee. Right now you need to worry that you do not get an infection, signs being high fever skin very red lots of swelling very tender to the touch. Before you hit the panic button its only been 3 weeks !! You will have swelling and it will hurt that is normal. There is nothing that says this is going to be a piece of cake it takes time weeks months sometimes years and no matter how hard it maybe do not compare your self to anyone we all heal differently. As far as exercising wait till you see the therapist and make sure you take your pain meds prior to going to need them. Make sure you use the ice kit If it helps do it 5 to 6 a day to me its the next best thing to pain meds.
Thanks for the advice. Yes...you're right...it looks like a small or medium watermelon!! I am in alot of pain tonight...pain varies from manageable to excruciating. I know it's not even three weeks but the expectations of the PTS in hospital are high ....on day 1 she had the protractor out making me struggle! Then you worry when you can't work through the pain to improve the angle. I will wait until Thursday now & keep icing. Think I might do it now. Kim
IMHO, continue what you're doing without getting into real pain territory. Flex it as much as you can. THEN, let the experts put you on the right path for YOUR knee.
The goal is to get you to bend ( not exactly sure ? ) 85 or 90 degrees. The reason once you reach that you can pretty much do just about everything another reason if you were to get in a car accident it would cause major issues with the knee. Make sure you take pain meds as described that way it will be more under control ( it does not mean you will be pain free!! but be able to tolerate it ).I completely understand what it feels like when the therapist try to get the most out of your knee when they bend it. With me they would wait till I was done with exercises then the therapist would massage my knee and slowly start bending then relaxing it until the final push, it would take my breath away very painful. I also remember on the day of the surgery after the surgery and once your awake in the recovery room they get the word your room is ready so you finally get to the room get comfortable and then comes the therapists all they want you to do is get up use the walker and go to the door and come back ( its not very far ) and boy does it hurt this has brought tears to my eyes. The reasoning the sooner you start bending and exercising it the faster your recovery will be.
Thanks. I am icing it atm & have not long taken painkillers. So am going to do some exercises as soon as ice pack comes off. It's the only way I can bear it. I realize that I have to try & keep trying. Kim
Since your still pretty fresh from surgery my suggestion is to take the pain meds as prescribed it will help with the pain. If you wait and take the meds when your in pain its not going to help as much trust me I have learned that the hard way. I also no implying you should take them for the joy of the effects but I am well aware of how your knee must feel. It really stinks because it does not stop hurting and that gets old and frustrating.Also use common sense as well I know I can hurt and still do the exercises but if I get to the point my knee is in total agony that is a very good reason to stop. This also can be applied to walking do what your comfortable with and remember do not go but so far because you still have to come back. There is no point in rushing your body will heal at its own pace be patient and really if you miss a day because you over did it that is okay.
Wait for advice on exercises.
Hope it settles down.
Take care and keep in touch
Sarah
ROM work at home...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-rom-work-at-home-620053
Gym work to rebuild all your dead muscles...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527
Conquering stairs...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/mastering-post-tkr-stairs-552728
See? Easy...takes a year...
Thanks Sarah. Its only a few days until I see that Physiotherapist so am going to wait for advice. It's really difficult to find out just what you should be expecting of yourself before you see them. Its only 3 weeks on Tuesday...on the one hand it's early days and you need to learn to get used to the pain and on the other hand you seem to be expected to push yourself to do your exercises despite the pain. Such conflicting advice all round. Hopefully I will know more on Thursday. Keep in touch Kim