Hi I am on day 8 of my left tkr I was wondering could anyone please tell me what I should be expecting of myself at this stage.I.e bending,straightening and walking my husband says that I am pushing myself too much.But I'm thinking I'm not doing enough .Thank you
Hello Kaz, I am on day 5 of my TKR and going home from hospital today. All along I have been told by the lovely people of this forum and by the medics, that everyone is different, go at your own pace, etc. The surgeon says that it is vital to stick to a routine of pain meds, exercise, ice, elevate, rest and start again, don't push so hard that you end up in too much pain and swollen, which just puts you back. That is the hardest thing I think, pushing enough but not too much. Personally I am finding it hard to discipline myself to do the exercises that hurt the most - in my case the leg elevation engaging quads - nothing happens!
The others here have so much to offer, I am sure you will get lots of advice!
I am just off to my first hydrotherapy session before I leave the hospital, sadly won't be able to have it regularly when I am home, but will have physio. Are you having physio regularly as i guess they can tell how you are doing.
Good luck with your healing
Regards
If you have pain and swelling then yes you are pushing to much,just rest elevate , ice ,keep up pain Meds do the exercises minimal walking if swelling or pain just rest,always elevate whenever resting if swelling after exercises then back of very early days I'm 5 weeks and getting really noticeable bending ,reduced pain etc etc etc stay positive just chill
Hi Susie thanks for your quick reply . I had physio in hospital was given a exercise sheet.I am waiting for my physio appointment and intensive physio to start after I have the clips removed on Friday.it's the bending I'm worried about so painful and lifting my foot of the floor in sitting position . But like you say we all go at different paces .
Sounds like I am pushing myself to much but I am so worried that if I don't do enough of the bending exercises I will never be able to.Think I am expecting to much to soon .Thank you for your reply
I know what you mean about the bending, but it seems as long as we are getting to do the excercises, the bend is improving even in a miniscule way every day - not doing the exercises and getting stuck is to be avoided! See what your physio says.
Hi Susie,
I had my TKR on April 20th.
When I started doing the quad exercise, I could not lift my foot one milometer off the bed. I kept at it, then I got a the tiniest lift and three or four days later it was no problem at all. It was about 10 - 12 days post op when I got the first lift. So keep at it, it will come.
Take care,
Alan
Very early days yet. Treat yourself gently. Everything will come in its own time. Try this, sitting on your sofa put your bad foot on a carrier bag on floor, gently roll it back and forth. Even if you do that ten times a day, just for as long as you can tolerate, that alone will help immensely. Also, lift leg off bed about 8 inches hold for ten seconds then down. Repeat ten times. Do that 3 times a day. Also look online.
Best wishes, things will come OK in the end. I spent my 1st 3 weeks in despondency!!
Hi Kaz,
I am 12 weeks post op. The best advice I got on this forum and now have experienced is to read your own body, push but not so hard as to set yourself back. As the weels go by you will be able to push harder and harder. Pain meds to make the exercises easier are critical. Manage your pain and remember RICE - Rest; Ice; Compress; Elevate.
By the way, there will be good and bad days, please don't panic, it's the way it is. But it is worth it. Now, I am back to work full time, commuting 1000km per week, in much better form than pre-op, my wife and daughter have commented on the lack of grumpiness in the house.
Hope this helps,
Take care,
Alan
Kaz, we're an interesting group, because there are people from all over the world and things can be done so differently. I had a bilateral TKR, meaning both knees were replaced at the same time. I wasn't allowed to leave the hospital until I could lift my leg up off the bed and hold it. They had me walking around the next day with full leg braces on. But after 6 days, I was home and needed to start bending. I had a nice long running stitch in place of stapels or individual stitches. My PT came after I'd been home for about two days and right away he had me doing bending exercises. I was sure I would pop the stitch or worse. As others have said, listen to your body, take your pain meds, drink lots of water and use ice throughout the day. When you meet for your PT they will be able to give you a better idea. But keep in mind, most of them haven't been through the surgery, they know the book answers, but since we are all different, those don't always fit. Best of luck.
-Mo
Hi Kaz
Ask your physio for the best exercises for recovery. My physio gave me 4 exercises to do daily, calf stretches, engaged quad leg lifts, stand on one leg for balance and some stretches to do. She said U must do them every day forever. I have set aside 15 mins in the morning after a hot shower and I have a routine now. I walk the dog 3 times a day for total of 30 mins. I am at 16 weeks post op tomorrow. It gets easier so research here and on youtube on exercises and question your physio and surgeon on optimum recovery. There's not enough info provided prior to this terrible surgery in my country, Australia. Xxx
Thanks will do that .i have been trying a bit with skateboard but the carrier bag will be easier.I've had such a good response on this forum such kind people taking time out to help others.hopefully it won't be to long then I will be able to give advice to others also.Thank you
Thanks for advice you have all given me .you've all shown me there is light at the end of the tunnellthank you
There is definitely light. And somewhere around week 3 you should feel a shift...maybe getting a little more sleep at night, therapy will feel a bit easier, I really can't remember the exacts (I'm 21 months post op), but that was the week that I realized I was going to make it through.
My that must of been so painful for you.I has physio on day one and two then was discharge on day three with exercise sheet,that is why I worry wether I'm doing to much or to little I see them again after I have the clips out which isn't until Friday and still waiting for appointment.So I shall be taking a lot of advice from everybody who gives it to me on this forum because you have all been in my shoes and know exactly how I'm feeling.Thank you and take care yourself
Hi, I felt also at 3 weeks that I could see light at the end of the tunnel, I'm 3 months (today) post op, and have just come downstairs without holding on, and knelt on the bed with my bad knee to get up to reach something. Feel great. Every good wish to all on here who have contributed, I've really needed you guys sometimes and you've been there for me. 🙂🙂🙂
Hi kaz
i am into my 6th week and I am doing the same exercises I did when I got my left knee done 5 years ago. They were given by the hospital and it is really important to do them everyday but rest as well its the only you have to do to make the bends easier. Here's my routine, all done lying on bed. 1. Stretch leg straight and flex your foot and hold for 5 seconds do these 10 times, for first week and increase to 30 times next which will be painful is bend your knee and slowly slide down again do this the same amount. Next lift leg straight up and flex and bring down again don't panic if you can't lift your leg off the bed because I couldn't for first two weeks. Lastly put a bottle rolled in towel and put under knee and raise foot up not too much. But most of all Kaz I do these exercises three times a day you have to rest for one hour on bed after each session. I know this may not work for everyone but persevere. My left leg is great and I put it down to doing the exercises and resting in between. Good luck
I am now 6 weeks post op, but remember doing my exercises 3 times a day and going for little walks as well, just down the road and back. I made sure I was taking my med though and resting ang icing in between. As you say, everybody is different. Good Luck.
Ok I'm 5 months tkr I had outside therapy now I'm doing the exercise at home walking is the key but don't over do it
Most Important... Everyone heals at their own pace. Don't judge yourself by anyone else's progress. This is between you, your PT and your doc.
That being said...here are some "ballpark" estimates...
1. Take you pain meds. This is not a test of endurance. Need 'em? Take 'em. Ballpark: Most people are off the the opioids in 4-6 weeks; some need them longer 800mg Ibuprophin or Tramadol after that if you need it.
2. It's really, really painful...no getting around it...especially the first month. Don't measure your pain levels daily...monthly is better as you'll see dramatic changes from the longer time span. Ballpark: The worst of the pain will probably be gone within 90 days...but again, everyone's different.
3. Assistance... Crutches, walker, cane...whatever you need for as long as you need it. Ballpark... Most people are off of all those items within 90 days. Gotta start to learn how to walk on your own again. (NOTE: This may not apply to people with previous hip/knee/leg problems or to the elderly.)
4. PT... Gotta do it. Your therapist will work with you to both straighten and bend your knee. Full range of motion is zero degrees straight and greater than 120 degrees bent ( 0 / +120 ). I started at -14 / +84 and finished 9 weeks of PT at -1 / +128. Ballpark... Depending on age, previous conditions, individual circumstances, you should shoot for the full range of motion goal. If you can't get there at PT (I was still one degree from straight), finish the work in the gym or therapy pool. The closer you get the better...but again, everyone's different. You should consult with your doc and PT.
5. Exercise... After PT, ya gotta rebuild the muscles in your leg, especially the quad. Walking, swimming, stairs, whatever. Have to rebuild your strength to support the knee. Ballpark... Since it's during and after PT, this work usually falls within the 3 to 6-month range for most people.
6. Swelling... This is the knee's way of telling you that you overdid it. Back off, ice, elevation, rest. Ballpark... Everyone does this at one point or another. Listen to and learn from your body. Avoid pushing it too far.
7. Long Recovery... That "swollen look", popping and clicking sounds, stiffness...all normal. Ballpark... All of this should resolve in 12-18 months.
Hope this helps.