Morning,
not sure anyone can help but just just need to vent. I had total knee replacement one week ago and I'm really struggling. I am aware that it's early days but I am feeling very low and tearful. It's so painful. As day goes on, I can just about get on top of pain, however, the mornings and night times are unbearable. I dread going to bed. I can't bend it at all as it's so swollen, I am trying very hard but am stressing myself out as I can't bend and am worried about having a MUA. I can't stop crying and am wishing I never had this done. I am hoping it will be worth it in the end but have been reading stories about how people are in worst pain after.
I am not expecting anyone to have magic answer but needed to vent as my family have been so so supportive and I am trying to paint on brave face in front of them.
I have physio on Tuesday but might ring to see if they can fit me in tomorrow
I feel for you and it sounds like your doing as well as expected. You're main goals early on are to ice with elevation, take it easy and stress less! Try to stay on top of the pain meds as that is exactly what their for. It gets much better as the weeks go by and if you feel like crying, let it all out!! You will see it was worth it in the long run. Hang in there! 😊👍
Hi Victoria,
At this stage it is horrendous. But it does get better.
It can take up to a year to make a full recovery, but after that everything is certainly much better than before the operation.
Keep your head up. Keep using ice packs and keep your leg raised as much as possible. Which painkillers are you on?
Good morning, I went through the same thing as you, I promise it gets better, you will have good days and bad days. It will be worth it in the end. This forum has been great support
I wish you the very best of luck
Hi Ben, thank you for your reply. When the pain is under control, I am able to focus that it’s early days etc. I’m on paracetamol, ibuprofen and codine, although I keep codine for night times. I’m am constantly icing. I currently have large ice pack on and have rolled up towels under knee and think there maybe small bend.
Everyone said it would be painful but don’t think you can prepare. I’m only 41 and have had pain for so long that I know this was only option. My mother had the same operation but left hospital with 90 degree bend.
This forum is so helpful.
Thank you
Hi Deb, thank you so much for your reply and kind words. I agree that the forum is great. It’s kept me focused at 1am when I can’t sleep.
How long ago was your operation? Did you have trouble bending too. They the bit that’s really worrying me. My mother had same operation last year and left hospital with 90 degree bend.
I’m currently icing with towels under knee and think there maybe a very small bend!
Thank you
Hi I’ve just joined this forum - I’m mark in Coventry .
i am 52 and having tkr next month but reading this forum will hopefully help me prepare for what’s in store - I’m nervous about it as have never spent a night in hospital before and I’m hoping to have the spinal anaesthetic .
i hope you feel better soon Victoria - I’m expecting a painful Xmas as op is on dec 14
Hi, thank you for your reply. When pain is under control, I am able to reflect that this was only option. I’m only 41 and have had so much trouble with knee. The pain and lack of sleep doesn’t help.
Thank you for advice. I do think I am stressing too much. My mother had this operation but left hospital with 90 degree bend. My operation was more complex due to previous surgeries.
Am finding this forum so supportive 😊
Hi Mark,
Thank you for reply and welcome to forum.
The hospital stay was good as they helped to manage the pain and Physio’s were at bedside within hours. I had spinal block and have also had GA. The spinal block option much better for recovery.
Thank you for kind words and good luck with operation. Will look out for update. I am hoping that I will have more positive news by then. I’m seeing consultant on 20th December for review.
Hi mark if you're having a spinal ask for a catheter, I wet myself twice because I had no feeling down there and ended up in retention so had to have one anyway. I have to say I can't remember much about the operation I think the anaesthetist got carried away with the sedative drugs good luck X
Hi I'm 7 weeks post op now the first week isn't pleasant. I'm 47 and after sharing my experience with other people of a similar age it seems that the younger ones have more problems with flexion. I didn't achieve 90 degrees until 4 weeks and that was after increasing pain meds, hiring a cpm machine and getting some physio. There is a part of me that wishes I'd left it alone but I have to remember what the arthritic pain was like and I'm hoping the flexion will improve. I went to a health club yesterday and sat in the jacuzzi for about 30 minutes and it helped the flexion so I think it's the muscles that are tight that causing the restriction. You'll have to wait until your wound is completely healed before you dive into warm water. Keep your chin up we are all here for you going through the same experience. You are not alone X
Hi, thank you for your message and words of support. I was told in hospital that younger patients struggle more with the bend and also the pain.
It’s reassuring to hear that I’m not the only one who struggled with the bend. I had a great range of movement prior to operation but was in awful pain which prevented day to day activities such as walking and working. From everything I can read, it’s a long (painful) journey and we are clearly at the beginning. When in this much pain, it’s hard to reflect on how bad the arthritic pain was.
The hospital mentioned hiring the CPM machine but I was not with it at the time. I will call them tomorrow.
I am a member of a health club and the jacuzzi sounds a great idea but understand I am a few weeks away from that.
Thanks again for supportive words. I’m so glad I came across this forum x
Hi , thanks although the thought of a catheter doesn’t sound pleasant , I’m going for the pre-op on the 29th nov so should know a bit more then
I am 56, I had my operation on the Tuesday I was home on the Friday.
You will possible sleep quite a bit because of the pain killers. Remember to stay on top of the pain killers, other wise to takes longer for them to work. Do your exersice. Elevate and use ice pack. You will get out of helping with the cooking of the Christmas dinner this year..... and if you lucky the shopping
hi snoozy - I have a plug in mini exercise bike which I use 90 minutes a day while watching tv and just put feet in pedals and switch on , do you think this will help after the op or will it be too much for the knee - I sit on the sofa with it on and it has various speed settings
That sounds perfect for the knee start slowly though x
Thanks , I will put it on the slowest setting and see how it goes , in hoping 90 mins a day now at least gets it active and ready for the operation and I often forget it’s on as I watch tv , a good buy for £70
Hi Victoria!
Take heart! We are here for you!♥️
The first weeks are a rollercoaster ride, but you will begin to see progress which helps lighten the load.
Try to remember that you have undergone trauma to your whole system. Your body is working overtime to right itself again. It WILL achieve balance again, but there's LOTS for it to do!
I don't know whether you are a believer, but if you are it REALLY helps to pray. We as humans are fragile at these times, but God is NEVER fragile! He can and will provide great strength and calm and patience and give you what you need in every moment!
Sending prayers of comfort to you today!♥️
Thank you for your kind words. I suppose I’m just feeling sorry for myself at moment 😊
We have ALL been there, FOR SURE! Keeping focused on healing and looking for tiny bits of progress will help you feel that the challenge has been worth it!
Try cat videos on the Internet!🐈😺🐾🐾🐈😸 They are so funny! They offer a GREAT distraction and can get you laughing which causes endorphins to form in your body. The endorphins help not only with mood, but they help lessen pain, too!
Come back here often for support and maybe even some new things to try!
We are all here for you!♥️