Hi Susie, you say you're a week out from surgery? And you're on here, stringing together coherent sentences? I'd say you're doing amazingly well! Joking aside, toothache is an excellent way to describe the deep, aching bone pain you are no doubt experiencing.
You seem to have received some excellent pieces of advice from our little group, all I will add is the TKR Recovery Mantra : "If you can sit, then don't stand. If you can lie down, then don't sit. And if you can sleep, then don't be awake!" As much as your exercises are vital to your recovery, you will heal much quicker if you are well-rested.
Good luck with your recovery xx
Thanks Al!
I appreciate the kind words!
I hope you are having a good day!😊
Hi Debbie!
Glad to hear my post is helping you! It is SO important to have lots of support as we are recovering! People here have gone through the fire, so to speak, and KNOW what is like first hand. We all can help one another!
For straightening, a lot depends on how much swelling there is. It was WEEKS before I was able to even tolerate a few MINUTES of putting my legs out on an ottoman. I had to take them down and rest awhile before trying again. As my wise Physical Therapist re
My phone just froze!
To continue...As my wise Physical Therapist reminded me, "Cheryl, you probably haven't had straight legs in YEARS due to your compensating for two painful knees for so long. It took awhile to get bent knees. The muscles and ligaments need to PRACTICE being straight again!"
VERY wise words and ones that REALLY helped me to understand that I was not just dealing with recovery from surgery; I was dealing with recovery from my five years - at least --of walking with knees BENT to take pressure off my bone-on-bone NO CARTILAGE knees!
That's good that you can come DOWN easily. That's the toughest part for ME. So much depends on what parts of the knees required repair in addition to any replacement parts. Nerves can be troublesome, too. It all just takes time and patience.
Would LOVE to keep in touch with you!😊
Susie, I second what Terri has just written! Think I was in tears, contemplating something awful, or asleep one week out!!! I'm now 7 weeks, and saw my consultant for the first time since leaving hospital this morning. He was very pleased, non of this measuring lark, he just asked me to raise my leg from the chair at the side of his consulting desk, and then pull it back. Asked about my pain, not much now, and nearly off the strong painkiller I started in hospital. He just said go at everything my own pace, do what feels right, take it easy, continue exercising and icing/elevating up to a year, and he doesn't want to see me until then!!! So, result!!!
i am so thankful I found this forum, it has helped immensely, and goodness knows how I stumbled on it!!
My cousin had PKR the same month I had my first TKR. I noticed hers was bowed, and she needed to walk with a cane for balance. Perhaps there are different issues with knees that call for different procedures. Her doctor said a PKR would be best for her.
Thanks for all the kind words. I look forward to hearing how you are doing. You can also message me if you like.
Hi Terri, thanks for your reply, I have to agree the amount of response and encouragement, advice I have received from everyone on here has been immense and so wellcoming. I just love the TKR Recovery Mantra, will remember that! xx
Hi Lucie, thanks for the reply, I too have an appointment to see my consultant in mid July which will be about 7 weeks from surgery, I am doing some of the exercises but at the moment there are some which are just too painful, have my first physio out patient appointment next week and am not looking forward to it but am doing the best I can at this time and that is all I can do. x
Hi Cheryl, what you have said makes total sense, my knee was bowed towards the other for years which explains why I cannot get it flat within 9 days of an op! The swelling is tremendous and the consultant did say it could take up to 12 months for it to completely go, the advice/help given on this forum is invaluable, actually hearing from people who are going/gone through it not just learned about it , thank you x
Hi Jeanne, I find I am improving every so slightly each time I go up stairs, now I know which part of the banister rail to hold alongside the crutch but it still takes me a while to do it, I have to stand and think about it before I start and by the time I reach the top I am totally out of breath with the effort, I think if we had a bathroom downstairs I would leave the stairs alone altogether!
Hi Lucie,
My surgeon was exactly tge sane, no measuring etc. just expert and pragmatic.
But I must add none of the physios I have seen have pushed me too hard, they push very gently, but always remind me when leaving that without pushing a little bit it won't improve.
My surgeon also said he has done his part, now I must do mine.
Best wishes,
Alan
Hi Alan, You are so right, deep down I know I should be doing all the exercises and from today I am going to make a concerted effort to tackle the ones I havent done, and to increase the number of times I am doing the others throughout the day, Thanks
Why I like coming here so much is EXACTLY what you mentioned -- hearing the REAL SCOOP from people who are going through what I am going through and helping one another as we recover.
I need REASONS for things and especially REASONS WHY I need to do something or not do it. I got MANY from my Physical Therapists (God bless them!) and from my Angel Nurse, Cassie in the hospital who was a healer, a patient teacher, and a loving soul. Those were MY PEOPLE who got me through those early days after surgery.
Now, MY PEOPLE are all of the wonderful ones HERE who give me advice based on a very real understanding of this replacement surgery process because they have experienced it!
Each one of us here has a personal knee story to tell, and by telling it we help others in ways we may not even realize! I LOVE visiting this forum!
So glad I could be of some help in understanding your situation and reasons FOR it!
Keep posting, keep being patient, keep CALM, and keep being positive! ALWAYS ask questions, and only stop asking when you have your answer!
Have a happy pain-free day!😊
Hi Cheryl,
Isn't it amazing that people that don't know each other, have never met, mostrich likely will never meet can be so close and caring and helpful to each other. It's something fantastic. There are people here I look forward to hearing from, chatting to and wake up wondering how they are.
I wonder why ALL people can't be like this? Maybe they are, just don't know it, don't get the chance.
We have something in common, one goal maybe this it.
I find the people here super.
Best wishes,
Alan
Should read 'most likely'
Hi Alan!
Yes, it IS amazing! It shows me that a group of people with something annoying like KNEE PROBLEMS can band together, support one another, give advice based on personal experience and end up being good friends!
I think there are A LOT of good people around. They are going about their lives in quiet ways, so we don't get bombarded by their thoughts and opinions in such a LOUD way as others sometimes overpower our lives like in the media or on some sites that aren't moderated well.
People here are hurting, and they just want some relief. We all can identify with one another! I am VERY grateful that I found this site!
Keep posting!
Thank you for your kind words!
I hope your day is a great one!😊
How much exercise is too much exercise? At 14 weeks should I be doing them 3 times a day still? It seems that nothing is getting any better. Same soreness and stiffness if I ice after exercise it seems to be stiffer.
Hi Susie,
I didn't mean to tell you what to do, Sorry if my last message came across wrong.
Take care,
Alan
Hi Alan, don't be daft I didn't think for one minute you were telling me what to do. Apologies if you think I did. I am grateful for all comments and suggestions it's the only way am going to get anywhere taking advice from those who have been there and done that. Take care, best wishes, Sue