11 Weeks TKR

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tigerm49

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Lafayette Colorado
It's been a blessing to find this forum, i'm 54 year old male and i had TKR on 11/24/08. Rehab as been the most difficult thing i have ever gone through, i'm not a very patient, patient. pain and swelling are my biggest problem. I continue to work hard, but like a lot of you I wonder if i will ever get be better, be pain free, and return to work. Sleeping is still a problem for me, as i wake up off and on all night with some pain, i'm still having alot of clicking, and i'm not as stable as i would like, seems my Doctor stretch my Ligaments a little to much so i could get good ROM, they are not tighting up like they should, when i get a little tired my knee wants to move sideway. When i finely heal from this TKR, i will need my left one done, not looking forward to that. Good luck to you all for a speedy recovery.
Mike
 
Hi Mike.

I am one week ahead of you (11/18/08). Also a male in my early 50's but I had both Knees done at the same time

For me things are getting better all the time. I still have a fair bit of discomfort and the clicking drives me mad but apart from that I am glad I had them done

Good luck in your recovery
Richard
 
Mike
Welcome to bonesmart. I am a hippy (hip replacement June 6th) Althuogh an easier recovery for most than knees, I do remember the frustration of not being healed quuickly. I just had back fusion surgery which took a lot out of me and will surely take a lot longer than my hip to recover. I am very active and it does get very frustrating.

But what I have read from many others on this fourum is the 4 month point brings some gains. Of course you are in better shape all the time. But also it is a rollar coaster ride for sure.

It will get better.
Richfriz (I know I butchered that) glad to hear that things are going well with you
Judy
 
14 weeks here Oct 21 and don't get me started on the clicking it drives me batty!
 
Hi Mike! You sound like me--I had one knee done and then eventually had the other done.

I'm about 9 months out from my LTKR, and 2.5 weeks from my RTKR. Two things: (1) IT DOES GET BETTER! 3 to 4 months out is still early days. I noticed a huge improvement between that time and 6 to 8 months out, and my left keeps getting better all the time, even now. I can't wait until my right is better so I can be active again--then I think they'll both be fabulous with exercise and activity. (2) Sometimes your second knee is easier! Mine has been so far, and I know a couple of other people here had a similar experience. Of course, "easier" is a relative term, but my right has been a bit more smooth than m right.

Hang in there, Mike, and welcome to Bonesmart. Its nice to be able to chat with folks who have been there, done that, and really understand your frustration and the process you're going through. I think I would've gone nutso last year if I hadn't found this group.

Weezy
 
Mike;
I am a couple weeks ahead of you. 11-3-08. Are you still taking your pain meds? I suggest you do at bedtime for sleep. I have pain and swelling still.Rom is 135 on last pt visit. My knee clicks also.I have been told that is someting you have to live with. I still take 30 to 40 mg of hydrocodone for pain. Take care.
 
Nice to hear from you all, thanks for all the encouragement, it sure helps to talk to people who have gone or are going through the same things you are. Thanks to you all.

Mike
 
Welcome tigerm49. I am 9 weeks post for my ltkr (rtkr 3-8-06). I am glad to hear someone else mention the knee wanting to go sideways as mine has done that a few times too, it scares me! My ROM is only 94 but I will take that for now. I just worked two days straight, each were an 8 hour shift, standing on my feet and moderate walking. I can't believe the pain in both legs after that even with pain meds. altho the swelling was better today than it has been. SOme days (or nights)will be good, others not so good, just keep up the good work you are doing and you will find you will be ready for that 2nd surgery.
Mary
 
Welcome Tigerm49,

I'm 4 days behind you. I too have swelling, and take pain meds when needed, it is a very slow recovery and I get the feeling a lot of us are a bit impatient, but it is great to know we are all in the same boat....Clicking and all! I have also had my knee doing a slight shift sideways on a couple of occasions I guess as the muscles do tighten that will lesson also.

Take care and best wishes,

Chris :) (49 Female)
 
Mike, I also had both knees totally done 12-10-08, the first six weeks were very, very uncomfortable to say the least. Week 7 I quit my pain meds, still had a lot of stiffness in both knees. But not much pain. Slept in my recliner for 8 weeks and finally moved to my bed. Still only sleep 3 to 4 hrs. at a time, but much better than earlier. Am still going to PT twice a week, and joined a health club to work out the other days. I lost 25 lbs during the first 7 weeks, but have gained 5 back, since my appetite has come back since i quit the meds. Don't have much clicking, only when I lay on my back and totally relax I can then make them click. My Doc says it's something that will always be there..\
Take care and good luck...
 
Hi Mike,
I've only been on this site for a few weeks. I am a 55 year old female. Had RTKR on 12/11/08 and got stuck at 80 degrees flexion at 8 weeks so had manipulation on 2/11/09 and today am finally up to 100 degrees flexion (Josephine keeps advising folks to hand in there and be patient since our knees didn't get in this shape overnight).

I have highs and lows but finally decided to take 10 mg of Hydrocodone before therapy and let the torture (I mean stretching) begin!!

It is good to have this site to bounce your questions and feelings on.
Good luck and continue to heal.
 
Hi Mike,
I've only been on this site for a few weeks. I am a 55 year old female. Had RTKR on 12/11/08 and got stuck at 80 degrees flexion at 8 weeks so had manipulation on 2/11/09 and today am finally up to 100 degrees flexion (Josephine keeps advising folks to hand in there and be patient since our knees didn't get in this shape overnight).

I have highs and lows but finally decided to take 10 mg of Hydrocodone before therapy and let the torture (I mean stretching) begin!!

It is good to have this site to bounce your questions and feelings on.
Good luck and continue to heal.

Nana, sound like your making progress, good for you, hang in there, i know how hard it is. Take pride in the little steps that you make and know it will get better..

Take Care
Mike
 
Josephine keeps advising folks to hand in there and be patient since our knees didn't get in this shape overnight

Yes, I do, don't I?
[Bonesmart.org] 11 Weeks TKR
 
Josephine you are an inspiration and I LOVE your flag worship video and the site. That's an uplift to see the praise going on. When I knew I could move more during squats in the pool on Friday-I starting praising GOD and marching around in the water.

A friend of mine keeps saying if GOD brings you to it-He will bring you through it. So lets all hang in there!!
 
Music to my ears, Nana!


But
..... just in case there are people reading this who are not Christian or don't care to enjoin in such things - please don't let that put you off joining us. You are all very welcome. This is not a closed shop nor anything like. The only requirement for being warmly welcomed as a member is waiting for or recovering from a joint replacement.
 
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