31/2 weeks post op but discouraged

[gbetty]

I had rt knee replacement 31/2 weeks ago & I thought Iwas doing well but I seem to hit an impass. The knee hurts more because I am doing more ,
I had wanted to go to my sister's for christmas but at this point it does't seem possible. & Im getting depressed. I'm doing the excercises & icing but
the progress is slow. Is this normal

 

[Josephine]

Sadly yes, Betty. You make progress and then hit a plateau, make another bit of progress then another plateau and so on. Just increase and decrease the amount of exercise you do accordingly and make the most of the better times. I hope you make it to your sister's for Christmas and that you have a great time. Keep in touch.

 

[referee54]

Don't look at where you are now and compare it to where you have been yesterday---look at where you were a weeks or so ago. Like lifting weights or exercising, you will hit plateaus during the rehab---just take it "day by day"! Do your best everyday and the plateau will demolish itself. I get easily frustrated and I have to remind myself tht this is truly a journey that takes many, many steps...

Tim C.

 

[Josephine]

Tim that was beautifully put!

 

[gbetty]

Thanks for everones encouragement. It is hard to not to get fustrated when it seems like you are going back not forward so days but I need to keep thinking positive

 

[referee54]

I was dong great, but heavy PT kicked in and now the muscles---especially the quads--are stiff. I guess yu justlearn to deaql with it. I still went Christmas shopping today, but I just got in everybody's way!

Tim C.

 

[torktoo]

I want to send out encouragement to hang in there, also. I am now 10 weeks post op on my right knee. At 43 years old I thought I would bounce back very quickly. Recovery was going really well and then I, too, started leveling out. Some days I really felt like I was actually going backward in my progress. I would get to PT and my knee would not bend as much as it had a few days earlier. First, I now realize that the weather affects my knee. I thought it was an old wives tale but it has happened a few times (rain came later in the day) and the physical therapists said all joint people were having a hard time.

The other thing that REALLY helped me out is that I changed my attitude. I was so bummed out each day that I didn't feel better. I didn't feel it was fair because I was working hard and I expected that the harder you worked the more you would improve every day. I just stopped improving (or it felt like that to me). I decided (at 7 1/2 weeks post op) to change my mind set and not expect any major change until I hit the 3 month mark. That way I wouldn't be bummed each and every day. I started taking anti-inflamatories along with my new attitude. At exactly 8 weeks I woke up feeling SO MUCH BETTER! My knee bent so much easier than it had. I went to therapy the next day and they commented how much better I was walking. Now, I've had some stiff days again because of the humidity but I finally felt some good days in a row and that was the encouragement I needed. So, don't expect a big change too soon. It will definitely come. I have now been completely off pain pills for 2 weeks. Still restless sometimes during the night but not actually in pain. Good luck!

 

[Josephine]

torktoo, I am awarding you the gold star for December 07 for the most inspirational post this month! Thank you!

 

[gbetty]

I know I should change my attitude as it was sugested butI was quite active before my surgery even with pain that is hard not to be able to go shopping or taking a long walk.
I think I expected too much improvement in a short time. I am trying to take one day at a time because 1 day is good then I have more pain the next day. When I feel good I think I over extend myself doing a lot. I have started out patient pt which will help.
Everyone tells me I am doing good but I don't see it because there is still pain. I think about my prevous rotator cuff repairs & was much better at this stage, I know it is much diffenent surgery but is hard not to compare. My ra is also flaring up even with the new meds so I am getting depressed. I have an apointment with the rheumatologist next
week. I am glad I found this site because it has been every helpfulg

 

[Josephine]

You really can't compare RCR with TKR - for a start off, the knee is a major weight bearing joint which the shoulder - of course - is not.

And the RA - oh, horridiblio! You poor lass! My heart goes out to you. Hope it settles down soon for you.

In the meantime - look forward to a great New Year. It can only get better!

 

[gbetty]

I seem to have doing well even walking without cane @ home but on the street but the last few days I seem to fell slight pain & ceaking when I fully bend the knee. My pt increase the weight to 5 lbs each & I'm wondering if that cause it or it is just some thing to be expected. Iam 8 weeks post op.
Ihve even braved getting on & & the bus as that is how you travel in NYC.

 

[referee54]

The creaking I think, might be some swelling in the knee it will take time for things to seat themselves around the knee. My knee would creak or pop a little bit, as well.

 

[Sue]

I can report that for me, the popping, creaking, etc. has now stopped completely because I am finally nearly free of swelling. It took nearly 3 months for my swelling to go down post surgery. What a difference it made in how I felt when the swelling finally stopped! Now it comes back once in a while if I overdo or if I sit in one place too long, so I still rely on my friends ice and elevation, but not as much as I used to.

 

[TitaniumMan]

Tork: Reading your post made me feel better. I think the change of attitude also helped me. I was depressed and feeling sorry for myself. I forced myself to get out and walk, go to the mall and do projects "slowly" around my house inside and out. I am actually starting to feel that my Doctor knew what he was doing and knew just how long it would take me to get out of my misery. I felt great at PT today and got my ROM to 116* without PT pushing or assisting. I actually built up a good sweat on the bike and ski machine. The owner and Head PT came over and told me I was looking good physically and therapy wise and lowered the bench when I do the sitting to standing exercise. Im hoping to max out on PT in 2 weeks but wont know till see the Doc on Feb 11. The patella area is complaining a bit right now but I told it to shut up because Im taking a ride on my Harley to the Flea Market tomorrow!! Good Health and Godspeed recovery to all here!
Chuck W.