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I had aching everywhere in the early weeks. It gradually went but took about 10-12 weeks - the ache down the shin was the last to go. I still get aching around the knee itself, especially around the kneecap, but nothing like it used to be.

I found that icing the knee helped in the early days with the pain round the wound but not the rest of it. So I used a good old hot-water bottle, behind the knee, calf, thigh, on the ankle, shin, anywhere that ached except on the actual knee. It did help a lot.

After about 6 weeks I gave up on the ice because it hurt more than the knee did. But I still take a hot water bottle to bed and put it behind my knee until I sleep.
 
Last evening, overnight and most of today I have had swollen ankles. First time I have had this problem since op. I have spent most of today with my 'toes above my nose' . Pumping ankles when not dozed off! Any suggestions of anything else I can do? I am wearing TED's
 
Hi Nancy, I wore knee highTEDs for 4 weeks and boy oh boy was I glad to be rid of them. How long were you told to wear them for? Are you icing?
 
Margaret is right. You might try icing your ankles in addition to the elevation. The lymph system can work very slowly, though. It may take a while for the swelling to lessen. Keep doing what you're doing.
 
Margaret, I am looking forward to getting rid of the TED's, I've been told to wear them for 6 weeks, so another 2 to go. I'll just keep icing and elevating see how it goes
 
I certainly empathize! At the same point I was very discouraged. I was more mobile, but still in lots of pain, depressed and having terrible digestive problems. I felt like it would never get better. But it does! :biggrin:

That's the good news. The bad news, at least in my experience and from what I have heard, is that there will be ups and downs along the way - clicking in the knee (normal), fatigue (normal), pain (normal), swelling (normal) and discouragement. But you can get through it. I am surprised you haven't had a post op check yet.

Give yourself time - you are really in the early stages. Hang in there!!
 
Another 2 weeks till I have to go back to hospital for a check and x ray
 
I am finding that I can stand one legged on my new knee leg if it is straight. It doesn t seem strong enough to take my weight when bent. This means can't walk on stairs foot over foot. can anyone tell me which exercise is best to strenghen this.? Sometimes, if I am walking it ' wobbles' and feels like it is going to give
 
Hi Nancy, I know the feeling. At four weeks no way could I do squats on one leg. I could do squats with both legs ok. So yes stairs a problem. I am only just getting there now at 10 weeks, and only when holding onto the rail and one crutch. What you could try on one leg (but check with physio first), is to do one leg squats but holding onto something with each arm. I used my car bonnet and the laundry tub.

How are your quads generally? When sitting on the bed, or lying down, can you lift your leg straight, with no lag? I still can't.
 
When sitting I can't lift leg straight out, not sure I ever could! I can lift leg straight up when lying down and tightening knee. I couldn't lift off the bed to start with. Physio had me use a sheet looped round foot and pull it up using my arms. I suppose it's just persevere with all exercises! I had my boss on the phone today asking if I knew when I'd be back! I told him before I went off I'd be at least 3 months, guess he thought I was joking
 
Hi, so when you pull your leg up with the sheet looped around the foot, and then let the sheet go, does your foot drop an inch or so? Thats what mine does.
 
speccybecky said:
I am finding that I can stand one legged on my new knee leg if it is straight. It doesn t seem strong enough to take my weight when bent. This means can't walk on stairs foot over foot. can anyone tell me which exercise is best to strenghen this.?
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IMO this is because when standing all the weight is on the new metal/plastic and very little force going through the damaged tendons/ligaments.

But when you bend the leg, I bet it hurts as force goes through?

For exercise, I have added a sit-up thing to my exercises, see sig below.
 
Margaret, I don t think I ever let the sheet go. I just had to keep pulling it until one day I could lift leg without the sheet. I still use the sheet at the end of doing heel slides on the bed. I can pull leg further than I can bend it on my own.
 
Hi Becky,
I had my left knee partially replaced on 25th January and like you am frustrated, in pain and very anxious that things aren'y happening as quick as I thought they would. However, having said that, I am married to a wonderful person and probably for one of the first times in our marriage have been taking her advice as she is also a nurse.
Her first piece of advice was to remember that you have had "Major Surgery", therefore your body has suffered quite badly and is now recovering from that.
Her second piece of advice was to remember how old and unfit I am. I am not a fit 21 yr old, no matter what my brain may be telling me. Sound familiar?
So, I have rested, iced, elevated etc for the past 4 weeks and can see a definate improvement which I believe is down to that.
I need one crutch when I get up in the morning, but use nothing for the rest of the day, unless we go out and then i take crutches. (better safe than sorry).
I get around the house okay and also up and down stairs albeit quite slowly, but I ensure that I rest on a regular basis.
However, the best position for me to rest in, is with my leg elevated. I can only manage sitting properly for about 30 - 45 minutes.
I was told at the start that i would be off work for approx 6 weeks, I actually believe it will be longer and unfortunately I will have to cross that bridge when I come to it.
My big issue at the moment is the lack of sleep due to pain at the back of the knee which is like constant cramp. I feel like screaming at times because of it. However, "Nursey" has said use a hot water bottle behind the knee in bed and any other time it is hurting.
I have also been using a "Tens" machine with heated pads and also one of those hot wheat type bags that you heat in the microwave. All three reduce the pain and help with the quality of life. I have stopped with teh ice as it is more painful than my knee pain now.
I hope that's been of some help to you.
Patience appears to be the best way forward. The results will show over the coming weeks and months. The only other thing I would say, is to really look at what you believe expectations are and then discuss those expectations with your health care professional. All I ever wanted was for teh pain to go away and be able to walk distances. My pre op pain has gone and I am now in post op discomfort, but I know if I take on board all teh advice I have been given things will come right.
:thumb: :friends:
 
Just a thought, if anyone out there is like me and has no clue about distance, there is a site where you can measure this , if you want to know how far you are walking www.walkrunjog.net. I know it doesn't matter about numbers but it's just for information
 
Becky, can you please check your link? It takes me to a general site and not the specific tool you are talking about.
 
Becky.....that is the MOST awesome website EVER!!! I'm saving that puppy in my favorites!!!
 
Yesterday I Slept better so felt better. Walked a couple of times, did extra exercises. No bother. Today, wakened all stiff and sore. I didn't feel I overdid it at the time so quite gutted! Back to the icing for me! So tough not knowing quite how much you can do.
 
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