TKR Pain 2 years after TKR

[Mollymax]

Lovetocookandsew hubby goes running every day and also goes out cycling several times a week. There are days when I tell him to go out and run to get out of my way. He also walks the dogs every day. He really doesn't cook so if I die before him he will live on microwave meals.
I tried to talk him in to doing some part time work but he won't. He worked for the railway for 42 years and said that was enough.
Spex10 I don't need looking after as such. I just need him to do more around the place for now and respect that I still can't do a lot. I had another small walk there just now but he said that was too much. I can't win. One day he says I am not doing enough and the next too much.

 

[Mollymax]

Have taken things easy today. Lots of rest and icing. I did a couple of short walks outside very slowly. My knee is up like a balloon tonight. Very tight and very little bend. To top it all my right knee has been agony today. Off to bed now having taken all my painkillers. Let's hope things are not so bad in the morning.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

Hoping you have a really good night tonight!

 

[Mollymax]

Well it's 4 weeks today post op. Had a restless night last night but not a frustrated night if you know what I mean. Was awake a couple of times. I hoped I would have seen some sign of the swelling going down by now. I am getting around indoors with just one stick and sometimes I forget and have gone to toilet without it so I guess that is progression. Pain wise just more uncomfortable because of the tightness. Today's swelling is hurting I must admit. The knee is aching and walking a bit painful. It won't bend this morning even walking so I am a bit upset today.
My manager sent through all these documents about sickness absence and formal meetings and employment at risk if don't return in THEIR expected time frame. She kinda thinks i might be back in a couple of weeks. Not going to happen. I will be going to doctor for another line when this runs out on 7th August. Got to see physio that day anyway. The way I feel today I won't be going back any time soon.

 

[KarriB]

My OS warned me that it would be 3 months before I’d feel well enough to return to my classroom and he was right. In the end I went back part time (mornings only) for a month before going back full time. My leg did swell even at that point so I’d spend my afternoons with my legs up and iced.

 

[sistersinhim]

Can you send us a photo of your swollen leg? At almost a month I would think your swelling would be starting to go down. Are you elevating toes above nose?

 

[lovetocookandsew]

Hopefully your doctor will give you some kind of form for at least three months off that you can give to your manager so she stops harassing you about coming back. You should go back when your knee is able to function well enough to get through a day of work without a lot of pain and swelling. And when you do go back, take it slowly. Re-readad the article about going back to work. https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/phased-return-to-work.5696/

 

[Txmomgmom3]

That's ridiculous! I'm so sorry your manager is putting you through this
This is something I saw on a Facebook group I belong to. We are all here for you!

 

[nuttybrunette]

Mollymax you really aren’t alone or experiencing much of anything we all haven’t been thru. I think that while you’re in the midst of it it’s hard to believe it’s normal but then that’s why we’re all here. Our stories are all very similar. After a week of my hubby hovering over me with the meals, pills, raisins (lol), ice, etc I got kinda of tired of the whole thing. He went back to work then but had things set up well for me. Then on weekends he set me up but then went to the shed where he putters and we have an almost d or hard that needs lots of work, as well. I would tease him that he would just “throw me a bone and leave” I was alone all day. It got lonely. So there is the other extreme of hubby being around too much.

One thing I’ve done, which I know has helped A LOT is once in awhile I’d read people’s stories here from bonesmart. Not an overwhelming amount but little tidbits here and there. Like when I had some days of unexplained crying, I read him a few others about their crying too. One was a man, just so he couldn’t blame it on hormones. Now that I’m having restless legs, I’ve read some of people’s experiences with that. When I’m up at night tossing and turning and crying about it he consoles me pretty well by saying it’s normal and look at all those other people that have it too. And he quoted bs people. So sharing some bs stories that are similar to yours might help a lot.

You also said it’s stiff even when you walk. I experienced that too. Just do a few stretches then ice and elevate. It might not make it do what you want it to do but you still need lots of healing before you push anything. At 4 weeks your butt should seriously be hurting from all the sitting and elevating.

Hang in there. Everyday that passes is another day done. It will work out. Just can’t force it to.

 

[Kazmeraz]

Hi Mollymax
Sorry to hear you are experiencing issues with your manager. Mine too had an expectation that I would be back within 6 weeks. However he has been nothing but supportive when I told him I was struggling.
Have you got any scope to work from home? Is that something you could request?
Do you have a disability passport which you can invoke.
I am about 3 weeks in front of you and seem to be going backwards!
I have never been a glass half empty person but my glass is definitely done.
I can feel the frustrations building in my stomach and I just want to scream. My daughter said I was being a wet lettuce and I was walking better now than I was before. It’s not something you can see for yourself.
Off now as I can feel the tears threatening to fall and my grandsons are on their way round.

 

[Spex10]

Sorry you're feeling so bad @Kazmeraz.
Things will improve. This time next year you could be ...?
So many positive possibilities.

 

[Mollymax]

My work has this sickness policy that it doesn't matter what you are off with. There are figures that need met, limited time you are allowed off. Being part-time my triggers are 5 days and 4 instances in 12 months. If after 21 days off you can't give a return to work date they threaten to send you to a decision maker to terminate your employment. I will get a bit of lea way being an operation but I will be expected back by 8 weeks. I would think before that I will get a warning.

Kazmeraz sorry to hear you are feeling bad. Hope your visit from grandsons cheered you up. My daughters saying is 'Man up' when I have a moan.

I have found myself reading other people's experiences when I have been awake during the night. Like you Nuttybrunette I only read parts and it does help.

I just worry I am being a total wuss and do nothing but moan. In reality I guess I am doing ok. I just don't feel it. Have taken it easy today. Icing and elevating but maybe I am not getting the elevation right. I just tend to prop it up on the sofa with a couple of pillows under it.

Have posted photos I took tonight of both knees. Right knee is swollen due to arthritis. Surgeon said it's in a bad way too.

Bit of a shadow on the photos as I took it with my tablet.

 

[Celle]

Yes, that's very swollen, Molly. No wonder you feel as if you have "log leg".

Read this article again, to make sure you're elevating properly:
Elevation: the do's and dont's

I'm going to ask @Josephine if she'll ask you her questions, so we can get a handle on how much activity you're doing.

 

[Josephine]

My work has this sickness policy that it doesn't matter what you are off with. There are figures that need met, limited time you are allowed off.

Molly, do you by any chance work for Asda? That sounds so awfully familiar! I worked for that store for about 3 years as an occupational health nurse. Up until the time they were bought by Walmart, they were much more sympathetic but ever since then, they've been - how can I put it - draconian! I fought and fought for some of my patients who'd had knee replacements because they demanded their return at 8 weeks!

 

[Mollymax]

Not Asda. I work for HMRC.

 

[Mollymax]

I think my lymphodema has probably flared up a fair bit as well as the swelling from operation. I normally wear a compression stocking 5 days a week on that leg but had to stop when got the operation.

 

[sistersinhim]

Yes, that is a swollen knee. Can you send you work that photo? If those in charge of the sick time see that, there should be no question that you can give them a definite date yet.

 

[kneeper]

I wonder if you can get something like a Tubigrip sleeve. My PT for my 2nd knee recommended it at about 4-5 weeks. still had compression but much more comfortable than an actual compression stocking.

 

[Mollymax]

It's been very hot here today. I sat out on my decking with leg elevated, a bag of frozen peas on it and read my book while enjoying the sun. All I did was a trip to the supermarket. Knee still very swollen. It went down a little this morning but back up again. I have been measuring it with a tape. It just won't bend. Trying to bend it when walking but it's so stiff. I am finding my right knee very sore. More taking the painkillers for it than my left knee now.

 

[Mollymax]

Taken this morning. Can't bend it any further than that.