TKR Pain 2 years after TKR

[kneeper]

I did heel slides but I viewed them more as moving my leg through whatever bending range I had (at first not much!) a few times a day, but not straining at it. And I didn't do many at a time.

Sounds like you're doing fine, listening to the knee and making rest, ice and elevation your main "tasks" of the day.

 

[nuttybrunette]

@sistersinhim I too use the measure by toilet tiles stretch!! My favorite. And it’s multitasking at its finest!!

 

[Celle]

I used to do that, too! It was the only time I did anything like heel slides.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

Here's my opinion of heel slides......

 

[Mollymax]

Lol to sitting on toilet sliding foot because I have been trying it when sitting there.
Josephine I have just read through your recovery thread link. It was very good reading. Helped me a lot. Muscles were strong before the op with all the walking I did so I believe they will get back to that. I am not going to stress over heel slides. I am taking a leaf out of your book..

 

[KarriB]

I agree, much easier to do heel slides sitting up with your leg down.

 

[Mollymax]

Bed time. Off with my book but really tired so don't think I will be reading many pages tonight

 

[KarriB]

Hope you get some Sleep! It alluded me for months after my TKR.

 

[Mollymax]

Slept till 5am then couldn't get back to sleep. I find sleeping on my back is getting uncomfortable. It's not knee pain that is waking me so that is something to be thankful for. Off to shower before hubby goes out running and leaves me on my own.

 

[SusieShoes]

I hated sleeping on my back but my knees loved it! Only position in which they didn’t hurt. So that’s what I did for months until they got over themselves.

I’m glad you’re taking a page out of Josephine’s book. And enjoying toilet heel slides. It’s the little things that get us through this.

I’m another one who did few exercises at home. Just a few bends here and there throughout the day. My main “exercise “ was walking, which I love, so that was easy. Do recovery your way.

 

[Mollymax]

Susieshoes I am really only doing a bit of walking now. Just a little each day and only a few of the excercises. I feel better now I am not being paranoid about things. Things are much better now my brain is not fog bound with morphine. Back to just dihydrocodeine and paracetamol. All the articles are now really helping and I am managing to read more threads. I did previously but to tell the truth I couldn't take any if it in at the time.
Can I ask one thing - unless I am sitting with my leg up my thigh is really sore. I can't sit with my leg down for long as the thigh really aches. I end up trying to sit in my other hip. Is this normal? This pain is actually worse than the knee pain.

 

[mommaD18]

@Mollymax I am so glad to hear that you are doing better. I just joined recently but have read your recovery story from the beginning. The support on this forum is just incredible!
How is your grandson? Keep up the good work and take care of yourself.
I had my TKR May 8th this year.

 

[SusieShoes]

We get so many odd pains and pangs and peculiarities with this surgery. Most fall into the normal basket.

There are a couple things that might cause your thigh pain. One is that the leg muscles get moved around a bit in the surgery. I’d suggest watching a video but you might find it disturbing and a bit gruesome. Let’s just say the leg muscles get moved and tugged and that could result in swelling (therefore pain) in the early days or weeks of healing.

It’s possible too that your surgeon used a tourniquet on your leg. Some do; some don’t. That could give thigh pain.

Also your leg may now be a wee bit longer due to the new knee and your thigh muscle needs to stretch a bit to adjust. Once it finishes stretching (not much needed but every little bit hurts) the pain will go away.

As you see, it could be any number of explainable things. You f sitting with your leg up gives you ease, make that your primary lounging position for a while. I lounged with legs up exclusively for nearly five months. If you are in great pain, though, or worried about your thigh, give your doctor a call.

 

[Spex10]

I'm another toilet exercise bunny! ie multitasking using the edges of the floor pattern to judge improvement. It seems easier but maybe because my raised 'throne' is higher than our conventional seating.
I lie down on the bed to do that exercise with the rolled up towel under the knee. I absolutely could not do it last Sunday but now I can. Mind you I usually lie down on the bed to do it and think 'oh this is comfy' and drift off!
I'm in Scotland too and was also given that book by physio. I've to go back for assessment in three weeks and to see the consultant in 8 weeks. Wonder if it was the same hospital? I couldn't fault it.

 

[Mollymax]

Thank you Grandson on the mend. He will still need operation when older unless the valve shorts itself by then which it might do.
Susieshoes it isn't great pain more just uncomfortable. You are right and it will.probably ease off but if it doesn't I will mention it doctor.
Found myself using the squares on the tiles in toilet to try get my foot to go post a certain line today... Lol. Much more fun than knee slides..
Spex10 I only managed that towel roll thing yesterday for first time and only did two lifts before giving up. Previously I would have pushed to get more done through pain until I read things on here. The info and help has been much better than the hospital. I can't thank people enough.
I live in Fife so was in the Victoria in Kirkcaldy.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

I am terrified off blowing things by doing nothing and stiffening up and overdoing it and making things worse.

Underdo rather than overdo, every time.

Knee slides are dull. If you have a skateboard (? well you might...) you can use it to run your foot backwards and forwards, dead easy. A rocking chair is even better.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

I'm so glad your grandson is doing better. We always hurt for our precious children and grandchildren when they're hurting and wish we could take away their pain. My 2 year old grandson was here the other day and noticed my fence cat sitting above the deck. He went over to talk to the inanimate critter and in doing so managed to fall off the deck, scraping his belly royally on the fence on the way down. I felt terrible and couldn't do anything to help other than console him. I feel even worse because I asked my husband to put a railing right at that spot to avoid anyone falling there and he just hasn't gotten it done. I suspect he'll put it at the top of his list now, though.

I'm also glad you seem to have turned a corner and are doing much better! Keep it up!

 

[Celle]

Can I ask one thing - unless I am sitting with my leg up my thigh is really sore. I can't sit with my leg down for long as the thigh really aches. I end up trying to sit in my other hip. Is this normal? This pain is actually worse than the knee pain.

I had that, too. Sitting on a dining chair to eat at the table was quite painful initially.
I think it's just that your leg isn't ready for it yet and pressure from the chair on the back of your leg makes the front of your leg hurt.

Susieshoes it isn't great pain more just uncomfortable. You are right and it will.probably ease off but if it doesn't I will mention it doctor.

Good idea!

 

[Mollymax]

Lovetocookandsew I hope your Grandson is OK. At that age they get such a fright when they fall and to have scrapped his tummy must have hurt. All we can do is cuddle them.
Celle you have described exactly how it is. Tonight I managed to sit a bit better at the dining table as long as I don't sit too long.
Elevating and icing now.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

The scratches on his belly are mostly gone, but the teeny tiny splinters are still there. His mommy is watching and gently removing them at bath time as there's no way he's sitting for that to be done with tweezers, etc. Thanks.