TKR Patience really is a virtue….

[Loulou67]

Had a bit of an emotional melt down today ….. all everyone keeps saying/ messaging me is how are you, are you doing your exercises… nobody seems to get how darn hard it is when your legs not able to be lifted without aid , when you have zero energy, when your thigh feels so tight still.
Today has been the longest day ever…. My partner left for work at 7 and got home at 6 tonight. I’ve just had a shower which was lovely and I have my first physio appt tomorrow…… hopefully I’ll get a good nights sleep and feel more positive in the morning….. I’m so greatful to have this platform to share my experiences with…… hope everyone’s had a good healing day today

 

[Jockette]

all everyone keeps saying/ messaging me is how are you, are you doing your exercises… nobody seems to get how darn hard it is when your legs not able to be lifted without aid , when you have zero energy, when your thigh feels so tight still.
Today has been the longest day ever…

Almost all of us have been at this point. And people said those same things to me until I wanted to scream! “Most people” think doing all the exercises are what gives us the good outcome. While those exercises, done with reasonable common sense, can be helpful, they are not the only way to recover. We have members who don’t do any exercises, and they have great outcomes.

If our friends and relatives have not had a joint replacement, they have no idea about the daily grind of this very slow recovery. And many of those who have had a joint replacement, some time ago, forget how hard it is.

Take things slow and easy, you are only 9 days out of a very major surgery. Your body is still trying to figure out what to do so it can heal, and healing takes time. Short walks around the house and gentle bends are all you need right now.

Here is an article from our Recovery Guidelines:

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it

Post op blues is feeling depressed, weepy, nervy, shaky, fearful of the future, anxious, overwhelmed by what is happening to you, convinced it's never going to get any better and finally, uttering that most intense of all cries "I wish I never had this done!" It arises out of a variety of...

bonesmart.org

When you go to PT tomorrow, remember:

Regaining our ROM does not require forceful bending or painful exercises. That is counterproductive.

Regaining our ROM is more about Time than repetitions of a list of exercises.

Time to recover.
Time for pain and swelling to settle.
Time to heal.

Our range of motion is right there all along just waiting for that to happen so it can show itself.

In the general run of things, it doesn't need to be fought for, worked hard for or worried about. It will happen. Normal activity is the key to success.

 

[Layla]

all everyone keeps saying/ messaging me is how are you, are you doing your exercises… nobody seems to get how darn hard it is when your legs not able to be lifted without aid , when you have zero energy, when your thigh feels so tight still.

Hi Loulou, I am sorry you're feeling so down today.
Are you able to ignore calls from some of these people, just for now, until you're feeling stronger? Otherwise respond that you are doing your exercises to the best of your ability, then immediately change the subject in an effort to stifle some of the negativity coming at you? It is difficult to think of you feeling "less than" due to comments that are likely well intended, just not very comforting in these early days of healing.

Hopefully regular icing and elevation will help ease the swelling which will relieve the tightness. It is very early days for you and the way you are feeling is NORMAL given the circumstances.
Your leg endured major trauma, in a very small area, albeit controlled. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissue is going to cause you discomfort and pain for a while yet. Take your meds for as long as you need to along with icing and elevation in an effort to remain comfortably mobile and able to rest easy.

If this is the first time you've been alone this long since the surgery, the loneliness and quiet likely set the tone for the day. The day is long when we aren't able to do much early on and the energy drain is real. You are in good company experiencing this. Our body's energy supply isn't limitless. So when we're in healing mode after major surgery our energy will be used for healing first, not leaving a great reserve for all the other activity of daily life. It is completely normal to feel tired for quite some time. How long....most likely relates to your body's rate of healing. Making our best effort to get adequate sleep and rest is beneficial. Our body does the best healing while we're sleeping. So try snoozing as much as you're able in these early days, especially if you're home alone and bored.

Chin up, it will get better. I know it may not feel like it now, but even a week from now may feel like an improvement. Take it slow in Physio tomorrow and if anything hurts...STOP. Best Wishes!

 

[sistersinhim]

We have members who don’t do any exercises, and they have great outcomes.

Yes, I am one of those that did no exercises. Even after 12 various knee surgeries because of birth defects, I never did any formal PT or exercises. I just used my knees in my daily life, taking care of the things I needed to do. That was natural PT and I recovered just fine!

 

[mendogal]

Given that your "exercises" at this time are quite honestly walking a little, getting on and off the toilet, and getting yourself food and fluids while alone.... you are justified in simply saying "yep!" (or a UK equivalent).
Hang in there.... it's a long process but it does get easier over time.

 

[Loulou67]

Just had my first physio appt…. Such a lovely therapist….. didn’t make me do anything that hurt . My bend has gone backwards from 80 to 60 but I have really good extension and he said most patients lose flexion when the bruising comes out.
( think I got that the right way round ).
I go back in 2 weeks and hopefully my flex will have increased, staples come out on Weds so hopefully that will help too.
Been very teary again today, which is so unusual for me, but I think I’m just a bit overwhelmed with everything right now . Hopefully feel better tomorrow .

 

[Layla]

Been very teary again today, which is so unusual for me, but I think I’m just a bit overwhelmed with everything right now . Hopefully feel better tomorrow .

Aww, I'm sorry. I know this isn't much comfort when you're feeling down, but you're not alone. It is overwhelming to suddenly feel incapacitated, vulnerable and dependent upon others. Add some pain to the mix and it's the perfect storm for feeling melancholy. However, its only temporary, so please remind yourself of that often. In early recovery I recall the blues washing over me, sometimes for no apparent reason and then I could be laughing about something silly minutes later. It is the craziest!

You're blessed with a nice physical therapist it seems. Not too pushy and encouraging.
I hope your mood lightens as the day moves forward. Sending a hug along with best wishes for your healing journey!

 

[Loulou67]

Staples are coming out tomorrow …. Let’s see if I can get better movement in my knee once they’re out….
Had a good day today, managed to do a few leg slides every couple of hours , also got in and out of the shower on my own !!
Still not much of an appetite but snacking on cheese and protein across the day…. Hope everyone’s had a good day today… Happy Halloween

 

[CatieViv]

Still not much of an appetite

You will find that improves with time. I think it was 2 weeks before I felt like eating much. Friends brought me so much food and I couldn't eat much. After 2 and a half weeks, my appetite was much better.

Getting in and out of the shower on my own was a great thing! I still need someone to put my bench back in for me though as I share a bathroom with my housemo.

 

[Loulou67]

So staples have been removed and hopefully motion will be easier now…..
knees still very swollen and my ankles swollen up from being on my feet a lot this morning… icing and elevating now….. see what tomorrow brings…..

 

[KPup]

So staples have been removed and hopefully motion will be easier now…..
knees still very swollen and my ankles swollen up from being on my feet a lot this morning… icing and elevating now….. see what tomorrow brings…..

@Loulou67 congrats on this milestone! Your scar looks great! Wishing you continued healing.

 

[Loulou67]

Will I wake up one morning and just magically find that I can lift my own leg again ???
That feeling every morning when I need to get up to take a trip to the bathroom and find that once again my left leg is just a dead weight , is really getting to me
I’m aware that I’m less than 2 weeks into a long recovery but I just need a glimmer of hope……….

 

[sistersinhim]

Will I wake up one morning and just magically find that I can lift my own leg again ???

Yes, that is pretty much how it happens. In the meantime, you can use your old leg to lift and let down your new leg. At the same time, think about the new leg doing the lifting. All of a sudden it will!

 

[Loulou67]

So….. I’m now 2 weeks post op….. I can walk with crutches, around the house ,with one or without for short periods…. I can shower, dress, do light housework.
I’m icing and elevating regularly throughout the day.
My appetite is getting better , but still not as it was.
My staples are out and my wound looks like it’s healing okay.
I’m trying so hard to get a bend out of my knee but it’s just not coming… I still have to use my leg lifter and it’s really starting to get me down…. I feel like I’m never going to be able to get my bend back.
I have my next physio a week on Monday and I’m dreading going there with no improvement…..
I even got my partner to buy a cheap skateboard yesterday to try and get the movement…. I just feel so low

 

[Dmcfad2]

So….. I’m now 2 weeks post op….. I can walk with crutches, around the house ,with one or without for short periods…. I can shower, dress, do light housework.
I’m icing and elevating regularly throughout the day.
My appetite is getting better , but still not as it was.
My staples are out and my wound looks like it’s healing okay.
I’m trying so hard to get a bend out of my knee but it’s just not coming… I still have to use my leg lifter and it’s really starting to get me down…. I feel like I’m never going to be able to get my bend back.
I have my next physio a week on Monday and I’m dreading going there with no improvement…..
I even got my partner to buy a cheap skateboard yesterday to try and get the movement…. I just feel so low

I had my surgery one day before you. You are right where I am. It is early, early days. I also have very little bend. It just feels so tight and stiff. I don’t think I’ve made any progress in that area at all. I also am using my leg lifter or my good leg to lift the surgical leg. We will get our bend back! I believe it will come and I’m not worried about it.

 

[Loulou67]

Thank you for posting that….. it’s made me feel a little less concerned x Hopefully I’ll wake up one day and the leg will be light again.. lol x

 

[benne68]

I’m trying so hard to get a bend out of my knee but it’s just not coming…

Please don't force it! The reason it won't bend is that you are barely two weeks out and you still have massive internal swelling at this point. Your knee cannot bend as long as it is swollen inside -- and if you force it, you will likely make the inflammation worse. Please go back and re-read this article: Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?

Just keep icing and elevating to reduce the inflammation. As that internal swelling comes down, your knee will naturally bend more with gentle movements. No forcing or pushing is required.

 

[Nivea]

So….. I’m now 2 weeks post op….. I can walk with crutches, around the house ,with one or without for short periods…. I can shower, dress, do light housework.
I’m icing and elevating regularly throughout the day.
My appetite is getting better , but still not as it was.
My staples are out and my wound looks like it’s healing okay.
I’m trying so hard to get a bend out of my knee but it’s just not coming… I still have to use my leg lifter and it’s really starting to get me down…. I feel like I’m never going to be able to get my bend back.
I have my next physio a week on Monday and I’m dreading going there with no improvement…..
I even got my partner to buy a cheap skateboard yesterday to try and get the movement…. I just feel so low

I had my surgery one day before you. You are right where I am. It is early, early days. I also have very little bend. It just feels so tight and stiff. I don’t think I’ve made any progress in that area at all. I also am using my leg lifter or my good leg to lift the surgical leg. We will get our bend back! I believe it will come and I’m not worried about it.

I am a few days behind you and feel the same way. However, I had to go out and getting into the car Monday and again today, today is was a tad easier getting that right leg into the car (passenger) today. So, it must have made a bit of an improvement. Early days. I had my left knee replaced in July 2023, so it’s fresh in my mind and know it will start getting even better, sooner rather than later. It may not seem like it now, but it will.

 

[CatieViv]

My physiotherapist said today you have good days and bad days. Today my knee was very stiff. 5 weeks. But I can see big changes from 2 weeks. Be gentle on yourself. Rest as much as you can. You will get there. Getting in and out of the passenger side of a car is getting easier.

As far as appetite, that will improve. In a couple of weeks, you will look back and be able to see your progress. And yes, you will be able to lift that leg without the strap!

 

[Loulou67]

So I’m now just over 2 weeks post op…..
Still really struggling with flexion, bought a skateboard to help me gently rock my leg and get a little bit of a bend.
Trying really hard to do my exercises every day.
Yesterday I went for a little 20 min walk around the block, where I live, on my crutches…. was lovely to get out in the fresh air !
Been doing little bits of housework to keep me occupied, just washing up, dusting, etc…. This morning I’ve washed all my little bits of crystal , and ironed 2 shirts which has actually exhausted me!! I’m getting a bit of pain/ discomfort in the outer part of my knee and my knee cap area feels jumpy today, so I’m hoping this is good news and it’s just my nerves waking up.
Legs still swollen and stiff but my partner always straps my ice pack around my knee at bedtime and last night he said the strap was easier to fasten so the swelling must be going down, which is good.
My sleep is terrible, I seem to wake every hour and go to the loo at least 3 times in the night.
Still on pain medication but have stopped taking liquid morphine during the night as it gives me a really bad headache…..
After reading and re reading everyone’s posts on here I think I’m on the right track…. Patience is needed in abundance and I need to start eating better, as my appetite starts to return.
Hope everyone is doing okay….. Happy Monday, here’s to a fresh week x