TKR Patience really is a virtue….

[Susie-Q]

When you are sleeping your body can concentrate more in its healing.

My mother always said, "Sleep is the best medicine!"

 

[Loulou67]

So today my knee feels hard and swollen…. Keep getting a sharp pain on the outside which is frustrating…. Every movement today is an effort, although once I’m up I can walk fine with one crutch…. Think maybe I overdid the exercises yesterday .
Sofa day today, with little walks around the house now and again…. Icing and elevating….. hoping to have a little nap too…. Physio tomorrow where I’ll find out what my flexion is hopefully it’s improved….. hope everyone’s having a good Sunday

 

[Jaycey]

@Loulou67 Ice is your friend!

 

[Dmcfad2]

@Loulou67 Please let me know how you do with your flexion tomorrow. I see my therapist tomorrow, too and I’m hoping for a little more flexion myself. Have a good day.

 

[Loulou67]

@Dmcfad2 i will do….. hopefully I’ll be posting a happy post, ;)

 

[Jockette]

So today my knee feels hard and swollen

Think maybe I overdid the exercises yesterday .

Cause and effect.

Physio tomorrow where I’ll find out what my flexion is hopefully it’s improved…

Your flexion will improve when the swelling goes down. They are directly related.

Don’t let a ROM number be your only guide to recovery. It is only one aspect.

 

[Loulou67]

@Loulou67 Please let me know how you do with your flexion tomorrow. I see my therapist tomorrow, too and I’m hoping for a little more flexion myself. Have a good day.

So I’ve been to physio this morning… my flexion has gone from 60 to 70 , so improved, the aim is to get to 90-95 by week 6.
My extension is “fabulous “ which is good to hear.
Been given a couple more gentle exercises to do at home , so hopefully when I go back in 2 weeks I’ll have moved forward again.
My physio is great, no pressure to push myself , he just wants me to keep doing the exercises little and often…. “ motion is lotion” is his quote
Hope your visit went well @Dmcfad2

 

[Dmcfad2]

Sounds like you had a good visit! My appointment is at 8 this morning, so I will see how it goes.

 

[Loulou67]

Sounds like you had a good visit! My appointment is at 8 this morning, so I will see how it goes.

Have a good visit, let me know how you go…. I forget we’re possibly on different time zones lol

 

[Dmcfad2]

Well, I only got to 85° today and it REALLY hurt to get there. I know we aren’t supposed to let ourselves hurt when doing PT, but I wanted better flexion so bad. I‘m feeling so frustrated and emotional today.

 

[benne68]

Well, I only got to 85° today and it REALLY hurt to get there. I know we aren’t supposed to let ourselves hurt when doing PT, but I wanted better flexion so bad.

You are less than a month out of surgery and there is still lots of inflammation in that joint. Your bend will not improve until the swelling goes down. And, forcing a bend isn't going to help you get better flexion -- in fact, it will increase that internal swelling -- and set you back.

Please stop pushing yourself into pain.

 

[benne68]

My physio is great, no pressure to push myself , he just wants me to keep doing the exercises little and often

Sounds like you have a great physio who understands the best way to approach this recovery. Gentle, slow and steady is the way to go.

 

[Loulou67]

Well, I only got to 85° today and it REALLY hurt to get there. I know we aren’t supposed to let ourselves hurt when doing PT, but I wanted better flexion so bad. I‘m feeling so frustrated and emotional today.

I totally understand how you feel…. Your flexion is way better than mine, but I had to remind myself today that it’s been less than a month and I’ve improved and I know I’m doing okay besides that darn bend!! I’m doing light housework, I’m managing to shower unaided, thankfully I’ve not needed any help with using the toilet, I’m dressing myself…. Although the left sock has to be put on for me, lol….I’ve cooked dinner the last 2 days…… now I just need to be able to bloody sleep and it’ll be happy days
I think you’re being too hard on yourself….. you’re doing great, we both are….. it’s good that you can come on here and share your feelings…. I’m here for you anytime you want to let off steam x

 

[Dmcfad2]

@Loulou67 it really helps to have this forum to talk about everything that is happening. I appreciate your encouragement. I do get down on myself and don’t think about all the things I can do, only what I can’t. Thanks for reminding me!

 

[mendogal]

My second knee strategy was to stop letting PT measure me, period, and 100% focus on and document small functionality milestones. My mental health totally benefitted. (It also made it easier to quit PT!)

 

[Loulou67]

I’ve had another up and down day today…
Another rubbish nights sleep…. Did a little bit of laundry this morning…. Also a bit of ironing…did some exercises on my leg….. then I had a nap this afternoon .
Cooked tea this evening and now I’m lying on my sofa elevating and icing my knee.
Am contemplating sleeping down here tonight, see if I can get more than 3-4 hours sleep….. Fed up with looking at the same 4 walls day in day out….. but I’m trying to congratulate myself on the little things that I’m finding easier… I’ve not used my leg lifter in days, not used my crutches today and not had any painkillers today either… not needed them.
We’re doing okay

 

[Jockette]

@Loulou67 That is a nice update!

You‘ll notice that I copied the above post from another thread, and put it in your recovery thread, so it can be part of your history, and you’ll be able to look back at your progress.

Am contemplating sleeping down here tonight, see if I can get more than 3-4 hours sleep…

We’ve always said, sleep when you can, where you can!

 

[benne68]

I’m trying to congratulate myself on the little things that I’m finding easier…

Yes! I think this is one of the best ways to get through this long, slow recovery.

What helped me get through the post-op blues during the early months was documenting my "achievements" -- similar to what you've done in your post.

I made myself (about once a week or so) list the things -- even the little ones -- that I was able to do now that I hadn't been able to do the week before. I also had a list of things I was looking forward to being able to do in the future. As items moved from one list to the other, I saw real progress and it helped me stay positive. What's more, now, as I prepare for my second TKR, I'm finding this "progress notes" really helpful.

Why not give it a try?

 

[Loulou67]

Received my lounge doctor elevating pillow late last night….. so nice to be able to elevate properly …..
Been grocery shopping again this morning…. It amazes me how, at almost 4 weeks post op, I still can’t climb the stairs properly…. and how exhausted I feel now after taking a shower this morning and then walking round the supermarket …… I knew the recovery process was long , but I guess, like a lot of people on here, I thought I would be able to bend my leg by now….. it’s my thigh that seems to be hindering me…. It feels hard and stiff still…… but hey…… icing and elevating as much as I can ….

 

[Layla]

Hi Loulou,
Keep reminding yourself that you're only 26 days into a recovery that lasts on average a full year.
You're doing well out grocery shopping! The stairs will come just as your stamina will improve as you grow steadier on your feet. The energy drain is real and seems to ebb and flow.
Our energy supply isn't limitless and 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 normal to feel tired for quite some time and it relates to your body's rate of healing. Make your best effort to get adequate sleep and rest.
Our body does it's best healing while we're sleeping. A great rest of the week to you, Loulou!
@Loulou67