Become an Insider

TKR Patience really is a virtue….

Tomorrow I will be 4 weeks post op……
Last night I finally managed a decent nights sleep…..
This morning my bend definitely feels easier….. it’s easier to walk, my exercises aren’t as hard to do …… could I have finally turned a corner???? Time will tell, but today I’m steadily doing my exercises, icing and elevating and enjoying the feeling that I’m on the mend…… tomorrow may well be a different story, but today is a good day :)
 
Loulou67 said:
tomorrow may well be a different story, but today is a good day
Click to expand...
Your expectations are realistic.
Enjoy the good days and with the passage of time, the good days slowly outweigh the not so good ones.
You're on your way! :happydance:
[Bonesmart.org] Patience really is a virtue….
 
So yesterday I had my walk and today I’m paying for it!!!
My legs a little swollen and feels stiff but I’m making sure I keep moving , already been for a short walk outside using only one crutch.
Will elevate and ice across the day.
My partner is off work this week so he’s doing the cooking and I’m doing the washing up :)
I’m feeling a lot more positive heading into this week. I had another decent nights sleep last night, despite waking up at least 4 times, I still managed to get back off to sleep. Slept on my side for a little while again last night and I’m only taking paracetamol to help with pain.
The only niggle I have at the min is the numb feeling on the outside of my knee…but my consultant did warn me that I’d have it… all in all 4 weeks out I’m feeling okay….. I hope everyone has a great week with loads of progress :)
 
Hi and Happy Monday, Loulou!
Good you're feeling more optimistic going into this week. Today marks one month, to date, since your TKR.
Happy One Month Anniversary! Best wishes this week turns out to be all you're hoping for. :)
@Loulou67
 
Coming up to 5 weeks post op and today we went out for lunch for the first time since my op!
I woke up with a really sore thigh this morning so I elevated my leg and rolled a can of hairspray up from my knee to the top of my thigh for about 5 min and this seemed to help massage the muscles.
My knee is still very stiff and my shin is very sore, however my incision seems to be healing well!
We had a 40 min drive to our lunch venue, which was okay…. I managed to get in and out of the car unaided so I must have a little more bend in my knee now :)
Had a lovely lunch, managed to sit throughout with my operated leg straight out under the table.
We then did a little bit of shopping and popped into the pub for a drink before the drive home. I walked 3500 steps today, which is probably the most I’ve walked.
Since getting home the knee and shin are both sore so icing and elevating.
It was nice to be semi normal today, albeit I was walking with 2 crutches and had to leave my partner to pay for the shopping because the shop was so warm that I had to get out in the fresh air!!
I’m finding the ache/ feeling in my knee and shin very frustrating and I wonder some days if it will ever stop feeling like this and if I will ever be able to walk up and down stairs without walking one step at a time.
I’m also longing for a nice hot bubble bath but am nervous to try that just yet.
I’m sleeping better and I’m only taking paracetamol for pain relief on waking and before bed…… I think I’m just being impatient, and I need to remember that 5 weeks is still relatively early in this recovery.
I’m reading everyone’s posts on here and it’s really hard not to compare your progress with others, but I’m trying to just focus on my progress and achieving my little goals :)
 
It's so good to be able see those milestones. It's a slow process. I sometimes wonder the same things. The ache in the back of my knee is improving but I always seem to find new ones!
 
Wow @Loulou67 -- that's quite an update! You did a lot for someone just five weeks post-op! Glad to read that you iced and elevated when you got home.

It does feel wonderful to be able to do normal things again, doesn't it?
 
What a great post. You are coming along nicely. I still have the aching, throbbing pain every afternoon in my knee, like clockwork. Occasionally, I will get it in the middle of the night. I don’t have any shin pain, though. I decided to take an oxy yesterday afternoon when the aching started because it is so relentless and uncomfortable and what a difference! I quit taking them about 10 days ago and have noticed increased pain since. I think I may have stopped them too quickly. I don’t need them on a regular schedule anymore, but maybe I will take one for a while longer in the late afternoon when I’m having pain like that.
 
Loulou67 said:
Coming up to 5 weeks post op and today we went out for lunch for the first time since my op!
I woke up with a really sore thigh this morning so I elevated my leg and rolled a can of hairspray up from my knee to the top of my thigh for about 5 min and this seemed to help massage the muscles.
My knee is still very stiff and my shin is very sore, however my incision seems to be healing well!
We had a 40 min drive to our lunch venue, which was okay…. I managed to get in and out of the car unaided so I must have a little more bend in my knee now :)
Had a lovely lunch, managed to sit throughout with my operated leg straight out under the table.
We then did a little bit of shopping and popped into the pub for a drink before the drive home. I walked 3500 steps today, which is probably the most I’ve walked.
Since getting home the knee and shin are both sore so icing and elevating.
It was nice to be semi normal today, albeit I was walking with 2 crutches and had to leave my partner to pay for the shopping because the shop was so warm that I had to get out in the fresh air!!
I’m finding the ache/ feeling in my knee and shin very frustrating and I wonder some days if it will ever stop feeling like this and if I will ever be able to walk up and down stairs without walking one step at a time.
I’m also longing for a nice hot bubble bath but am nervous to try that just yet.
I’m sleeping better and I’m only taking paracetamol for pain relief on waking and before bed…… I think I’m just being impatient, and I need to remember that 5 weeks is still relatively early in this recovery.
I’m reading everyone’s posts on here and it’s really hard not to compare your progress with others, but I’m trying to just focus on my progress and achieving my little goals :)
Click to expand...
A wonderful update. Yes, maybe a touch of overdoing, but every now and then it's worth testing things to have that lovely "rejoining life" experience, being willing to take it easier the next day.
 
benne68 said:
How are you feeling today, @Loulou67, after your busy day yesterday?
Click to expand...
Well yesterday I went for another walk…. ( it’s now 10.15am Friday morning)
Managed to walk a mile.
My left leg was sore behind the knee last night but I’m up okay this morning, and have showered okay.
I think I’ll take it easy today, 2 walks in 2 days is probably enough for me.
My partner and myself are supposed to be going out with friends tonight for a few drinks…. I’m a little nervous so probably won’t stay long but looking forward to socialising :)
My knees pretty achy this morning and my scars itchy but other than that I’m well….. hope alls good with you :(
 
Sooooo……. Despite saying I was going to take it easy today , the sun came out so it felt right to get out in the fresh air again. Walked just over 2 miles…. One crutch only and managed 10 mins walking with no crutches….. feeling pretty pleased with myself , however, the elusive 90 degree bend still doesn’t seem to be coming!!!
I’ve elevated, iced and had a nap since getting home.
We’ve now been invited to our friends for pizza at their home before heading out for a drink later….. my partner accepted the invite and now I have a terrible nervous tummy.
I’m sure I’ll be fine once I’m there but I have all these worries, will I be okay sitting at their table , will the chair be high enough for me to be comfortable, will I need to visit their WC, Will I struggle if it’s too low, will the pub be busy later and therefore will I feel uncomfortable……. I’m sure all will be well and I’m only a quarter of a mile away from home so I can easily leave early….. it’s good to be able to share my concerns on here because I don’t want to always be moaning to my OH….. he deserves a night out ….anyhoo…… I’ll let you know how my baby 5 week old knee fares later…. Thanks for taking the time to read my woes… :)
 
At 5 weeks post op I took a low stool to elevate my leg, when I went somewhere where I was going to be sitting. While it wasn’t the height of my ottoman at home, it was better than feet on the floor, which was very painful at that point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Staff online

Members online

Total: 2,486 (members: 4, guests: 2,482)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom