Renmusical
new member
Recovery from RTKR is definitely a journey. I just haven’t had the energy to start my recovery thread until now. Going into surgery I had <90 degrees flexion for quite a few years and apparently that fact has greatly impeded my recovery. Lots of unlearning unconscious compensation behaviors in walking, bending, navigating a stair, etc. it’s like learning how to walk all over again.
I am now a little over 6 weeks post op and am at 73 degrees flexion and 0 degree extension. I have almost constant swelling with activity and have had a lot of emotional ups and downs. Not being able to drive has been a big deal for me and won’t be able to until I can get to 90 degrees and off pain meds.
I had a follow up with my surgeon last week and I am scheduled for a manipulation under anesthesia Wednesday August 7th to hopefully break up scar tissue so I can bend my knee, make more progress and get to the point of being off prescription pain meds and muscle relaxers. At this point I don’t know when I’ll be able to return to work but I am hopeful this procedure will help my particular situation. At the age of 51 I never expected recovery to be such an uphill battle.
The positives are I know time will heal and the pain will lessen. I have the hope I will be able to do more with less pain than prior to surgery. I want to be able to ride a bicycle again. I can’t remember the last time I could. I want my freedom back to be able to drive. Physical Therapy has helped to regain the strength I had lost in my quads and hamstrings and I feel stable when up on my feet.
Through reading everyone’s stories I realize we all go into this surgery at different stages and we all recover differently. I just need to be more patient and know each day I make progress, albeit small, towards my recovery.
I am now a little over 6 weeks post op and am at 73 degrees flexion and 0 degree extension. I have almost constant swelling with activity and have had a lot of emotional ups and downs. Not being able to drive has been a big deal for me and won’t be able to until I can get to 90 degrees and off pain meds.
I had a follow up with my surgeon last week and I am scheduled for a manipulation under anesthesia Wednesday August 7th to hopefully break up scar tissue so I can bend my knee, make more progress and get to the point of being off prescription pain meds and muscle relaxers. At this point I don’t know when I’ll be able to return to work but I am hopeful this procedure will help my particular situation. At the age of 51 I never expected recovery to be such an uphill battle.
The positives are I know time will heal and the pain will lessen. I have the hope I will be able to do more with less pain than prior to surgery. I want to be able to ride a bicycle again. I can’t remember the last time I could. I want my freedom back to be able to drive. Physical Therapy has helped to regain the strength I had lost in my quads and hamstrings and I feel stable when up on my feet.
Through reading everyone’s stories I realize we all go into this surgery at different stages and we all recover differently. I just need to be more patient and know each day I make progress, albeit small, towards my recovery.