TKR So happy Surgery is behind me!

[Bridgy]

 

[Bridgy]

I did find the above research article with findings to support the idea that PT is not strictly necessary. I wasn’t able to get the full-text but copied the abstract.

 

[sistersinhim]

I did fine without formal PT!

 

[kneeper]

I found it useful to have PT, but then I had a reasonable PT who took a more individual approach.

 

[Bridgy]

I dreaded going to PT (my second one since surgery). I had a very bad night and felt sure it would be too much. Instead I could see she held back the lecture. My flexion is a measly 15 and should be 90 in a week I guess? She showed me some different ways to get my knee/quad activated and did not touch me to force it. I can see it’s partly my brain that is “not allowing” the movement. She kept checking in on my pain level and I realized it was more fear and an odd feeling rather than actual pain. I feel better now and hope to continue progressing. But so far this has been a roller coaster of feeling like I can do it and then pain and despair. So we’ll see but I do feel hope (at least at this moment)
Thanks for your input and replies. Very much appreciated!

 

[benne68]

My flexion ... should be 90 in a week I guess?

Not true. Please don't let anyone to tell you that your flexion should be 90 by a certain date. This is very old school thinking that has been debunked by multiple studies.

You are not even two weeks into a year long recovery. Right now, your flexion is being blocked by swelling and inflammation -- and, no amount of pushing and shoving will increase it. Your knee needs rest, ice, and elevation to help get the swelling and inflammation to calm down and allow your knee to reveal the flexion that is there.

We all progress at different rates depending upon what our knee could do before surgery, how much carpentry work the surgeon had to do in there, and how we recover from the trauma. We have members who didn't reach 90 degrees flexion for several months post-op and who ultimately had a great recovery.

So, please don't worry about the numbers. Focus on letting your body heal. The rest will come when it is time.

 

[Bridgy]

Thanks for the encouraging news! My feeling is my body/brain is not ready. That said, I’m gently trying to flex as I walk and sit. Getting a little going on which I’m sure will get better with time.

 

[Zanza]

My flexion is a measly 15 and should be 90 in a week I guess?

@Bridgy

That is roughly equivalent to saying, "My rosebush just budded so it should be covered with roses in a week." Please listen to benne68's wonderful advice. You can no more force your knee to recover quicker than it wants to than you could go out to your rosebush and peel open the buds and get flowers. Let your knee bloom in its own time.

 

[Bridgy]

Thank you! Will go easy on it! I like the roses picture

 

[Bridgy]

Yes, sometimes I think in terms of being in week 2 of 52 but that really does feel like forever.

 

[sistersinhim]

It does seem like forever, but in the long run, it will be worth it.

 

[Jockette]

All the best for you post-op rehab and recovery, although it may seem like this is the end of the road, there's still a bit to go so I wish you all the best

@avariciou5 Welcome to BoneSmart!
Why don't you start your own thread and tell us a bit about your situation. Our members are here to support you. Here's a link to Starting a new thread and posting .

 

[Bridgy]

I thought I started a thread in the knee postop forum titled “so happy surgery is behind me”?
Should I begin another one? I’m new to this.
Thanks

 

[Jockette]

@Bridgy You did start that thread, and this is it, and you’re posting fine.

 

[Bridgy]

Others will probably know more but I think thigh pain is the result of the tourniquet used during surgery. I’m not sure about anything but time and ice and pain pills to alleviate it.

 

[Nanmo1228]

Looks like we are surgery date twins. I had LTKR on September 13 as well. I thought I was prepared. I watched every video on YouTube. What I wasn’t prepared for was feeling like I had the worse case of the flu ever. Feelin better now, but still slow going. It sounds like you are doing great. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

 

[Samsrf]

Thanks for the encouraging news! My feeling is my body/brain is not ready. That said, I’m gently trying to flex as I walk and sit. Getting a little going on which I’m sure will get better with time.

My limitations were in the brain as well. I was always guarding my leg because of knee injury 25 years past that led to this TKR. I tripped on a rock with surgical leg the other day and reflexively said “OUCH” and then stopped myself and started laughing … It didn’t hurt. I have great balance and caught myself so no risk of fall. And I am gaining strength at 6month post op. Best thing I ever did was stop formal PT and start doing what I love. - walking biking gardening & finally (at 5 months) surfing. My ROM is “stuck” at 120 when I went to my 6month appt Monday … but I haven’t been able to bend past 120 in 8 years prior to surgery… so I know it will come with time. It take TiME to retrain our brain- it has been protecting us and our knees for all this time. It will come. Just be patient.

 

[Bridgy]

Thanks for the encouragement! I just finally today decided I need to let go of the yoga strap I’ve been using to move my surgical leg up and down to bed, couch etc. It turns out I can swing my leg all the way up on the high bed with no help. It was just too scary before.

 

[Bridgy]

Looks like we are surgery date twins. I had LTKR on September 13 as well. I thought I was prepared. I watched every video on YouTube. What I wasn’t prepared for was feeling like I had the worse case of the flu ever. Feelin better now, but still slow going. It sounds like you are doing great. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Hi @Nanmo1228 we are almost twins. Mine was Monday, September 12. I am finally feeling a little more normal at almost 2 weeks. I definitely do not have the bend although I work on it every day. I wish you the best in your recovery! Willing to “chat message” anytime if you want to commiserate!

 

[Nanmo1228]

Glad you are doing well! Feeling a little better myself, although still get tired very easily. Feel free to message anytime. Have a great day!