Bilateral TKR Still hurtin’

[Hurtin’]

I had double knee replacements Jan. 15, 2020. Here I am 2 months and a half out.
My left knee seems to feel not as sturdy walking,with movement side to side and kinda wants to go out on me. I still do not sleep worth a hoot. Sharon W.

 

[sistersinhim]

No two knees recover the same way even on the same person. It could be that your left knee had to have more work done to it and that's why it's a little slower than the right. It's nothing to worry about. Your knees are still babies and only less than 1/4 of the way through their year of healing.

The following are our basic guidelines and should help get you started. As you read more on other members recovery threads, you’ll get a better perspective of what to expect and what not to do, especially regarding PT.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now; they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. Here is a week-by-week guide for Activity progression for TKRs


The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

to BoneSmart.

My left knee seems to feel not as sturdy walking,with movement side to side and kinda wants to go out on me

Don't worry about it. Really. The surgeon removed bone spurs whilst fitting the knee, and shoved your soft tissue about in the process. They now have to adapt to your new knee. They will do this over weeks and months, for sure. Just, for now, take care. Maybe use a walking stick?

 

[Sara61]

Two and a half months are still very earlier days and having a bilateral is twice as hard in this rollercoaster of a recovery, however you have come to the right place there is always someone online somewhere around the world on BoneSmart ready to help you get through the good,bad and the ugly, with time & plenty of rest, gentle daily exercises and ice and elevation you will begin to see positive changes.
Sleep too will improve meanwhile try to take naps throughout the day and at night either, read, watch movies, play games or come to the Bonesmarties world where we have some fun forum discussions a wonderful library and always someone to chat too.
Stay safe xx