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TKR TKR and patella replacement

I have begun to try increase my walking each day. I’m not being stupid and overdoing it but gradually adding steps.
I’m finding I’m getting a lot of low back pain pretty early on in my walking which I’m wondering if it is normal due to lack of condition or what?
The PT is ringing me next week and although I will tell him, I am wary about what he might advise. I am trying to adhere to the bonesmart way which for me is hard and sometimes counterintuitive. I am icing and resting and whilst lowering my pain meds over 24 hours I’m still trying to be kind to myself.
The exhaustion is overwhelming really. I’m sleeping well at night and still seem to spend a lot of time in bed or sitting with leg elevated. Trying not to think about normality but it is hard.
 
@Cococat Sounds pretty normal for just over 6 weeks out. Something to think about - have you bought new shoes since your TKR? Wearing old shoes with a pre-op wearing pattern can cause all kinds of aches and pains post op. Try replacing just your regular walking shoes.

Exhaustion is also normal - see the article posted earlier on this thread about Energy Drain. This will ease with time.
 
I wondered about that. I have bought new boots which didn’t make a difference. Maybe I need to replace my trainers.
 
Yes, I would replace your trainers. Many of our members (me included) saw marked improvement in lower back issues when shoes were replaced.

Let us know how you get on!
 
I had my Right TKR with patella done on the 23rd of November 2020 in Guildford, U.K. NHS.
I have found the forum very helpful over the past 7 weeks. Recovery from this op is nothing like any other surgeries I have had and it is worse than ORIF following and open tib and fib fracture to the same leg in 2012.
if you are new to this site I would encourage you to post because the follow up replies are very helpful.
I find I go through very positive hopeful days and then bewilderment at what I consider lack of progress or simply not knowing what I should be doing.
I think the one thing which would help me is to know if I am using the different rooms correctly - eg when I post I write in the reply box. Is that correct?
 
@Cococat
Thank you for your encouraging post, much appreciated.
You will notice I have moved your post in the November Nimbles to your recovery thread.
Cococat said:
I think the one thing which would help me is to know if I am using the different rooms correctly
Click to expand...
The Team Threads (November Nimbles) is where you can find other members who have had surgery around the same time as you. We prefer members post their updates in their own thread, otherwise you will lose your history when you go back to look at your progress. It also helps us to advise you if we have your history in one place and do not have go looking for it before responding.
This is your thread, just scoot down to the bottom of the page and post in the reply box for updates.
Other members threads is where you can post supportive and encouraging posts to them.
Articles in the How To Use This Forum section, and How can I find my threads and posts?
You can also bookmark your thread in your browser to find your thread when you log on BoneSmart.

Thanks again for your encouraging post,
Pumpkln
 
I will be 8 weeks post op on Monday and I think I’ve turned some corners. I am not needing any medication during the day and whilst I’m taking it easy I am doing more.
However, by the early evening I am usually exhausted and need to go to bed. Once I lie down my right leg begins to ache like crazy. It reminds me of when I fractured the leg as the pain is that bad. I take paracetamol,codeine and Naproxin but I also need oromorph to become free enough to sleep.
if this is normal then I just need to be patient but I thought I would check it out.
 
Today I have succumbed to tears. I think I am depressed. Recovery is slow but it is happening and I can see progress. I think I am worn down by the aching and the exhaustion.
I am sleeping ok although I do take all my pain meds at night including oromorph. I am done - whatever that means. I don’t like the word despair but I think that is what I feel
 
Coconut,
Sorry to hear you are feeling so poorly.
When I had a bout with depression during revision recovery, my primary doctor prescribed a short term antidepressant, it made a difference.
Suggest you call you primary doctor and tell them how you are feeling, maybe they can give you something short term to help.
 
@Cococat so sorry to hear of your struggles. Just wanted to reach out and say hang in there - from everything you read here, it will get better, although I don’t suppose that helps much atm. When I’m having a hard time with my thoughts and feelings I keep repeating to myself, “this too shall pass”

Best wishes, you’re not alone.
 
This recovery is tough and does take a toll on us, physically, mentally and emotionally. It affected me quite a bit in all 3 areas. It really does get better, though. :console2:
 
Have you tried taking paracetemol earlier in the day rather than waiting until the pain gets bad at night? I took that (acetaminophen here in the US) several times a day at 8 weeks-12 weeks.
 
Yes, thx. I am trying not to chase pain but am aware that I need to be cautious with opiates now. I take naproxyn 500mgms twice a day, paracetamol 2 tabs four times a day and try to restrict codeine to 30mgms during the day if necessary and 60 mgms before sleeping at night. The relentless dull ache worsens late afternoon and evening meaning I resort to oromorph to get relief at night.
I am reassured it is a phase of recovery but it is tough. The acute sharp pain of early recovery is gone, I have a good range of movement and I am resuming my normal life.
someone asked if I had got to the stage where I feel the TKR was worth it - no, not yet Although the pain levels are now at pre op levels.
 
That increase in pain in the evening and night is an indication that you are doing too much in the daytime. Try to slow down on your activities if you can and see if the pain lessens at night.
 
Ok, sounds like it is related to too much activity during the day. I wasn't icing at your stage but I was definitely still elevating a lot.
 
Cococat said:
Yes, thx. I am trying not to chase pain but am aware that I need to be cautious with opiates now. I take naproxyn 500mgms twice a day, paracetamol 2 tabs four times a day and try to restrict codeine to 30mgms during the day if necessary and 60 mgms before sleeping at night. The relentless dull ache worsens late afternoon and evening meaning I resort to oromorph to get relief at night.
I am reassured it is a phase of recovery but it is tough. The acute sharp pain of early recovery is gone, I have a good range of movement and I am resuming my normal life.
someone asked if I had got to the stage where I feel the TKR was worth it - no, not yet Although the pain levels are now at pre op levels.
Click to expand...
Can I say that it was worth it to have both TKRs? I try to rationalize that, even though I still have knee pain standing and sitting, it's not constant pain as before and I can mostly walk with no pain. I absolutely wish I never had to have them done but I did and trying to "keep on truckin'"!!:egypdance:
 
I thought I would update my post to something more positive. I am about 10 weeks post op now - 3 months on the 23rd of Feb 2021.
it has been a really difficult, painful post op recovery and I am grateful for this site. My nature is To push myself to the max and the gentle approach of Bonesmart has helped me a lot. I have been my own worst enemy!
this week I feel I’ve turned a corner. There are times when I actually forget the TKR leg and during the day I have little or no pain thus needing no medication. I do take the big meds at night because it seems every nerve makes itself known in the evening but I recognise that as healing.
it is steps forward and steps back but I finally feel as if I am winning a bit.
im still not at the place of being glad I had it done - it is brutal but I’m getting through it.
I think my ROM is good, I am walking over a mile in 24 hours and able to stay up more hours.
hang on in there guys, it does get better.
 
Glad to hear things are getting better, even if it's slower than you would like @Cococat. This can be a tough recovery but it DOES get better. I think you will be happy you had this done soon, for me 3 months into recovery thing seemed to really turn a corner. Hang in there! Brighter days ahead!
 
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