Knee replacement recovery

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After my first TKR in 2012 I could not see a kitchen cupboard as the physio jad covered each with diagrams and instructions for exercises. I did some but not a lot because I was in a lot of pain but after 6 weeks I could cope.

I had also said never again but in 2018 I had the other replaced and like Aveline did not exercise and my knee, although agony was fine.

Sleeping was a problem so I took a pillow to bed and eg if I slept on my left, rolled over and my operated knee was on the pillow. One is told not to do this but I was beyond caring and wanted a night's sleep which I got, my way. Jonnie you may want to lie on your back with the pillow lengthwise under your leg. Again, it helped me so everybody could take a run and a jump.

Old thread Charleygirl from 2021

Jaxjacky

Old thread Charleygirl from 2021

That's ok, I'm finding it helpful that this thread was bumped.

I hope everyone has fully recovered; at the moment I'm at the "I wish I'd never had this done" stage, six days post-op.

I hate to say it but I felt like that for the first 6 weeks but once the pain subsided I never looked back.

Charleygirl5

I hate to say it but I felt like that for the first 6 weeks but once the pain subsided I never looked back.

Thanks Charleygirl
I keep having that song going through my head "Things can only get better" 🙂

The Aircast Cryo/Cuff Gravity Cooler helped my DH enormously. I just had to fill the cooler with ice a few times a day for him and hook it up to his knee strap. It cost a lot but what a relief !

They gave me a cooler cuff when I left hospital; it got filled with ice and water while we were in there but just goes in the fridge (not freezer) at home. It's ok but was better filled with the ice.

I wished I had one of those Macadia but managed with ice packs etc.
It was a great day when I could finally clear away the extra pillows and general accumulated paraphernalia when my knee was better. That day will come Callistemon

Thank you Aveline and everyone

🙂 Keep smiling through

I’ve been told by a very trusted medical professional, that knee replacements are never as successful as hip replacements. So, I’m sticking with my painful but manageable knees, with a bit of help from painkillers .

Oh thanks.

CrazyH I can only assume that your 'trusted medical practitioner' is very old. My new knees have given me a new lease of life. Recovery is not as quick as for hips but it's so much better than the grinding pain you're experiencing and which can only get worse.

Oh you lucky people! You actually have got as far as having a replacement. In this part of the world it is taking years to get to that point. Eight years ago I had my left knee replaced and was told to have the other one done within a couple of years. We changed doctors to one close by who up until now has refused to refer me. I have to go through another hoop next month with a skelito- something-or-other organisation for them to tell me if I can be referred. Talk about delaying tactics.

Gin how mean and nasty. It would be very different if he experienced what you have.

Unfortunately, we cannot have the surgery done privately.

crazyH I am assuming you do not have grade 4 which is bone grinding on bone and not pleasant. Also in my case, the tibia was bending as my surgery for various reasons had been left too long so I ended up with a Tibial Osteotomy as well as a new knee.

The information you have been given is misguided.

Aveline and I since our knee replacements have had new leases of life. I can walk around a supermarket, pain-free without looking for a chair.

Gin

Oh you lucky people! You actually have got as far as having a replacement. In this part of the world it is taking years to get to that point. Eight years ago I had my left knee replaced and was told to have the other one done within a couple of years. We changed doctors to one close by who up until now has refused to refer me. I have to go through another hoop next month with a skelito- something-or-other organisation for them to tell me if I can be referred. Talk about delaying tactics.

I've been waiting years, Gin.

GramaJ

I had a total right knee replacement last Wednesday and came home Friday. I’m in a lot of pain despite meds to help relief it. My daughter, who is an OT, is staying with me for a week, which is such a great help, despite her continual nagging to do my exercises and keep moving. All very necessary, I know, to gain full mobility, but all I want to do is lie down, with strong pain killers and sleep!!!!

Has anyone been through this surgery and can offer any words of advice and encouragement please.

I've had both knees replaced, as has my husband. For both of us the first week at home was brutal. Started physio 4 days out and all was fine within a few weeks. I did do all my exercises, ice often, and pray!

I'm always saying it here but I did not do the exercises and my knees are just fine. I'm concerned at CrazyH and her decision not to go for TKR. Those of us who have had the operation can look forward to getting better and being painlessly mobile again. If she doesn't have the op things can only get worse.
Ice, elevate and walk GramaJ. Take time to recover from this major trauma and remember - just as you can't bend a hose full of water you can't bend a swollen knee.

GramaJ your daughter means well but I agree with every word Aveline says. Control the pain first and move- you can do exercises later.

How are all the 'Kneesies' today? Feeling better I hope?

Charleygirl5

GramaJ your daughter means well but I agree with every word Aveline says. Control the pain first and move- you can do exercises later.

Oh good! Thank you Charleygirl and Aveline.
If anyone tells me to work through the pain again I might explode!

It is a major trauma, isn't it and the body needs time to recover from the shock too.

I find these comments interesting - and scary! I have a 'crunchy' knee and I'm seeing a physio tomorrow [the same one who deals with my back]. I've had xrays at our local hospital and nothing was found. It's walking that lets me down but reading people's experiences about their knees I feel I'm not so badly off after all and I think you're all very brave. The exercises I've been given don't hurt - just an occasional twinge so I guess I'm pretty lucky really.

Sorry, don't let me put you off Athrawes

Everyone's experiences are different and I have been assured that the first two weeks after surgery are the worst. After that onwards and forwards!

Exercises to help build up the muscles supporting the knee do help. However, once the cartilage has gone it's gone and it's new knee time. Good luck with these exercises, long may they defer the op.