Hello madmother. Three years on from a TKR I’m more than pleased I had it done. Mobility was regained quickly, the grinding pain disappeared and my very bent leg straightened.
The NHS offered no ongoing physio, just the enforced physio while in hospital which was frankly far too robust. It aggravated spinal issues unhelpfully. Private physio began three weeks post op. She knows my body well, I went once a week for a month. It really helped with both confidence and getting the knee totally straight. Bending was no problem, straightening not quite where it should be. A delighted surgeon saw me walking towards him at six weeks post op without a stick. I had stopped using sticks indoors after three weeks.
Having checked with the surgeon I can and do kneel if necessary. I kneel on a pad to garden and a cushion to do things like painting skirting boards. The surgeon confirmed it did no harm physically, it’s simply kneeling on the scar can be painful. It is with no padding. I can and do ignore minimal soreness when using padding and get on with what I want to do. Didn’t try it until a year post op. Working to strengthen leg muscles has helped with getting up and down. No different to pre surgery really.
I was fortunate I think. I found post was more discomfort than pain and totally bearable, the strong pain meds offered weren’t needed. It is sensible to report pain levels honestly, much better to keep it controlled. We’re all different and it’s not a competition.
It’s worth focusing on strengthening thigh muscles before surgery and being as fit as you can. My surgeon advised making sure the skin was in good condition to help him close the wound and as an aid to healing.
The first couple of weeks post op were frustrating, my head was keen to do more than my body could and I hated the pressure stockings. The reality was lots of rest, ice and elevation combined with sleeping at every opportunity. The beginning of week three had me wishing I’d never had it done, then a miracle. Everything fell into place and the tunnel appeared full of light. I moved much easier, was happy to take short walks outside and generally rejoin the world.
Yes, TKR is different to THR, more complex for the surgeon and different needs post op. Please don’t worry about the process. Surgeons are very skilled and well used to performing a TKR. Please tell them if you have concerns about bone strength. In my case the surgeon could see from a scan and x-rays the bones were strong enough. I have no regrets at all and although I know while being far from surgery ready I recognise the early signs in my other knee and have already engaged with the first steps to secure a second TKR when the time is right.
Apologies for the length. To avoid boring everyone rigid please PM me if it’s helpful and do stay with the thread, there’s a wealth of experience and knowledge here.
