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How my life changed after knee replacement

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confused - swelling and exercise

Impatient56
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Hi Everyone
I am a 56 year old guy from the North of England and had my tkr on Monday pm 14th August. Everything seemed to go well and although I could only achieve 85 degree rotation was discharged 2 days later.
Dertermined and focussed, despite being in significant pain I conscientiously set about my PT exercises as instructed by the hospital therapist. However I noted by the 4th day the swelling had significantly increased and am now not able to bend my knee at all. I also have significant pain in my thigh. ( the op was a long one due to some previous surgery and am wondering whether this was due to the tourniquet?)

I am awake all night grabbing an hour or so but I am confused by all the advice out there. In the hospital and on most expert websites exercise is seen as vital to recovery but the stiffness swelling and pain is so high I don't know whether I am to push through the pain barrier or let things settle down. I am elevating and icing but feel I am letting myself down by not pushing hard enough with the exercise. I began this journey so positively but am not sure now what to expect or what I should do - my outpatient physio appt is in 2 weeks.

Do I try to exercise despite the swelling and bruising or do I just rest up until this subsides. Being also self employed but in a office based job I thought I would be able to work in 3 to 4 weeks but this now feels a long way off.

Any advice would be really helpful.
Comments
Betsy
Hi there - I have had two TKR's, each very different in the post-op experience.

After my first one I had a lot of pain and discomfort and found it almost impossible to do much at all in the way of exercise...yet still I progressed well. After my second one, five and a half weeks ago, I had far less pain, better sleep, was more able to exercise, yet still didn't do much and have been progressing really well.

I think the key thing is that I live alone and had to be up and down pottering around, getting meals and drinks, going upstairs to the bathroom, etc. I was therefore performing normal functional moves. Physiotherapy is designed to strengthen muscles and move joints so that we can perform normal, functional movements....so if we're actually HAVING to perform normal, functional movements in order to live day by day, then they themselves confer great benefits.

Very important is not to feel despondent or weak or disappointed in yourself because you feel you're not managing to do what others seem to be managing. I felt that way after my first...I had had such high expectations of myself and was so surprised to find myself struggling so badly. I felt the only encouragement I was seeing and hearing was to 'do the exercises' and yet I felt so exhausted and in pain that I just couldn't push myself...the thing is that only you can feel the pain and discomfort and exhaustion that you're experiencing and you just KNOW when something is beyond you and when what you need more of is rest not exercise!

Try to do the bed exercises at east before you get up in the morning...even if you only do a few....you will feel more mentally positive if you've done something. Then try to fend for yourself through the day...i don't know if you live with anyone....if you do, my bet is that you're getting a lot of help with the little things? Try to do the little things yourself. I am convinced my recovery was greatly advanced because I just had to be mobile.

I wish you well. However bad it feels, it does get better and there will be a point when you are glad you had it done. But don't forget...it's MAJOR surgery and it takes time, and you are the only one who really knows how you feel....trust yourself!!
Betsy
Oh, btw...I'm from the North of England too!! Had mine done on Wednesday 12 July in Huddersfield. :-)
Impatient56
Thx Betsy
yes you are right I am getting a lot of help with the little things. I focus on the exercise and end up letting others do some of the runarounds at home. I have had a couple of days where I was feeling better but now may have overdone things again with these obsessive targets in mind. Pan is now worse and not slept for last two nights. The knee is letting me know who is in charge and won't be rushed!
I think you are right it's best to focus on doing the little ' living activities ' almost unconsciously rather than the big milestones and targets.
I am realising these will come naturally if you are more active day to day which I am currently not.
The lack of sleep seems to zombiefy me so it's a vicious circle.

Thx for your support and good luck with your recovery you sound a sanguine and brave person.
From the west side of the Pennines near Stockport..
Impatient56
Quick update
day 11 - I feel there has been tiny daily incremental improvement since day 7 which is massively motivational and lifted my spirits.
Have learnt now though to take things more gradually and not overdo it.
Still not getting any sleep but getting 2 or 3 one hour dozes through the night when they were originally 20 to 30 mins.
So slow but positive progress being made and the rubber band effect around the knee only really at its worst when stiff in the morning and after walking ( on crutches still) too far.

It's about hanging in there and knowing that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I am sure there will be setbacks but feel now I can think positively about contemplating life post op.

Good luck to everyone on their respective journeys!
Heiny
I went home same day next day PT to the house Kaiser is great. It’s been 31/2 months and still get swollen after a hard walking day but I signed on to tell everyone you MUST work your butt offfirst 6 weeks actually then OP PT said you are working TOO HARD slow down. See I was doing home PT and outpatient PT both sets which took 2 1/2 hours a day but it worked.
Born a bit knock kneed 1st surgery at 19 2nd other knee at 21–I’m 66 now and my Dr is right— it will take a year!!
Walking and going to Y 3x a week 2 miles walk a day and only when from normal living do I go over 3 miles some swelling— ibuprofen was daily 3 x 600 Mgs after 2 months but now rarely
SO HANG IN do your PT and you will get better!! Having my other knee done next year—my dr even straightened the first one
Was discharged on my own with PT approval after 8 weeks as I passed all their tests LOL—can back if I need to but nope no need!! Still can’t do deep knee bends LOL but never will! Still don’t run—no need to!
Peace to all WORK HARDER then rest it more!
Heiny
Heiny
I went home same day next day PT to the house Kaiser is great. It’s been 31/2 months and still get swollen after a hard walking day but I signed on to tell everyone you MUST work your butt offfirst 6 weeks actually then OP PT said you are working TOO HARD slow down. See I was doing home PT and outpatient PT both sets which took 2 1/2 hours a day but it worked.
Born a bit knock kneed 1st surgery at 19 2nd other knee at 21–I’m 66 now and my Dr is right— it will take a year!!
Walking and going to Y 3x a week 2 miles walk a day and only when from normal living do I go over 3 miles some swelling— ibuprofen was daily 3 x 600 Mgs after 2 months but now rarely
SO HANG IN do your PT and you will get better!! Having my other knee done next year—my dr even straightened the first one
Was discharged on my own with PT approval after 8 weeks as I passed all their tests LOL—can back if I need to but nope no need!! Still can’t do deep knee bends LOL but never will! Still don’t run—no need to!
Peace to all WORK HARDER then rest it more!
Heiny
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