Feeling low again now

pegleg

Sorry to whinge but after feeling that I was doing quite well (3 weeks post op TKR) the physio today has made me feel rubbish , she said that my bend was no better and my leg was no straighter and moaned that it was still swollen ! , Ive been doing the exercises 3-4 times a day and got down to walking with just one crutch , the last time I went (2 weeks ago) my knee was very bent and stiff and she took no measurements , this time she measured them and said they were the same as 2 weeks ago ! , she then said "its only 3 weeks in though" , she said my consultant will want to see it "fully functioning" when I go on the 19th Sept and I just feel in a total panic and wishing I'd never had it done , its hot , red and really swollen now too xx

mig

I can't help or offer any advice but try to remember that there is always someone to put you down,maybe she was having a bad day herself.I'm sending you some hugs.Mig (((((())))))

LignumVitae

If she didn't measure it the week before, unless she has some special inbuilt goniometer in her eyes she can't possibly know how you are doing by comparison a week later (and that she measured it this week suggests that she hasn't got the inbuilt feature). The consultant isn't going to take it out if you haven't got it to full range by the 19th so I would just ignore her grumps. Sounds like you know you are making improvements and I am sure more will come by your return appointment! You are doing really well, so be pleased with yourself
LV xx

dreamdaisy

Ignore the twerp. You're the one who's had the operation, you're the one coping with the recovery and recuperation, you're the one doing the exercises, you're the one resting, you're the one walking, you're the one dealing with the reality all day, every day. She isn't. She's seeing you once in a while, that's all. When I was having all my physio after my synovectomies (months of it on both occasions) the ones I found the most helpful were the ones who encouraged and praised no matter how small the progress, those who cheered me on when no progress had been made. Those who grumbled got short shrift from me, I even asked one to remove her chewing gum because (as I put it) 'You're chewing like a cow and your attitude matches.' I don't who was the more surprised at my rudeness!

You're doing OK Pegleg, in fact more than OK. This is still very early days for you so keep up your good work. It will all come in time. DD

Helenbothknees

pegleg, calm down! Your physio sounds like an idiot, and there are some out there like that. As LV said, she can't possibly know if she didn't take any measurements. I'm 5 weeks post TKR, doing very well according to absolutely everyone, and my knees are still swollen, very much so at times. Three weeks is nothing!!!! The tissues haven't healed yet and react to absolutely everything; mine even swelled up today after lying in the sun (go figure?).

Anyway, my experience in life is that you should decide yourself what is good and bad, and ignore other people. That applies to TKRs as much as anything, and is why I ignore the people who tell me my knee bend is so great, because I want more and it's my body. You know you're doing OK, so don't listen to this fool who shouldn't be in charge of a game of tiddlywinks, never mind people who are in a fragile mental state after major surgery (and you are if you're anything like me). Makes me mad (grrrrr, where's the anger smilie on this site???)

dachshund

Hello Pegleg
i think you are doing very well no body's legs are the same
i was told by a surgeon it take's a year for your body to get over a op.
and i know my legs are not like anybodys else's legs mime dont go straight when i walk they have been like it since i was born i've had a thr and tkr and they are good for me no pain thats all that matters.
please dont worry you are doing well.
take care
joan xx

elnafinn

Aw, dear Peg,

There are physios and physios and it would appear that you have got a duff one. It's no good the physio moaning like a drain, the idea is to work as a team. No two new knees are the same, not even if you have your own knees done at the same time or one soon after the other. My consultant made a point of telling me that. He was right, of course.

Today, it is hot weather and I feel that rest with said leg elevated and lots of icing is on the agenda for you for the rest of the day. Don't fret, luvie, she is really racing ahead, talking about your appt with the consultant. You are doing what you have been told to do. If you get the same physio next time and she is in the same frame of mind, you will be prepared for it and give her as good as she is giving you but poiltely of course. I don't suppose she has had a TKR.....

Elna x

diamond

Cheer up Peg it is the physio who is in the wrong not you.I think they are expecting a miracle if they are suggesting your knee should not be swollen after only three weeks.It is a major op and it can take months for swelling to settle down.A physio should be encouraging patients not making them feel depressed.Are you being seen on a weekly basis?When i attend my physio she took measurements at beginning of session and then again at the end.You will get there just keep up what you are already doing and keep icing your knee.We are all different when it comes to recovery and your physio should know that better than most people.xxx

pegleg

Thanks all , strop over , back to it and I'll refuse to let it get me down , I think , and I also got this from the hospital , that because I'm younger than the average person having had it done (I'm 48) that I should be more able to recover and get moving quicker , which in some respects I understand, but when all said and done the operation is exactly the same as everyone else and 3 weeks is nothing in terms of recovery . I was as fit and healthy as I could be,pre op, and weigh just under 8st but this op knocked me for six , obviously I want to be up and about as much as everyone does but until the swelling goes down its very difficult to get it bending . My Mum has a good friend who has had both her knees done and she was very upset for me yesterday (my Mum phoned her up to get some advice) she said that it takes at least 6 weeks for things to settle and only then can you start to really work at it , she said her physios were much the same and eventually paid for a few private sessions which were wonderful . Got to go back in 2 weeks so I'll try my best with it but thank you all again for your advice and kind words xxx

barbara12

Aww pegleg
I was just going to say speak to our Elna...and there she is offering support, I am sure that 3 weeks after a TKR is nothing, who ever has trained this Physio hasn't told them the basics... of encouragement...you are doing well, and keep up the good work x

valval

well i have to say she sound a total pratt hope she has it done one day and finds out what it says in a book is not what happens it takes time to get to stage where bend is possible so long as you are doing exercises as you have been told you will get there try not to do to much or recovery will be slower the swelling needs to go down i get swelling in my knee and to be honest some days it will not bend beyond 45% with swelling then another day will go right back so day to day it will be different so keep up the good work listen to your body you know it better than any one else val

marrianne

Hi Peg,I am not surprised you were upset,glad your feeling better now ,I am about 3 weeks ,to stuck in bed with flare of R/A .....And just doing the best I can on my bed ,you sound very well on course to me As everyone on here agrees we are all different move along at differing speeds and you are likely to have good days and bad wait the 6 weeks before expecting much change I think a bit of depression creeps in on the bad days to And like you I sometimes wish I had not had it done but I realise it will take time ,well hope all the rest of the new knees and other things and well everyone else are doing well and enjoying the sunshine .Marrianne .

pegleg

Awww , hope you feel better soon , we will all get there in the end I'm sure xxx

LignumVitae

Big hugs to you Marrianne, I hope you feel less flarey soon and the knee is ok. Thinking of you!
Hope you are feeling better about the physio too Pegleg, the more I think about her, the worse her attitude seems.
Lots of love LV xx

Helenbothknees

I've heard some truly awful things about physios....unhelpful comments, bending knees till you can't move them for days, and so on. This can't be right. The ones I've met so far have varied from great to a bit ineffectual, but no worse than that. But I've decided, if anyone tries any funny stuff with me, damn their qualifications; they're going to hear just what I think of them, and it will be far from polite. I'd suggest you all do the same.