post tkr bending -help please

Graciesmum

Hello all.
I joined this group about 7 years ago following a "half" knee replacement which I struggled to cope with post-op. Although no one actually came round and fixed my knee (if only) the comments and help I got saved my life. I was deeply depressed and thought a normal life would never happen. Friendly comments on here were , honestly my saviour, as family and friends do help but unless you have arthritis the pain is impossible to understand. I think I remember Barbara and DD.
Eventually my half knee mended sufficiently for me to get on although it has never been entirely comfortable.
Just under 4 weeks ago I had the other knee replaced, this time a total knee. I thought the being an entire joint it would be easier but again the bend is rubbish. Am I expecting too much in only 4 weeks? I have about 25 degrees, they go on about needing it to be 90 but how soon?
My knee is still quite swollen and painful intermittently.
We have hired a flexi knee machine (not cheap) for 2 weeks which I can go on, it has bent my knee to 35 degrees today, comfortably, but when I get off my knee is solid as a brick. No bend at all on my own.
I can feel the depression starting up again, I am so tearful, my poor hubby said he wants to run away and I really don't blame him( he is marvellous with me)
Does anyone know please, am I asking too much? I am so fearful after last time, they threatened to take me back to theatre to bend it (no way I am doing that) and anyway it would just swell up again.
Hydrotherapy helped last time (with this forum's help too) so I can plan for that but I want to wait a while to let the scar line heal.
My physio is kind - he tried me on the flexi machine first and my consultant seemed happy enough 2 weeks ago.
Thank you for listening.
Sue xx

dreamdaisy

Hello! I suspected your name rang a distant bell and it has, it's been a while, yes? I am so sorry, I cannot help because I have not had any replacements but I hope that others who have had this done will spot your post and reply soon. The forum is very quiet at the moment, probably due to the January 'slump' that everyone faces as 'normal' life resumes. Some folk don't appreciate just how luxurious their normal is, yes? DD

stickywicket

Well done on having the second knee 'done', Sue. I expect that took some courage given your problems with the first one.

I honestly can't remember how soon they like us to get to 90 degrees. I never bothered about either a timescale or the bend I was getting, just concentrated on doing my exercises about 6 times a day, around 10 repetitions each time. Did the physios suggest the machine? (I know they do sometimes but it's probably best not to unless advised by them.) I wonder how much bend you had before the op. If you had very little then, the muscles will take time to build up strength again. How are you with the other exercises?

For my money, if your surgeon's happy and the physio is happy then just keep plugging away with all the exercises and do very little else for now. In between exercising keep the leg elevated to help the fluid disperse. The days will be boring but, eventually, productive. Don't expect too much too soon and don't keep measuring

GraceB

Hi,
I had a partial TKR done 5 years ago when I was 44. It was a huge shock to my system. I did leg strengthening exercises before; that all went to pot. I had hardly any knee bend (50 degrees when I was measured by physio; it had been 80 degrees in hospital - should have been 90 degrees). I went on a knee bending machine at my local physio dept, and some days I did some of my exercises evey 45 minutes. It was hard work - very hard work.

You are quite right, Unless you have been there you have no idea what it's like to go through.

At some points I wondered what I'd done to deserve this? Why had I agreed to the surgery? (I didn't have a choice so I knew really but doubts set in afterwards). I too, was told that I was expecting too much too soon but I'm not a very patient person and I found everything was so frustrating. I wasn't quick at getting things done before, but being post op I was even slower and I got so cross at times.

All I can say is listen to your knee. Listen to your medical advisers and above all else, don't give up. You've done this once before - you'll do it this time.

I'm not sure if/how I can help but please feel free to PM me. I'm reading the forum every day but not always posting due to issues that I won't go into here as this is your post.

Remember - don't give up. You'll do this. Get angry. Keep talking to those that you trust. Accept assistance when it's sensible to do so and when you'd benefit from the help. If you feel you want to attempt tasks yourself give it a go.

Take care of yourself and please let us know how you get on.

GraceB

Graciesmum

Ah thank you all , especially GraceB I knew you would help.
Grace you have voiced exactly how I feel.
You did so well to manage your exercise like that. I get despondent because even if I get anywhere with them the darn thing swells and I have to stop.
Yes I have shouted at the Gods for going through with this, (along with everyone else) I definitely , like you, had to sort it out, and convinced myself I'd be better but it isn't. So I think well at least I could walk the dogs and manage my life before. Then I think but hopefully, one day , I can walk the dogs further and get back to my beloved garden.

Grace you are so young to have gone through this ( Iam 57 so only 50 for the first one) and it begs a worry about future revisions, but for now thank you times a million for helping me.

I shall, pardon the pun, plod on and try a bit harder with the exercises. My consultant said walk as much as I can, physio was worried about that because of the swelling, but I do potter in the house, do breakfast, little jobs like that, it helps the depression to be busy, however little.

I will be in touch. Thank you again

Sue xxx

barbara12

Hello Sue.
Its so lovely to hear from you only sorry you are suffering with your knee, I haven't had a knee done ..mine was my hip..but i know that people who have are all different,and the rules are.. you probably know... the exercises they give you, and rice Rest,Ice to take down the swelling, compression for the swelling and elevation for the swelling also..they also say keep a pain journal because sometimes you think you are not moving on but you are..I do think the bend will come but I know you have to work harder with knees than hips..4 weeks is not long at all,maybe your other knee op is at the back of your mind and holding things back a little not surprising..I do hope it improves very soon for you x

GraceB

Sue,

Barbara makes a very good point. At one stage I didn't think I was progressing so I kept a note of the knee bend I was achieving. When I was feeling absolutely fed up, I had a quick peep at this and it made me realise the progress I'd made. Perhaps you may also feel it helpful to make a brief note in a diary every day as to what you've managed to do, and how many sets of exercises and repetitions. When you look back you'll then have written evidence of your progress

Just be determined that this isn't going to beat you. Break it down into manageable and achievable targets - bit like when someone is trying to lose weight. You set a target to get to a 10% of your weight as an initial loss and then move on from there.

By preparing breakfast and doing other small bits you are already making steady and slow progress.

As for the swelling - that's still with me even now. I was told to use an ice pack but had to make sure I didn't put it right onto my skin, and not to leave it on for too long. I was also told to make sure my leg was higher than my hip - as that helps alleviate the swelling. Not at all ladylike, mind you. :oops:

If all else fails resort to my tried and tested prescription. Either a cup of tea or coffee or a glass of wine (whichever you prefer) and chocolate. When chocolate is taken in a medicinal capacity, it's fat, calorie and sugar free.

Yes, the revisions worry me too but my left knee now needs doing, as does my left ankle, and I also need my lumbar spine fusing, but due to what's going on in my life at the moment there's no chance of any surgery.

Don't give up with this.

GraceB

stickywicket

If you elevate the leg as much as possible when not exercising the swelling will go down eventually.

Don't worry about a revision. I had my first TKRs in 1981 when I was 35. I still have one of them. The 'revision' knee is better than ever.

Graciesmum

lovely, lovely helpful messages I do love you lot on here!
A bit selfish to only come on when I need something but it's human nature I suppose.
Hard to come on and say " I feel absolutely fine " we come on for a bit of help.
My problem is I find the exercises terribly hard, never was an athlete, but I realise therein lies the problem. Gotta push a bit. I have been to physio today and he has helped to bend my knee a little, I was terrified but it was painless so I know a lot of it is my fear. Ice seems to make it contract and doesn't help but I do elevate and use an ice pack anyway as everyone says I should.
My passive motion machine is great, I use it 4 times a day at least, but need to get my quads muscle going, that seems to be switched off.

Onwards and upwards and love to you all.

PS I am a retired nurse. Don't we make absolutely the worst patients.

GraceB I do hope you have better fortune soon and your life gets onto a better track- try to care for yourself and put your needs first sometimes. Easy to say I know. Sending a big HUG xxxxxxxxx

stickywicket

It seems to me that you are making progress, Sue, and the machine and physio plus your own determination will get you there. The fear of doing damage in there has to be balanced by the fear of allowing muscles to be so slack they won't support the new joint.

I think the main thing about the elevation and ice-pack is to reduce the swelling.

And, as one who has benefitted from very many lovely nurses – thank you.

Graciesmum

thank you too sticky wicket and glad to hear you have had nice nurses xxx

dreamdaisy

When you are in the middle of it all you cannot see your progress, a blindingly obvious fact that we all forget. I had phsyio for months after my first synovectomy (at the time no-one knew I had a form of inflammatory arthritis) and, due to the swelling returning within three months, I have never ditched the crutches. To this day I still do my post-op exercises, and now have some extra to do to help stretch my Achilles tendons on both sides because I am having trouble with my feet. It's going to take weeks rather than days for matters to improve, at least I have the time to do them.

People posting because they want help, support and information is now the norm - they get it and disappear. We have different demands and expectations of a platform like this but you have acknowledged your replies and thanked us. Sometimes it takes a real effort to reply (due to tiredness, pain, or us having a poorer day than normal) so to be acknowledged makes a pleasant change! DD

Graciesmum

I think DD that if people take the time and effort to reply and yes you do help me, the least I can do is say thank you.

Well brought up wench I am!

The exercise is incredibly hard although I have seen some minor improvements this week. When you are in pain and low everything seems hard.

My husband commented that you do hear of folk doing really well after- but perhaps they were super-fit before- I wasn't !

I did come to ask on here for help sooner rather than later this time- last time I was seriously depressed (and I will never ever forget people's kindness) , so when I felt the tears this time I came on here quickly.

It really is a marvellous place to talk and get some help and I thank you all again.

Sue xx

GraceB

Sue,

Everyone is different. We are all individuals and what suits one person, doesn't suit the next. Ignore everyone else. You are the important one as far as you and your Husband are concerned.

I have had so much support from the lovely folk on this Forum since I joined that whenever I can, I like to return the favour. By trying to help others, it takes your mind off your own troubles.

Sounds like you are making progress. Remember that you'll get there in the end and that hard work never hurt anyone. From what you've said in your posts, I believe you are a hard worker and not a 'shirker' so I have every confidence that you'll do this.

Don't forget to keep us up to date with your progress.

Take care,
GraceB

Graciesmum

HI everyone and happy Sunday!

I just wanted to say I have had a much better few days. The exercises are seeming to get easier, the bend on the machine is 57* and I feel more positive. The bend in my knee doing it myself is still not great but it is definitely better.

I feel almost cheerful--- how scary! And it's still only 5 weeks so I know I will get there.

Thank you all again for listening and posting your help, bless you all, I have tried to help someone else in a post today , I will watch on here and try and do my bit as you all do.

Sending arthritic hugs

SueXXX

stickywicket

I'm so glad you're reaping the rewards of your efforts, Sue. You will do less without the machine until the muscles have built up strength but that will come, just as the bend is doing. Practice makes perfect

We're not experts on here: we just try to use our experiences to help others. Sometimes all we can do is sympathise and empathise but that can be so heartening on a really bad day. I do value my forum friends very much.