Hello from a newbie

Cannygirl49

I have just had a TKR of my left knee. Surgery was less than a week ago. I was discharged after 2 days when the Physio decided I had good movement. I had worked at exercises before surgery and this paid off. I have only a sheet of exercises but no follow up physiotherapy. I am in a lot of pain. Meds were reduced on discharge to a level that had really not worked in hospital.
Ok that is a long way of saying that I am very early in recovery but I need to get better in order to follow through on the THR which is on the R side and was causing as much pain.
I plan to get physiotherapy either through contacts at my gym or somewhere local

Questions:
How much should I be trying to move around?
Should I be trying to sit upright most of the time?
Or have my leg up?
Is it worth getting a perching stool?

Please help!

[Deleted User]

Hi

Welcome to our forum, im sure our members will have lots of tips and advice for you. You can also do look here for infornation:

www.arthritiscare.org.uk/managing-arthritis/surgery/after-surgery

Or call our helpline on 0800 800 4050. Some local areas allow self referral to physio, might be worth asking your gp surgery.

I hope this helps and your recovery goes well

Regards

Sharon T
Moderator

stickywicket

Hello and welcome, cannygirl49.

I'm a bit of a surgery veteran -3 knees and 2 hips so I have a few qualifications in this dept

First off, well done on doing the pre-op exercises. They really do help.

It's normal now to get people home asap. I think it's partly money and partly fear of hospital infections.

In my experience pain meds are usually changed at discharge. I'm not sure what the thinking is as I've sometimes been given ones stronger than I want. However there's a danger of seeking a level of pain relief that isn't very realistic. The exercises will definitely hurt but, if in doubt, see your GP about changing them.

I'd strongly advise you not to try to rush this recovery in order to get on with the THR. Take all the time you need. Both are major ops requiring serious recovery.

How much should you be moving around? Not a lot at this stage. Do your exercises. They're the important things. As is rest. Keeping your leg elevated is good but never put a pillow under the knee, tempting though it is. It needs to go straight. I've usually sat in a recliner post-op. I certainly haven'r spent much time lying down. Walking about the house every hour or two hours is good but I can't see why you'd need a perch stool unless you're planning on washing up, peeling veg, cooking etc. Either let someone else do them or buy in some ready meals if you didn't prepare and freeze some in advance.

I've never been left with no physio folow up appointment. By all means go privat but get one who specialises in musculoskeletal problems and preferably not one who normally deals only with superfit gym bunnies who have just tweaked something.

Here is what the NHS says about TKRs https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knee-replacement/recovery/

stickywicket

Just to clarify. I meant, if necessary, see your GP about changing the pain meds not the exercises :oops:

Cannygirl49

Thank you stickywicket for your welcome and tips. I tend to go at things 100% + which drives those around me mad. I realise I am in the wrong forum for these questions so will not continue here. Hoping to get a better night tonight



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dreamdaisy

Hello, I cannot help because I have not yet had new knees (I was refused a few years ago on the grounds of extreme youth, I was 52) but I can help on the recovery front being the veteran of a number of big operations.

1. Recovery is a slow process. It is quicker than the decline that gets us into the state of requiring new joints but it is not an instant fix. Surface healing is not an indicator of everything doing the same inside: joint replacement wounds are deep wounds. The older we are the slower the healing process which is unfortunate but true.

2. Recovery is a slow process. It is nice to feel that some proper action has been taken to improve our situation, and it is natural to be keen to get on with things, BUT the surgeon's good work can be very easily undone by pushing ourselves too far and too fast. Surely that has to be self-defeating?

3. Recovery is a slow process. What can seem to be an immense and possibly in-necessary amount of rest is a restorative to the whole body to help it recover from the trauma, and will also help the healing process. A good diet is essential as is keeping well-hydrated. Pain relief should be little and taken regularly rather than letting things build to such a crescendo that nothing helps. Pain is a very individual thing, one man's twinge is another's agony - what do you have at the moment?

4. Recovery is a slow process. We live in an age of instant gratification where the notion of having to wait for anything is anathema. Getting this right is worth the wait.

5. Recovery is a slow process and especially so at this time of year. It's not fun, it's hard work, it's uncomfortable, it's a nuisance, it can be very boring (if possible I have spring or early summer ops as they are easier to get over with the brighter, warmer days) but having a new, shiny joint which should lead to less pain and enhanced mobility is a wonderful thing to have.

I know from reading on here that knee ops take longer to get over than hip ops and that is because the knee is a comparatively complex joint. My tip on post-op exercise is do a little and often, stop when you think you can do more, gradually increase your target levels (e.g. 5 reps, then 7, then 9, increasing every four or five days) to ensure you build on all that good work you did beforehand. That has given you a head start so don't blow it now!

Good luck, I wish you well. DD

stickywicket

I do hope you got a better night.

If, by being on the 'wrong forum', you meant that Living With Arthritis would be more appropriate and attract more replies you are right. Well, I hope you are but ir's always quiet in the run up to Christmas. Give it a try, anyway.