Hi
I am
4 weeks post op tomo
My knee is still
Very swollen and so stiff
It was very bruised when had op
I am trying very hard with exercises 3 times
A day
I find it very frustrating as I feel like I must be
Behind others
Recovering
I have for
Physio again on wed
Could
You please share your post op
Stories
Thank
You
Lynn
G'day Lynnee,
Well, to be blunt I think you are expecting a bit much. I suppose you'll be wanting to drive your car tomorrow 
You have had some very dramatic surgery on a complicated bit of body mechanics - give yourself a break, stop beating yourself up.
I would guess that your dressing came off only about a week or 10 days ago.
I found I needed to do exercises 5 times a day.
I also consulted a sports injury massage therapist and got her to work on my incision line and surrounding area. She gave me deep massage all along the incision line and the swollen area surrounding the incision. The idea being to break up and prevent scar tissue from forming.
If scar tissue forms the chances of your successfully doing your exercises is reduced.
If you get onto YouTube and type in the search box Knee Replacement exercises you should find a range of short videos that will help you understand the exercises you are doing.
I also tried Physios but found them bloody useless.
I was 8 weeks before I could drive again, at least drive and do an emergency stop but then I was back at work driving a bus at 11 weeks. Haven't looked back.
John
Thank you for your reply I am
A very nervous person who always thinks negative and am trying so hard to be positive and take one day at a time
I haven’t even thought of driving
I am going to ask physio if swimming in a few weeks might help
Thank you once again
Glad
To hear all
Ok
With you
I did consider swimming but don't enjoy it so I didn't bother. I'm told that hydrotherapy is very good. The exercise that helped me best was getting a clean tray. Sit in a dining table chair, put my foot on tray and drag it back as if I was trying to put my leg under the chair. If you see what I mean. Trouble is this only work well if you have a carpet floor.
Do try the hydrotherapy . It is important to try and stop the scar tissue from forming.
Good luck, but don't worry, you'll be fine.
Thank you so much I will
Definitely try the tray
Would like to say thank you again especially telling me not to worry it means so much
Great news about your recovery John 👍
Hello Lynnee
I haven't had a knee replacement but have had 2 hip replacements last one was in September 2019 and 4 weeks on isn't that long I've heard that knees take longer to heal
Please take it slowly one day at a time it will get better but honestly don't try and rush it
Your physiotherapist will guide you just "enjoy" your convalescence and think of yourself in a few months time when you are all recovered and doing everything again you will look back and think why didn't I just take it easy
Don't put any pressure on yourself or compare yourself to anyone else we all recover in our own time you have been through a major operation be kind to yourself
Take lots of care and all the very best xx
Thank you so much for your lovely kind reply I do worry everyday and compare myself to others
I need to try and calm down and do like you say
I will see what physio says on Wednesday
Thank you xxxx
Yes please try not to worry and definitely don't compare yourself with others it really is early days
Just make your day full of simple pleasures and let nature take its course The exercises will help Also please tell your physio how you feel I've no doubt he or she will put your mind at rest
I know 4 weeks on with my hips I was sore and stiff but here I am just over 4 months on and I've walked 3 miles today
You have the spring to start getting out and about again
Just take loads of care x
Thank you for your kind words xx
All the best would love to hear how you get on x
Thank you so much I will keep in touch xxxx
Please do and in a couple of months time when you are feeling well I'll be very happy to say "I told you so " 🤗
Whoops I think I just sent myself a message by mistake I'll try again 😊
Just seen a little saying
Your speed doesn't matter forward is forward 🐢 x
Oohh I love it I am
Going to copy that and keep it thank you xx
I'm on the Weight Loss forum we do a thing every day a happiness celebration Not that I'm suggesting you are overweight but it might be something that would interest you it's so lovely The lady who posts it for us puts lovely little sayings like that
We just post things we are grateful for anyone can join in
Heathunlocked Weight Loss forum Happiness Celebration
It's only a thought
Hope you sleep well x
Hi, I had a knee replacement 9 months ago. Keep up with the exercise and massage with bio-oil. You will start to feel the benefit soon I promise. I am now pain free with full mobility in my right knee and looking forward to having my left shoulder and left knee replaced!!! Good luck.
Thank you so much it’s so helpful
To hear what people
Have to say xxxx
Hi Lynee1964, found the post & replies interesting, I was referred in May 2019 for leg pain which they now say is my knee . I am still waiting for news of an op date and can no longer walk without severe pain guess it will be the same after the op. I think you are doing well , they told me in my case it would be 12 weeks before I would be back to normal if I follow the exercises. So one day at a time for you and best wishes for a good recovery, it is a bit depressing in a way, stuck in the house unable to go out for so long especially if you live alone but take advantage of the recovery time if you want best results. xx
Thank you so much for your kind reply
I hope you get your knee sorted and get your op booked soon xxxx
Hi again Lynnee , just spoke to hospital they have told me I am near the top of the list hopefully mid March. But my surgeon is very busy apparently. Try to keep as well as you can heres to a safe recovery for both of us. Bye for now x
That’s good
Keep
In touch how you get on xx
Will Do
Hello Lynne
I’m 1 week post knee replacement, ‘only’ 51 and I know exactly where you’re coming from. Half of the problem is knowing how you or the knee ‘should’ be feeling at any one stage and what’s normal. I had 4 days in hospital and even there I was getting conflicting opinions depending on who I was talking to. Physios weren’t happy I wasn’t being given enough pain relief, nurses felt I was being pushed too much too soon. It was very confusing and draining to be honest. I’m now home alone for the first time, I’ve been lucky to have had friends and family over the weekend helping out but I now need more time alone to get into a routine & dedicate the next few weeks to this leg. I’m starting today by making myself a planner so I can tick off the physio/icing m/elevating throughout the day. I know by knee is not bending enough (even at this early stage) but I will be taking my planner with me to my first physio visit next week so they can see that it will not be from lack of effort on my part. The only thing I would say is keep taking photos of your knee, keep notes etc so that you can look back and see little changes you may not have even noticed. And read lots of blogs others have posted about their recovery. It really does help. Take care.
Thank you so much for your reply
I keep
Thinking I am
Behind with my recovery but like you say it’s not through not trying
I often think
Am
I putting knee up too much am I walking enough etc etc
It is worrying not
Knowing all we need
I have wrote myself a few questions to ask physio on wed
Take care and good luck xxxx
It’s all about patience dear. Recovery can be a very long process because, well, if you consider that you basically had your knee amputated and a new one put it then it makes sense. You will turn corners every two weeks or so and everyone heals differently so don’t compare your progress to someone else. You MUST do your exercises and push through the pain. It’s the only way to keep breaking through the scar tissue.
Thank you I think I have been a little impatient
I am trying really hard with my exercises and just been out for a little walk
Thank you for your reply it does help hearing what people say xxxx
Glad I could help. I’ll be 2 years with Mr Smith (that’s what I call my new knee) and I like him much better now than I did at first. You’ll get there!
i had complete knee replacement 15 years ago. did a load of recommended and all was ok but was never a100%. I hurt my back and could not do the exercises, strangely my knee was great , reckon i was pushing too much exercising, so did no more and it has been 100% since with no problems. best wishes dave
Thank you very much for your reply xx
Hi Lynne,
I had a TKR in March 2015. I had PT physical therapy come to my home every morning for a month, Unfortunately she did not work on my scar tissue, I had no idea. I also went to outpatient PT for at least 4 months. i am a gym person so I was back to yoga in a few months & dance class in 3 months. I never gained my flexion back so I have not been to spin bike classes. Take your time & make sure you do knee exercises, i did see a post in this thread about bending your leg under a table. That is great advice. I wish I would have done this. Don't be nervous but the exercises are very important.
Good luck to you. I did start driving at around 5 weeks but only to PT. It was not far.
Please keep me updated on your status. I also had my second ankle replacement 2 months ago. Recovery is much longer, Doctor said no gym yet so I am bored.
Always,
Sue
Thank you for your reply
I am trying really hard with exercises
Hope your recovery is going well with your ankle
Keep in touch
Lynn xx
I've had 2 knee replacements. 4 weeks post op is still very early. Keep up the exercises they will pay dividends in the end. The important thing is building up knee muscles and the bends. Each knee op I've had was very different in terms of recovery so don't judge yourself against others. You will be fine but don't stop the exercises they are very important.
Have patience , you're still at the early recovery stages so don't be hard on yourself. Keep up with the physio and let nature work it's wonders in healing you .
Thank you so much yes I will xx
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