The ups and downs of TKR journey

[Catseyes235]

I’m 5 months into my recovery journey . It’s difficult when your given a booklet which talks about milestones and says you may be able to drive 6 weeks after the op which I just can’t begin to imagine … at my six week consult with surgeon he felt I was doing really well with exercises and ability to bend my knee but driving..???

The pamphlet also talked about when you could ski, play golf and tennis ….rather dispiriting when your own triumphs and milestones are using buses, how much shopping you can carry, hoovering and here’s a biggie …being able to cut my toenails on the operated leg!

I do feel sometimes it’s a bit of a small rollercoaster rather than steady progression with some days feeling like I’m regressing. Right now my knee feels tender and a bit sore ..on the other hand I just walked down the road with someone who said I was going at quite a pace! A couple of days ago I managed to stand on a chair …something I haven’t been able to do for years because of my knees!

However I came across something saying it can take a year to truly recover so I’m trying to stop feeling inadequate. it’s the balance between exercise and rest I find problematic.

Anyone else feel like this?

[FraserB]

I can definitely relate to your post. I'm 4-1/2 months post-TKR on my right knee. Like you, I’ve read a lot about what to expect at different stages of recovery, and while there are some common experiences, everyone’s recovery timeline is unique.

At one month post-TKR, I watched a video of YouTubers who were walking around at three weeks post-surgery without any mobility aids and lifting weights at the gym. I remember thinking, “Why am I not progressing like they are?” But as the weeks went by, I realized that I was making progress at my own pace, and that was okay. Even with my still ups and downs my physiotherapist reassured me that everything was normal and would take time—and so far he's been right and it can take a year.

Now, at just over four months, I can walk easily, although it's still a slow saunter, something I couldn’t have done before surgery. I’m definitely better than I was even a month ago. I still have some slight swelling around the knee, even my surgeon at my 8 week check looked worried at it but it’s gradually and keeps going down for the better. At two months, the hospital physio released me, saying my 110-degree flexion was good enough, and I should just accept it. But I continued with private physio, and now I’ve reached 127-degree flexion. I’ve even heard some doctors say that if you don’t get a good bend by six weeks, “that ship has sailed.” Well, that hasn’t been true for me—and I’ve found that it’s not the case for everyone.

You’re not alone in your comments. I too just recently celebrated a milestone – walking outside for even more than a hour without needing to return home, something I couldn’t have done before the surgery due to my severe knee arthritis.

[Catseyes235 in reply to FraserB]

Thank Fraser B ..nice to know others feel challenged when compared to the best! I’ve done a three hour walk no trouble a month ago but next day was a bit sore. I’d been told if I get swelling to raise my leg higher than my heart which I did and then swelling, subsided but now back again!? I wouldn’t know what my degree of flexion is but certainly well over 90 at 6 weeks and was actually kneeling last week albeit on a thick roll of towelling! Pain seems to be on inside part of knee. As you say it can take a year so onwards and upwards!

[Happyrosie]

I haven’t had a TKR and I don’t know what age you are : but I’d like to make a comment anyway.

to stand on a chair is something I haven’t been able to do for years! And it’s years since I’ve been able to cut my toenails too! This is just because of generalised osteoarthritis. I do at least 8000 paces and a video exercise each day.

So what I’m saying is, take heart from what you CAN do and remember that each of us has a different medical and (especially) exercise history

[Catseyes235 in reply to Happyrosie]

Yes I keep thinking that but when the hospital booklet talks of best outcomes and you don’t match up it can be disheartening! Thanks for the reality check!

[greynot]

⁹I had a TKR in Aug 2023 and it's still improving. I was told 2 years of improvements.

I've also had a new hip, on the other side, (2022) and it's amazing what I can do now, age 75, that I couldn't do before these bionics.

Not skiing or running, but walking round comfortably, able to get myself up off the floor ( though I avoid getting down on the floor unless strictly necessary!), toenail management, and gardening.

I'm just off for a little ride on my new electric bike! Not easy, but now it's spring I'm going to work on that. It's been a while since I could cycle, and it's different with my new anatomy, but what a sense if freedom!

[Catseyes235 in reply to greynot]

That’s good to know. I think I’ll put off next TKR until this one loads better and stronger. I’m also 75 (well soon 1st June) and I used to cycle miles so seriously considering getting my bike reconditioned, the maybe an e-bike!

.many thanks