Knee Replacement

[Pax]

Hang in there Pax!

Thanks, I'm trying! You too.

[thekarens]

Almost to the six week mark and to be honest, it's been pretty awful, it hurts most of the time and progress is so slow it feels non-existent. But I know it will get better eventually, I'm going to try going to work next week half time, it might help to be less socially isolated.

My boss had hers replaced last year and it was a long slow process, but in the end she feels great. I know it can be discouraging, but keep plugging away. You'll get there in the end and it will all be worth it!

[Pax]

My boss had hers replaced last year and it was a long slow process, but in the end she feels great. I know it can be discouraging, but keep plugging away. You'll get there in the end and it will all be worth it!

Thanks, it's always helpful when people share stories of others who've done this and done well.

[emily_in_nc]

Almost to the six week mark and to be honest, it's been pretty awful, it hurts most of the time and progress is so slow it feels non-existent. But I know it will get better eventually, I'm going to try going to work next week half time, it might help to be less socially isolated.

My step-father had a similar experience. I am sort of glad to see that what he went through was pretty normal and he was not just a terrible patient. I was hoping you'd have a much quicker recovery, but based on his experience, it WILL get better. It just takes way longer than you'd expect.

[Pax]

The absolute hardest part of the recovery is finding the balancing point in PT. They constantly tell you to do your PT but there is a very fine line between doing it and overdoing it, and the consequence for overdoing it is called a flare up... I'm on number three.

A flare up is when the tissue and nerves in the knee become inflamed, it takes so little for it to happen that it's maddening, and it leaves you swollen and in terrific pain. I understand why some people just stop trying, I wont, but I sure can understand it.

[Pax]

Starting to feel more human. I'm getting out of the house for lunch and I'm working half time, I can go to the grocery store if I use one of those electric carts. Feels like I'm getting there, just very slowly.

[Catrin]

Yayyy Pax, that is good progress!

[OakLeaf]

Getting out of the house is good! Keep it going ...

[Helene2013]

That is great news. Just calm down..... you don't want a fall back. Enjoy your newly found freedom. haha

[Catrin]

How is it going Pax? Thinking about you!

[Pax]

Thanks, Catrin. Doing better, I was feeling very alone and like I was doing something wrong with my rehab and then I found a forum of people who've had knee and hip replacements, that really helped. Really good to hear others stories, made me feel less isolated.

Saw that your nose is healed, good deal... just in time to smell the new flowers!

[OakLeaf]

That's good, it's amazing how much one has to learn from other people who've been through it, vs the people you're paying to educate you. Glad you found them. Hope you've been able to get out and enjoy some of the warmer weather!

[Pax]

That's good, it's amazing how much one has to learn from other people who've been through it, vs the people you're paying to educate you. Glad you found them. Hope you've been able to get out and enjoy some of the warmer weather!

That's really it, Oak. Almost every appointment we leave and say to each other "that would have been nice to know... two weeks ago!", it's really frustrating. One of the really interesting things I've learned is that people in the UK don't usually go to PT after they leave the hospital, they just do the basic exercises they are taught in hospital, and they have matching outcomes at one year to the U.S.

I have gotten to enjoy some of the nice weather, it's been nice to take my little strolls in the sunshine. AND the move to NSB is in four weeks, I'm getting so excited!!

[Pax]

Had my final doc visit yesterday, I'm done with PT and my ROM jumped ten degrees this week!! I'm up to 105 degrees, swelling is under control, now just to continue the loooong recovery... at the beach!

[Catrin]

Yayyyy, good to hear!