TKR. Anxiety issues

Dear Lawanna: Sleep is really really hard to get after TKR! I wish I had known your routine after my surgery. Sounds like a winner🏆. Thanks for sharing that. I might use some of your suggestions to help my insomnia.

Yes , I have had total meltdowns in the shower post op double TKR. I get tired of being scared . I’ve noticed a 5 minute walk in the sunshine helps . Or listening to audio books because I’m distracted . I feel lonely at times but I’m making the best of it ! Chin up 🌸you are not alone

“Surgeon didn’t give me any help “
I think there is a misconception about what surgeons do . They operate ! Make sure your joints are moving correctly and that’s it . Your family dr and mostly physical therapist is there for the rest 🤷🏻‍♀️
My surgeon asked if I’d work hard through the pain ? Before she operated .. I don’t expect more from her now

One thing I would add to that. I have a floor exercycle and I use it in the morning and before I go to bed to loosen up the muscles. A recumbent bike would do the same thing. I hope the picture helps you see what I am talking about.

I totally agree that a surgeon operates. So be sure and choose an excellent one who has done many surgeries and knows what they are doing, the rest is up to you and your PT. Two months out from the surgery, I have been in PT for 3 1/2 months. My last day is next week and I think I am ready as I can now walk without the cane or walker.

I love mine ! At 7 weeks I could do complete rounds on it with no pain . Before that I just went back and forth sort of a rocking motion ! 5-10 minutes at a time is enough for me

These are certainly worth the money. They don't take up much room, give you the range of motion you need, easy to use and are cost effective. I think mine was 89.00. The one I bought has no resistance feature. I wish now I had paid a little more and bought one that had that feature. But either way, in my opinion, it's a good investment.

Hi Judy! I'm 68 and have had two TKRs in two years (last one in Jan 2024). It hurts like hell! I will say, from my experience, it takes time and LOTS of work to get better. On the other hand, to not do the work will be a huge regret as I understand the pain from the scar tissue is huge.

I recently restarted yoga after several years of abstinence due, in part, to the knee pain I had. Great decision. In a month I can already see improvement in strength, balance and flexibility. I also stretch my knees every night as I go to bed by folding my lower leg underneath me as a push down on the mattress. Stationery bicycles are your friend too. Whatever you decide to do, do it often and with purpose. You WILL get better with work and you won't if you don't work.

Good luck to you!

It’s so reassuring to hear about someone else experiencing this type of anxiety. I’m 9 weeks post tkr and have suffered with this “ inner agitation to varying degrees since the surgery. I’ve got a great support system and have tried different meds. Nothing is helping that much.
I plan to try acupuncture soon.
I’m really hoping this decreases with time. I’ve found the surgery to be really traumatic both physically and emotionally
I hope we both feel better soon!

Judy - so very sorry to hear of your anxiety and pain. As I said above, I found the post-op pain to be very large but it does decrease with time. I found the most important thing to do is the PT. As my 80 yr old mom (former ortho nurse and TKR patient herself) told me, “if they tell you to do 10 reps, do 12…

Great advice. It hurts, no denying that. The payoff comes with your PT. It takes time, but it does get better. Hang in there and be stubborn. You can do this!