Four weeks post TKR, highly discouraged. Thought I would crush it

I had 2 TKRs 2-3 years ago (one at 66 and one at 67). While I haven’t been the “competitive athlete my whole life” I have been very active living on a small farm with animals and never-ending maintenance stuff.

My experience is that the recovery was very painful and, at times, discouraging. My mom was an ortho nurse as her last job before retirement and had a TKR at 78. Before she died, we discussed my coming TKRs many times (arthritis). What she told me was to push through the pain and, if the PT asked for 10 reps, do 12-15 (I called these extras the “angel’s share”.

Point is, summon your competitive spirit and work harder than you’ve ever worked before. My surgeon/friend told me that I’d never confuse his work with my God-given knees. That’s true. I stretch them every night before bed and, some nights, it still is mildly painful but nothing like pre-op. I also sprinkle in weights and yoga weekly. You’ll get back what you pay in, imo.

While I can’t speak directly to the impact on competitive tennis, I can say that, with diligent work, you are and will be significantly better than pre-op. At 69 I’ve tried to learn to modify if I can’t (or shouldn’t) do something. I plan to have many more years and sitting on the couch isn’t and won’t be part of my agenda. It reward.

Keep working. Good luck to you!

@actalking, Bless you. There is a great mental component to knee replacement surgery as well as physical. I am 3 months out from TKR and it is a marathon not a sprint. I go backwards some days along with my numbers. Four weeks out is still very early....I know it feels like its been longer than that to you because it did to me. Keep moving as much as you can. Your 6 week post-op follow-up with the doctor I think will encourage you. Take naps if you need to during the day.....Sleep is healing.

I have a good day, I do too much and go backwards for a few days. PT is aggressive and more exercises added and I reach my numbers and then in 3 days, I go backwards. I have had to learn to accept this. I will honestly say out of all of the surgeries I have had, this has been the most painful and hardest. I have had to learn to be patient with myself.

Is my knee better than it was before as far as pain, yes! I had no choice either due to arthritis and the injections were no longer working. My leg was starting to bow and was bone on bone. Its a new knee with different symptoms, but, better. It is still healing.

I started telling a difference around 6 weeks as I saw small and large victories. At 3 months, I am no longer using the walker or cane in the house. I can go up and down steps without the cane. My knee does not hurt all night like it did at the onset. I am not as tired as I was at the beginning. I can stand up from a sitting position without holding on to the chair, etc. These are wonderful victories and I expect even more as I continue this journey.

You sound very determined and I believe you will be able to do the things you use to do. It....just....takes...time...to...heal. Try to not compare yourself to others
as it may discourage you. We all heal at a different pace with this surgery.

Praying for you to continue to improve and to be able when you get to the finish line to be able to do all the things you want to do. God Bless You.

Wow, even as a recreational athlete(71f) I can understand your feelings. I haven’t had joint replacement, but I’ve struggled through a lot of pain and dysfunction in knees and now a shoulder. (I was told by my gp that rotator cuff arthropathy was a devastating injury and I’d have to radically change the way I work out because the same thing happened to him. Well, I got prp therapy and pt and I’m still weightlifting, though progress is slow and new pains crop up. For me a lot of this is mental; I just will not accept that I can’t lift anymore because I can.)I am stronger than the pain. You are too. Take painkillers if you need to.
You probably already tried pt, but look for a good one in your area who works with your present situation. Also check out the internet for pt’s and trainers who work with your situation.
Also, get another opinion from a surgeon; there may be some revision or adjustment needed.
Finally, 4 weeks doesn’t seem like a whole lot of time for recovery from joint replacement.
Please let us know how it goes; I think I really can feel your pain.

@covidstinks2023 Your kind words brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much. I am so glad for your progress.

@kudzu Thank you so much. I applaud your fortitude and your advice.

@actalking And I believe you are going to make progress too! Praying much for you. Have a blessed day.

@actalking
Sometimes life throws me a curve ball. I attempt to dodge it, while it is spinning towards my head, without success. Bam, I am on the floor nearly breaking my jaw, twice since March. This is my new game. walking around without falling. If I lose it could be deadly. So, I have new equipment. A walker here and there. a cane or two. Lots of adjustments have to be made for me to live. No more standing for too long…this is permanent says my coach.

I have had TKRs. 2019 and 2020. Patience, persistence, positive attitude, and kindness for yourself helps.

Looking forward, knee pain is now something I’ve beaten, and I have been thankful for that, no more crying when I walked.

You will be fine and you will get on with your life as well as you can. Take one day at a time.

Best

@SusanEllen66 I’m so sorry to hear that! I sincerely hope this gets easier for you.

@fwintracy That is such excellent advice! Thank you.

I just wanted to report that after 27 days, this is the first day I woke up and didn’t wonder how I was going to get through another day. My knee pain was actually manageable and I only took Tylenol last night. I’m clinging to this one. I know recovery is not linear, but I am celebrating today. Thanks all for your support. There’s hope.