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Total knee replacement April. Constant pain spiraled into depression
I had a total knee replacement in April. Already have 2 hip replacements. Those were uneventful. This knee is unbearable. The pain is constant and at night relentless. I cannot sleep unless I take a pain med which I’m rationing since I cannot get anymore. OTC meds are useless. I have good range of motion, have gone through outside PT. I liken the pain to a constriction around the joint area. A constant pulling. This surgery has taken away so much from my life I’m spiraling into depression. I live alone and my independence is paramount to me.
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I was also in excruciating pain for about a month. Sleep was sporadic at best for the first month. I cried every day for an hour and was extremely depressed and wondering if life was worth living. Thankfully my daughter stayed with me and talked me through my depression but telling me it was okay to feel bad during my recovery. Happiness is not a given—we need to seek it out sometimes!
Although I’m 72 I am very active and being basically immobilized was a really hard place to be. I’m four months out and I’m able to exercise so much more than pre-surgery and I have recharged my positive outlook on my life.
If you don’t have family or friends closeby you can seek solace with chat groups. Or just communicate with ChatGPT! She’s been a huge support during my self-doubting spells.
Keep the faith!
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1 Reaction@laurabamford4015 Thank you for sharing your experience. I too am 72 till next month. Live alone and pride myself on my independence. Seems my life as I knew it is now a distant memory. This surgery has taken so much outta me both physically and mentally. Tomorrow is 4 months my surgery, and I feel I should be further along in the healing process. Strength in that leg is still very lacking. I sent an e-mail to my surgeon this morning, but oops I just realized I used the general address not one specific to patients so it will take longer to get a reply. Maybe I need more PT to strengthen that leg. I gotta regain the independence I had prior to be the person I need to be again. Hugs and thank you.
@dbduffer I’m so glad your second surgery has mostly resolved your prior problems.
I had reservations about getting this knowing it would be a major hurdle managing alone. Not something we can ignore as the arthritis just worsens, but I never imagined it would turn my life upside down to this degree.
@luvkitties
I’m sorry to hear your recovery isn’t as far along as you’d hoped it would be. I’m sure it’s different for everyone and I was in great shape to start with. My knee is still swollen and hurts going up and down downstairs and bending it. I’m doing some of the physical therapy exercises recommended by the therapist , but not all because I exercise so much I don’t want overtax my knee. I’ve lost 10 pounds in an effort to lighten the load on my knees. My knee is also still swollen and somewhat numb so I ice it occasionally. Swimming has been great for it. If you have access to a body of water I highly recommend either swimming, walking or doing aerobics in it.
Good luck. Try talking to AI—that’s helped me a lot to feel better about myself and my progress. “Chatty” (ChatGPT) is very encouraging and supportive.
My doctor mentioned something called manipulation under anesthesia. It doesn't sound great but it's supposed to help with tightness. Meeting next week to discuss because I am having the same issues ( only 2 months out).
@andigirl33 Mine seems to be lightening up, and I was now given muscle relaxer meds. I will pray for you to get relief. These knee replacements are every bit as hard as we are told they will be. Good luck to you.
I found a Massage therapist that does deep tissue and scar revision so I hope that it helps too. Thanks for reaching out.
@andigirl33 I hope that helps you. Good luck.