Oh, my knees!

Oh, yes! I totally agree about the PT. My doctor told me before I went into this that if I wasn't going to pursue PT he might as well not do the surgery at all. I am about 5 weeks post-op now and I've been doing PT for 3 weeks. Already I have more range of motion. The knee joint has been remarkably less painful. Most of my pain is in the hamstring and the quadriceps muscles and the lateral tendons. I am still walking with one crutch for stability. Tried my cane but way too wobbly. I can walk short distances without the crutch on even ground. This week I am camping and I have kind of reactivated the knee a bit. But the pain is within reason and I go sit down when I feel pain. Don't want this flare-up to continue. My surgeon doesn't allow any NSAIDS at all, so I'm taking arthritis-strength Tylenol and it seems to help.

My DH had an arthroscopy 15 years ago. at the time the ortho told him he would need a TKA within 2-5 years. That knee is going strong and totally pain free.  I hope I get similar results.

Glad you got it done!  If I can give you some tips?

Going on one crutch is not good for your other (real) knee.  It has already been overcompensating for the one just replaced and it is continuing to do so with only one crutch.  Try both crutches for another week or so.  you don't even have to use them all the time but give it a break.  It need time off.

When I had the first knee done, the doc cut my quads and it took longer to recover.  But the next surgeon just moved them aside and I was driving in 2 weeks, without his knowledge.  He cannot know because it puts him in a position of liability so I didn't tell him until later on.  It also was NOT my "driving" knee so not such a liability when I was behind the wheel.

You are right to get that knee going now and work it but when you have pushed it too far, gently stretch it then elevate and ice.  You are still in that stage and should be icing for a couple more months when it is aggravated.

Of course, I am not your doc or PT person and don't profess to be but if my tips can help......

When you are about 6 months, your body will accept your knee and start acting like a team, you will notice it.  It's absolutely the best feeling in the world to have a new knee!!!  But I still cannot get down on the knees, they don't like it.  If I do, or if I fall, it's a bit difficult.  However, there are folks who have no issues at all that way.  I think it is mainly because of my weight.

And you will feel when rain is coming in, the muscles and tendons sort of let you know.  Go figure.  I am 4 years out now on the second knee and no longer feel the need to stretch it but that came not too long ago, maybe 8 months or so.

You are going to love it!!!!!