5 week update (FINALLY HIT THE TURNING POINT) after my total knee replacement surgery

[@tomischemalone1791]

This is day 4 for me after surgery and the pain is incredible I still do the physical therapy but it's very painful.i am feeling like I am never going to be put on pain .I finally was able to put my foot flat on the ground with the therapist holding me up .I am proud of that .going to.rehab soon so I can have more therapy there .When does the pain stop ?😢

[@GaryForgingOn]

For me it hurt for 4 to 5 weeks. Well, it hurt longer but I was on pain meds that long. The knee replacements seem to take longer than a hip. It will be rough for a while but it will get better. Keep up with the meds and therapy and hang in there. I hope and pray you get some relief soon.

[@SelfLoveJourney56]

Thanks for making these videos. You’re helping me through my TKA. I’m at four weeks and so glad I found your videos.

[@GaryForgingOn]

I am glad my videos helped a little. When I started doing these I was reluctant to post them because I didn't have all those great "healed in one week" experiences and thought people would not want to see the real me recovering. But I am glad I could help and I didn't realize how many others were like me until I did post them. Take care. Gary

[@elisapetatusani674]

You are explaining exactly what I am going through now! I am 5 weeks post op, bilateral TKR. Thanks for sharing and I am glad I am not alone!

[@GaryForgingOn]

Bless your heart. Having both at once is a lot. I thought about that but they would not do them together so I had one done last March and the other in Sept last year. I hope and pray you continue to do well. Hang in there. The physical therapy is hard but it helps and now that my first knee has been a year it is really doing good. My second knee is 7 months and it is a lot better but still sore on stairs. But it continues to improve as well. Take care and I wish you a speedy recovery.

[@rtdnrse]

I am three weeks post TKA (right) at this point. You're videos have been helpful. This is the hardest thing I have ever done and was not prepared for the emotional roller coaster that also comes along with. I was just able this week to go completely around on the clinic stationary bicycle and l cried that I was able to accomplish this.' My flexion is 110 when they measure but that is with them pushing me to 'take a deep breath and bend a bit more', I don't understand pushing beyond comfort to get that 1 or 2 point extra, to me that is not a true reading but for they're records for medicare, billing and/or MD to see.????

[@GaryForgingOn]

I hope and pray you continue to improve. It is tough. I had a rotator cuff, then back surge, Hip replacement and then both knees... The knee was the toughest. But now that I had them both and it has been over a year they are working great and I am glad I had them done. But it takes a while. They pushed my knee the same way. I had to just take it but it kept pushing and pushing it until I was able to bend it like it needed. I even would push it at home to get it moving and get some range of motion. I know it hurts but it is worth it in the end. If you have any questions just let me know. You will do great. And I remember the first time my knee went around still today. It hurt but it was a great accomplishment.

[@tonyl6385]

Good videos, I'm on week 5 of my TKR. It's finally getting better, stillnin pain but not agonizing,.just pain. Been walking better, longer but slower. Keep up the great videos. God bless you and your family.

[@GaryForgingOn]

Thank you for the kind comments. I hope and pray you continue to do well. It is still a little sore even after all these months but the doctor told me it will take a year to fully heal. But I can walk longer and better now with out that lingering bone on bone pain from before.

[@ceed.6729]

Thank u again. Hope your mom and bro in law are well.

[@GaryForgingOn]

I appreciate you asking. They are both doing better. It has been slow recovery for them both but they have improved.

[@ceed.6729]

That's great !

[@ArielleViking]

Great to hear your knee recovery has turned the corner. ❤️

[@GaryForgingOn]

Thank you Arielle, I appreciate it. It is slowly getting there. Still stiffens up a bunch but I keep exercising to work it out.

[@minijms1]

Hi, from the UK here, had my partial knee replacement four weeks ago, you're right it's the pain and lack of sleep that grinds you down in those first weeks but you work through it, meds help but you get about two hours, finding a comfy position in bed becomes and art in it's self. I am four weeks in now and I think I have turned a corner, sleep is getting better. I don't regret having it done (I will have my left done at some time) but I look like you now tired out but I know it will pass, just wish we where told before how much the procedure takes out of us, best wishes.

[@GaryForgingOn]

Glad you are doing better. You're right about the knowing ahead of time. That was why I wanted to post my progress. That was my right knee for that video and I just had my second total knee replacement in September. It is about the same for me. I am at 6 weeks now and last week I was finally able to get some sleep. Glad you are doing better. I hope and pray it helps you out. I am glad I got them. I was not so sure during the first few weeks. LoL

[@CanuckGirl-p7k]

Thanks, Gary. Your videos are really encouraging to me. I am currently 3 weeks and 3 days after surgery.

[@GaryForgingOn]

I appreciate that. I made these videos in the hope that I could help some others. Thank you. I hope and pray you are doing well with your recovery. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

[@CanuckGirl-p7k]

Thanks, Gary! 5 weeks today. Advancing with my physio. Tired today, didn't sleep too well last night, you know the story. Lol. Going to try to rest a bit now. 😊

[@mossomosso5991]

Thank you so much for your videos. They have truly helped me. Have a great weekend!😊

[@GaryForgingOn]

I appreciate your kind words. I did these to hopefully help others going through the same things. So that means a lot to me. Have a great weekend too.

[@joycekavanaugh9524]

Three weeks out thr 😢 When I grocery shop I have 15 minutes to grab what I need or management will be calling an ambulance. Once I manage to get in my car driving isn't that bad. So appreciate your story as you give me hope for a decent recovery. Having neuropathy adds to the mix. Will visit you later in the day.

[@GaryForgingOn]

You will do great. Hang in there and keep up the good work. PT is rough, at least it was for me but I just gritted my teeth and did it. And it pays off in the end. For me and my size, it was hard getting in and out of the car until I could bend my leg more but it all worked out.

[@doreenprovost92]

good video, honest, helpful. I have bad knees, haven't yet worked up to the surgery ha ha. Gary, I find using a transport chair very helpful. In the grocery store, I put a small shopping basket on it and use that instead of wheeling a shopping cart. Just sayin'. All the best for your recovery.

[@GaryForgingOn]

I appreciate the information Doreen. I hope you can get your knees fixed at some point. Mine are getting better now as time passes. I was out in the shop working on my feet for almost 5 hours yesterday. My second knee that was replaced in Sept was a little more sore than my first knee that was done last March. But both were fine. Back when I was on my bad knees I would be messed up for a few days after that. I hope and pray you get some relief with yours. Thanks again and take care.

[@RustyGlovebox]

Everything sounds great and glad to hear about your good progress. 👍

[@GaryForgingOn]

I appreciate it Lloyd. Hope you and your family are doing well and had a good weekend.

[@valerieassar8263]

Hi Gary my general practitioner (GP)...told me the knee replacement recovery is much much longer than hip replacement recovery ..I did mention in other messages to you thatv6 years ago my hip arthritis started ..I refused 3 ops on NHS now I have knee arthritis in both knees I feel it's way worse than my hip .....my gp is saying to get hip replacement done first as I've had it longer ..but I feel I've got used to my limp and stiffness and the pain in my hip isn't too bad ..only thing is the NHS surgeon probably won't give any advice ..he will just strike me off the 5 year waiting list and be onto the next patient

[@GaryForgingOn]

oh,, I am not sure how that NHS waiting list works. But as I said in the other message. you may want to do the hip first just because of how it affects the knee pain.

[@papawsplace]

Happy Easter Mr. Gary so glad to hear your getting better day by day.

[@GaryForgingOn]

Thank you. And I hope you had a wonderful Easter as well. It's getting better every day. thanks again.

[@teresas8919]

Yes, I’m at like five weeks and I went through a roller coaster ride with my left knee. I felt good and I was doing more and I felt great and I felt bad and then I get depressed and it’s just crazy and right now I’m getting off the pain meds so and I’m gonna have backlash of probably some symptoms from that and then you know I’m just going to PT and your sore and my lateral, part of my knees, sore and lateral steps and going down steps and up steps I can’t even go down steps so it’s gonna be a while for that but I’m strengthening, my quads and those kind of things so do one thing at a time I guess but I’d love to hear somebody’s comments on getting off pain meds if they had any issues with like sweating or trembling or anything like that or vomiting or being sick stomachbecause I’ve been on it for like over about five weeks

[@GaryForgingOn]

I was getting sick from the meds after a few weeks with the first knee but then with the second knee I went almost 5 weeks on the meds and didn't get sick. But I was worried about going cold turkey off the meds so I called my doc and asked about a step down pain med. I took that for a week or less then I was just on tylenol and ibuprofen together. My doc said I could take tylenol with ibuprofen or aleve but I could not take aleve and ibuprofen together. The stairs took a while and even then it still hurt for several months. Now that I am over a year with both knees I can almost run up and down stairs. You will get there. Just give your body time to strengthen up and keep moving and working those knees. Hope that helps.

[@earlshaner4441]

Happy Easter brother and your family thank you for sharing brother

[@GaryForgingOn]

Thank you Earl and Happy Easter to you and yours as well.

[@kingbrown8173]

Total Left Knee Replacement with Mako Robotic Protocol: On December 12, 2022, I had a Total Left Knee Replacement with Mako Robotic Protocol, in Palm Beach County, Florida. I am a white male 70 years of age. One thing I have learned is that your frame of mind is extremely important to the way you are going to heal during this process. I went into this surgery with the frame of mind I am not going to let this hold me down. I immediately told the doctor that I wanted to get ahead of the pain. I used 24 of the 30 oxy, that was prescribed to me. I have had no pain during this entire time, today I am 8 & 1/2 weeks post-surgery. Please note: this was an outpatient procedure, went home 3 hours after I arrived, surgery was 30 minutes long. I went back to work at the 4 weeks mark. I did all the procedures the doctor prescribed, ice machine, exercise, drugs, therapy. I ditched the walker, 1 week after the surgery too cumbersome. Hope this helps anybody who is considering this procedure.

[@GaryForgingOn]

Thank you for the input. That is great you were going so quickly. I am pretty sure they did not do a robotic surgery on me. I agree to use those meds. I tried to get off too soon. Take care.

[@jeffreys.harris3433]

Hi Gary Brown. I don't want this to be long. But looking for advice. I had a hip replacement on 6/22/2020 after a two nite stay at the hospital. Came home slight sore minor pain. and not much swelling. On Friday. Saturday morning I actually was thinking maybe will be the miracle walker, LOL 😆.. Monday my foot began to swelling I got the big black & blue bruise in the back of my hip going down to my ankle.. I felt miserable at nite. So I'm observing all this happening. 1 I'm supposed to walk on this hip a slowly gradually go to a Cain? But my questionsa fine balancing act. Do I walk on it with swelling and pain. Or do I stay off my foot for a day or two and get the swelling down ????? Thanks Jeff in Carson city Nevada 🙏

[@GaryForgingOn]

I can just tell you from my hip replacement back in 2019 that I was on my walker and pain meds for 2 weeks. It hurt enough to stay on the meds and I didn't even go to a cane until after 2 weeks. The Physical Therapist are the real guides as to when to move off the walker. But I remember all that bruising too. It looked bad for a while. Of course I am not a doctor or therapist but I kept doing my exercises and walking that the PT folks put me on. Even when it hurt. For me I think the walking and movement helped eventually reduce my swelling too. But talk it over with your therapist and see what they say. My foot swelled up and lower leg and the doc had me get some compression socks to wear. But it did go away after a few weeks, if I remember correctly. I hope and pray you do well and get some relief soon. Hang in there. It gets better. I walk great now on my new hip. But just got my knee done and I get the other knee in the fall.

[@jeffreys.harris3433]

@@GaryForgingOn Gary I'm so thankful you shared your journey. I have learned about of information from you. Will go slow. and listen to the Dr's Therepist. Ohh ya and my lovely wife Priscilla. Elevating and using lots of ice 🧊 seems to help a lot with pain. Thanks Gary.

[@adoniahodgkins9012]

Thank you! Helpful video.

[@GaryForgingOn]

I appreciate it. I wanted to try to help others going through this.

[@michelleleebento1888]

Hi Gary, May I ask how old you are?

[@GaryForgingOn]

This video was from my first knee in March. I was 62 at the time. Had my second knee replacement in Sept just before I turned 63.

[@jomc20]

The trouble with knee replacement is that everyone's experience is different. Thec state of your joint before the operation and your range of motion will be different to everyone else's. It is disheartening to read some people claiming that they had little pain and were walking normally within 3 weeks which is, frankly, unbelievable.bof you're not doing so well, it is demoralisong. On the other hand, its frightening to hear of patients having complications andvl pain 2 years after the op!

[@GaryForgingOn]

So true. thanks for watching and commenting

[@dradamrosen]

Thanks for sharing. Always nice seeing what information patients have to share with other patients. Here is what I tell my patients at 1 month - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6G6XntmormdmZY

[@GaryForgingOn]

Thank you Dr. Rosen. I watched your video and it was very accurate. All the clicking, swelling, hot knees, taken a year or more to really get back to normal.

[@markmolkenbur5165]

👍

[@jonathanb.wright2968]

They suck I have had 17 knee surgeries and they want to replace both knees again!!!!

[@GaryForgingOn]

Oh wow.. that is miserable. I am sorry you are having so many problems. I know I needed my first one replaced years ago. The doctor told me if i had mine replaced 10 or 15 years ago they would have only lasted 10 years or less but the ones now will last 20. I just hope this is it for me. I don't want to go through it again. I hope and pray they can get yours fixed up.

[@terryjones2012]

Yep!.. You waffle

[@GaryForgingOn]

ok

[@GuyRegular]

Just a word of advice. I chose this video to see how you're doing regarding the shoulder surgery. I wish you would just stay on point instead of constantly getting off subject

[@GaryForgingOn]

Thank you for the feedback. I have been trying to stay on topic more. I guess you made this comment under the wrong video since this is a knee replacement video but I get your point. Have a blessed day.

[@tanyakimber264]

How rude Guy! This lovely man has just finished saying he has pain and can’t sleep very well, and you feel the need to criticise him, get a life Guy!

[@GaryForgingOn]

@@tanyakimber264 Thank you Tanya, I am very appreciative of your comment and understanding. :)

[@jangriffin-fi1yx]

Exactly I think you are great keep up videos most helpful thanks.