It’s been just over a month since I swapped my aching knee for a smoother, pain-free future. I had a partial, lateral knee replacement on the left leg. Here I’ll share what it’s really like adjusting to a new knee and what the first four weeks of recovery were like for me.
- Swelling is one of those things everyone says will happen post-surgery, and my experience was no different. My knee ballooned initially, but cooling methods became my best friend. Elevation was key – pillows under the leg not only helped with the swelling but also made me feel more comfortable overall.
- Luckily for me, my pain levels were not too bad. As advised, I tried to focus on staying ahead of the pain, taking prescribed meds consistently rather than waiting for the discomfort to escalate. Gradually, I began incorporating more natural pain relief methods, like gentle stretches and breathing exercises, who knows if they helped but they gave me a dose of relaxation in the process.
- When it comes to regaining range of motion, patience really is a virtue. I’m not feeling too happy with my assigned physical therapist who is pushing my knee (literally!) and causing too much pain which doesn’t feel right to me. Despite this, I’ve reached a 90 degree bend and full extension through my daily exercises which I’m happy with.
- The scar was inevitable, but I’m learning to embrace it as a badge of honor – a visible reminder of my strength and resilience. The dressing was removed after two weeks and some of the dissolving stitches are still visible along the scar today. I’ve started massaging each side of the scar with a little Vaseline, which my therapist said would help reduce the scar tissue.
- While the prescribed painkillers provided much-needed relief, they also came with side effects. Codeine gave me constipation and made me feel really groggy, so I stopped those before the two week supply was finished, and I have stuck with paracetamol and ibuprofen, although I’m weaning off those now too. I had to inject a blood thinner for two weeks post-surgery and was very glad to finish those!
- Sleep was a bit elusive at first, but finding a comfortable position with plenty of pillows helped me catch some z’s. A consistent bedtime routine, including some calming herbal tea and limiting screen time before bed, also helped.
- My mobility is gradually improving. I’m only using one crutch in the house (on the stairs mainly) but use two when I go outside. I’m not walking much yet, but counting incremental progress, like walking around the block, as big wins. They say it’s important to celebrate the small wins to keep positive.
I’ll update you all in another four weeks!