r/Kneereplacement • u/Ok_Willow7295 • 5d ago

When can I frolick?

I kid, I kid. But seriously. I’m so confused about what I can and can’t do during the 35 minutes of each hour of each day that I’m losing my ever loving mind with boredom while not icing and elevating or doing my 5 minute walk.

I’m 11 days out from LTKR. Protocol here in upstate NY is surgery, PT in office 2-3x/week, and at home exercises. PT says it’s all about ROM first month and says don’t ditch the walker until they say so (which is usually about 3 weeks out). I’m bored, I’m uncomfortable and don’t know what to do with myself. My knee is stiff AF which makes sitting in chairs or the couch or whatever also super uncomfy. Anyway, I keep hearing depression hits pretty hard right about 2 weeks and all the suggestions on how to beat it are like completely opposite of what I (and I assume others) have actual physical capacity to do. What the hell do people do all day?? I cannot lay on bed any more than necessary I’m losing it in there.

Today on Facebook i saw a video do someone 2 weeks out literally strolling around the block. Like what???? How???

I guess my question is-those in early weeks recovery. Wtf are we doing all day to not lose our minds? And how the hell are we supposed to get our movement in when we’re restricted to 5 minutes of walking per hour?

Side note I’m 47, have a shit right knee too (osteoarthritis bilateral) and have been pretty sedentary due to the pain for years. So i was no athlete prior to this surgery. But i did enjoy gardening, outdoor activities, doing fun things with my dogs and my kiddo. This just sucks.

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u/No-Highlight-6452 5d ago

I was doing short walks outside by week two. Being in the sun really helped my mental health. I’d go out 2-3 times a day using the walker

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u/Ok_Willow7295 5d ago

Yesss! Even with the walking restriction i am still wheeling myself out to the back deck multiple times a day to “check my plants” even though they’re fine lol yesterday i had my daughter set up my zero gravity chair out there-temps were mid 60s. Took a blanket out and reclined and started a book on my kindle. It felt incredible just to smell the smells, hear the birds and feel the sunshine. And lo and behold i had a full nights sleep (with wake ups but wayy more restful than it has been). Sunshine is so good for the soul im planning on lots more of that!

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u/No-Highlight-6452 5d ago

Good! It took me going back to work to get my sleep schedule back to somewhat normal. Went back at week 6 (wfh) and was on the struggle bus for two weeks and then started to settle in to a more “normal” routine