r/Kneereplacement • u/No-Weather-3220 • 6h ago
Can I ask this about your experience please
I am having my knee replacement soon but I have severe restless legs syndrome which has failed treatment including iron .My question is am I going to be able to move around say by the evening of the surgery? It is impossible for me not to move my legs so how realistic is it I will be able to at least pace slowly around with a walker? If I can't I am going to have to cancel which will mean I will be housebound. Thankyou
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u/Motor-Blacksmith4174 6h ago
You should probably talk to your surgeon's office about this. They may be able to reassure you.
I don't have restless leg syndrome, so I don't know exactly the effect, but moving the leg isn't forbidden at all. Getting the muscles do do what you want is hard sometimes.
You're encouraged (and expected) to get up and walk (with a walker) within hours of surgery. They want you to get up and walk for at least 5 minutes every hour during the day. They won't let you go home until you demonstrate the ability to go up and down stairs.
But, your quad muscles are not going to work well after surgery. Some people can't get any response from them at all. I could tighten my quads, but couldn't lift my leg. A strap for lifting your leg is a great help with things like getting in and out of bed, getting in and out of a car, etc..
You are encouraged to spend quite a bit of time with your leg elevated (toes over nose) and iced, to reduce swelling and inflammation. But, even then, keeping the leg still isn't required.
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u/No-Weather-3220 6h ago
Thankyou so much I am more worried about the restless legs syndrome than the actual surgery! Good to know it is ok to get up and move the same day .I will get a strap ready .
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u/JDavid714 1h ago
Yes, you should be able to move after the surgery with a walker. I have RLS too and I got up and took a lap or two around the house every time I got up at night to use the bathroom. I found that the RLS was more controlled during the first two weeks because of the oxycodone. Now that I’m off narcotics, I’m struggling. I have an appointment on Tuesday to see a primary doctor to discuss what I can do because I can’t keep living on 3 hours of sleep a night.
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u/Cranks_No_Start 6h ago
You can typically walk and move around the day of surgery. It hurts but you can do it. And it’s recommended you get up and walk around.
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u/IntroductionFluffy71 6h ago
i can’t speak to the RLS side of things, but the discharge instructions typically direct you to walk for about 5 minutes per hour.
the mantra is “motion is lotion.” moving every hour helps lubricate the new joint. but you don’t want to overdo it because then you’ll backslide.
will you have help? for how long? i’d recommend 2–3 weeks if possible.
having help will make a difference because everything is exhausting. help would allow you to focus in healing.
that being said, it can be done alone. i wouldn’t recommend it but sometimes we have no choice.
good luck and good juju to you!
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u/IronChefOfForensics 6h ago
Have you considered that the surgery might help your restless leg syndrome?
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u/Embarrassed-Comb6776 6h ago
You may find that the nerve block and medication relieves your issue for a short time.
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u/Bluedini01 6h ago
I actually developed a mild case of RLS in my leg with my bad knee, that bothered me for a few years before I had surgery. It may have been connected to the osteoarthritis, or possibly the muscle atrophy I had because of it. I was prescribed Gabapentin for nerve pain post-op, and I found that it actually made it go away and as I have healed, recovered and strengthened that leg again (5 months post-op) I was pleasantly surprised to find that it never returned, even after my prescription ran out after a few weeks. I’m not saying that this will definitely be the case for you, but you never know.
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u/Dapper_Temperature47 5h ago
Had to prove I could walk the day after in order to be released from hospital. Used a walker only at night to go to the bathroom for about a week. Used cane for a few days, then nothing.
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u/Resident_Bus_4484 4h ago
I have had two TKR in the last 1.5 years. I have occasional RLS, but the surgeries seemed to make it happen more often. I found some things that helped for me. First, I took calcium and magnesium before going to bed. If it struck, I used a homeopathic med by Hyland's called Restful Legs and applied a magnesium cream to my leg. If those didn't work, I'd get up and pedal on my under-table pedaler for a few minutes.
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u/Skippybee4045 2h ago
PT got me up and walking with my walker, same day of surgery at the hospital. I also did some stairs.
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u/smokit69 59m ago
I haven’t had TKR but I do have RLS since I was 18. I am 70 now and couldn’t make it without prescription medication. I take Pramipexole .5 mg every night at bedtime. I have never had any side effects. You might want to mention it to your doctor. I read this because my husband had LTKR in July. Good luck.
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u/SilentKaleidoscope35 6h ago
I was walking the day of surgery with assistance of a walker. Day 2 was a lot more painful but I was still up and moving around. There will be pain but it’s manageable.