Something strange and perplexing has been happening lately. There will be times when I move and suddenly lose my balance. It is not extreme, only a simply side step. To someone who didn’t know any better, it might appear as if I had been drinking too much alcohol.
I don’t understand why it’s happening, either. It’s been 7 months, 1 week since my total knee replacement surgery.
Filed under: recuperation | Tagged: balance, knee surgery, recuperation, tkr, total knee replacement
It has been six and a half months since my total knee replacement and I am still walking with a cane and I suddenly lose my balance too. It is extremely scary. Last weekend I noticed my lower leg was swollen again. I am on Warfarin because three weeks after my surgery I developed a blood clot in the knee that had the replacement. Have been wearing elastic stockings but was able to discard them a month ago. Now I am back wearing the hose and the knee is hot, swollen and extremely painful. Called my physician and was told to elevate leg and put ice on it. That did not help much. If I did not have Percocet to take I don’t know how I would be able to get through the pain.
Thanks for your comment, N. Losing balance is a strange feeling, isn’t it? I’ve also sent you a personal email.
I don’t know what to suggest about your tkr recuperation. You are having difficulties I luckily have not experienced. I give you a lot of credit for being so strong about them.
I find that being a “couch potato” works well. I may come across as a lazy bum, but I don’t care. After doing nothing but elevating my leg on a pillow, icing, and not walking much – my tkr knee seems to get better.
You’re also lucky Percocet works for you. It didn’t for me.
Best of luck to you! Things’ll get better.
I am trying to read your posts that coincide with my own recovery, which is now 7 months post op……
I think my loss of balance at times, stems from a little inner ear disturbance which I have always had, just a minor inconvenience most of the time, and from the stiffness in my quads when I go from sitting to standing……I’m like a “weeble”……remember those? Weebles wobble, but they don’t fall down…..
I’m also having more swelling and pain than I was about 2 months ago, and I don’t know if it’s the hot weather or my increased physical activity. I am working a full 40 hour week now, and rarely take a lunch break anymore, as I prefer to work 6-2 and get home early, especially in the summer so I can swim.
I have NOT been on my exercise bike in a very long time, but I am climbing steps on the new deck and working my leg in the pool, so, hoping that offsets the non biking.
Deck has 2 steps to lower level, 4 more to upper, then 4 down into the water…….I swim twice a day if possible. But I’m up and down on the deck several times….it’s my new favorite place…..gotta love summer!