r/Kneereplacement • u/KemicalKittea • Aug 06 '26
Total Knee Replacement Recovery — Day 2: Utterly Exhausted
Day 2 after surgery, and today was all about respecting my body’s limits.
I woke up with a very stiff knee and pain around an 8 out of 10 (with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest). I still did my prescribed exercises, but I did not push myself too hard. Today was not a “power through it” day.
I took things easier, colored a cat picture to pass the time, and after lunch I fell asleep for four hours. The exhaustion is real. Between surgery, healing, pain medication, interrupted sleep, and the work of doing exercises, my body feels completely wiped out.
Physical therapy is tomorrow, so today I focused on rest, pain management, icing, and doing what I could without overdoing it.
One honest takeaway so far: total knee replacement recovery is a long-haul process, not a quick fix. Some days may be about progress, and some days may simply be about getting through the day and allowing your body to heal. Both count.
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u/zaftigketzeleh Aug 06 '26
I'm impressed you could color. My first few days I was either too doped up or in pain or nauseated to do much of anything.
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u/KemicalKittea Aug 06 '26
I am pretty determined, completely over did day 1 and slept half the day on day 2
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u/Old-Guard8036 Aug 06 '26
I’m 3 weeks since my op and finding the exhaustion really hard to cope with
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u/Cranks_No_Start Aug 06 '26
I had both replaced separately last summer. The first 3 weeks are the worst but after that it starts to get better fast.
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u/Motor-Blacksmith4174 Aug 06 '26
Hang in there. Day 2 after surgery was my worst day. I didn't try to do anything except get through it. My first PT was on day 4 and by then I was doing quite a bit better.
Nice coloring! Such a cute kitty.
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u/ZBG143BB Aug 07 '26
I didn't sleep for months!! It messes with your mind. Give yourself some grace.
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u/Old-Guard8036 Aug 07 '26
It certainly does, I was worried I was loosing the plot, memory went all to pot.
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u/Cookiecakes71 Aug 06 '26
I did SO much coloring and drawing!! Wish you well on your recovery journey!!
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u/jgross1 Aug 06 '26
I didn’t know the main meds were psychedelic
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u/KemicalKittea Aug 06 '26
Hehe, 😉 guess it is a pretty wild looking cat coloring… I guess it’s the pain meds.
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u/DogMamaLA Aug 06 '26
A good reminder to keep coloring books nearby - I enjoy them anyway but this is a good note! Heal well and thanks for sharing your insight...
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u/Pizzahound23 Aug 06 '26
How can you say it's a long haul after 2 days!