TKR Total Knee Replacement lessons learned.

[Kevin from PA]

I had a left TKR in early march 2024. Mine was complicated by the fact that this would be my eighth surgery on this knee (1980-today) including a reconstruction (ACL,MCL) in the 80's. One of the eight surgeries was a knee cap removal. This was the biggest complicating factor. That said, here are my lessons learned:

1) Build your quad muscle before surgery. Its tougher to build after surgery
2) Get a physical therapy evaluation before surgery. In my case I did not and i am guessing what my range of motion was before surgery.
3) Buy a cold water therapy unit. Less than $200 and well worth it.
4) Buy a counter top ice maker as a companion to the cold water therapy unit, especially if you have no or a slow automatic ice maker in your fridge.
5) Talk to you doctor about the pain management plan before surgery. Mine was inadequate and never discussed.
6) Schedule and confirm your physical therapy session well in advance of surgery. I waited for them to call me and didn't start therapy until day 12 instead of day 5-7

If I think of more I will add to this post

 

[Kevin from PA]

Some additional thoughts:

Buy a heating pad that wraps around the knee.

If you don't have one already, buy a long shoe horn.

Don't judge your recovery based on someone else's... all recovery's are unique

 

[Freyagirl]

If you don’t want an ice maker you can get two sets of plastic water bottles and rotate them in the ice machine. Mine took 4 12 oz bottles. The frozen bottles last longer than cubes too.

 

[Kevin from PA]

If you don’t want an ice maker you can get two sets of plastic water bottles and rotate them in the ice machine. Mine took 4 12 oz bottles. The frozen bottles last longer than cubes too.

Good idea! Wish I had thought of that

 

[mendogal]

If you tell us what knee and the date we will create a custom signature for you!

 

[mendogal]

Two months post op is still very early in healing so here's some short articles for you.

Welcome to BoneSmart! You are in the very early stages of an average of a yearlong recovery. I will leave you our Recovery Articles that have helped tens of thousands of other knee replacements. We are here to help you through this journey the best we can. The very best thing for your knee right now is to rest, ice, and elevate. Exercises can come later. There is no rush to achieve ROM because it will come naturally as your swelling decreases. Your OS was able to bend your knee while checking for movements during your surgery, so it will be fine. It just takes time.

Each person is different as is their recovery. Most find that the Bonesmart approach works best for them, but others find that a more aggressive therapy helps them more. It's your recovery and your choice on how you recover. As you read more on other members' recovery threads, you’ll get a better perspective of what to expect. The following are our basic guidelines and should help get you started.

KNEE RECOVERY GUIDELINES

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary.

If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity progression for TKRs​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[mendogal]

I had a left TKR in early march 2024. Mine was complicated by the fact that this would be my eighth surgery on this knee (1980-today) including a reconstruction (ACL,MCL) in the 80's. One of the eight surgeries was a knee cap removal. This was the biggest complicating factor. That said, here are my lessons learned

1) Build your quad muscle before surgery. Its tougher to build after surgery
2) Get a physical therapy evaluation before surgery. In my case I did not and i am guessing what my range of motion was before surgery.

I had PT "prehab" because of an acute meniscus tear, and developed a simple home regimen of knee-friendly exercises for glutes and quads that I did up until the day before my first TKR. It was indeed a help!
I never had them measure my ROM beforehand and didn't put a lot of stock on post op measurements. My ortho team never measured post op and wanted to know what I could DO.

 

[Kevin from PA]

If you tell us what knee and the date we will create a custom signature for you!

Left knee, March 6, 2024...

Thanks

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary, Kevin!
I hope you're doing well and have time to share some thoughts on your recovery.
Hopefully all is well and you're looking forward to a great Summer 2024!
@Kevin from PA

 

[Kevin from PA]

Thanks for the anniversary wishes!

So an update on my recovery... its going very slowly. I'm stuck at 95 degrees of flexion for the last 2 weeks or so. With what I have been reading on this forum, thats not something I should worry about. BUT, patience is not a virtue I posess . Saw my ortho PA this week and he thinks my progress is ok given my history.

All that said, I have a goal to be fishing in Alaska in late July. Come h3ll or high water, ill be fishing in AK in late July. Have a great summer to all...

 

[Layla]

Come h3ll or high water, ill be fishing in AK in late July. Have a great summer to all...

Great goal! We'll hold you to it
Thanks for the update, Kevin. If we don't hear from you before then, please come back and share an update afterward.