TKR Mouser's recovery

[Mouser]

Had my left TKR yesterday. There was quite a bit of arthritis on the outside of my knee. To the point there was not much left except bone on bone. Also because my knee was putting more pressure on the inside, my medial ligament was stretched. Doctor put some stitches he's in to help secure it. So far, the pain has been managed well with meds. I have been up walking with walker a few times. My blood pressure has been lower than usual so they haven't let me walk today. Giving me fluids to raise it. If it stUs stable more pt then I can go home.

 

[Jockette]

It is common for blood pressure to be a little low after this surgery, mine was, too.

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

Knee Recovery: The 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
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​

6. Access to these pages on the website

​

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

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 the 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 the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[Susie-Q]

Welcome to the other side, @Mouser !

Good luck with your recovery and remember to be good to yourself in these early days. Rest, ice, elevation and taking your pain meds on schedule. Don't wait for them to wear off or it will take longer for the pain to subside.

 

[Mouser]

Day 3, pain is very intense today. Keeping up with pain meds helps po s so much. Bruising is starting to show. Will update again when I can.

 

[Jaycey]

@Mouser Hang in there. The first few days can be tough. Keep taking those pain meds around the clock as prescribed.

Are you icing and elevating? Ice is a natural pain killer. Ice for 45-60 minutes several times per day. But always put a cloth between your skin and the ice pack.

 

[Mouser]

Yes, I am icing quite a bit. I can't seem to get comfortable when elevating.

 

[benne68]

That's not unusual, @Mouser. The first few days can be hard. I'm remember that feeling of not being able to get comfortable. Take your pain meds on schedule and sleep as much as you can. This will pass.

Wishing you an easy recovery.

 

[sistersinhim]

I can't seem to get comfortable when elevating.

Do you have a slight bend in your knee as you're elevating? It's much too painful to keep your knee completely straight. Elevating Dos and Don'ts

 

[Mouser]

Doing better today. Last night started taking oxcy every 4 hours. This has helped with the pain. I was able to elevate today. Did a few light exercises. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[Mouser]

I am now able to elevate my legs without to much pain. Today walking is better. Moving in bed is much easier. Taking pain meds every 4 hours to stay ahead of the pain. Did a few exercises that increased the pain. Ice really helped ease it. That is it for now. Time for another nap. Be well everyone.

 

[Jockette]

Did a few exercises that increased the pain.

This is telling you that you are not healed enough for those exercises. Take a break from them and try again at a later date.

Regaining our ROM is more about Time than repetitions of a list of exercises.

Time to recover.
Time for pain and swelling to settle.
Time to heal.

Our range of motion is right there all
along just waiting for that to happen so it can show itself.

In the general run of things, it doesn't need to be fought for, worked hard for or worried about. It will happen. Normal activity is the key to success.

 

[sistersinhim]

At your early stage all your infant knee needs is to walk around taking care of your daily needs.

 

[Mouser]

Day 9 here in my recovery. Today I have noticed a difference in my pain. Up until now, I have had to take 2 oxcy every 4 hours. But when the alarm went off this morning the pain wasn't there. I did my gentle exercise the iced. It.was about an hour since I was do for oxcy and still.doing ok. So I ended up taking it an hour and half since I was starting to get some twinges. This is a minor improvement bit huge to me. Remember to focus on the positive strides no matter how small. Hope the best for everyone's recovery.

 

[sistersinhim]

This is a minor improvement bit huge to me. Remember to focus on the positive strides no matter how small.

Those little steps of improvement lead to big ones in the next weeks or months!

 

[Mouser]

Energy Drain..today I am experiencing energy drain. I an taken multiple naps all day hence still feeling tired. Pain is still on the low side again today.the laugh of the day..I took a nice shower today. When I was pulling on my compression socks, I think I pulled a muscle in my shoulder. Just what one needs when you rely so much on the arms in this recovery. I see the doc on Friday looking forward to seeing under the bandage. Really thankful for this site in preparing and informing me what to expect. Hope you all continue to heal speedily.

 

[Jcx]

Hi Mouser. Hang in there every day you will have little victories. Slow and steady is the way forward. I'm 9 months and get frustrated with my progress. But when I read my old post's I realize that every day I get nearer to full recovery. Take care Jcx.

 

[Jockette]

I think I pulled a muscle in my shoulder.

I know how you feel. Due to a PT incident, I was diagnosed with acute tendinitis in my shoulder in my second week post op. The pain was a 10!

 

[Mouser]

Hard to believe tomorrow is the 2 week mark. Have to say most of it is a blur. Some good changes going on now. Taking 1 oxcy 6 hours or so for pain. Down from 2 every 4 hours. Feel like I am finally getting rest when I sleep. I managed to get 4 hours of straight sleep this morning ( longest yet). Swelling has gone down so much. I see the doctor Friday. Looking forward for this bandage removed. Keep up the good healing. We can get through this together.

 

[benne68]

Have to say most of it is a blur.

Sometimes, that's a good thing! We forget the worst of the pain in those early days.

Glad to read that you able to sleep for longer periods. That's a big milestone in this recovery.

This is a long, slow recovery that tests our patience. You'll get there!

 

[Mouser]

Had my 2 week follow up today. My Rom needs a little help on bending. It is only at 80. I can get to 0 when straighting. Still some swelling which I think is the problem with flexing the knee. I see the doc again in 3 weeks. It feels good to get the bandage off that was causing some pressure. Only two more weeks of compression socks woot. Got the ok for small walks and exercise bike. I will take it slow. I know how much the bike helped pre surgery so hoping it will loosen things up again. Will give another update soon. Hope you are all healing well.