TKR A Little Over a Week Out from Right TKR

Softsong

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This past week, I had my blood work done, urine test, nasal swab and my first EKG ever! My primary care doctor has the results, and I am scheduled to see her tomorrow to be cleared for surgery on February 5th. The only problem is that my granddaughter lives with me and brought a nice cold into the house. I woke up today with a sore throat and ticklish feeling in my chest. I hope this does not mess with my surgery date. I am still working and I have struggled at the hotel where I work to get a month off while our season is still slow. Usually a week vacation is the most they cover you.

I plan to be back at work at only 4 weeks. I am hoping that the let your knee heal philosophy will mean that I will keep swelling to a minimum. There is a place in the back office where I can put my foot up and ice it as needed. It will still be a fairly slow time (March) to continue healing. My worry now is that if I am not well enough for surgery, rescheduling would mess up the date that I go back to work. It will be too busy later in March and April. So, wish me luck that I get well quickly and can do my surgery as scheduled for February 5th!
 
@Softsong Welcome to BoneSmart! Not long now for your big day. Do try and stay away from crowds and kids - they breed colds and flu this time of year.
I plan to be back at work at only 4 weeks.
Since you have used the word "only" I assume you know this is a very aggressive goal. Your knee will not be up to any regular work at 4 weeks. Can you get any more time off?
 
Yes, I am aware that even 8 weeks is pushing it. 4 weeks is very aggressive. My surgeon asked me if I would get fired if I needed a little more time. I could possibly get another week off. My boss mentioned it as a possibility. But, being older and still needing to work a few more years I want to avoid them thinking I am a liability. If my surgery had been done in January, I would in February be mainly there at night with nothing to do except rest. March will be a busier time, of getting up to open the locked lobby door to let potential guests in. I am thinking of leaving the doors open, so people can walk in and I am just behind the counter. Not sure yet how I will approach it.
 
Here is some reading, to help you prepare for you surgery, @Softsong :

Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:
Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?

Regardless of where you are in the process, the website and app My Knee Guide can help you stay organized and informed. The free service keeps all the information pertaining to your surgery and recovery in one place on your smartphone. It is intended to be a personal support tool for the entire process.

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced knee, take a look at the posts and threads from other BoneSmarties provided in this link:
Stories of amazing knee recoveries
 
Hi.
My right TKR is on 2 days
Its exciting isnt to get these things sorted.
I had a left TKR 2 years ago and I went back to work at 3 weeks post op. Crazy. I struggled with swelling from day 1. All the info on this site is really good.
I have probably gone overboard and bought too much stuff this time but it was so icky with swelling that I would do anything to stop it happening again. You can only be guided by the experience of others and do your best. I intend to do as little as I can this time especially for the first few weeks and try to avoid the swelling.
I will have to go back to work at 4 weeks as well but not full time or full days. I'm hoping that will be ok. If you don't have to work or can avoid it for an additional week or two, then do so. If you must go, try and limit the time on your feet. Only you will know what you need (and sometimes we only know in hindsight!).
Good luck. Put yourself first, follow as much of the professional advice as you can and don't worry about anything that doesn't matter!
Will be great to follow your progress and hear how well it went.
Rosie xx
 
Thanks @rosieNZ ! Even though it was rough, it's encouraging to hear that you got through it. I am grateful for this forum because I had the idea that I had to really work harder and do a lot of exercises to get back to work. I am glad to know that for the first few weeks, I really need to concentrate on healing and the rest will come later. I bought one of those lounger wedges to elevate my feet and I made the 1 gallon bags of ice packs with water, alcohol and food coloring. Not sure if I will get an ice machine, but if I don't, I will elevate and ice like crazy and get up and walk every few hours.

Good luck with your right knee surgery! I'll be looking to see how you are doing!
 
That's great. Ice works. You can get neoprene (?) knee supports which allow you to add a bit of pressure manually if you need to.
I have hired Game Ready. Could be s waste of money. We will see. I found the swelling was huge at the back of my knee and hard to shift last time. I couldn't bend my knee much because the swelling front and back wouldn't let me. I don't think that's normal. My friend Helen (aged 71) had no swelling with her first TKR but troublesome with her second. She also pushed herself too hard. When she stopped trying to be Superwoman it got better. She is now 6 was post op and walking 10000 steps a day! Hopefully we will be similar xx
 
Keep being realistic about what you and your new knee can do. Recovery is a finite event -- you can't say "I'll do that later" -- so it's in your long-term interest to give your knee the best recovery possible.

Some people do literally have to work soon after surgery. Most wish they could have done it differently. It's not optimal for the knee, and may make your recovery longer than it otherwise would be. Do everything within your power to make your work situation knee-friendly:

1. Elevate. That means not just putting the feet up but putting the whole leg up with good support under the knee. Here's a good link (and look at the examples): Do's and Don't of Elevation.
2. Ice. Can you have ice packs available? An ice machine? Icing helps with both swelling and pain (which is caused by swelling).
3. Rest. Will you be able to nap? This may sound off-target, but... Energy Drain is real. I was exhausted, and I do mean dead-on-my-feet exhausted, for three months after my surgery. Be prepared for this.
4. Consider not just the on the job stress on your new knee, but also your commute. How long is the drive? How far must you walk? Are stairs involved? These activities add up!

By all means ask questions. Someone here has gone through what you're wondering about! :flwrysmile:
 
Hello @rosieNZ - and :welome:

Please will you tell us the full date of your right knee replacement and also of your left one 2 years ago, so we can make a signature for you? Thank you.:flwrysmile:
 
Sure.
LTKR Dec 30 2016
RTKR 31 January 2019 (ie in 2 days ad am in New Zealand. OMG)
Guess I better get my head together!
Rosie
 
Thank you, Rosie. :friends:
I've added your first TKR to your signature.

I see you're in Wellington. I'm in New Plymouth.
Who's doing your TKR?
 
Mr Kalra
He is a Capital and Coast District Health Board extra I think, but he's got an impressive history (yes I've stalked him, RNs are like that!) and is also lovely which is a bonus.
Im not having a GA this time so it will be an experience! Should be less exhausting after. Hoping they flick me off home quickly. Have read some people can be discharged same day which is amazing.
 
That's strange, @rosieNZ .
I can't find any information at all about Mr Kaira, or Mr Khaira. He'snot listed as one of Southern Cross's affiliated providers, either.

Are you sure you have his name correct?
Do you know how many knee replacements he does in a year and how did you come across him?

I'm asking because we sometimes have requests for good orthopaedic surgeons in NZ, and there isn't really a list.
 
Sanjay Kalra.
Google but include orthopaedics with name as there seems to be a few with that name. He is the studious 40ish man with specs and a big grin in the images. I found him straight up. Told me to stop trying to be functional with my knee as surgery is the only option (there is nothing more I can do) and not to worry about taking meds as they were obviously needed
Dont know if he is linked to private hosps but suspect not.
 
Ah, my mistake. I misread his surname.
I see he has an impressive list of trauma surgeries, but mostly in England.

He is in the NZ List of Registered Medical Practitioners thus:
"Scope of practice
Special Purpose

Locum Specialist

Dr Kalra is permitted to work as a locum tenens in a specialist position in Orthopaedic Surgery at Capital and Coast District Health Board under the supervision of Dr Peter Devane between 01 December 2018 and 10 May 2019."

I hope he does a good job on your knee.
Best wishes for the surgery.
 
@SusieShoes Thanks for all the things to consider about going back to work in 4 weeks. Fortunately, there are no steps. I am not sure if I will be driving or having my son drop me off. My work hours are inconvenient for most. I must be there at 11:00 p.m. and I leave at 7:00 a.m. But, the advantage is that my shift is one of the less busy ones and we are in our dead season. Unfortunately, when I return to work in the beginning of March, it will be more active and April will definitely be busy.

The doors are locked after 11:00 p.m. and people who want a room ring the bell, or guests who want to use the DVD rental machine. That can be a pain because even now, it is hard for me to walk to the doors. They could be at one door or another door. I am thinking of leaving the doors unlocked so people will walk in on their own, but that can be a bit dangerous late at night. Not positive yet what I will do.

In the back office where the security cameras allow me to watch the whole hotel, is a refrigerator. I've made the gallon bags of ice and will leave them there for when I return. I am also going to stock the refrigerator up so that I will have food and less shopping to do when I return to work.

I have security with me who usually is on the floor above me or doing rounds. He has said he will help me in any way I need. The stools are too high for me to sit at the counter, but in the back at the desk is a nice office chair and there are two boxes that if I bring a pillow will support my leg being elevated without stress to the knee.

Hope that these things will make it easier before the busier season. I will recuperate at my younger son's home where they have built a retirement suite for me when I am ready. It will be quieter. At my house which has stairs, I have a room mate who will take care of the dog along with my granddaughter who I usually drive to school. She will be on the bus. In the mother-daughter unit, my best friend is there and I helped her through a hip and knee replacement. She's cognitively impaired, so I am asking for my granddaughter and son to check on her and take her shopping as needed.

My son is handicapped and I hope his legs hold up for the extra driving he will do. I am the one who usually takes care of them all so that is why I am going to stay a few weeks at my other son's house and hope they do o.k. :D

P.S. Sleeping is a no no, but if it is not busy, I probably could sleep some. As long as I am not obvious about it. lol
 
I went to my primary care doctor who had received the results of my tests and I have been cleared for surgery! With one provision. :-(

My throat is sore! So she gave me an antibiotic just in case. Well, good thing she did. Of course, it could be viral and antibiotics not needed, but at least I will not run the risk of a secondary bacterial infection. I have a runny sneezing nose now and feel terrible. But five more days to go and I hope that I am ok. I guess as long as no fever, I am good to go, but it makes a me a little unsettled. I am hardly EVER sick!
 
Sending you good vibes. Hope you feel better and surgery goes well. I understand about work my goal is to go back in 6 weeks.
 
Bad news. I feel worse. Fever, chills and heavy chest and nose running a stuffed up. I called my surgeon's office and the assistant said to advise on Monday morning for Tuesday's surgery. A few minutes later, the assistant saw the doctor come out of his office and told him how I felt. They called me back and canceled it. I am supposed to let him know when I feel better. That creates a ripple at work as they have someone scheduled for me for the next 4 weeks. And if it is much later, 4 weeks to return to work when it gets busier will be a bad idea. Going to take the weekend to see how I feel and talk with my boss.
 
@Softsong

So sorry to hear about this. You’ll be able to have your surgery, but I know you had this all planned! So sorry.

Hope you feel better soon.
 

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