Hello
@Staythecourseor
Welcome to BoneSmart and recovery! Thanks for joining us. Please share the exact date of your February surgery below. Thank you in advance.
At only eight weeks post op, you may need to lower your expectations. I mention that because you’re very early into a recovery that can take a full year and even longer for some. Members have noticed progress into their second and even third years post-op.
While I haven’t had a knee replaced, it sounds as though you’re engaging in some rather aggressive and unnecessary PT. You mention you can “tolerate” the PT which sounds like you may be pushing yourself through, with the end result being pain and swelling that OTC meds aren’t completely effective in eliminating. I believe the aggressive PT is causing an inflammatory response which adversely affects the soft tissue surrounding your knee then decreasing your range of motion. I’d suggest you back off the PT and allow that knee to heal without constantly irritating it.
I will leave our Recovery Guidelines with wishes for your comfort and relief from pain. I’m sure others will stop by to comment. Please continue to stick with us and share your progress. You’ll find great support and encouragement here.
Knee Recovery: The Guidelines
As you begin healing, please keep in mind that each recovery is unique. While the BoneSmart philosophy successfully works for many, there will be exceptions. Between the recommendations found here, your surgeon's recovery protocol and any physical therapy you may engage in, the key is to find what works best for you.
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 these pages on the website
Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications
Wound Care In Hospital
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.