10 Days Post Op.....so far, so good

[mbrown]

Interesting. These are like electric like. They are just super sharp pains that feel like they are down in the bones. They only last a few seconds but they get my attention. Strange.

 

[KarriB]

They're probably zingers, everyone feels them differently.

 

[Celle]

Yes, they're zingers. They're actually tiny electric shocks, caused by the cut nerve endings trying to re-connect.

 

[mbrown]

I will be 21 days tomorrow. My initial plan was to be out of work for all of January but I really feel like I am ready to go back. I am not on my feet at work and I only work about 10-15 minutes away from home, so I can come home to elevate and ice if I need to. I can also do a lot of work from home.

My plan is to go back this week for a few hours a day and then go back full time the next week. Any advice and/or early warning signs that I need to look out for when I go back. If I go in for a few days and it doesn't go well then I can always adjust my plan, as I have a couple of weeks to work with since they thought I would be out all of January. I don't want to go back to work and take a bunch of steps backwards in my recovery, which is why I'm looking for early warning signs that might tell me if I'm overdoing it. Obviously pain and increased swelling.......anything else I need to be on the lookout for?

 

[Jamie]

I think you've got it covered. Remember that going in to work involves getting dressed and ready, driving there and back (even though you're close) and probably a bit more walking about than you think. I would suggest you go in at noon on the first day and only work a half day. Then see how you feel and go from there. It's better to go in later in the day than to try a half day leaving at noon. The temptation is too great to stay once you're there and you risk overdoing it until you know how you're going to do. Good luck.

 

[Celle]

Pain and increased swelling, probably most likely. You'll also find that you get very tired, much more easily than you used to. It's surprising how quickly your energy gets zapped. I used to feel as if I was running on empty, quite suddenly.
Initially, I could do something for half a day, but that was my limit, so you're wise to anticipate coming home, if necessary.

 

[mbrown]

Thanks @Jamie. That's exactly what I was thinking.......going on around mid day. The getting dressed part really stinks. I wish I could just go in wearing shorts and a tshirt!

@Celle yeah, I'm worried about my energy level. As great as my recovery has been so far, I can still certainly feel the effects of having had major surgery. I'll be ready for a nap at around 4:00 for sure! Maybe I can push that nap back to 4:30 or 5:00!

 

[Celle]

You might be able to postpone that nap a bit, but I found that when my batteries had run down, i couldn't do anything productive. I just had to rest.
The only way you'll find out is to try it. Listen to your body and listen to your knee.

 

[mwetzel394]

@mbrown I went back part Time after day 23 for me and eased into it, I was definitely ready for a nap by the time I got home, my commute is tougher, I take the train a lot, but thats an hour and a half. I use a cane so people give up a seat. I have two of the large ice and terry cloth wraps and use that to ice at work , have not found time to elevate. Is there any PT in the schedule?
Good luck you will be fine, your doing great!


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[L.I.T]

HOW did I miss your birthday??? HAPPY BELATED, @mbrown!

You are doing so awesome with your recovery! Seriously, I know we all move at our own body's pace but since you and I both will have to do this again (sooner rather than later), I truly wish you the same amount of success on your future tkr as you've had on this one. You have a great attitude, and are an inspiration to many of us (even if we are a bit jealous at times ). Good luck at work! PS - did you get that spin class in yet?

 

[mbrown]

@mwetzel394, yes I will continue to have PT on mon/wed/fri

 

[mbrown]

@L.I.T thank you. You are so sweet. The spin class is happening today. I'll let you how it goes. It won't be like a normal spin class, as I will just be spinning slowly with no resistance but ya gotta start somewhere!

 

[mbrown]

Day 21 - Boom!!! 20 minute spin class in the books!

It felt good. Very low resistance and approximately 50-75 Rpm cadence.

Icing right now as a preventative measure but no pain now of while on the bike.

 

[UACats70]

@mbrown I noticed you have an Ace bandage on, do you wear it when you exercise only? I haven't used mine since day 4. Maybe I should consider compression. I'm working on going into the office too.

 

[mbrown]

I probably wear it about half the time. I don't know it if helps or not but it feels good with it on.

I do think compression has helped. I was a little inflamed a couple of days ago and I moved the Gameready compression setting up from low to medium and boom......no more swelling.

I had to give the Gameready back today. I almost cried. I'm like Linus and the Gameready was my blanket.

 

[Want2hike]

Since your commute is only 10-15 minutes, this might not be as big of issue (my commute is 30 mins) for you. During the first two weeks back, I adjusted my schedule 30 minutes earlier so I was avoiding the worst part of rush hour. All the extra starts and stops fatigued my leg muscles, especially on the drive home. I also froze a bottle half full of water, and rubbed my quads with the ice while driving (I was usually ok the first 15-20 mins) but ached after that.

I kept ice bags (gel packs) in the freezer at work, and would put my feet up on an office chair and ice while I was doing computer work or meeting with people in my office. I made a point of getting up every hour or so, just to stand and stretch or walk a bit, to prevent stiffness.

I also found that mild compression knee high socks helped my legs ache less and kept the swelling down.

 

[mbrown]

Thanks @Want2hike that's all very good info and I appreciate you sharing

 

[zzevi]

You seemed to have covered all the bases, just take it slow. The energy drain was probably my biggest road block for about the 1st month, but I ended up having some other issues that played into wearing me down. Work, and go home and rest. Plan on either take out meals or something simple. In the beginning I got so tired by the end of the day I didn't even have a appetite, just wanted to rest. (overall you sound like your doing really well.

 

[L.I.T]

Way to go on the spin session! Glad you are doing so well. I'm sorry about the game ready, though. I know it's been hugely helpful, but I think you are doing well enough that you won't even notice it's gone. Proud of you for hitting all of your goals!