TKR 10 may op

[Parks]

Well now 2 days post op. Back home and managed 5 hours sleep. Knee sore and swollen feeling hot, hope this is normal. Managing getting up with crutches but flexion is poor. Wondering how long before swelling stops getting worse. Need more ice!

 

[Jockette]

@Parks Hi and Welcome to recovery! Yes, all that is normal.

Flexion is poor because of swelling. As the swelling goes down, flexion will improve. Please don’t worry about this, and don’t let your medical team cause you stress about it. It’s going to come back fine, it just takes time, and that time differs for all of us.

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.

 

[Jockette]

Need more ice!

Ice (Cryotherapy) to control pain and swelling

Updated 22 November 2020 Please note that though this article primarily talks about knees and hips, the information applies equally to shoulders and other joints as well. Using ice (cryotherapy) is an excellent means of controlling pain and swelling after joint replacement surgery and it...

bonesmart.org

 

[benne68]

Hello @Parks and welcome to the post-op side.

Knee sore and swollen feeling hot, hope this is normal. Managing getting up with crutches but flexion is poor. Wondering how long before swelling stops getting worse

What you describe is definitely normal, so don't let it worry you. The first couple of weeks are tough and the best thing you can do for yourself is to rest, ice, elevate and take your pain meds on schedule!

The good news about THIS pain is that it's a sign of recovery and it will get better with time. Meanwhile, we are here for you. Let us know how we can help!

 

[campcol1]

Hello Parks. I am May 11 RTKR. Night 2 for me. I came home also same day of surgery. Day 2 is very different than day 1. Nerve block wore off, swelling and bruising started. They say the first couple of days is surgical post op pain and and inflammation. 3 hours sleep and here i am posting. Grabbed ice and pain meds. Ice helps. I am adamant about going easier this time around. I had left knee done Dec 10, 2020. I didnt listen to anything here. I pushed through PT and wound up back in hospital in February with something called patella clunk syndrome and a synovectomy. I started paying attention to Bone Smart and backed off aggressive PT. A year later and I am playing pickleball, hiking and enjoying life. I have learned to slow down and be grateful and accepting of help. I am looking forward to see the difference in the right knee. I know not to compare it to others or my prior recovery. Slow and steady is my new name.

 

[benne68]

@campcol1 Thank you for the great recommendation for the BoneSmart approach! So glad you are back with us for your second TKR and sharing your experience with first-timers!

 

[Parks]

Well it's 5 days post op. Bit up and down at the moment. All this talk of ROM is very confusing, just can't find anything giving a visual of 90° etc, maths is not my strong point. Managing to get around on crutches , wash, loo etc. Although am lucky to have hubby to fetch and carry.

Very bruised on the back of leg which makes heel slides very painful, just not sure what is normal. Sleep is difficult and very patchy.

 

[InkedMarie]

@Parks here you go!

 

[Jockette]

@Parks Welcome to Recovery.

All you mentioned is normal.

Yes, there is a lot of talk about ROM, but please don’t stress about it. It will return to normal, but it will take time. Right now swelling, caused by the surgery, is preventing your knee from bending. That‘s normal. As the swelling goes down, and as you heal, the ROM will improve.

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.

 

[Jockette]

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.

 

[Parks]

Nice simple chart. Thank you so much

 

[Parks]

Thank you camcol nice to know your opinion on exercise. Can't believe what a wuss I am. So difficult to get comfortable. Not taking opoids as the constipation is a spectre at this feast. Sleep would be nice at the moment I doze off and wake moaning in pain. What joy!

 

[InkedMarie]

You’re very welcome! My first knee was almost four years ago and I’m 130 or so. Hoping for the same with my three week old one.

Marie

 

[Parks]

What is your rom at present? Think I'm about 95 at the moment

 

[InkedMarie]

Hi @Parks ! I was measured at 102 on Saturday.

Marie

 

[Parks]

Well another day of progress of sorts. However I have now got pain in my bum anyone else had this problem. Using a hot pad which helps.

Getting around on 1 crutch well just frustrated at lack of progress, although grateful constipation no longer a problem.

Well done with rom Marie, how do you measure? I have no follow up arranged, I won't start physio until 3 weeks. Seems a long time but this is NHS

 

[Jockette]

I won't start physio until 3 weeks. Seems a long time but this is NHS

You will be fine. This will give your knee time to heal a bit before possibly being asked to do more than your knee is ready for.

However I have now got pain in my bum anyone else had this problem.

Yes, this is common. I didn’t have it but my friend, who recently had a TKR, has mentioned this.

 

[InkedMarie]

I don’t measure, my physical therapist did.

Marie

 

[Parks]

I don’t measure, my physical therapist did.

Marie

Thanks Well it will be a while before that happens

 

[Parks]

Thanks for reassurance on Jackie