TKR 10 week check up

[referee54]

That article appears to be from
https://totalkneereplacement-elsie.blogspot.com/2012/07/pt-massage-after-tkr.html

Thank you google

Yes, I googled it, too---got the same thing---thanks!

 

[Poppet]

Feeling depressed frustrated and regretting doing the surgery !

Oh Jana, how I can relate to your comment. Like I mentioned I am a hippy and around the same timeframe. Whilst crying out of frustration, impatience, doubt and lack of of vision of future recovery I said, to my hubby.... "I have made a mistake -- get this prosthetic out of me!!" -- my husband calmed me down and said "these emotions are perfectly normal and it will get better." He was right of course. However at the time no platitudes were going to sway me from feeling the way I felt.

You are doing great Jana, it does take time, patience and perseverance to recover from such major, major surgery. Your swelling and stiffness will improve. Sometimes it takes longer to achieve the results we want in the timeframe we want, but you will get there! Our bodies are miraculous machines at repairing. Hang in there, little by little

 

[naynay30 yrs.]

@Poppet thank U for the understanding! Sometimes that's all we need to hear!
Good luck on your recovery!!!

 

[Poppet]

Jana, @naynay30 yrs. I have been in practice as a Natural Medicine Practitioner for decades and a nurse in a previous life. I often get into trouble time wise with my patients for spending so much time with them. My initial consultation takes two hours. I like to listen, one learns so much from listening. The www is difficult, it is one dimensional and very hard to often describe what we feel physically, let alone emotionally... And our emotions play such a large part in recovery. I was having a discussion with a co-colleague the other week who is a chiropractor and he indicated that he is trying to educate his patients that the "brain" drives recovery and injuries etc.. I have also read research on this topic.... You will get back to the active, vibrant woman you were prior to your surgery -- just go with the flow honey I look forward to following your recovery journey.

 

[Bilbo]

I have been using Arthritis & Sport W/Epsom Salt Isopropyl rubbing alcohol w/wintergreen. It's cool and just feels good. I get it at the Dollar Store, or Wal-mart. I rub my leg a couple of times a day. I don't know if It would help you or not, but the cost is low, and it sure couldn't hurt. Hope it get better soon.

 

[Clipless]

Try moving around gently in a pool, if you have access to one. It need not be formal therapy.

 

[naynay30 yrs.]

I stopped the Dilaudid because it is a super strong medication . Yes I keep hearing the stiffness is a form of pain but the Dilaudid did nothing for the stiffness and I have very little pain.
I have Tramadol but it wires me so can't take much . Yes my ROM And extension are good but knee is so stiff it's hard to bend walking. I've been doing everything I can to not go

 

[kaw205]

Have you tried tylenol with ibuprofen?

 

[naynay30 yrs.]

Just had pt! Love my therapist !
My rom is good at 120 although I would like to get to 130. Extension is alittle less than last time so I will gently work on that . I'm starting to work on strenghting my glutes and hips as they can effect your walking when weak.
One exercise for one min is what pt suggests and I find my knee is looser when I do that. Think I over did walking last nite so will just keep it to 5-10 min once or twice a day . I'm weaning off Dilaudid since it's very strong and pain has decreased considerably . Will use tramadol Tylenol and meloxocam.
Icing and elevating most of the day and all nite trying to reduce swelling but both doc and therapist say that can last 6 mos to a yr.
Going to plan a over nite trip for Aug. which will be 4 mos I'm ready to get out and have some fun. And once grand baby gets here it will be hard to pry me away from her.
Going to drive alittle tomorrow with hubby so I have more freedom .

 

[kaw205]

Sounds like you're on the right track. Good luck!

 

[naynay30 yrs.]

Thank you!

 

[Kansas Teacher]

@naynay30 yrs. , your PT and OS say the same thing mine did -- we are basically in it for the long haul with the swelling and tightness. Eventually, it will subside but, in the meantime, we have to do our part by being patient, working very gently and not overdoing. You sound much more positive and that makes me happy!

I am taking meloxicam along with Tylenol too. How much meloxicam do they have you taking?

Roxie

 

[KarriB]

Wow! Sounds like you're doing great!

 

[MidwestTKR]

Glad you seem to be feeling better about everything! It sounds like you have a good plan in place and a great therapist!

 

[naynay30 yrs.]

I brought a tens machine . Used it twice today . Knee actually feel less stiff. Also found a great video on self massage to reduce swelling . Easy to do. Once my swelling goes down and I'm sure my ROM will increase and walking will be do much easier and comfortable!

 

[sabbath]

good deal,,glad to hear,you give hope to those of us that recover slowly

 

[Celle]

@naynay30 yrs. It's only about 8 weeks since you had your surgery, Jana. You're doing very well.
This is a long recovery, which can take as long as a whole year. You're recovering at a normal speed - even faster than some, as your ROM is very good so early.

I understand that you're eager to get back to normal, but nothing you do can speed up this recovery. It takes as long as it takes, even if you were young, fit and active before your operation.
Nature knows how to go about the business of healing a major wound, which is what you have.

I understand the frustration of having to go slowly and wait for the improvements that happen slowly - I've been through it three times. It's like watching paint dry, or grass grow, but it's worth it in the end.

We have to call on all our stores of patience to get through this, and to deal with the slow progress and occasional, minor setbacks, both physically and emotionally.
Believe me, it will all be worth it in the end!

 

[ptmhcm]

That tight band feeling is perfectly normal. Everyone gets it and it does take quite a long time to go away. It's part of normal recovery, so I'm afraid you'll just have to live with it for a while - however, it will decrease as time goes by.
This is what causes it:
"Tight band" feeling across the front of my knee

I found this article @Celle so very helpful and it has greatly reduced my frustration. Thank you!

 

[naynay30 yrs.]

I'm coming to understand this! But this morn knee stiff like a block of cement warm and slightly red. Frustrated !

 

[Kansas Teacher]

@Celle , I think your analogy about recovering from a TKR being similar to watching grass grow is spot on. I also think about the old adage," A watch pot never boils." Seems like the longer we focus on every little thing about our knee, the longer is seems to take for something to happen! I have restricted myself from obsessing about every little thing lately and it seems to help. It's a roller coaster, Jana, so I think we have to expect bad days every so often even though we certainly don't welcome them!

Roxie