Kansas Teacher
graduate
I read it and I think we do understand that it's normal. But it's still annoying and I think that's just where we're at in our recovery -- annoyed!
Roxie
Roxie
TKR 10 week check up
- Thread starter naynay30 yrs.
- Start date
If you are waking up with swelling, why not ice through the night? I used my gel packs on both front and back of my knee all night for a couple of months.
Actually the energy drain at your point in recovery is pretty standard for everyone. I know it's frustrating, but it is all part of the recovery process. Those basic articles posted early in your thread detail this and the other things you're going through. Maybe it would be good to go back and read them again, so you can see that you are doing just fine.
30 minutes for icing is not enough. You should ice at least 45 minutes and do it 4-5 times a day. With my recovery, I used my ice whenever I could. It really helps with pain and swelling.
This is your body saying you're pushing too hard. It's a signal to lie down, get ice on the knee and put it up. You simply cannot hurry your recovery. Please try to relax and not fight what your body is telling you. Recovery is measured in months not in weeks with this very major surgery.
PolarBear60
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I've read it.
sharalder
junior member
@Josephine, Like Roxie just said, I have read about it several times and know it is not going away soon, its just my own frustration. My therapist just gave me a stretch to do before I stand up and it does seem to help.
Before getting up from a seated position put your feet and knees together, then open your knees up about 5 to 10 times and when you get up the tight band is not so bad. Hope this helps others. I also read about my low energy, still after 7 weeks if I do more then 1 or 2 errands I am knocked out for the day. I guess it is the bodies way of telling me to slow down. I have about 2 more weeks before I have to go back to work. Hope its enough
Before getting up from a seated position put your feet and knees together, then open your knees up about 5 to 10 times and when you get up the tight band is not so bad. Hope this helps others. I also read about my low energy, still after 7 weeks if I do more then 1 or 2 errands I am knocked out for the day. I guess it is the bodies way of telling me to slow down. I have about 2 more weeks before I have to go back to work. Hope its enough
Kansas Teacher
graduate
@sharalder , that stretch does seem to help a bit. I'm going to try to get in the habit of doing that before I stand up. I feel like my stamina is building up slowly just by trying to be more active during the day.
@Jamie , unfortunately, I've had to slow down a bit on icing for a few days anyway. I was doing it all night early on and for an hour or so at a time frequently throughout the day. However, in spite of never putting the ice directly on my skin, I developed an area of frostbite on my knee so my doctor said to limit my icing to 20 minute segments until it heals. I am still doing it several times a day but not for as long.
Roxie
@Jamie , unfortunately, I've had to slow down a bit on icing for a few days anyway. I was doing it all night early on and for an hour or so at a time frequently throughout the day. However, in spite of never putting the ice directly on my skin, I developed an area of frostbite on my knee so my doctor said to limit my icing to 20 minute segments until it heals. I am still doing it several times a day but not for as long.
Roxie
Yeah, it can be a frustrating recovery. I think all of us ask at one point or another "how long? :( "
I used to ice just before bed after I stopped needing ice overnight.
Stretches really helped me too. For me my muscles in the best of times get tight and more so during recovery.
I used to ice just before bed after I stopped needing ice overnight.
Stretches really helped me too. For me my muscles in the best of times get tight and more so during recovery.
Kansas Teacher
graduate
I know everyone is frustrated at slow progress, tightness, energy drain and the other nuisance things that come with recovery from a TKR.
I've had 3 knee replacements and experienced all that, including the frustration.
But, they are all a normal part of this recovery journey. If you can accept that and live with them, I think you'll find it easier. They will pass, after all.
Someone here (I think it was naynay30) said "I didn't sign up for this." Well, actually, you did, but you probably weren't made aware of it before surgery.
I think part of the problem is that people are not prepared properly for a prolonged recovery. Here on BoneSmart, we tell people to expect a whole year before they're 100% recovered, although they will feel much better long before that. Yes, it really does take a year before everything is completely healed.
If you think of it as a race, it's more like a marathon than a sprint. It's also like a roller coaster, so expect ups and downs.
I don't think surgeons always tell you all that, so you go into surgery with the unrealistic expectation/hope of making a quick recovery and getting back quickly to your normal life. That's sometimes compounded by PTs, who keep measuring ROM, as if that's the only thing that matters. You get the impression that once you achieve a certain ROM, all will be well.
Some people expect to bounce back quickly from this major surgery and make a quick recovery because they are fit (or young), or because they have a deadline to get back to work, but it doesn't work like that.
Your knee has been cut open, spread apart, sawed, had metal parts hammered and glued into it, and then been put back together again. That's a major assault. Your knee is wounded and it needs time and gentle treatment, in order to recover.
Your knee, unlike your wishes, is healing on its own time frame and nothing you do can make it heal faster.
I get frustrated when we post articles that could help recovering " kneesies" to understand that what they are going through is a normal part of a normal recovery, and they don't seem to take that on board, but continue to treat normal processes as possibly abnormal and think that they have a problem, when they don't.
The articles in the library are well researched and Josephine keeps them up to date.
I've had 3 knee replacements and experienced all that, including the frustration.
But, they are all a normal part of this recovery journey. If you can accept that and live with them, I think you'll find it easier. They will pass, after all.
Someone here (I think it was naynay30) said "I didn't sign up for this." Well, actually, you did, but you probably weren't made aware of it before surgery.
I think part of the problem is that people are not prepared properly for a prolonged recovery. Here on BoneSmart, we tell people to expect a whole year before they're 100% recovered, although they will feel much better long before that. Yes, it really does take a year before everything is completely healed.
If you think of it as a race, it's more like a marathon than a sprint. It's also like a roller coaster, so expect ups and downs.
I don't think surgeons always tell you all that, so you go into surgery with the unrealistic expectation/hope of making a quick recovery and getting back quickly to your normal life. That's sometimes compounded by PTs, who keep measuring ROM, as if that's the only thing that matters. You get the impression that once you achieve a certain ROM, all will be well.
Some people expect to bounce back quickly from this major surgery and make a quick recovery because they are fit (or young), or because they have a deadline to get back to work, but it doesn't work like that.
Your knee has been cut open, spread apart, sawed, had metal parts hammered and glued into it, and then been put back together again. That's a major assault. Your knee is wounded and it needs time and gentle treatment, in order to recover.
Your knee, unlike your wishes, is healing on its own time frame and nothing you do can make it heal faster.
I get frustrated when we post articles that could help recovering " kneesies" to understand that what they are going through is a normal part of a normal recovery, and they don't seem to take that on board, but continue to treat normal processes as possibly abnormal and think that they have a problem, when they don't.
The articles in the library are well researched and Josephine keeps them up to date.
OP
OP
naynay30 yrs.
member
I think it's okay we vent that we r frustrated, and NO surgeons don't give us any info of what is going to be done to our knee or how long of a recovery we are looking at. For some of us who r very active people it's tough to just sit around and have to rely on other people. Like watching grass grow! Lol
I do have one question . Although my ROM is improving, up to 118 at almost 7 wks my stiffness remains . Do others have this?
I do have one question . Although my ROM is improving, up to 118 at almost 7 wks my stiffness remains . Do others have this?
MidwestTKR
member
@Josephine , yes I have read the article on the tight band as well as several of the other articles posted and they are very helpful. I appreciate you and the staff taking the time to post them. However, even though I read the articles, it still helps to hear other's stories on the forum about their symptoms and how long they experience them. For me, the tight band feeling/stiffness is probably the thing right now in my healing that is driving me the most crazy!
MidwestTKR
member
@Celle. Thank you for taking the time to post information and articles on the forum. It has been very helpful for me. Even with that information and reading it is normal, it is still so helpful to hear everyone's stories and frustrations as we go though the recovery process. It's like having a friend in the "room" with us that understands like no one else can in our real life!
Yes. Everyone has this. It's normal. Did you read the article about it that I left for you?
You're only 7 weeks into a year-long recovery. Your mind may be wishing for a quicker recovery, but your knee needs more time.
Stiffness is another way we feel pain, so do keep taking pain medications.
Yes, it's hard to have a period of inactivity when you are used to being very active. But do allow yourself to have this inactivity. It will pay big dividends in the long run.
Your ROM is great at 7 weeks.
Here's another library article that discusses the difference between where we think we ought to be in recovery and where our knee really is:
Where are you in recovery?? (TKR)
I hope that helps!
Where are you in recovery?? (TKR)
I hope that helps!
We do understand the need to vent frustrations sometimes when going through recovery. It's fine as long as you know what you're experiencing is not a problem but just a normal part of the recovery process. Remember, there are guests and members who will come along days, weeks or even months after you've posted and read what you write. Our staff must ensure they also know that what you're describing is normal. So, consequently you'll see us respond in a way that ensures everyone understands where the stiffness or tight band feeling originates from.
OP
OP
naynay30 yrs.
member
I love my physical therapist! He will push me to the pain but never thru the pain. Poor guy I always have a mini breakdown when I 1st see him. Over whelmed frustrated ect. He's very nice and always tells me how hard this surgery is and how long of a recovery it is. He agrees patients arnt informed enough. He's seen 9000 TLR patients and insists how important it is to do your PT. he's seen lots of patients that never worked on exercises and ended up with a bent permanently stuff Knee.
My main complaint is stiffness.
Still on meds but going longer in between because pain is less. We determined this last visit that my front thigh muscles and IT band are super tight. I'm a walker 3-4 miles 5 days and those areas have always been tigh. So he has me doing a exercise that stretches those muscles. I felt great leaving pt on Monday and do my exercises regularly . 1 or 2 per hr no more than ice and elevate. My energy level is still low but I think some of that is the Dilaudid I'm on. Very strong meds. I'm bored out of my mine but most comfortable at home where I can lay down ice elevate and wear my pjs. I did get my hair done this week. Feel so much better. Friend taking me to get nails and toes done Sunday. Others r doing any shopping. The idea of going into the store is exhausting! I have a housekeeper twice a month but do one or two small chores a day.
1st grandbaby will be here end of August (4 1/2 mos post TKR) so my goal is to be able to be more mobile have less stiffness and less pain . Knee is in charge so fingers crossed!
My main complaint is stiffness.
Still on meds but going longer in between because pain is less. We determined this last visit that my front thigh muscles and IT band are super tight. I'm a walker 3-4 miles 5 days and those areas have always been tigh. So he has me doing a exercise that stretches those muscles. I felt great leaving pt on Monday and do my exercises regularly . 1 or 2 per hr no more than ice and elevate. My energy level is still low but I think some of that is the Dilaudid I'm on. Very strong meds. I'm bored out of my mine but most comfortable at home where I can lay down ice elevate and wear my pjs. I did get my hair done this week. Feel so much better. Friend taking me to get nails and toes done Sunday. Others r doing any shopping. The idea of going into the store is exhausting! I have a housekeeper twice a month but do one or two small chores a day.
1st grandbaby will be here end of August (4 1/2 mos post TKR) so my goal is to be able to be more mobile have less stiffness and less pain . Knee is in charge so fingers crossed!
OP
OP
naynay30 yrs.
member
I'm at 7 wks and knee is still swollen . I ice and elevate all day long. Should I be elevating at nite?
OP
OP
naynay30 yrs.
member
My question was should I be elevating since at over 7 wks my knee is still swollen ?
Clipless
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"My question was should I be elevating since at over 7 wks my knee is still swollen ?"
@naynay30 yrs. , Hi Jana, I am quoting you from another thread to avoid derailing or "hijacking" that member's thread. Yes, ice your knee and elevate as much as you reasonably can- it will help. Don't place ice directly on your skin though- place a towel/soft cloth between. I iced both front and back of my knee simultaneously, or I would alternate or just move one cold pack around. For every hour your leg is down, spend two with "toes above nose"!
@naynay30 yrs. , Hi Jana, I am quoting you from another thread to avoid derailing or "hijacking" that member's thread. Yes, ice your knee and elevate as much as you reasonably can- it will help. Don't place ice directly on your skin though- place a towel/soft cloth between. I iced both front and back of my knee simultaneously, or I would alternate or just move one cold pack around. For every hour your leg is down, spend two with "toes above nose"!
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I agree. If your knee is still swollen, you still need to rest, elevate and ice it. You can elevate and ice all night, if you wish.
Also, how much exercise are you doing? It really isn't necessary to do lots, in spite of what your PT says. Your knee won't seize up and stick. In fact, I think that cutting back on your exercises for a while could well help bring down the swelling.
You do know that your knee can't bend properly if it's swollen, don't you, no matter how hard you exercise?
It's perfectly possible to have a normal recovery with no PT at all and no problems with ROM - either bending or straightening.
In the UK, many people don't go to PT, but just do exercises at home and they recover well. Since the knee anatomy of US and UK knees is no different, I don't see why that shouldn't work in the USA as well.
I know that Josephine did no PT and neither did I with my last TKR, and we both have made good recoveries.
Also, how much exercise are you doing? It really isn't necessary to do lots, in spite of what your PT says. Your knee won't seize up and stick. In fact, I think that cutting back on your exercises for a while could well help bring down the swelling.
You do know that your knee can't bend properly if it's swollen, don't you, no matter how hard you exercise?
It's perfectly possible to have a normal recovery with no PT at all and no problems with ROM - either bending or straightening.
In the UK, many people don't go to PT, but just do exercises at home and they recover well. Since the knee anatomy of US and UK knees is no different, I don't see why that shouldn't work in the USA as well.
I know that Josephine did no PT and neither did I with my last TKR, and we both have made good recoveries.
Angel1978
Sr Bonesmartie
Hugs to you... As you notice this sight is very helpful in so many ways. Lots of members and staff make the journey easier. Xxx
FaithMitchmommy
PKR December.1,2014
TKREV MARCH.2,2015
FaithMitchmommy
PKR December.1,2014
TKREV MARCH.2,2015
