I'm over 70, had a TKR December 18th. Finished 6th week of PT with 121 degrees of knee flexion, orthopedically I'm ahead of schedule. Living in a split level and walking without a cane, and once in a while going up and down stairs normallly. That's the good part. In addition to the knee, I have a sleep disorder that has my circadian rhythm all messed up so that I'm up really early and go to bed really early.
I'm using a Bregg Ice Machine several times a day, and use Ibuprofen and Acetominophen for pain and to keep swelling down.
The worst part of this is the isolation because I'm not driving yet but should be in a week or two. Sometimes I feel so lonely that I break down and cry. Sometimes the pain breaks through in a big way and I have to lay down and sleep it off for an hour or so under an electric blanket. Some of you may have a similar experience where pain tires you out to the point of total exhaustion. Sleep can be a real problem. Initially, I was wearing compression stockings and sleeping in my underwear and sweat pants, and with a CPAP. That was not the most comfortable way to sleep, tossing and turning trying to get comfortable. But now, I'm getting my sleep under better control.
Emotionally, it's been a roller coaster. Feeling optimistic and positive one minute, and then feeling like things will never get better the next.
My wife has been a great help during my recovery, and she suggested that I find a support group like this one to help in my recovery. I was burdening her with my constant complaints of pain and daily crying jags. Now, I have you, my friends, to help me.
If you like, I'll share the gory details of my surgery and recovery to date. Have faith. Pain and everything that goes with it will not last forever.
I'm using a Bregg Ice Machine several times a day, and use Ibuprofen and Acetominophen for pain and to keep swelling down.
The worst part of this is the isolation because I'm not driving yet but should be in a week or two. Sometimes I feel so lonely that I break down and cry. Sometimes the pain breaks through in a big way and I have to lay down and sleep it off for an hour or so under an electric blanket. Some of you may have a similar experience where pain tires you out to the point of total exhaustion. Sleep can be a real problem. Initially, I was wearing compression stockings and sleeping in my underwear and sweat pants, and with a CPAP. That was not the most comfortable way to sleep, tossing and turning trying to get comfortable. But now, I'm getting my sleep under better control.
Emotionally, it's been a roller coaster. Feeling optimistic and positive one minute, and then feeling like things will never get better the next.
My wife has been a great help during my recovery, and she suggested that I find a support group like this one to help in my recovery. I was burdening her with my constant complaints of pain and daily crying jags. Now, I have you, my friends, to help me.
If you like, I'll share the gory details of my surgery and recovery to date. Have faith. Pain and everything that goes with it will not last forever.