OP
OP
shelli22
senior
AustraliaYesterday I decided I would see if I could cut down on meds. I’m seven weeks out. I took out one dose of one medication. However by the end of the day my pain score increased to a seven. Obviously it is still to soon to cut down yet.
I’m being extremely cautious about how I go forward during this recovery. I have pondered the whole recovery dilemma a lot of late (I have plenty of time to do this lol). In each of my past recoveries there is a common thread and that is the goal of getting back to work as quickly as possible. Other than the issues that resulted in my needing a TKR revision aside this is what I believe.
To achieve that goal, each time I have employed either an exercise physiologist or personal trainer and/or physio with the objective of strength training to be cleared for return to work. Am I really following the BoneSmart mantra then? I think at the time I believed I was. While I wouldn’t allow anyone to push me too hard etc if I were to be honest I think I became impatient as there was a constant reminder that I needed to return to work as quickly as possible.
I honestly believe that it is beneficial to do nothing in the first month, other than ADLs, adequate pain relief, icing and elevating. I have never done that in any of my previous recoveries. I began exercising immediately from day one. In hindsight I think this set my knee up to fail, in regards to swelling. It started a cascade of exercise, swelling and pain which then continued throughout each recovery. Therefore, while the incision and soft tissue healed and I achieved adequate ROM swelling and pain remained an issue even at a year post surgery.
I have to date, refrained from any formal exercise during this recovery. I have extremely painful sciatica and very acute swelling and pain as a result of two surgeries within eight weeks of each other. I require strong pain relief even at this stage of recovery. Just on that note, I do not feel like I am an addict, I take this medication to alleviate excruciating pain. I have done very little in the way of heel slides or extensions as I fear more swelling. I have, however, been outside with the dogs (one in a stroller I use instead of a walker) and walked down the street and back to avoid cabin fever and deter stiffening.
I have continued to wear a compression sock during the day along with a tubigrip also to avoid increased swelling. Other than that my day involves rest, icing and elevating and minimal housework.
I have a stationary bike. This afternoon I attempted to do a full revolution just out of interest as I have done nothing in the way of formal exercise and have no idea what my ROM is. I was able to do a full revolution straight away and continue to do them. I stopped after a few. Obviously the ROM is there even with the swelling (I’d consider my swelling to be huge even now). I am going to continue to do very little other than ADLs and walking during at least the next six weeks of my recovery in an attempt to avoid swelling.
I believe that like chronic pain, it is possible to set oneself up for a cycle of doing too much, swelling then pain that eventually results in a ‘chronic swelling’ situation that can continue past the twelve month mark in recovery. My comments here are not based on research but based on my own observations and gut feelings and my belief that the BoneSmart way really is the right way to approach recovery post knee replacement.
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
I’m being extremely cautious about how I go forward during this recovery. I have pondered the whole recovery dilemma a lot of late (I have plenty of time to do this lol). In each of my past recoveries there is a common thread and that is the goal of getting back to work as quickly as possible. Other than the issues that resulted in my needing a TKR revision aside this is what I believe.
To achieve that goal, each time I have employed either an exercise physiologist or personal trainer and/or physio with the objective of strength training to be cleared for return to work. Am I really following the BoneSmart mantra then? I think at the time I believed I was. While I wouldn’t allow anyone to push me too hard etc if I were to be honest I think I became impatient as there was a constant reminder that I needed to return to work as quickly as possible.
I honestly believe that it is beneficial to do nothing in the first month, other than ADLs, adequate pain relief, icing and elevating. I have never done that in any of my previous recoveries. I began exercising immediately from day one. In hindsight I think this set my knee up to fail, in regards to swelling. It started a cascade of exercise, swelling and pain which then continued throughout each recovery. Therefore, while the incision and soft tissue healed and I achieved adequate ROM swelling and pain remained an issue even at a year post surgery.
I have to date, refrained from any formal exercise during this recovery. I have extremely painful sciatica and very acute swelling and pain as a result of two surgeries within eight weeks of each other. I require strong pain relief even at this stage of recovery. Just on that note, I do not feel like I am an addict, I take this medication to alleviate excruciating pain. I have done very little in the way of heel slides or extensions as I fear more swelling. I have, however, been outside with the dogs (one in a stroller I use instead of a walker) and walked down the street and back to avoid cabin fever and deter stiffening.
I have continued to wear a compression sock during the day along with a tubigrip also to avoid increased swelling. Other than that my day involves rest, icing and elevating and minimal housework.
I have a stationary bike. This afternoon I attempted to do a full revolution just out of interest as I have done nothing in the way of formal exercise and have no idea what my ROM is. I was able to do a full revolution straight away and continue to do them. I stopped after a few. Obviously the ROM is there even with the swelling (I’d consider my swelling to be huge even now). I am going to continue to do very little other than ADLs and walking during at least the next six weeks of my recovery in an attempt to avoid swelling.
I believe that like chronic pain, it is possible to set oneself up for a cycle of doing too much, swelling then pain that eventually results in a ‘chronic swelling’ situation that can continue past the twelve month mark in recovery. My comments here are not based on research but based on my own observations and gut feelings and my belief that the BoneSmart way really is the right way to approach recovery post knee replacement.
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
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