TKR #2 done

[Claire56]

I was supposed to have a spinal and conscious sedation but apparently the spinal wasn't enough. I ended up with General anesthesia. I don't remember getting the spinal, I do remember getting into position and having my back prodded. Next thing I knew I was in recovery.

Pain management has been acceptable. Blood pressure has been low but not dramatically, no dizziness or nausea. Bladder took about 8 hours to wake up.

I have had one small session of PT but am scheduled for another this morning. Then I expect I will go home.

 

[jaspa]

@Claire56 hope your day goes well and you are resting.

 

[Jockette]

Welcome to recovery. Temporary low blood pressure shortly after surgery is common, I had it, too. My hospital PT ended my walk early because of it.

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.

 

[Daveboy1810]

Hello and Good luck Claire, rest and take your pain meds. This forum is a great resource, glad you joined us. Let us know your progress...

 

[Sisterpat]

to BoneSmart, Claire! Congratulations on your new knee! It is in infant stages, so treat it gently. No pushing to the point of pain. When you get home, lots of ice and elevation. The first few weeks can be challenging, but you can do it. Come back often and let us know how you are doing.

 

[ski_bum]

I was supposed to have a spinal and conscious sedation but apparently the spinal wasn't enough. I ended up with General anesthesia. I don't remember getting the spinal, I do remember getting into position and having my back prodded. Next thing I knew I was in recovery.

Pain management has been acceptable. Blood pressure has been low but not dramatically, no dizziness or nausea. Bladder took about 8 hours to wake up.

I have had one small session of PT but am scheduled for another this morning. Then I expect I will go home.

Too bad you missed being awake, I watch the whole operation on the screen while the anesthesiologist sat with me explaining everything. Even talked with Surgeon while he was drilling, cutting screwing parts on. Funniest was when Dr. said I couldn't take the bones home for my Dog. I loved it, with I had a copy.

 

[Claire56]

@ski_bum I'm not particularly squeamish, but not sure how I would be watching it done on me.

I stayed overnight and glad I did. I think it gave me a better chance at pain control. PT went well and am waiting to be discharged. Pain level is about 1. Range of motion 8 extension 75 flex.

 

[sistersinhim]

Welcome to your knee's recovery! It sounds like you're doing everything right. Don't be surprised if you have increased swelling and pain after you get home. Just making that trip can anger your infant knee. Be sure to ice and elevate as soon as you can. The two of them are good pain reducers.

 

[kneeper]

Congrats!

 

[Claire56]

Oops, tried to do to much this morning and had a bad dizzy spell. Didn't fall but scared the heck out of my husband. Checked my blood pressure and it is low. Pushing fluids.

Knee feels pretty good, not much visible bruising, and the one I can see seems to be fading already.

 

[Jo Wo]

Oh Claire do be careful about that blood pressure issue! I left the hospital anemic as well as with low bp. My husband escorted me about whenever I was up the first few days and nights.

 

[Claire56]

@Jo Wo Yes, lesson learned. I really need to be careful to pace myself.

 

[Claire56]

Pain still under good control. Trying to trust putting weight on the operated knee. Pain in minimal to none when I do. I feel the need to nap a lot and do.

 

[Claire56]

I seem to be bucking the trend and getting pretty decent sleep. First night home I ended up taking 2 oxycodone. Last night I only took one. None during the day. I think the only things I'm taking for pain during the day are Tylenol and Lyrica

 

[sistersinhim]

Be sure to be using a walker until you are feeling less weak. You don't want to fall! I used a walker for the first few weeks inside, and outside for about 6 weeks. It sounds like you are doing really well for your short time out. Continue to be careful and listen to your knee. It knows what it needs!

Good for you taking naps. Your body needs that and you actually heal better when you are sleeping. Your body can concentrate more on that knee then.

 

[Claire56]

Got a call from the hospital care management. They were just checking up. They did warn me about a nerve block that wears off around day 3. No sign of it wearing off yet but good to know. I've been Impressed with both the hospital and the doctors office. They have been just attentive enough for me.

I've been taking a few steps without support without having any problem but continuing to use the walker most of the time.

My blood pressure is normalizing. Historically it has been 120 over 70 or so and my last reading was 113 over 68.

 

[eaglemom]

I bet that did scare the both of you. Low BP is nothing to mess with. Right now your body is adjusting to everything. Using the walker isn't a bad thing, or a cane for that matter. I will say I walked much better with the walker, and I still do. I have my "in the house" regular walker then in the garage I have my roller walker - which I still love. (Does that sound odd?) Anyway with it when I wander down to chat with neighbors whom are outside I can "roll up" put the brakes on and sit down.

Be careful to not overdo - its so easy to do.

Happy healing.

 

[Claire56]

I have not established an exercise routine beyond using the bike after every meal. I have been doing many of the exercise at random times. There are a couple that I'm not sure that I am doing right.

I am icing a lot and I don't think the swelling has been too bad. There is about 2 - 2 1/2 inches difference between my knees.

Pain level is still pretty low and didn't take any oxycodone last night. I'm planning on talking to the doctor about increasing the strength of the Tylenol from 500 to 650 and trying to do without the daytime Lyrica. I have been constipated and I thought that reducing the Lyrica might help. Also to help with the slight brain fog.

 

[Claire56]

I am able to walk around the house without any aids and feel pretty stable. Still standing up cautiously and expecting pain but not having any. YAY! Pre surgery I would have some pain when straightening my knees. I am trying to walk normally without that stiff legged gait. Knee

 

[Claire56]

Oops, accidentally hit post before I was done. Knee aches a bit but it did even before surgery. Thankful that it has gone this well.