TKR 2nd TKR May 22, 2018

[Celle]

But, who do I listen to? My therapist who told me last time that they're ok, except for these specific ones? Or someone who is an admin on a site that's supposed to be supportive who I don't know if she has medical expertise?? I plan to hold tight to my therapist.

The most important thing is to listen to your knee.
If your knee is happy with what you're doing, then keep on doing it.
If it gets upset - more inflamed, hotter, more painful, stiffer - then either cut back the exercises, or stop them altogether for a while. It's a fine judgment call, working out what is best for your knee, but you are the only one who can make that choice.

People who do a lot of exercise have done well, but usually they have adjusted their exercise, so that it doesn't upset their knee. People who do minimal exercise, or even no formal exercise, also do well. Their activities of daily living are their exercise.
It's all individual. No two knees are alike, no two knees had the same amount of work done during surgery, and no two knees have exactly the same recovery.

I know that can be confusing, especially if you're hearing different advice from different people, but there isn't just one right way. You have the right to choose how you will rehab your own knee.
It does sound as if you have a good therapist, so stick with her as long as your knee remains happy with what you're doing.

I know it can be hard to trust advice on the internet but, just to reassure you, Josephine is a registered nurse who has many years of practical experience in orthopaedics and who has had two knee replacements herself. She has also worked as an industrial health nurse, and so has seen how people with replaced joints readjust to real life and the work situation.
She chooses and trains the rest of the staff - we also have another nurse and a PT amongst us and we have all had knee or hip replacements.
BoneSmart's Board of Directors includes several orthopaedic surgeons, who support the BoneSmart approach to recovery.

I do hope this helps, and you will stay with us. We do care what happens to all our bonesmarties.

 

[mom2fencers]

Katlyw,
I’m 68 and I’ve had two TKRs and both were different in terms of pain afterwards and my participation in this group helped me make a better decision in my PT this second time around.

My second TKR was May 16, 2018. I've had two Tramadol since leaving the hospital—this knee has given no pain. Swelling some yes.

I can go up and down stairs now alternating feet like normal. I climb into my pool and float or walk around, and I can easily turn the pedals now on my spin bike at home and the recumbent bike at my gym with my coach. All that said, I know it’s easy to get ahead of myself and my knee will tell me so. Many further in front of me here cannot do all this yet.

I retired from teaching 7-12th grade English right before my recent TKR. In 2014 with my first, I was back to work part time in 6 weeks because I had to. I know the pressure you are feeling as a teacher. Expectations on teachers run high.

I hope you will stay on this forum. Josephine has years of nursing experience and it’s in orthopedics. My gym coach has 30 years as a coach and many years in drug free powerlifting. I spent six months prehabbing myself with him doing squats and lots of upper body work to be ready for this TKR and he’s helped many rehab after single leg and double leg TKR. I trust his judgment and his ways because he is focused on my wellbeing above all.

I also trust Josephine and the advisors on this forum because they’ve been thru this and have seen many who have suffered trying to get ROM while unable to manage swelling. They know I’m doing well but still give me caution because they know the pitfalls out there. I respect anyone who gives me caution but also encourages me to select wise PT staff and let my knee above all guide me.

We want to hear your story and how you are doing. I hope you will stay on the forum.

 

[Katlyw]

@mom2fencers thank you. My biggest concern was the sarcasm I was met with. I get that knees are different. My first was pretty awful as well, but I have therapy amnesia. ha! I haven't decided yet whether to stay or go. It's troubling that even folks who post about therapy going well are told the same thing. My first knee was in June of 2012 and I was back at school in mid August. AND I had to do home visits in apartment buildings with stairs only! Same rockstar surgeon, same therapist. Also a rockstar in my mind.

 

[Katlyw]

Katlyw, sorry for your frustration. This really is a wonderful site filled with admins and so many others who have literally walked in your shoes and truly care about your recovery. But like shoes, each knee recovery journey is different and very individual. The key is all things in moderation. If it hurts, don't do it. If it hurts, let it rest. Always - lots of ice and elevation. Let your knee be your guide as to how much it is ready to take on and when. This is not a race but a journey.

I am not a patient patient and really wanted to get better asap. The wise voices here helped me learn to rein it in. I did a moderate amount of PT and have had a very successful recovery in both knees. But my PTs were also extremely good and listened to me. I even developed some of my own stretches which I eased into - once the initial healing was well underway. And as others have said, I too, continued to increase my ROM well into year two. Understand that it is unlikely either your OS or your PT has actually had a knee replaced. Their advice comes from books and "standards" and others who have not. Good luck.

@NightQuilter my therapist has had a hip replacement but not knee. However, he flat out told me and another patient that he'd have been out at least 6 weeks. So he gets it. He also is a sports trainer with area schools and local teams. He knows how much he can push my knee and will reign me in when necessary.

 

[Celle]

My biggest concern was the sarcasm I was met with

It wasn't intended as sarcasm. Jo is English and she has a very forthright manner. Some people who are not used to that find it hard to understand, but she is concerned for people's welfare.

 

[NightQuilter]

I am glad to know you have such faith in your PT and surgeon! You are indeed fortunate. And it sounds like your PT understands that therapy following surgery like yours is very different from sports training PT!

 

[mom2fencers]

@Katlyw
I understand.

Josephine has a forthright, direct manner with everyone on the forum. It may appear sarcastic but I know that is not her heart.

While we’ve never met, I’ve read many of her posts. The ones to me are direct and forthright and the ones to others are too. I know she spends much time reading our posts and behind the scenes researches information when people have situations that have not gone well and are needing counsel for their next step.

She truly cares. I’ve stayed and am glad I have. As I said earlier, I hope you’ll stay because we care too, and we want to see you meet your August goal and be able to sit on the floor with your kiddos!

 

[Katlyw]

Things I just learned the hard way: DO NOT let YOUR car sit in your driveway for 5 weeks while you drive your mom's van. Just had to replace ALL my brakes. EVERYTHING. Especially since we've gotten a ridiculous amount of rain...

 

[Celle]

I'm sorry about your car's brakes.
I hope they didn't cost a horrendous amount to replace.

 

[Katlyw]

That's the problem with wisdom. ALWAYS expensive

 

[mom2fencers]

I have been in that school many times.

 

[NightQuilter]

Ouch! Talk about adding insult to injury … literally!

 

[Katlyw]

I have been in that school many times.

You'd think it would get easier! Sadly, no.

 

[Katlyw]

Ouch! Talk about adding insult to injury … literally!

Right? I should get a pass. But I LITERALLY was more excited about driving my Corolla as opposed to mom's van! I need a cocktail

 

[Twinmama]

It's nice to see another TKR person in their 40's on here. I had my first TKR May 24th. I'm almost 42. With the left knee getting done next year.

I'm doing gentle p.t. twice a week. I actually enjoy my p.t. sessions.

 

[Katlyw]

It's nice to see another TKR person in their 40's on here. I had my first TKR May 24th. I'm almost 42. With the left knee getting done next year.

I'm doing gentle p.t. twice a week. I actually enjoy my p.t. sessions.

I had my first one at 42. Another doctor told me he'd do it without question if I was 62. But he wanted me to come speak with his associate to see what he thought. I fired him because if you can't make that decision on your own, you are not my doctor. So I went to my rockstar surgeon who told me it needed it, he would do it, but would only do a full (other doctor wanted just a partial) because there was arthritis everywhere. A partial wouldn't have fixed my pain. My advice is to journal your journey. And then keep the journal to read for the 2nd one. We figured out at therapy today that I went into August with therapy. I may be done by mid July this time. Be well, and happy healing! And feel free to ask me any questions

 

[Twinmama]

My first OS was the same way. Hung up on my age and not the fact I was bone on bone in both knees. He told me the lateral release would help my pain because my kneecap was the problem. It did ease the pain for about 6 months per knee. At that point I found a new OS who read my orginal OS reports and looked at the pictures from when he did the lateral release. He approved me for a TKR on both knee regardless of my age. He said I will likely need them revised 20 to 30 years from now but saw no reason for me to wait until a magic age.

 

[Katlyw]

My left knee was bone overlapping bone, plus it was sideways from a tennis ball sized Baker's cyst. My OS is right around my age and he really wants what's best for his patients. plus you get little bitty baby scars(5", just across the knee) And he's a pretty, pretty man Hopefully if I need revisions, he'll be the one to do them.

 

[Nick-UK]

Just to say, 50 is the new 40's

(Feeling old)

 

[NightQuilter]

Katlyw, cocktail hour is at 5 Central, all day Pacific! @Nick-UK , then 68 is the new 35, I do declare! (New math! lol) At least after all my new parts, I feel more like 35 than I had for a couple decades!