I used bonesmart unregistered as a resource and it was great. This time I thought id register. Surgery day was Wednesday. Came home yesterday. They kept me an extra day due to prostate issues. I knew from last time what to expect. Today is a little hard but looking forward to tomorrow.
TKR 3 days in
- Thread starter Ggh
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@Ggh !If you give us the dates of both TKRs and which knee was which, we'll create a custom signature so folks see at a glance what stages of recovery you're at.
You are in the very early stages of an average of a yearlong recovery. I will leave you our Recovery Articles that have helped tens of thousands of other knee replacements. We are here to help you through this journey the best we can. The very best thing for your knee right now is to rest, ice, and elevate. Exercises can come later. There is no rush to achieve ROM because it will come naturally as your swelling decreases. Your OS was able to bend your knee while checking for movements during your surgery, so it will be fine. It just takes time.
Each person is different as is their recovery. Most find that the Bonesmart approach works best for them, but others find that a more aggressive therapy helps them more. It's your recovery and your choice on how you recover. As you read more on other members' recovery threads, you’ll get a better perspective of what to expect. The following are our basic guidelines and should help get you started.
KNEE RECOVERY 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.
If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.
2. Control discomfort:
rest
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
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
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
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 a 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 history before providing advice.
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Hello and Welcome to BoneSmart!
We're happy you came out of the shadows.
Thanks for joining us!
We created a signature for you with a date of November 13th and we're assuming you experienced a total knee replacement. Please let us know if that's correct. Also, wondering if you used BoneSmart as a pre-op resource, or you've experienced another joint replacement previously? Please clarify.
I am sorry you had a rough day. Hopefully you're taking your meds on schedule and icing and elevating as both will help with the pain. You will find articles on both ICE and ELEVATE in the Recovery Guidelines above.
I wish you comfort as you begin the journey. Stop back often, we'll be here and we'd love to support you as you're healing.
@Ggh
We're happy you came out of the shadows.
Thanks for joining us!We created a signature for you with a date of November 13th and we're assuming you experienced a total knee replacement. Please let us know if that's correct. Also, wondering if you used BoneSmart as a pre-op resource, or you've experienced another joint replacement previously? Please clarify.
I am sorry you had a rough day. Hopefully you're taking your meds on schedule and icing and elevating as both will help with the pain. You will find articles on both ICE and ELEVATE in the Recovery Guidelines above.
I wish you comfort as you begin the journey. Stop back often, we'll be here and we'd love to support you as you're healing.
@Ggh
jamie_sommers
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Hi! I'm just a day or two ahead of you. Hope your recovery goes well!
A better day to day kind of. After the last tkr I call the first 2 weeks the most miserable 2 weeks I've ever had and knew it wouldn't be different this time. Last night was the first time I got sleep. Probably 6 out of 10 hours. Onward and upward.
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Tell us more -- when was your first TKR, and which time was left vs right -- so we can give you are more complete signature. It's really helpful for us to be able to see this information when we are responding to your posts!
Also, let us know what you'd like us to change your thread title to be (since you are now more than 3 days postop
). Maybe something like Ggh's Second TKR Recovery.Ggh second tkr sounds good. It was 2 weeks ago today. A minor setback the last couple days. I had a lot of pain and I have a tendon or something hurting when I lift it. A little friction and an ouch. I've just spent 2 days on the couch and bed and feeling a little better. Oh and staples came out yesterday so maybe I overdid the exercise and movement. Working on getting off oxycodone so I can drive. Hopefully by the end of the week. My right was in 2018 and now they've introduced a nerve Block for 4 days and serverly reduced the opioid. I think that's a good thing. I generally feel better this time. We'll see tomorrow. It'll get better by the day.
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I hope you're both icing and elevating "toes above nose" most of the time. During the initial few weeks we should not be exercising beyond short walks and gentle movements.
Our orthos typically don't clear us to drive for six weeks. We haven't healed enough before then.
Our orthos typically don't clear us to drive for six weeks. We haven't healed enough before then.
I just finished my exercises and am icing as I type. Last time I was working and now I'm retired working parttime so I've decided there's no rush this time to do anything but relax. Lots . I'm just anxious to drive because I'm out in the country with nowhere to easily go.
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Look at you multi tasking already, lol.
It's great you're able to take it easy and relax, allowing your body to heal.
I'm assuming you mean you're feeling anxious at the thought of driving due to the distance you'll have to travel?
If that's what you mean, try a few short practice runs, when the time is right, gradually increasing your distance as you're more comfortable. Plan ahead wisely to get the most benefit out of your errands or appointments.
Thanks for the update! Stay in touch.
Anxious just to get out and about. I was in the taxi business 20 years and a commercial truck driver for 20 more and always had to commute so I'm ok with the driving part. Day 16 today and saw my pt yesterday. She suggested I move around the house without a cane and was happy with my incision and movement. Minimal inflammation and bruising this time. I have a few oxy's left for an emergency but I'm switching to tylenol 3s. I had a horrible Tuesday but am great today. As I recall this his how it went last time. Good days, bad days and great days.
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Well I can see why you're anxious to get out. You're used to moving around and frequent changes of scenery, given your work history.
It sounds like you're doing really well. Is this your second TKR? If so, please share the date of your first and we'll add it to your signature. Thanks for the update. I hope you have a nice weekend!
@Ggh
It sounds like you're doing really well. Is this your second TKR? If so, please share the date of your first and we'll add it to your signature. Thanks for the update. I hope you have a nice weekend!
@Ggh
![[Bonesmart.org] 3 days in](https://data.bonesmart.org/attachments/80/80289-19cf5c29e8b01c61994db65b28337de1.jpg?hash=Gc9cKeiwHG)
Good days and bad days. Great yesterday but couldn't sleep last night. A lot of insomnia and a little pain. Now I'm sore today. A couple pillows and an ice pak do wonders. Maybe I should have bought an ice machine.
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Good days and bad days are normal. Sorry you didn't sleep well last night. That's also a common complaint, possibly you experienced it with your Right TKR?
![[Bonesmart.org] 3 days in](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 "[Bonesmart.org] 3 days in")
Pillows certainly help me get comfortable in bed, making it easier to fall asleep. You can experiment with different arrangements to find what works for you. I surrounded myself with them so I could rest a leg, or arm easily enough, whatever felt comfortable. It can evoke the sensation of feeling swaddled and anything that feels soothing may certainly help you drift off. Doing whatever you can to basically "set the scene" for sleep may be worthwhile. I suggest making up the bed with your most comfortable bedding / blankets along with a few extra bed pillows of different degrees of firmness. Try to block out the light if it's daytime. Minimize noise unless you feel listening to calming relaxation music, a fan, or white noise may help lull you to sleep. Make sure the room temperature is not too hot or too cold. Try to disconnect from the devices at least an hour before the targeted nap or bed time, so it's easier to wind down. Limit caffeine throughout the day and consider natural sleep aids such as Valerian, Chamomile or, Magnesium, my personal favorite, which can assist in muscle relaxation and nerves and promote healthy sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep)
Apply ice for a time before bed to reduce swelling and numb the discomfort. Try some relaxation techniques if you feel they may work for you such as deep breathing, prayer or meditation or even some gentle stretching may help relax your body and mind.
An article on Magnesium from our Library -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/magnesium-is-a-star.20301/
Most large grocers carry a variety of teas such as Celestial Seasonings - Sleepytime Herb Tea,
Yogi Teas, Bedtime, Bigelow Cozy Chamomile, all of which may help you relax...at least worth a try.
Time will also help, but that takes patience, especially when you're restless and tossing and turning all night.
Wishing you many nights of peaceful sleep soon!
Pillows certainly help me get comfortable in bed, making it easier to fall asleep. You can experiment with different arrangements to find what works for you. I surrounded myself with them so I could rest a leg, or arm easily enough, whatever felt comfortable. It can evoke the sensation of feeling swaddled and anything that feels soothing may certainly help you drift off. Doing whatever you can to basically "set the scene" for sleep may be worthwhile. I suggest making up the bed with your most comfortable bedding / blankets along with a few extra bed pillows of different degrees of firmness. Try to block out the light if it's daytime. Minimize noise unless you feel listening to calming relaxation music, a fan, or white noise may help lull you to sleep. Make sure the room temperature is not too hot or too cold. Try to disconnect from the devices at least an hour before the targeted nap or bed time, so it's easier to wind down. Limit caffeine throughout the day and consider natural sleep aids such as Valerian, Chamomile or, Magnesium, my personal favorite, which can assist in muscle relaxation and nerves and promote healthy sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep)
Apply ice for a time before bed to reduce swelling and numb the discomfort. Try some relaxation techniques if you feel they may work for you such as deep breathing, prayer or meditation or even some gentle stretching may help relax your body and mind.
An article on Magnesium from our Library -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/magnesium-is-a-star.20301/
Most large grocers carry a variety of teas such as Celestial Seasonings - Sleepytime Herb Tea,
Yogi Teas, Bedtime, Bigelow Cozy Chamomile, all of which may help you relax...at least worth a try.
Time will also help, but that takes patience, especially when you're restless and tossing and turning all night.
Wishing you many nights of peaceful sleep soon!
