TKR My TKR Was Worth It!

Yes, we’ve had other members with stitches sticking out, let your doctor take care of it. It’s not usually a problem.
 
Hello. I had staples to close the skin but now the internal suture material is poking out in several sharp spikes; only tiny but they catch on everything. I see the specialist tomorrow so hope he can reassure me it’s ok. Anyone else have this?
I had this. It lasted a few weeks longer than the surgeon’s office said it would.

I covered the ‘spikes’ with steri-strips in a star shape (similar to how the surgeon covered my arthroscopic incision after surgery) and just otherwise ignored it, changing the steri-strips as needed. One day I removed the old ones and a bit of scab came off with it and the spike was gone. It just took several weeks longer than they said.
 
Had my 6 week specialist visit this morning:
As some of you said, the little bits of stitch poking out are not a concern, he said they will fall away as it heals inside.
I have to have a routine CT scan next week for a "measurement check" ( something called a Perth Protocol) but unless something is amiss, I don't have to see him again for 6 months.
He is very pleased with my ROM and said I was making excellent progress. He actually was stunned at the flexion and said not too many patients have 118 degrees at 6 weeks. ( I put this down to sheer luck, not to anything specific I did or didn't do!).
I did ask about keeping the leg completely straight on the hospital bed (and how much this hurt) and he said this is essential for the first 3 days to prevent extension complications. After that time, you can use a pillow or sleep however you like.
I was told I don't need physio or any special exercises any more, just walking, climbing stairs now and then and normal ADLs.
I was advised to get antibiotic cover if having any major dental work or podiatry (I am having half a toenail removed at the end of the year...oh, joy!)
All up, I'm rather pleased, however I am very sore today after 2 hours with my leg down at the restaurant yesterday! I should have got up and walked a bit instead of sitting in the one position. Still, i had a great time and the food was superb.
 
So glad you had a great check up and you’re coming along so well!

I did ask about keeping the leg completely straight on the hospital bed (and how much this hurt) and he said this is essential for the first 3 days to prevent extension complications.
There are so many opinions on this recovery. We have always said on Bonesmart, that a slight bend is ok, and much more comfortable, even in those first 3 days.
 
Hi, @kiwicurls ! I’m catching up on your posts as I sip my early coffee. It sounds like you are doing well, even with some of the challenges. I’m taking note of your idea of having the stool handy to work on the “ up & down” steps! I need to work on incorporating more of my exercises into my ADLs. I’ve been a bit negligent on most, as things get busy with spring....gardening, yard work, all of which I love. My therapist gave me several exercises to help with balance, which she told me is one of the last things to master. I’m finding that I need to get back to some of those, and, the quad strengthening ones. My Dr said those would help with balance also. We’re back to our walks now that the strong winds & recent late cold front seem to have subsided. Yay! It’s amazing how things we don’t really notice can set us back. I just have to watch to not overdo. Mostly I just get very tired & my balance suffers.
You talked about the toilet seat riser. I can’t remember exactly when, but, it was cause for celebration! It was a little longer since I had the 2nd surgery for the infection, so that slowed things down a bit. But it definitely helped when I needed it. It’s now happily stored away in our storage shed, with the walker. One of my canes has a “ new life” as a hobby horse for our grandson ( and who knows what Other adventures it might have, with a 6 1/2 year old owner?) :) :).
I’m so impressed that you sat at a restaurant for 2 hours! I like your idea of getting up & moving around a bit. Once again, taking note on that one. We still don’t get out a lot ( newest strain of Covid on the rise where we live), but, we are hoping to take our grandson to our local Perkins restaurant for breakfast some this summer when he is with us weekly, he Loves going there..... and, the food is Delicious!
You mentioned the internal stitches poking out. Yep, they do that! I was just told, “ DON’T try to pull them out! Let us do that if they are bothering you. Which I did once, & was fascinated watching the PA remove them. She had a special little kit she used. As one came out carefully, with the knot , I was Very glad she was doing it. Btw, it was not at all painful.

Well, I should get us some breakfast going.... my stomach is growling! Do have yourself a lovely day, you & everyone else here. Btw, I did get a Big chuckle out of your granddaughter’s story of your trip to Australia. When our grandson was in preschool, he had dictated a sheet to a teacher about grandparents. Grandpa “ made him laugh a lot” ( he does!). Seems Grandma “ cooks good cookies, and is 6 feet tall”.... I am, at 5 feet tall, now the shortest person in our family other than him, & in a few years, he will no doubt tower over me. Kids really keep us chuckling, don’t they?
 
@kiwicurls I too am impressed that you sat so long in a restaurant! We were out for dinner, at a diner type of place. Very slow service and I got up a handful of times to walk around the dining room. No one said anything but I would have explained, had they asked.

Marie
 
Wonderful news, @kiwicurls ! I know I've said this before, but you really are a great example of the "slow and steady wins the race" approach.
He actually was stunned at the flexion and said not too many patients have 118 degrees at 6 weeks.
I wish we could post his comment about your flexion in large bold letters and send it to all the physical therapists who tell patients they will need an MUA if their ROM isn't at 120 by week 4!

Thank you for sharing.
 
Wonderful news, @kiwicurls ! I know I've said this before, but you really are a great example of the "slow and steady wins the race" approach.
He actually was stunned at the flexion and said not too many patients have 118 degrees at 6 weeks.
I wish we could post his comment about your flexion in large bold letters and send it to all the physical therapists who tell patients they will need an MUA if their ROM isn't at 120 by week 4!

Thank you for sharing.
In a FB group, someone is 76 at two weeks. If she’s not 95 by next week, she is having an MUA. That makes me so angry.

Marie
 
Thanks everyone for your nice comments.
@Jockette: I agree, everyone has their own protocol re. keeping the knee straight for the first few days. If I ever get the other knee done, I will probably sneak in a slight bend when nobody is looking!

@Catalien45 : What a lovely reply! I got rid of the loo seat raiser this morning as we are having people coming to stay a night this weekend and I wanted the loo back to normal. We don't have a big fancy house and the only other loo is outside in the laundry. Funny, but I have managed fine today without it. Needs must, I suppose.
Your grandson sounds cute! To him, you will always be 6 feet tall. Isn't that lovely?
What sort of restaurants are Perkins? We don't have them in Australia.
I know what you mean about not getting out much just now. Our news is full of grim warnings of a horrible flu season and covid variants on the way to kill us all. Well, we had our flu shots but both of us are not sure we want a 4th covid booster vaccination as from what I've read, they don't provide protection for very long.

@InkedMarie : I was at the hairdresser having a colour and cut this morning and I was there for over 2 hours. I just got up and walked around a lot while the colour processed and my knee was fine. The salon is in an old house and there was plenty of room to walk about. I went up and down the hallway for ages but I didn't go too far down the back as my hairdresser has always maintained the back room is haunted! She says she hears funny noises in that room, which is not used, when she works late in the evenings.

@benne68 : I have come to the conclusion that most physios are idiots and they all need retraining in the care of a tkr! However...I have been very lucky with mine and she's coming for her final visit on Thursday, to sign me off. We will have coffee and cake, if I get around to making one!
 
:yes!:Such a good update @kiwicurls, it's the small achievements like being able to sit & eat at a restaurant or spend a few hours at a salon that gives us great enjoyment, a plus when our knees don't grumble, I too make sure I get up and move/straighten my knee frequently especially if I'm sitting for long periods of time.
Sadly physiotherapist the majority have been trained in Sports therapy and healing of Sports injuries, few are interested or knowledgeable about the recoveries of a joint replacement two very different types of physio, like you I was fortunate to have had a good one, he has the same approach and thinking of BoneSmart, never on either replacement whilst under his care was anything forced.
Wishing you a continued good healing. Keep us all updated on your journey as it really helps the newcomers starting their journeys too xx
 
No you are not! We have all done this, including me, more times than I care to admit. Life goes on and we try to keep up. I shopped way more than I should have in the early weeks. (But you didn’t hear that from me! :heehee: ) It was before I knew what I know now!
 
Sitting on the recliner, leg elevated and iced, feeling terrible now. Husband pointed out to me, I have been out every day since Saturday. As many others have said, you just want to get back to normal. Frustrating.
 
We call it being in the Over Did It Club. ( ODIC ) Next time you want to shop, gather your items, then go the the car while your husband stands on line and pays for them.
 
@Jockette that’s a good idea but at the moment he’s crippled with sciatica and I just wanted to help him for a change.
 
Very understandable. Sometimes have have to do what you have to do. :console2:
 
I am an idiot.
No, you're not, you are just in the learning stage of what you can and can't do. Unfortunately, learning can be quite painful! You are doing the right thing now by icing and elevating. Does your store offer a pickup service? My local Walmart does and I used them quite a bit when I was healing. Still do if I'm in a hurry.
 
@sistersinhim
Yes we have home delivery and pick up but when we used these services in lockdown they always sent food right at its use by date; nothing was very fresh, so many complaints in Australia about it even now. Waste of money.
 

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