TKR 3 weeks post op
- Thread starter cait1981
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cait1981
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That's good to know as 2 workmates had TKR several weeks before me and they both achieved over 120 degrees. I'm happy with my pace though and don't mind being the straggler - plus who knows what might happen in 2 weeks 
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newlybionic
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Just remember don't measure your progress in days but over weeks and months. Try not to dwell on numbers but in what you can do. For example walking without pain, doing things that you couldn't do but wanted to that you have avoided, stairs, etc. I found that a better way to measure my recovery. I'm finding now that I can finally walk at a normal rate of pace. For years my daughters had to wait for me to catch up. That to me has felt wonderful. It took MD a while but I feel 'normal' again.
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cait1981
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Yes keeping up with my 19 and 20 year old daughters at the mall will be wonderful - for years I would get a shopping trolley/cart to prop me up and reduce the pain lol can't wait to shop while walking on my own.
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cait1981
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So I know there are so many things I can now do since having my surgery and very grateful for this but I learned after a TKR I need antibiotics everytime I go to the dentist - I know I cannot run, kneel or cross my legs again - are there any other things important to know post surgery?
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newlybionic
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I sit with my legs crossed a the time. Some are able to kneel without any problems or on a soft pillow saying it just feels weird. Others have gone back to sports involving running or switched to cycling or swimming for exercise. The use of antibiotics for dental work has also been challenged recently and many people do not take any. My OS wants me to take a dose of an antibiotic before dental work so I usually do. The only thing you can't do is get past a metal detector without setting off the alarms!
BBCG
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
Hi Cait1981, I also was a bit slower than some in getting my ROM back, am still a bit behind, but I understand why: I'm on my feet alot as I own a store. But, each person will have their own recovery pace, rhythmn and schedule, as you'll hear over and over again here. I also was worried about what my OS would say and when I first saw him at 6 weeks and was only at 75 degrees flexion and 8 degrees extension, he also was concerned. He wanted me to be at 100 by a month later. But, came that time and I wasn't but had clearly improved, he was okay with that after all, since I was okay with my progress. I'm at 4 months now, and my flexion is around 110 and still improving weekly and the swelling is much less; I forget to take the Tylenol my knee is so much better. I transitioned to Tramadol with Tylenol after getting off the Oxycontin, and I also took Methocarbamol, a muscle relaxer to help with muscle spasms, but only need that at night. I also felt kinda panicky when I thought my OS was gogint to insist he do an MUA due to my poor flexion range, but he didn't, plus, I made it clear I wasn't wanting to do so, but preferred to wait and see what would happen over the coming months. Indeed, as everyone here says, your ROM will improve with time! For me there have been probably 3 turning points, wherein progress would suddenly occur, the most significant being at about 4 months. Swelling disappeared, pain let up, I stopped needing to ice at night, etc. So, your new baby knee has its own schedule and it will let you know what's next, I think, if you're like lots of us fellow TKR-ers! Here's to you healing well and we're all here to help!
BBCG
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
YES! The fear of the "Dreaded MUA" is definitely out there, and I was thus afflicted for a while, too. Several people here talked me down from my panic about the dreaded MUA, and reminded me I could say no, I could say I wanted more time to elapse before going that route, etc. So much so, that I was able to get to a much more positive place and that truly seemed to matter to my doc...surprisingly to me at first. Then, when I saw him a week ago at my 4 month mark, all he needed was to see me pop up and walk confidently across the room and he said, "That was good! I think you're doing great!" My swelling is so much less now! Today, at last, I made it around Costco, too, that humongous warehouse of stuff, and all the way to the back, etc! haven't been able to do that without lots of pain afterwards until now. And each week seems a bit better, bit by bit... It's fun to find out the timeline my knee needed and yours will let you know, too!
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cait1981
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Gah - decided to do a little Christmas shopping today - only just arrived at the shopping centre so haven't even started and my backs aching and my leg feels hot not to touch it just feels hot from my thigh to my ankle - I guess I'm in for one of the not so good days :(
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zzevi
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It's a busy time of year, and lots to do. I've done a lot of shopping on line, but it's fun to get out and makes it more like the season to get out and see the stores all decorated. It's very easy to over do it, we all have. But it just sets us back a day or so, usually so don't beat yourself up about getting out once in a while. Just get the ice packs out and pain med and elevate and rest that leg and you'll be fine and it probably was a spirit lifter.
My surgeon has enlarged that cartoon and has a copy on his receptionist's desk. He obviously thought it was funny, too.
referee54
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Remember---we all recover at different rates and on different schedules. Don't worry about where you are now or "where you should be"---you knee or knees are in charge of the recovery schedule and you will get to the destination of being fully recovered. My BTKR recovery took me six months to get to about 80%-85%, and it was not until eight months or so that I was at 90%-95%----and I gained ROM in tiny increments well after a year post-op.
I am allowed to kneel, but it sure does feel weird, so I do not do it. I can cross my legs, as well, but I rarely do that, either.
I can cross my legs and i can kneel. Kneeling does feel a bit strange, but ti doesn't hurt. Some surgeons recommend you don't kneel for about 6 months. Others don't give any instructions about it.
I could run, for a dire emergency, but I'd prefer not to. Doing running as a sport would probably contribute to premature wearing out of the spacer between the metal components in the knee replacement. I think that's why most surgeons advise against it.
Last year, I had a flood in my kitchen, as a small pipe burst - in the middle of the night. I had to go out on my driveway and lie down by torchlight on the hard asphalt, to reach down into a hole and turn off the valve of the main water supply. Had I not been able to kneel (and get up again) my whole house would have been flooded.
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cait1981
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I stopped PT at 2 weeks post op so not sure what my ROM is and have been trying to guess from photos I have my kids take - I know it's not essential to know but I'm curious. I warmed up on the stationary cycle then tried to bend as far as I could without pain - anyone with a good eye wanna take a guess what my ROM might be from a photo.
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