TKR 3rd day in

[Roo62]

Please add me to the July list if there is one yet. Left TKR op date 5 July 2018. (Right knee op was 27 July 2017). thanks

 

[Pumpkin]

Roo62,
Welcome to BoneSmart, glad you joined us?

Here is a link to the July Sparklers, post your surgery dates, Bottomshollow will add you to the surgery list. You will be able to find members having surgery the same time as you.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/2018-july-sparklers-are-you-having-knee-surgery-in-july.46834/

Here are the recovery guidelines, the articles are short and will not take long to read.

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​

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.

 

[Spex10]

Hello, how are you doing? Its early days for me too but I seem to have made rapid progress and am much more independent.

 

[sistersinhim]

Welcome to Bonesmart! You are at the best place to learn everything about knee replacements. We've all had one. Some even more than one! Be sure and read the articles left for you. This is information gathered from years of combined experiences! Following the advice will give you a less painful recovery!

 

[Roo62]

Hi. Was trying to use Bonesmart on my phone but couldn't get to grips with it. Now trying to figure it out on my laptop. I'm 7 week post op and am concerned about my scar. It's very tight, red, raised and bumpy. It gets sore and sometimes itchy. I can't remember if my right knee was the same. Not sure if I'm massaging it enough or too much. Should I protect it when I use my wrap around ice pack? My bend is at 97 and I can't seem to increase it, it seems really tight (and painful) behind my knee. My physio wants someone to physically bend it for me like she does. I'm not sure this feels right to me.

 

[Spex10]

I'm at 8 weeks today. My scar is red and raised and sensitive to touch. My ROM is about 90. However, I'm OK. I don't try to force a bend as that just leads to swelling. I take a firm line with PT! I'm not really in much pain. I walk about, use stairs, drive etc . I've got my first check up with OS next Tuesday. I'm hoping he'll discharge me. I had a MUA last knee but it was stuck at 50. This time its much better.

 

[Josephine]

Not sure if I'm massaging it enough or too much.

Any massage is too much. Leave it in peace for a while.

Should I protect it when I use my wrap around ice pack?

Of course you should! Have a light towel or scarf between skin and ice. Always.

My physio wants someone to physically bend it for me like she does. I'm not sure this feels right to me.

Well you are correct. Never, ever allow anyone to push on your knee at all!

Did you not read the articles Pumpkln left you? It's all in there

 

[sistersinhim]

I never touched my scar and it has almost disappeared! Mother nature knows what's she's doing!